Venture Leader CDL,Rockies -Haskayne School of Business

Description

The Haskayne School of Business invites applications for a Venture Leader. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 12 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

The Creative Destruction Lab-Rockies (CDL-Rockies) is a cohort-based, new venture mentorship program at the Haskayne School of Business. CDL-Rockies helps innovators transition from science projects to high-growth companies, inviting some of the world's top, early-stage technology ventures to Calgary for this innovative 9-month program. After a rigorous application and selection process, the CDL-Rockies program engages senior entrepreneurial leaders, as well as noted scientists, economists, investors and graduate students in the support of new venture founders with a goal to prepare these founders for seed stage financing and accelerated growth.

CDL-Rockies is built upon the original CDL model, developed at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto in . The CDL network has to date created over $35 billion in equity value for participating ventures in a twelve-year period of time, while educating thousands of students and creating new and unique job opportunities for graduates and the broader ecosystem.

The achievement of these milestones (well beyond the original 5-year goal) is testament to the CDL culture, which we work to emulate at CDL-Rockies. The CDL culture is one that engages a team of brilliant people with significant relationship acumen, a strong sales orientation, an innovative mindset, and relentless ambition to create the foundation for world-class venture acceleration.

Globally, the CDL network includes sites located in the business and management schools in the Universities of British Columbia, Calgary, Tartu, Toronto, and Wisconsin-Madison; Dalhousie and Monash Universities; HEC Montreal and Paris; ESMT Berlin and the Georgia Institute of Technology.

CDL-Rockies currently supports three cohorts of up to 75 ventures annually in each of prime science (Prime), energy transition (Energy), and agriculture technology / food security (AgriFood).
This is a full-time Limited Term 1 year position.

This position reports to one of two stream managers, who fall under the Director of Ventures.

This position normally works Monday to Friday, 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M, 7 hours per day (35 hours per week), although extended or alternative hours (evenings and weekends) and travel will be required based on the needs of CDL-Rockies. This position is required to maintain complete confidentiality regarding all business matters and to exercise a high degree of professionalism in the execution of his/her duties.

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

CDL Network Engagement

• In collaboration with CDL Global, the CDL Rockies Director of Programming, and the CDL Rockies Site Lead, supports the extension and implementation of the CDL methodology and program at the Haskayne School of Business. This entails regular information sharing with the venture companies, working to achieve the goals set by the Fellows and Associates, supporting access to resources and the application of research and strategic guidance to ventures
• Continuously works to expand the CDL Rockies network and maintain ongoing relationships (e.g. with CDL Rockies alumni, national and international university research labs, tech associations, accelerators), and any other relationships that promote the objectives and growth of CDL Rockies

Recruitment & Selection of CDL Rockies Ventures

• Under direction from their stream manager, sources and proactively reaches out to start-ups, hosts meetings at the Haskayne School of Business, and virtually to promote CDL Rockies, with emphasis on recruiting start-ups from Alberta, across Canada, the US, and around the globe
• Applies analytical tools and evaluation frameworks to assess fit for early-stage science and engineering-based start-ups that applied for the CDL Rockies program

Startup Venture Leadership & Management

• Manages a portfolio of 10-15 early stage technology start-up companies over the course of a year.  This involves regular progress advising and reporting to the Fellows and Associates on the venture progress against established goals, with the goal of maximizing the possibility of investment (a success metric)
• Responsible for supporting assigned ventures as they navigate the various steps and requirements necessary to be successful in the program and responsible for revolving issues and providing advice to meet established goals
• Provides support and oversight to the MBA students assigned to their ventures as those students work to help ventures accomplish pre-established goals
• Writes and maintains the venture briefing documents for each company

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Master's degree in business administration or equivalent and / or in a specialization related to CDL-R focus areas including; ag tech, food science, life sciences, B2B SaaS, digital technologies and hard tech, is required
• 7+ years of progressive experience including working in a start-up, with an early stage technology company, with an angel investor, or in a venture capital firm is required
• Strong understanding of business models and drivers of success in startups across several verticals is required
• Financial literacy and experience with fundraising and venture deals is required
• Experience and confidence working with senior technology executives or angel investors is required
• High motivation with strong interest in all aspects of business development and relationship management is required
• Proven ability to analyze and systematically evaluate ventures and proficiency with financial modeling, conducting market analysis, and strategic planning is required
• Project management expertise is required
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and public speaking skills are required
• Passion to consistently meet or exceed performance objectives is required
• Strong, team-oriented work ethic with willingness to work independently and autonomously is required
• Experience working as a consultant or advisor to startup companies is an asset
• Experience in an industry sector related to identified CDL Rockies streams (prime science / energy / food) is required 

Application Deadline:  November 09, 2024

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist / Advisor  Job Family, Phase 3.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website. 

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ([email protected]).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role. 

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.