Manager, Industry Development

MANAGER, INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT

COVE

Dartmouth, NS

COVE is a global technology partner advancing high-impact solutions from seabed to space. COVE transforms innovation into market-ready technologies through testing, commercialization support, market expertise and access to critical infrastructure. Leveraging its networks and mission-driven platform, COVE connects investors, innovators, industry, and the research community to drive cutting-edge capabilities for commercial and defence applications.

Based in Canada and operating internationally, COVE supports the full lifecycle of maritime and multi-domain technologies – from research and development to manufacturing, integration, and export – linking Canadian innovation to global markets. COVE has built a globally recognized innovation platform, with an ecosystem of more than 700 organizations spanning startups, multinational firms, researchers, Indigenous partners, and public sector collaborators.

Through its programs, facilities, and partnerships, COVE enables real-world testing and validation, strengthens supply chains, and accelerates technology adoption in complex operating environments. With strong connections across the North Atlantic, the United States, and the Arctic, and as part of international networks including NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA), COVE plays a key role in advancing technologies that support economic growth, environmental sustainability, and global security.

As COVE experiences rapid expansion, it is actively seeking to expand its team to further bolster its transformational influence as a global technology partner in advancing high-impact solutions. COVE recognizes that its journey toward this goal hinges on the strength of its team – a group of individuals who collaborate, innovate, and continually strive for excellence. Join COVE as it embarks on this exciting journey of discovery and advancement.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Director of Partnerships & Industry Development, the Manager, Industry Development leads the delivery and expansion of COVE’s Innovation Challenges Program, and related commercialization initiatives, that connect defence operational priorities with innovative small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to accelerate technology validation, adoption and supply chain integration. The Manager works with the Canadian Armed Forces, prime contractors, industry, technology, research partners and SMBs to translate operational and supply chain needs into targeted innovation challenges, connecting Canadian technologies with opportunities for validation, adoption and defence and commercial procurement.

Success in this role is measured by trusted stakeholder relationships, effective challenge delivery, identification of capability gaps and the advancement of credible technology solutions that create tangible opportunities for Canadian companies to enter defence programs and supply chains. As part of the Market Development team, the Manager strengthens COVE’s role as a connector between operational needs and Canadian innovation while helping build a scalable national portfolio of innovative dual-use technologies.

Duties And Responsibilities

Lead the end-to-end delivery of COVE’s Innovation Challenges Program, from identifying operational needs and sourcing solutions through challenge design, SMB project execution, validation and pathways to adoption.

Work directly with industry, government, the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Armed Forces, prime contractors and other sponsors to identify operational problems, capability gaps, supply chain requirements and technology needs suitable for challenge-based innovation and adoption.

Translate complex operational and technical requirements into well-defined challenge statements, evaluation criteria, milestones and measurable outcomes that can be effectively communicated to Canadian industry.

Develop and lead initiatives to expand Canadian SMB participation in domestic and international defence supply chains by identifying capability gaps, connecting SMBs with prime contractors, and supporting supplier qualification and technology adoption.

Manage a portfolio of SMB projects, establishing statements of work, budgets, milestones, deliverables and decision gates.

Assess technology readiness including whether solutions are operationally relevant, commercially viable and aligned with defense priorities.

Identify barriers to adoption and work with partners to resolve issues related to integration, funding, procurement, intellectual property, as well as technology validation and demonstration.

Facilitate working sessions with senior industry and defence stakeholders to define requirements, evaluate technologies, and to resolve technical or commercial barriers to ensure promising solutions are advanced.

Support COVE's broader engagement with Canadian and international defence organizations and primes to identify opportunities for Canadian companies to participate in major platforms, programs and global supply chains.

Develop repeatable methodologies, governance, processes and tools that enable COVE to scale nationally.

May require national and international travel.

Ensure compliance with COVE’s policies and procedures, including human resources, safety, and operational standards.

Take on additional responsibilities as required to support the success and growth of COVE’s programs and strategic initiatives.

Qualifications:

Degree in Business, Engineering, Science, Public Policy, Defence Studies or equivalent combination of education and experience

5-7 years experience managing or executing programs.

Experience managing complex innovation, defence or commercialization programs.

Eligibility to obtain and maintain a Government of Canada security clearance is required.

Knowledge/Special Skills Required:

Experience working within or directly alongside senior CAF/DND officials, government and allied defence organizations, and major defence contractors, with demonstrated credibility engaging these stakeholders.

Strong understanding of defence capability development, acquisition, systems engineering, technology integration, experimentation and program delivery.

Strong organizational skills to manage multiple priorities.

Demonstrated business acumen, leadership, people management, strategic thinking, and sound judgment.

Experience with dual use technology demonstrations, trials, test and evaluation, systems integration or major defence programs.

Knowledge of Canadian defence procurement, industrial participation and the Canadian defence innovation ecosystem is considered an asset.

Experience working with international defence organizations, allied militaries or multinational defence companies is considered an asset.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, including strong facilitation and public speaking skills.

Assets:

experience in defence, aerospace, maritime, advanced technology or another complex mission-critical environment.

Familiarity with technology readiness levels, systems engineering, integration and acceptance processes.

Experience with security readiness requirements.

Business development experience.

Proficiency in Office365, including advanced skills in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Working at COVE

At our core, we are a team driven by our passion for empowering marine tech innovators, serving as unwavering advocates for every visionary who walks through our doors. Integrity, creativity, and diversity are not just values to us - they are the bedrock of our identity. We thrive within an integrated team environment, where collective efforts culminate in tangible results. Embracing diversity in our workforce is paramount for fostering genuine collaboration and fulfilling the impactful responsibilities we hold within our community. We cultivate a workplace culture that celeb