Senior Vice-President, Business Development & Strategy

Mitacs; Vancouver; Remote; CAD 250,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a mission-driven organization at the forefront of Canada’s innovation agenda. This strategic role offers the chance to influence national policy and shape partnerships that drive meaningful outcomes for research and industry. You will lead initiatives that connect talent and research capabilities to solve real-world challenges, all while fostering a collaborative culture. With flexible work arrangements and a focus on high-impact leadership, this position is ideal for seasoned executives ready to make a difference in the innovation landscape.

Benefits

Flexible Work Arrangements

Collaborative Culture

Incentive Compensation

Benefits Package

Qualifications

• Deep experience in business development and strategic partnerships.
• Proven track record of building complex, multi-sector relationships.

Responsibilities

• Drive Mitacs’ work with businesses and academic partners.
• Build and nurture relationships with key stakeholders.

Skills

Business Development

Stakeholder Engagement

Strategic Partnerships

Leadership

Innovation

Talent Development

Education

Master's Degree

PhD

Job description

As Canada’s leading innovation organization, Mitacs provides the resources needed to drive competitiveness and productivity and connects Canadian industry with the country’s leading researchers and talent to solve real-world business and other organizational challenges.

For over 25 years, Mitacs has combined strategic partnerships, talent, and financial support to support organizations to innovate and grow. Mitacs works across sectors such as digital technology, artificial intelligence, energy, sustainable solutions, advanced manufacturing, health and life sciences, and social innovation. A study by Statistics Canada shows that Mitacs-supported companies experienced an average increase of 9 percent in total revenue and 16 percent in sales by the third year after partnering with Mitacs. They also recorded an 11 percent boost in productivity, whereas the average increase for companies in Canada was 0.8 percent.

What we do for organizations

We help organizations identify challenges and opportunities, formulate innovation roadmaps and research projects, and then connect to the right source of academic expertise and know-how from Canada and around the world—all within our existing networks. Our success is built on attracting and deploying highly qualified talent that can help businesses and not-for-profit organizations cost effectively achieve their goals.

What we do for professors

We connect cutting-edge research, design, and creativity from Canada’s university, polytechnic, and college systems, to ventures at every stage of development from start-up through scale-up to multinationals. We provide funding for projects across all disciplines — up to 55% — and connect top-tier researchers with the businesses, not-for-profits, municipalities, and hospitals that need them.

What we do for students

We mobilize the brightest minds through internships where students and postdocs apply their academic skills to solve real-world problems throughout the continuum of innovation. We ensure that students participating in our programs are representative of the diversity of the Canadian population. We strive to create inclusive pathways for local and international students, expanding career opportunities and professional skills training for the next generation of innovators.

About the Role

Reporting directly to the CEO, the SVP will drive Mitacs’ work with businesses, academic partners and other ecosystem partners to create projects and strategic partnerships which deliver talent (students at graduate, postdoctoral and undergraduate levels) and research capability to solve business and other organizational challenges. In this externally facing, strategic mandate, the SVP is responsible for building, nurturing, and advancing relationships with key stakeholders across business, academia, government, health and the not-for-profit sectors in line with Mitacs’ forthcoming strategic plan.

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned executive with deep experience in business development, stakeholder engagement, and strategic partnerships at the nexus of academia and industry. They will bring stature and credibility in both business and academic contexts, with a proven track record of building complex, multi-sector relationships. A background in innovation, business–academic partnerships, or talent development—particularly involving the private sector—is strongly preferred. This individual will possess strategic vision, political and cultural acuity, and the leadership capacity to thrive in a high-growth, high-impact environment.

Why join Mitacs?

Mitacs is a mission-driven organization at the forefront of Canada’s innovation agenda. By joining the leadership team, you will have the opportunity to influence national policy, shape strategic partnerships, and drive meaningful outcomes for research, industry, and future generations of talent. We offer a collaborative culture, flexible work arrangements, and a platform for high-impact leadership.

The location of this role is flexible across Canada. The search will be conducted nationally and strong candidates from all regions will be considered. Regular travel across Canada is expected and bilingualism in English and French is an asset.

How to Apply

The search is being supported by Boyden, global leaders in executive search. To apply for the position, please apply through Boyden’s career site here. For more information, please contact Boyden at [e-mail]

In accordance with BC’s Pay Transparency Act, the expected base salary range for this role is $250,000 – $300,000 plus incentive compensation and benefits but may vary based on the successful candidate.

We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Please note that we will only be in contact with those individuals moving forward with our client.

Mitacs is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.