Regional Innovation Lead

**Who We Are**

The Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) was established in 1987 as the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE). OCI is a leading not-for-profit organization that brings industry, academic, and government partners together to invest in collaborative R&D, technology development, and commercialization opportunities that generate the highest return on innovation for Ontarians.

OCI leads the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) initiative on behalf of the Government of Ontario. OVIN builds upon Ontario’s position as a global leader in the future of automotive, as North America’s second largest automotive manufacturing and supply jurisdiction and second largest cluster of information and communication technology companies operating in the province. Ontario’s high-quality post-secondary institutions, first class talent, innovative small and medium sized enterprises, and infrastructure to support entrepreneurship ensure that the province is uniquely positioned to capture the economic opportunity of the automotive technology and smart mobility innovation space and lead the global mobility transformation.

Through resources such as research and development (R&D) funding, talent development, technology acceleration, business and technical supports, and demonstration grounds, OVIN provides a competitive advantage to Ontario-based automotive and mobility companies - allowing Ontario to reinforce its position as a Global leader in next generation mobility technologies, as well as transportation and infrastructure systems.

**The Opportunity**:
**Your Contribution**:

- Maintaining an external and client-facing presence with stakeholders in the region, supporting lead generation for piloting opportunities.
- Engage with clients and other stakeholders to gather requirements and feedback to optimize operations and meet ecosystem needs; proactively identify and mitigate risks, supporting implementation of contingency plans as needed.
- Driving strategic and regional development activities including development of strategic relationships/partnerships with industry, government, post-secondary institutions and other ecosystem partners.
- Communicate effectively with project teams, partners, and leadership to provide regular updates and insights.
- Map, develop and maintain the OVIN automotive and mobility cluster in the Windsor-Sarnia region and the surrounding area, by identifying and engaging with entrepreneurs, small-medium enterprises, multinational enterprises, industry associations, academic institutions, venture capitalists, trade commissioners, and other stakeholders.
- Support the planning, execution, and monitoring of technology pilot projects, and collaborate with the team to address operational challenges.
- Managing strategic relationship with cross-border partners, including border agencies, infrastructure owner/operators, and partners on the US side.
- Evaluate and pursue opportunities for technology piloting collaborations, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and objectives.
- Stay abreast of technology trends in the automotive and mobility technology sector, particularly as it relates to technology piloting and associated requirements.
- Expand OCI’s network by participating in events, business associations, technical committees, and professional organizations.
- Be a connector, facilitating valuable introductions between different organizations to expand business opportunities for the benefit of Ontario.
- Support OCI’s business development team in meeting OVIN programs funding targets.
- Act as an ambassador of OVIN & OCI through speaking and other public engagements.
- Monitor market requirements, program outcomes, insights and successes to inform program evolution and continuous improvement.
- Working with OCI’s marketing and communications group to identify and communicate success stories, trends, and new developments.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.

**Qualifications**:

- Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field, with an understanding of the business and technologies of the automotive and mobility sector.
- Proven experience in lead generation and/or business development, particularly in technology and innovation related initiatives, and/or technology integration.
- Proven experience in strategic planning and operational management, particularly around piloting programs.
- Knowledge of emerging technologies and trends relevant to the automotive and mobility sector would be an asset.
- Demonstrated success in developing and fostering partnerships, client and stakeholder relationships.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with stakeholders at various levels.
- Analytical mindset and problem-solving skills, with the capacity to make informed decisions in complex environments.
- Experience in reviewing and/or assessing business plans and budget figures to assess the commercialization potential of