Assistant Vice-President, Innovation, Partnerships and Entrepreneurship

Date Posted: 10/14/2025

Req ID: 45502

Faculty/Division: VP - Research

Department: Innovations & Partnerships Office

Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

Description:

About Us:

The Vice-President, Research & Innovation (VPRI) portfolio supports the University of Toronto as a top public research university in the world. Our mission is to create the most supportive environment possible so that our researchers, innovators and learners can do what they do best, advance understanding and apply new knowledge. Our work supports, fosters and promotes the research and innovation culture and activities of our faculty, staff and students, along with our partner hospitals, funding sponsors, and partners in the public and private sector.

VPRI provides a full range of services including guidance to faculty, staff and students on funding opportunities, research agreement negotiation, oversight and accountability services including research accounting, environmental health and safety, innovation and entrepreneurship, partnerships, policies and procedures, and institutional awards and honours.

Your Opportunity:

Reporting to the Vice-President, Research and Innovation, and Strategic Initiatives (VPRISI), the AVP-IPE brings the highest standards of professionalism, dedication and leadership in the identification, development and provision of an array of advocacy, coordination and support strategies to advance the University of Toronto's role as an internationally preeminent research and innovation institution. A member of the Vice-President's executive group, the AVP-IPE provides advice, guidance, information and support to the Vice-President, providing strategic direction and integrated oversight of the university's commercial research partnerships, industry research engagement, and innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem. The individual in this role will hold a vital leadership position focused on the strategic development and management of the Innovation & Partnership Office (IPO), University of Toronto Entrepreneurship (UTE) and University of Toronto Early-Stage Technology (UTEST). This strategic leader will advance and enhance the University's mission as a premier public research institution on the global stage. Their combined efforts play a crucial role in driving innovation and excellence, continuing to position the University among the best in the world.

The AVP-IPE will demonstrate leadership and integrative skills to boost commercialization activity, entrepreneurship, and foster funded research partnerships with industry and public/private organizations and support the exciting growth in these areas across the U of T community. The incumbent will foster and support the U of T community to build internal and external partnerships towards increased translation of research discoveries through commercial and social innovations that will have a broad economic impact and public benefits. The AVP- IPE will be directly responsible and accountable for creating conditions that enable funding growth from sponsors and private sector partners for research, commercialization, and start-ups. The AVP- IPE will lead the strategies to better measure the impact of the University of Toronto's innovation, partnerships and entrepreneurship activities at the local, national and global levels. The AVP- IPE is responsible for providing leadership and services to the academic community and administrative supports for fostering activities that will enhance the culture of invention and intellectual property disclosures across research disciplines. The AVP-IPE will also work synergistically with key partners and organizations that support the university's innovation and entrepreneurship enterprise.

The AVP- IPE will provide strategic direction and leadership in the development, implementation and monitoring of processes, systems, procedures and policies in the planning, conduct and administration of knowledge transfer, entrepreneurship and the various avenues for the commercialization of research. The incumbent will also lead in the administration of research agreements including the development of strategic research alliances, primarily between The University of Toronto and private sector partners to grow industry-sponsored research revenue.

Key responsibilities include the following: leading the organizational development of IPO and UTE in consultation with the Vice-President and the VPRI Executive group. The incumbent will establish a clear set of objectives, and will develop and track work plans to achieve those objectives. These include excellent service delivery to the Divisions, accurate tracking of inventions and invention revenues, and the creation, development and growth of strategic partnerships between the U of T and external (primarily private sector) entities, and fostering an internal support community for entrepreneurship and knowledge translation at U of T. The incumbent will foster an equitable and inclusive climate of teamwork within their areas, in alignment with VPRI and other units at U of T, by engaging staff and building on their experience and areas of expertise. They will ensure that protocols, systems and procedures for the management and operation of IPO, UTE and UTEST activities are consistent with those in place within the VPRI portfolio and other central service units. The AVP -IPE will consistently and thoughtfully manage complex challenges that may arise. In addition, the incumbent will consistently demonstrate superb communications, management abilities and business acumen, combined with a deep respect for academic research and innovation, and proven outstanding ability in building relationships and promoting opportunities.

Essential Qualifications:

EDUCATION:

• Master's degree required; PhD, JD, or MBA strongly preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum ten (10) years of progressive experience in research administration and commercialization, entrepreneurship and partnerships at a senior leadership level, preferably in an academic setting.
• Experience developing and leading research strategies that impact research innovation, commercialization, startup support, or the ability to build key partnerships.
• Experience securing external funding and developing research support infrastructure, including a proven record of bringing new private-sector funding to an institution to support research and innovation.
• Demonstrated experience leading large and complex teams, building and improving processes and/or systems.
• Demonstrated experience managing senior level committees that led to tangible outcomes.
• Experience with management in a unionized environment. Demonstrated knowledge of University policies and procedures an asset.

SKILLS:

• Strong understanding of funding partners, sponsor priorities, and institutional research and innovation competitiveness.
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify opportunities, anticipate challenges, and develop strategic solutions.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to communicate complex technical information and policy issues clearly and persuasively.
• Demonstrated effective leadership, motivational and planning abilities, ability to lead and integrate multiple functional teams in alignment with institutional strategy.

OTHER:

• Superior oral and written communication, interpersonal, negotiation, analytical, organizational, multi-tasking and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with absolute discretion.
• Excellent political acuity, tact, judgment and discretion.
• Ability to interpret and evaluate policy and procedural requirements.
• Ability to be comfortable, credible and persuasive within academic, industrial, government or business environments; broad experience dealing with academia, business/industry; ability to initiate, build and nurture research partnerships.

Inquiries or accommodations requests can be directed to

Interested applicants can also use the following link to submit theirapplication (letter of interest and resume): https://en-

Closing Date: 11/13/2025, 11:59PM ET

Employee Group: Salaried

Personnel Subarea:PM

Appointment Type: Budget - Continuing

Schedule: Full-Time

Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: PM 10 - Hiring Zone: $215,260 - $251,137 - Broadband Salary Range: $215,260 - $358,767 (Open)

Job Category: Administrative / Managerial