Associate Director, Aerospace Innovation, Innovate Calgary

Description

Associate Director, Aerospace Innovation

INNOVATE CALGARY

Calgary, Alberta

Innovate Calgary is a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of Calgary, supporting the University, its members and partners bridge the gap between discovery and creating economic and societal impact. We provide a unique environment for employees combining a flexible working environment with significant exposure to the breadth of Calgary¿s and UCalgary¿s growing innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystems.

We are currently accepting applications for the following position:

Associate Director, Aerospace Innovation

Position Overview

Reporting to the Senior Director, Innovation Hubs, this role will be instrumental in the successful development and execution of the Aerospace Innovation Hub's strategic initiatives. The Associate Director will be responsible for the setup and operations of the Aerospace Innovation Hub (AIH), as well as supporting the delivery of programming at the AIH. The role will also be the primary business development position to attract new members and partners.

Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Support:
   o Collaborate with the Senior Director, Innovation Hubs, to develop and implement the strategic vision of the Aerospace Innovation Hub.
   o Provide leadership and support in executing key initiatives to achieve the AIH's goals.
   o Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence within the AIH.
2. Business Development:
   o Develop and execute strategies to recruit new members and partners to the AIH.
   o Attend events, participate in panel discussions, deliver presentations, and participate in boards that promote the growth and success of the AIH.
3. Program Development and Management:
   o Oversee the day-to-day operations of programs within the AIH, ensuring alignment with the overall mission and objectives.
   o Design and implement innovative programs to support early-stage aerospace startups, including mentorship initiatives, accelerator programs, and access to prototyping labs.
   o Support running of AIH programming, including the Aerospace Accelerator.
4. Stakeholder Engagement:
   o Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including government entities, industry partners, educational institutions, and the broader aerospace communities.
   o Collaborate with industry leaders and organizations to identify opportunities for partnership to support the companies incubated in the AIH.
   o Represent the AIH at events, meetings, and collaborative forums.
5. Community Development:
   o Support the creation of a vibrant and collaborative community within the Aerospace Innovation Hub.
   o Work with the Community Manager to organize events, workshops, and networking opportunities to enhance the AIH¿s community engagement.
   o Demonstrate a strong desire for working relationships within the organization, stakeholders, community, and industry partners.
6. People Leadership: 
   o Provide leadership to direct reports and stakeholders with regular communications and direction to a professional team.
   o Provide a collaborative, positive, and authentic leadership style and drive for results while collaborating across departments at Innovate Calgary.
   o Establish a culture of workplace safety, ensuring a safe, secure, and compliant working environment.
7. Educational Collaboration:
   o Work closely with educational partners, to strengthen the connection between hub activities and educational programs.
8. Financial Oversight:
   o Contribute to the development and management of the AIH's budget, ensuring financial sustainability and responsible resource allocation.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a leadership role within a similar environment, preferably in the aerospace or technology innovation sector.
• Technical understanding of aerospace technologies and general engineering concepts.
• Well-established connections within the aerospace sector and/or the startup ecosystem.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented setting.
• Understanding of program development, financial management, and strategic planning.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field.
• Master's, PhD, or equivalent experience is a plus; aerospace engineering is preferred.

Additional Attributes 

• Ability to work in an environment of multiple deadlines and changing priorities.
• Strong problem-solving mediation skills with the ability to exercise sound judgment to make decisions based on accurate and timely analyses.
• High level of integrity and dependability with a strong sense of urgency and results-orientation.

How to Apply

Interested applicants are asked to forward their resume and cover letter to [email protected] with Associate Director, Aerospace Innovation as the subject line. 

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Application Closing Date:   April 8, 2025.

Innovate Calgary is an equal opportunity organization committed to building and fostering a fair and inclusive community that values diversity and encourages respect for all. We welcome applicants across any race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, Indigenous status, or any other legally protected factors. We recognize the value of identifying and removing barriers for any applicants interested in participating in our programs.