Business Development Specialist, Schulich School of Engineering

Description

SSE Operations Staff within the Schulich School of Engineering is currently seeking a Full-time Limited Term Business Development Specialist for approximately 24 months.

Reporting to the Manager, Research and Inclusion, the Business Development Specialist will focus on identifying and connecting industry partners with Schulich School of Engineering programming, research projects and leaders, and coordinate outreach to foster developing relationships to establish corporate engagement and partnerships. This position will also be accountable to the Senior Manager, Work & Experiential Learning and the Engineering Career Centre to meet business development goals for our work integrated learning programs. 

This position will require flexibility in hours and location to attend events, visit employers and represent the Schulich School of Engineering within Industry both locally and internationally. This is an in-person role on campus and in the community connecting with industry. Use of a car for local and provincial travel and the ability to travel, is required. 

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

Business Development 

• Develop and execute strategic and operational plans to engage new industry partners through to successful completion, including achieving defined targets (e.g., numbers of partnerships, new employers, research partnerships) for Calgary, Alberta, Canada and beyond.
• Develop and maintain a network of industry contacts. 
• Actively market to and recruit potential new employers and research partners.
• Conduct web searches and use personal networks to identify prospective industry research partners.
• Develop resources to attract and inform potential industry partners.
• Attend or facilitate internal/external industry events which may include research meetings, Career Fairs, industry conferences, tours, mixers, Alumni gatherings, etc.
• Follow up on leads/connections and conduct meetings to understand company needs and identify synergies with SSE/ UCalgary engagement priorities.
• Create and conduct informative presentations to various groups (Faculties, companies, professional organizations and more) to increase awareness of engagement opportunities.
• Maintain knowledge of industry trends and developments by market segment
• Report activities, statistics, and metrics on a regular basis (weekly, monthly)

Schulich School of Engineering and UCalgary Focus 

• Build relationships with and determine the priorities of Academic Faculty to assist in making industry contacts for both research and work integrated learning programs.
• Work closely with Employer Specialists to learn about WIL programming and employers and to share industry information.
• Coordinate and participate in initial research partnership meetings between faculty and industry representatives
• Familiarity with the Schulich School of Engineering programs (currently CPE, ECE, MME, CIV, GEO) and centre's (CEERE, Pipeline, Project Management, BME, CBRE) to create industry placements for undergraduate students.
• Familiarity with the Schulich School of Engineering research strengths to foster Industry collaborations and increase research funding from industry sponsors. 
• Liaise with the SSE Development team to share opportunities and industry information.
• Maintain regular contact and share information with the Industry Engagement team in the Office of the Vice-President (Research).

Communications & Marketing 

• In collaboration with SSE Marketing & Communications team, develop resources to attract and inform potential industry partners.
• Inform and contribute to SSE Marketing & Communications strategies and tactics by providing an industry engagement perspective.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of an SSE customer relationship management database of contacts and engagement activities. (companies and faculty members)
• Collaborate to develop and update web content relating to industry engagement services.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Five to seven years of progressive business & marketing experience required.
• Post-secondary education (business, science, engineering, or related discipline) is required, although a combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Sales, fund development, industry engagement, networking, and/or marketing experience is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of the Calgary and Canadian business economy and applied research needs.
• Demonstrated connections within the Calgary and Canadian business economy.
• Demonstrated excellence in quickly understanding a business, extrapolating its needs, and proposing solutions (via industry-academia research/internship partnerships).
• Demonstrated proactive leadership skills with formal and informal groups.
• Demonstrated advanced planning skills, project and time management, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills are required.
• Intermediate level experience working with customer relationship management platforms, such as Razor's Edge, Sales Force, Orbis, etc. is preferred.
• Demonstrated excellence in verbal and written communication skills, networking, presentations, writing, negotiation,
• Advanced skills in sourcing, establishing and stewarding business relationships and partnerships,
• Ability to act as an ambassador, interact with professionals at all levels of organizations, and positively contribute to the SSE team is important.
• Ability to connect independently (cold calling) with industry stakeholders and demonstrate comfort and skill in presenting in front of employers/industry is required,
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively,
• Ability to adapt to a changing environment and work with faculty to advance the Engineering Career Centre.
• Ability to work independently and measure proactive impact of industry engagement, within a large team environment. 
• A valid Class 5 driver¿s license (cannot be a graduated license) with proven good driving record (abstract required). 

Application Deadline:  December 2, 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.