Job Requisition ID:


Time Type:
Full time

Employee Group:
Staff

Job Category:
Business Development

Employment Type:
Permanent

Department:
Faculty of Science - Advancement

Hiring Range:
$101,366.87 - $126,708.58

Posting Information:

The internal deadline is January 15, 2026 at 11:59pm.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

The Manager, Industry Engagement will identify, interact with and engage industry partners in science research programs. The incumbent will work with senior Waterloo Science staff and faculty to identify and pursue prospects for increased or new engagement, and to facilitate and ensure proper, timely follow- up by the Faculty of Science with industry and other external partners. The incumbent will continuously serve as a conduit that can match and then meld industry needs with academic capacity.

Key Accountabilities

Establish and Maintain Relations with Industry Partners
• Foster meaningful interactions that will lead to collaborative research projects and research chairs and other forms of partnership
• Working with the Director, develop and implement an ongoing business development strategy for the identification, prospecting and stewardship of external partners leading to sponsored research activity or philanthropy, with a focus on identified research priorities in the Faculty.
• Build and increase the Faculty of Science's profile in targeted areas of research expertise
• Liaise effectively with management, technical and administrative staff in companies of various sizes and sectors
• Coordinate the participation of industry partners in the preparation of collaborative research proposals, to aid in leveraging industry sponsored funding
• Organize and host events to profile Science researchers and build connections with industry

Liaison on Campus
• Work closely with the Associate Dean Discovery, Innovation and Mobilization, Director of Advancement and colleagues in the Science Research Office to further industry engagement on research programs and funding proposals
• Collaborate with relevant parties as appropriate, including research centres and institutes as well as the Office of Research, Co-operative Education, Marketing and Communications, Graduate Studies, and Advancement

Support for Strategic Research Initiatives
• Assist the Director Advancement and others in facilitating faculty interactions with industry partners
• Represent the Faculty of Science at targeted industry meetings and events
• Organize and host events that profile Science researchers and aid them in expanding their connections to industry.
• Assist with the management and interpretation of database information including key infrastructure assets and researcher expertise to support applications to strategic funding programs
• Establish priorities among the numerous responsibilities and projects encompassed by the position.
• Identify new partners for the EXCEL program, leveraging these relationships for future strategic opportunities

Identification of Opportunities
• Assess emerging trends, determining prospective research opportunities
• Liaise with government funding agencies including the Tri-councils, Ontario Centre of Innovation, and Mitacs and similar organizations to be aware of their existing and new funding programs
• Liaise with members of the Kitchener-Waterloo innovation ecosystem including the Accelerator Centre, Communitech, and Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation.

Data Collection and Analytics
• Ensure compliance with all relevant University policies, procedures and processes.
• Collect and analyze relevant data to describe individual researcher achievements, funding, and success rate statistics.
• Assist with the management and interpretation of database information, including key infrastructure assets and researcher expertise to support applications to strategic funding programs.
• Produce fact sheets and presentations that profile Science research and researchers.
• Provide the Director with advice, information and data related to upcoming funding opportunities to support decision making in the establishment of internal procedures.
• Maintain contacts with the Office of Research and International and relevant funding agencies to ensure information provided and interpretation of guidelines to Science researchers are complete, current, and accurate.

Required Qualifications

Education
• Bachelor's degree required; Masters and/or PhD preferred; will consider technical degrees with exceptional relevant experience as indicated below

Experience
• Minimum 5 years industry R&D experience, preferably involving collaborative research with academia, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum 5 years experience applying or interacting with research funding programs and policies in Canada and Ontario (Tri-councils, provincial agency)
• Strong technical background and ability to quickly grasp new technologies at a high level
• Experience with researching and analyzing corporate mandates to assess a company's suitability as a research partner

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
• Conversant with industry's research & development approach and able to translate to academic terms
• Ability to match faculty competencies in scientific research areas with industrial demand
• Demonstrated ability to build and manage effective partnerships with internal and external clients
• Shows maturity, tact, and diplomacy at all times
• Strong time management, project management, and problem-solving skills
• Exceptional communication skills; written, verbal and presentation
• Confidence with cold-calling prospects
• Demonstrates active listening and empathy
• Skillful negotiation and mediation ability
• Ability to work with confidential information
• Detail orientation
• Timely triage and response to unsolicited requests/inquiries
• Team player also capable of working independently and proactively
• Administrative skills: Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Client relationship management (CRM), WCMS