Senior Innovation Manager, Life

Application Closing Date: December 1, 2026 About Innovate Calgary 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.

About the Role The Senior Innovation Manager (SIM) is a mid-senior position in the Technology Transfer Office (TTO) that focuses the commercialization of University of Calgary research and the promotion of societal impacts in the life and medical sciences space. The SIM position builds on the responsibilities of Innovation Manager (IM), with greater degree of autonomy in terms of managing files, negotiation with potential partners and licensees, as well as participation in more strategic activities. The SIM will be responsible for managing some of the more demanding portfolio components in the Life & Medical Sciences TTO team with a greater degree of autonomy and self-regulation. They will also provide support to the TTO leadership team and participate in the planning of the Life & Medical Sciences TTO team’s activities. The SIM is also expected to be a mentor to more junior colleagues. This SIM will report to the Director, Life & Medical Sciences, Technology Transfer.

Key Accountabilities

Support Innovate Calgary’s mandate of excellence in technology commercialization

Work closely with the Commercialization and Disclosure Office at the University of Calgary to ensure faculty members and the University meet their goals and priorities

Identify new inventions derived from research executed at the University of Calgary by proactively sourcing leads from recently awarded grants, attending research seminars and events, and maintaining relationships with faculty members, students and post-docs

Perform assessments of patentability, market potential, and overall commercial potential

Meet with investigators/researchers as needed to evaluate and define strategy for the commercialization of inventions

Design and initiate commercialization strategies for each technology in theportfolio

Develop marketing strategies and conduct market analysis for technologies in the portfolio

Develop intellectual property protection strategies and manage ongoing prosecution of intellectual property in a timely and cost-effective manner

Identify and initiate contact with potential licensees

Negotiate and close license and equity agreements with industry partners and University startup companies with a high degree of autonomy, but in collaboration with TTO leadership

Maintain and efficiently utilize all aspects of a technology and intellectual property project management database for each technology in the portfolio

Provide training and mentorship to junior colleagues in the TTO

Make recommendations to TTO leadership

Participating in developmental projects for the TTO in order to improve team performance

Participate in Innovate Calgary strategic projects which necessitate TTO involvement (UCEED, ElevateIP and the like)

Support TTO leadership with ideas for programming and activities to drive TTO metrics

Support UCalgary faculty members with grant writing for IP related grant applications

Deliver workshops and seminars to UCalgary and external community

Attend and participate in events and panels as an expert in IP

Attend Innovate Calgary Office hours at different locations on UCalgary campus

Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Personal Characteristics

Strong business judgement and market evaluation skills

Exceptional analytical abilities with an entrepreneurial mindset

Ability to embrace working in a service organization and the requirement to be responsive and deliver output in a timely manner

Ability to demonstrate initiative and exercise independent judgment

Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively in an evolving environment with multiple stakeholders

Excellent oral and written skills, specifically in communicating key metrics and data sets

Keen attitude and willingness to explore outside of the Senior Innovation Manager’s area of expertise

Ability to work with and organize large volumes of data and manage concurrent projects

Outstanding time management skills and high attention to detail

Excellent ability to prioritize projects

Skills & Qualifications

MSc or Ph.D. degree in Life Sciences discipline AND

Minimum of three years of experience in the field of technology transfer and commercialization, innovation,