Advisor, Academic-Industry Partnerships - Okanagan

Would you like to leverage your partnership, research, or innovation experience to strengthen the Okanagan region? Do you want to be part of a mission driven organization shaping Canada’s innovation future? Do you thrive in collaborative environments where creativity, continuous improvement, and strategic thinking are valued? Are you motivated by work that strengthens Canada’s competitiveness and delivers meaningful impact for communities and businesses?

At Mitacs, we take a talent first approach to building Canada’s innovation capacity. We connect researchers with organizations across every region of the country to help solve pressing challenges and accelerate economic growth. By enabling business academic collaboration and supporting the development of highly skilled talent, we contribute to a resilient, future ready Canadian economy.

Guided by our values — Impact, Integrity, Collaboration, Excellence, and Talent — we work with partners nationwide to advance research, commercialization, and innovation.

At Mitacs, you become part of a team committed to empowering Canadian talent, fostering meaningful partnerships, and driving innovation that supports Canada’s long-term competitiveness. If you’re inspired by big ideas and passionate about creating national impact, we encourage you to apply.

The Opportunity

As an Advisor, Academic-Industry Partnerships (one-year contract with potential for extension), you will contribute to the development of research and innovation partnerships across the Okanagan and Thompson-Okanagan regions.

You will develop a strong understanding of the regional innovation ecosystem, build productive relationships with academic and external partners, identify partnership opportunities, and help move those opportunities from initial discussion through project and application development.

Working with post-secondary institutions, economic development organizations, and industry and not-for-profit partners, you will connect regional needs and opportunities with academic expertise, talent, and Mitacs programming. You will manage a varied portfolio of relationships and opportunities, working independently while collaborating closely with colleagues across Mitacs.

The ideal candidate will reside in Kelowna and have access to an automobile, as this role will require frequent engagement with ecosystem partners throughout the region.

Key Responsibilities:

Develop and maintain relationships with post-secondary institutions, industry, not-for-profit organizations, community partners, and economic development organizations across the region.

Build productive working relationships with regional post-secondary institutions such as UBC Okanagan, Thompson Rivers University, and Okanagan College, including researchers, students, research offices, and administrative stakeholders.

Engage prospective and existing industry and not-for-profit partners to understand their research, innovation, talent, and organizational needs.

Identify opportunities to connect partner needs with relevant academic expertise, student and postdoctoral talent, and appropriate Mitacs programs.

Introduce partners to Mitacs programming and provide guidance on program requirements, project development, and application processes.

Support prospective partnerships from initial exploration through project and application development, coordinating with internal Mitacs teams as required.

Develop and maintain relationships with regional economic development organizations and other innovation ecosystem partners to increase awareness of Mitacs and identify potential partnership opportunities.

Conduct outreach to prospective partners and follow up on leads, referrals, events, and other business development opportunities.

Represent Mitacs at regional meetings, events, and sector-focused forums.

Support the development and implementation of regional engagement plans in collaboration with Business Development colleagues and regional leadership.

Organize and deliver presentations, information sessions, workshops, and meetings for academic and external audiences.

Maintain regular contact with partners and provide responsive, high-quality service throughout the development of a potential project.

Monitor institutional priorities, regional developments, emerging sectors, and partner needs, and share relevant information with colleagues.

Manage assigned opportunities and relationships, establish priorities, and seek guidance when opportunities involve significant complexity or strategic considerations.

Collaborate with Mitacs Business Development, Research, Programs, and other teams to support the delivery of high-quality programming and a positive partner experience.

Maintain accurate and timely portfolio, opportunity, and relationship information in Mitacs systems.

Skills and Experience:

An advanced degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience in research, innovation, partnership development, economic development, business development, or a related field.

Experience building relationships in academic, industry, government, community, or not-for-profit environments.

Experience coordinating or advancing projects, partnerships, applications, or other opportunities involving multiple participants.

Ability to listen to and understand partner needs and identify potential connections to research, innovation, or talent-development opportunities.

Knowledge of post-secondary research environments and an understanding of the interests and needs of researchers, students, and institutional partners.

Strong relationship-management and interpersonal skills.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with academic, business, community, and organizational stakeholders.

Strong presentation and public-engagement skills.

Ability to organize work, manage multiple opportunities, and establish priorities in a dynamic environment.

Ability to work independently while seeking input and collaborating with colleagues when appropriate.

Ability to develop practical knowledge of Mitacs programs and clearly explain program requirements and partnership pathways to prospective participants.

Adaptability, curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to develop new relationships and explore new partnership opportunities.

Strong attention to detail and the ability to support the development of complete, high-quality project applications.

Ability and willingness to travel regularly within the region to meet with partners and participate in events.

Knowledge of written and spoken English is required in this role, as the successful candidate will interact with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders located across Canada.

Additional Assets:

Relationships within the Okanagan or Thompson-Okanagan research, innovation, economic development, or industry ecosystem.

Experience working with UBC Okanagan, Thompson Rivers University, Okanagan College, or another post-secondary institution.

Experience supporting academic-industry or other cross-sector partnerships.

Knowledge of one or more sectors important to the regional economy.

Experience with research funding, project development, proposal development, or application processes.

Experience engaging businesses, not-for-profit organizations, researchers, students, or community partners.

Familiarity with customer relationship management systems or other tools used to track relationships and opportunities.

Mitacs is committed to reconciliation with Indigenous communities across Canada. Lived experience or perspectives connected to Indigenous worldviews are considered strong assets.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion and reconciliation are strong commitments at Mitacs: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion - Mitacs . We believe a diverse workforce comprised of individuals with different lived experien