Position Title
Director, Industry Partnerships
Department/Unit
Dal Partners
Location
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Duration of Contract (if applicable)
2.5 years
Employment Type
Full Time
Full-time Equivalency (FTE)
1.0
Salary
$82,887 - $111,181 per annum, 35 hours per week
Provisional Statement
This is a provisional classification. Formal regular review classification procedures may be initiated at any time by the incumbent or supervisor after the incumbent has worked a minimum of six months in the role.
About Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University is Atlantic Canada’s leading research-intensive university and a driver of the region’s intellectual, social and economic development. Located in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, with an Agricultural Campus in Truro/Bible Hill, Dalhousie is a truly national and international university, with more than half of our almost 21,000 students coming from outside of the province. Our 6,000 faculty and staff foster a vibrant, purpose-driven community, that celebrated 200 years of academic excellence in 2018.
Job Summary
Dalhousie University, under the leadership of the Vice-President Research & Innovation, administers more than $270 million in research funding annually. Reporting to the Managing Director, Dal Partners, the Director, Industry Partnership leads strategic partnerships that connect Dalhousie University ’s research strengths with industry, government, and innovation partners. The Director advances sponsored research, talent development, and economic impact, serving as a bridge between the university and external stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development and execution of strategic partnership and business development initiatives that advance Dalhousie’s research, innovation, and institutional priorities.
- Lead and advance high-value partnership opportunities with industry, government, and innovation ecosystem organizations by representing Dalhousie externally and driving cross-university collaboration to grow sponsored research, support institutional priorities, and strengthen the university’s impact and reach.
- Negotiate and execute complex partnership agreements, collaborating with faculty, researchers, and internal stakeholders to achieve successful outcomes.
- Manage and grow a portfolio of strategic partner accounts, strengthening relationships and expanding opportunities across research, talent, and philanthropic initiatives.
- Serve as a senior relationship manager for a portfolio of strategic accounts, building trusted partnerships with executives, researchers, government leaders, and funding organizations.
- Convene and coordinate faculty, researchers, and institutional leaders to develop compelling partnership opportunities that align external needs with Dalhousie’s strengths.
Note
The successful applicant will be eligible for hybrid work (combination of in-person work on campus and remote work from within Nova Scotia) as agreed by all parties based on operational requirements and university guidelines.
Required Qualifications
- Undergraduate degree, plus approximately five to seven years’ of related experience (or an equivalent combination of training and experience).
- Demonstrated experience in business development, strategic partnerships, corporate engagement, government relations, innovation, account management, sponsored research, technology commercialization, or related external-facing roles.
- Demonstrated ability to originate, negotiate, and successfully close complex, high-value partnership agreements.
- Demonstrated relationship management skills with the ability to build trust and influence senior internal and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrated understanding of, or ability to quickly learn, research funding programs and university-industry partnership models.
- Excellent communication, strategic planning, and portfolio management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and opportunities simultaneously.
Assets
- Master’s degree in relevant field.
Job Competencies
The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate proficiency in Dalhousie’s
core and
leadership competencies, in particular:
- Self-Awareness & Professionalism
- Integrity
- Respect & Inclusion
- Adaptability
- Knowledge & Thinking Skills
Additional Information
Dalhousie University supports a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our total compensation package includes a defined benefit pension plan, health and dental plans, a health spending account, an employee and family assistance program and a tuition assistance program.
Application Consideration
Applications from current university employees and external candidates are assessed concurrently. Current university employees will be given special consideration.
We sincerely appreciate all applications and note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted directly by the hiring department or People and Culture.
Diversity Statement
Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. In accordance with our Employment Equity Policy, preference will be given in hiring processes to candidates who self-identify as members of one or more of the equity-deserving groups listed above. For more information, including details related to our Employment Equity Policy and Plan and definitions of equity-deserving groups please review our Employment Equity information.
If you require any support for the purpose of accommodation, such as technical aids or alternative arrangements, please let us know of these needs and how we can be of assistance. Dalhousie University is committed to ensuring all candidates have full, fair, and equitable participation in the hiring process. Our complete Accommodation Policy can be viewed here.
