Director, Co-Innovation Programs

Priority may be given to the following designated employment equity groups: women, Indigenous Peoples* (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), persons with disabilities and racialized persons*.

* The Employment Equity Act, which is under review, uses the terminology Aboriginal peoples and visible minorities.

Candidates are asked to self-declare when applying to this hiring process.

City: Ottawa 

Organizational Unit: Industrial Research Assistance Program 

Classification: MGT-2 

Tenure: Continuing 

Language Requirements: Bilingual Imperative CBC/CBC 

Work arrangements:

• Due to the nature of the work and operational requirements, this position will require full-time physical presence at the NRC work location identified.
  
  At the NRC, we recognize that Indigenous candidates may have important connections to their communities and you may be eligible for an exception to this work arrangement. Alternative work arrangements may also be considered to accommodate candidates as required. To learn more about these options, please contact the NRC Hiring team using the contact information below.

Discover the possible

Anything is possible at the NRC, named in 2026 one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, Top Employer in the National Capital Region and Forbes Canada’s Best Employers!

As Canada’s largest research and innovation organization, our world-renowned research pushes the boundaries of science and engineering to make the impossible, possible. Every day we explore new ideas through innovative research and help companies discover possibilities that impact Canada’s future and the world.

At the NRC, you’ll also discover new possibilities. Our supportive workplace fosters a culture of creativity, welcoming fresh perspectives and innovation at all levels. We value teamwork. You’ll collaborate across multiple fields and with the brightest minds to find creative solutions. Most importantly, you’ll discover what’s possible within you as you grow, make valuable contributions and progress in your professional journey. From ground-breaking discoveries to a life-changing career, discover your possible at the NRC.

The role

We are looking for an experienced and dynamic Director, Co-Innovation Programs for the Industrial Research Assistance Program. The Director would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity.

Working with clients and partners, the National Research Council Canada provides strategic research, innovation support, scientific and technical services to develop and deploy solutions to meet Canada’s current and future industrial and societal needs.

The NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) is a critical component of the NRC with a clear mandate to support SMEs’ growth through innovation. The NRC IRAP has professional field staff that work with clients and give strategic advice to assist the firms with their overall development. The NRC IRAP also can provide financial support to these SMEs’ innovation projects.

As Director, Co-Innovation working closely with your Director General, other Director(s) Co-Innovation and with senior managers and executives across the organization, you will use your own STI network domestically and internationally, understanding and relationships to design and execute strategies and agreements that are important to NRC and to Canada. As a natural leader, you will energize and build a strong team to serve the corporation and you will negotiate with diverse groups within NRC and around the globe to bring ideas and strategies to life. Committed to excellence, you will use your initiative to make recommendations for continuous improvement project management practices and tools.

Screening criteria

Applicants must demonstrate within the content of their application that they meet the following screening criteria in order to be given further consideration as candidates:

Education

A university degree, preferably in engineering, sciences, public or business administration, international relations, or other relevant fields.

Preference may be given to those with graduate studies in relevant fields.

For information on certificates and diplomas issued abroad, please see Degree equivalency

Experience

• Significant management experience including managing people in a participative and team-oriented environment, complex budget management, investment decision, project management and administration.
• Recent experience in implementing and delivering grants and contributions programs or demonstrated related experience in implementing new policy instruments with comparable complexity.
• Extensive and recent experience in providing strategic and operational direction to staff and in rolling out and facilitating multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Extensive and recent experience at the Executive level in providing strategic advice and counsel to ministerial staff and senior level executives including Presidents, Vice Presidents and/or other equivalent positions in the public or private sectors, on complex initiatives.
• Extensive business experience in developing domestic and/or international partnerships and managing client relationships with private sector firms and government department.
• Experience in designing international strategies, developing opportunities and negotiating bi-lateral agreements within an innovation context.
• Significant recent experience in leading and managing human and financial resources;
• Significant experience in designing domestic and/or international strategies, developing opportunities and negotiating agreements within an innovation context.

Condition of employment

Secret clearance

A thorough security clearance process will be applied.

For a Secret Clearance, verification of background information over a period of 10 years is required. Individuals must have lived in Canada for a sufficient period of time to enable the security screening process.

Language requirements

Bilingual Imperative CBC/CBC

Note: In the event that no qualified bilingual candidates are identified, NRC may consider unilingual candidates who will be required to commit to achieving these levels within two years.

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

Assessment criteria

Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

Technical competencies

• Knowledge in developing and implementing leading edge international programs, practices and tools within an innovation organization. 
• Knowledge of the challenges facing SMEs in their innovation and commercialization efforts.
• Solid knowledge of the machinery of federal government in regards to implementation of grants and contributions programs.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, build and motivate individuals and teams to meet or exceed performance expectations.
• Expert negotiation skills in developing partnerships and collaborations from both within and external to an organization.
• Solid working knowledge of the Canadian innovation system, industrial needs, global trends and the NRC’s role.
• Extensive ability to prepare strategies, briefing notes and presentations for executives.
• Extensive knowledge of international STI organizations of potential benefit to NRC
• Extensive knowledge of science and technology and innovation concepts and their applications to partnerships for organizations like NRC.
• Extensive communications and analytical skills, including the ability to influence others.
• Extensive ability to prepare strategies, briefing notes and presentations for executives.
• Extensive knowledge of international research organizations of potential benefit to NRC
• Knowledge in developing and implementing leading edge international programs, practices and tools within an innovation organization.

Behavioural competencies

• Inspirational leadership (Level 3)
• Strategic outlook & alignment (Level 3)
• Drive for results and efficiency (Level 3)
• Leverages collaborative relationships (Level 3)
• Financial Management (Level 3)
• Client Relationship Management (Level 4)
• Industry Sector Knowledge (Level 3)

Competency Profile(s)

For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profile: Management Competencies (MG)

View all competency profiles

Compensation

From $153,444 to $184,059 per annum.

NRC employees enjoy a wide-range of competitive benefits including a robust pension plan, comprehensive health and dental coverage, disability and life insurance, office closure at the end of December, and additional supports to enhance your well-being throughout your career and beyond.

Notes

• In 2026, the NRC was chosen as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, a National Capital Region Top Employer and Forbes Canada’s Best Employer.
• Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC's directives.
• A pre-qualified list may be established for similar positions for a one-year period.
• Preference will be given to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada. Please include citizenship information in your application.
• The incumbent must adhere to safe workplace practices at all times.
• We thank all those who apply, however only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Please direct your questions, with the requisition number (26366) to:

E-mail: NRC.NRCHiring-EmbaucheCNRC.CNRC@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

Telephone: 3439906649

Closing Date: 4 December 2026 - 23:59 Eastern Time

For more information on career tools and other resources, check out Career tools and resources

*If you are currently a term or continuing employee at NRC, please apply through the SuccessFactors Careers module from your NRC computer.