Manager, Economic Development

About Queen's University

Queen’s University is the Canadian research intensive university with a transformative student learning experience. Here the employment experience is as diverse as it is interesting. We have opportunities in multiple areas of globally recognized research, faculty administration, engineering & construction, athletics & recreation, power generation, corporate shared services, and many more.

We are committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from individuals from equity seeking groups such as women, racialized/visible minorities, Indigenous/Aboriginal peoples, persons with a disability, persons who identify in the LGBTQ+ community and others who reflect the diversity of Canadian society.

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Job Summary

Reporting to the Assistant Vice-Principal, Economic Development, the Manager, Economic Development (MED) drives the University’s external engagement agenda by identifying, shaping, and supporting collaborative projects that advance the priorities of the Queen’s Strategic Research Plan 2025-2030 (SRP). The MED scans market and policy trends, connects faculty with public- and private-sector stakeholders, and facilitates agreements that translate research excellence into social and economic value. Working with researchers, departmental leaders, and institutional research services, the MED steers initiatives that support research, enable talent mobility, and attract collaborators to Queen’s and the Kingston region. The MED also champions ecosystem-building activities—such as cluster development, commercialization readiness, and community innovation programs—that enhance Queen’s standing as a partner of choice. Through stakeholder mapping, opportunity assessment, and purposeful outreach, the officer ensures each engagement aligns with SRP themes, equity principles, and regional growth objectives. The officer also provides tactical support to the Queen’s Partnerships & Innovation (QPI) team.

Job Description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the AVP, Economic Development in developing, and steering, economic and business development strategies to accomplish institution goals. Overseeing associated large programs and initiatives.
  
• Map Queen’s research strengths to external partner needs using SRP themes (e.g., Advanced Materials, Next-Generation Computing, Health, Sustainable Societies).
  
• Identify, qualify, and advance partnership leads; prepare capability decks and non-confidential summaries.
  
• Contribute, support and foster Mitacs student internships with Queen’s researchers.
  
• Steward strategic partner relationships and track activity in the client relationship management (CRM) system.
  
• Support landscape analysis in priority area SRP themes.
  
  Economic Development & Ecosystem Building
  
• Collaborate with municipal, provincial, and federal economic-development agencies to attract R&D investment to Kingston and Eastern Ontario.
  
• Promote Queen’s talent, facilities, and start-up pipeline at industry events and conferences.
  
• Support regional cluster projects or Tier One research centres that leverage SRP objectives.
  
• Conduct initial market and IP assessments on invention disclosures; prepare marketing briefs; perform due diligence and help develop business cases for startup formation.
  
  Data, Metrics, and Reporting
  
• Maintain accurate records of leads, agreements, and outcomes; generate quarterly metrics for AVP, Economic Development.
  
• Lead the economic-impact narratives for institutional and government reports.
  
• Establishes, monitors, analyzes and reports on metrics and makes strategic recommendations.
  
  Project & Event Coordination
  
• Plan campus visits, matchmaking sessions, and outreach events; manage all logistics and briefing materials.
  
• Lead special projects assigned by AVP, Economic Development
  
• Managing and executing projects, setting clear timelines and expectations for goals and outcomes, leads the implementation and on-going execution of VPR University wide initiatives.
  
  Inclusive & Respectful Engagement and Work Direction
  
• Embed I-EDIAA principles and respectful partnership practices, including Indigenous community engagement, in all activities, consistent with SRP commitments.
  
• Plan, prioritize and manage the work of employees, providing strategic and tactical advice, guidance and coaching. Identify the need for staff resources, participate on staffing committees, and make effective recommendations regarding employee selection.
  
• Manage performance by establishing performance standards, reviewing and evaluating performance and conducting formal performance reviews on an ongoing basis.
  
• Assess staff training and development needs, and ensure that employees receive training required to improve and sustain successful performance.
  
• Other duties as required in support of the Vice-Principal Research portfolio.
  
  REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  
• University degree in Business, Journalism, Public Relations, Communications or related field; graduate degree an asset.
  
• Minimum 7-10 years experience in research partnership development, technology commercialization, or economic development.
  
• Knowledge of one or more SRP domains (e.g., AI, advanced materials, life sciences).
  
• Familiarity with federal/provincial R&D programs and economic-development incentives.
  
• Experience negotiating research or commercialization agreements.
  
• Proficiency with CRM and MS Office; ability to travel domestically.
  
• Proven experience with writing and editing in a variety of formats.
  
• Consideration may be given to equivalent combination of education and experience.
  
  SPECIAL SKILLS
  
• Relationship-building and stakeholder-management.
  
• Analytical thinking; ability to synthesize technical and market data.
  
• Excellent presentation and communication skills including superior writing and editing abilities.
  
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholder groups.
  
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to plan and coordinator multiple project/work initiative effectively.
  
• Ability to deliver consistently high-quality solutions according to required timelines.
  
• Diplomacy, judgment, and confidentiality in handling sensitive negotiations.
  
• Recognize and understand complex issues and their implications on image and reputation.
  
  DECISION MAKING
  
• Prioritize partnership opportunities aligned with SRP and economic-development goals.
  
• Recommend go/no-go on potential collaborations, funding pursuits, or commercialization pathways.
  
• Determine negotiation positions and escalate legal or policy issues when required.
  
• Select metrics to evaluate partnership and economic-impact performance.
  
• Prioritize work and time, setting up schedules to meet deadlines and carry out responsibilities.
  
• Determine when issues or problem need to be escalated to AVP or alternate. Exercising appropriate discretion in dealing with highly sensitive situations and information.

  Employment Equity and Accessibility Statement

  The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen's is strongly committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and encourages applications from Black, racialized persons, Indigenous people, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQI+ persons. In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements, priority will be given to those who are legally eligible to work in Canada.

  The University provides support in its recruitment processes to all applicants who require accommodation due to a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code, including those with disabilities. Candidates requiring accommodation during the recruitment process are asked to contact Human Resources at [email protected].