Vice President, Corporate Development

Job Title:
Vice President, Corporate Development

Reporting Structure:
President and CEO

Job Scope:
The VP, Corporate Development supports the delivery of the corporate mandate in close cooperation with other members of the management team by: building relationships with key stakeholders, including government; delivering cross-functional programs and initiatives; and, taking the lead on emerging opportunities.

Duties and responsibilities:

General: 

• As a key member of the Genome BC Executive team, contributes to the overall vision and strategy.
• Leads the corporate performance framework and reporting to government and other stakeholders as required.
• Works with internal and external partners to build programs and initiatives under GBC’s strategy, supporting industry, academic and government partners in applying and adapting new genomic technologies for new products, services, systems and interactions.
• Works across the organization to support initiatives that affect all key activities of Genome BC (Research, Commercialization, and Innovation). Pulls together cross-functional teams to respond to opportunities that come to Genome BC, or to build out the business case for internally driven initiatives.
• Analyzes and interprets key data sets to demonstrate the value and impact of the sector broadly and to support future funding and project decisions.

Strategic Initiatives and Corporate Business Development:

• Supports the CEO and Executive team in strategy management responsibilities, including the annual planning cycle (corporate rolling strategy, logic model, annual plans).
• Develops and executes strategic projects and initiatives, which may include:

• • Expanding and strengthening industry cooperation
  • Supporting the development of new consortia and partnerships
  • Developing co-funding strategies and initiatives
  • Developing, implementing and overseeing the corporate performance framework for impact assessment and reporting
  • Proposal development, coordination and preparation of high priority, emerging issues projects

• Monitors and identifies federal and provincial funding opportunities and leads emerging strategic funding initiatives.
• Assists the CEO and the senior team in corporate interactions with senior leaders in industry, academia and not-for-profits provincially, nationally and internationally.
• Represents Genome BC on the ‘Genomics Enterprise’ Working Group to provide cross-organizational guidance and education on performance measurement, analysis and impact tracking and support beneficial alignment among Genome Centres.
• Responds strategically to emerging requirements.

Government and Stakeholder Relations:

• Plans and manages corporate government relations (GR)

• • Establishes an annual GR plan for all levels of government.
  • Manages and coordinates the execution of the annual GR plan.
  • Coordinates corporate interactions with governments (provincial, federal, municipal).
  • Coordinates activities of GR consultants and supports other Genome BC engagement opportunities (education, academia, industry)

• Prepares and maintains GR materials including:

• • Corporate GR presentation
  • Government related reports

• Supports the CEO in ensuring Genome BC is well positioned with the Province of BC and in securing ongoing provincial support and funding.

• Supports the CEO and CFO in facilitation of Government and stakeholder reporting.
• Consistently demonstrates the value of genomics to society by illustrating the impacts of government’s investment.
• Identifies new partners and develops relationships to diversify funding and revenues.

Required Qualifications, Skills & Abilities:

Given the nature of this multi-faceted position, the ideal candidate could come from a variety of career paths, but key characteristics will be the individual’s commitment to and understanding of working within a scientific-oriented environment (health, academia, resources etc.) where collaboration, teamwork, innovation and ethics are never compromised. This role is suited to a senior leader, likely operating within a regulatory environment or within an organization that is connected to research where there is a high degree of outreach to stakeholders and partner groups, and a need to relate technical and/or scientific concepts to everyday application. The Vice President, Corporate Development will have the relationship skills and strategic capability to work closely with Genome BC’s key government partners and will be adept at working with senior officials at all levels within both the public and private sectors. As well, the successful candidate will bring experience in strategic planning, best practices in stakeholder engagement, and knowledge of communications strategies that will help to create continued positive awareness and measurable impact of Genome BC’s work.

Specific Requirements:

• Graduate or professional degree
• At least ten years relevant experience with at least five years’ experience in an operational management and/or executive staff role
• Demonstrated ability in working cooperatively with a group of highly qualified professionals and in overseeing a portfolio of large scale and complex projects, including development of processes and procedures that align with organizational needs
• General management skills including experience in operating in an environment of highly skilled staff, understanding managerial processes including strategic and operational planning; business development, human resources management, process and working with boards of directors
• Government relations management experience is desirable, with an interest in understanding government process and how to effect and influence decision makers at the political and bureaucratic levels
• Demonstrated ability to understand the potential for research applications and outcomes into operational practices that will help advance the goals of the organization

Skills & Abilities: 

• Strategic thinker with a proven ability to develop, manage and supervise projects
• Excellent communication skills: articulate, communicates for understanding, recognizes the skill and importance of influence, strong written and presentation skills
• Particularly strong in synthesizing complex information into relatable, impactful messages
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to gain trust of others at all levels of an organization
• Proven ability to work independently and in a constantly changing environment and efficiently manage several projects simultaneously

Personal Attributes: 

• Develops trusting working relationships quickly and effectively
• Strategic thinker and problem solver
• Has the discipline to execute
• Embraces constructive feedback
• A true team player who listens and understands the positions and opinions of colleagues and partners and looks for ways to move forward cohesively and cooperatively
• Encourages and supports diversity
• Results focused
• Possesses presence and knowledge to have credibility

How to apply:
Applicants should include a current CV with a cover letter indicating, anticipated start date and the names and contact information of at least two references. Please send the application in MS Word or PDF via email to pfm@pfmsearch.com

We thank you for your interest in Genome BC. Only those candidates short listed for interviews will be contacted. No phone calls please.

About Genome British Columbia:
Genome British Columbia leads genomics innovation on Canada’s West Coast and facilitates the integration of genomics into society. A recognized catalyst for government and industry, Genome BC invests in research, entrepreneurship and commercialization in life sciences to address challenges in key sectors such as health, forestry, fisheries, aquaculture, agri-food, energy, mining and environment. Genome BC partners with many national and international public and private funding organizations to drive BC’s bioeconomy. In addition to research, entrepreneurship and commercialization programs, Genome BC is committed to fostering an understanding and appreciation of the life sciences among teachers, students and the general public. www.genomebc.ca

At Genome BC, we believe we are made stronger by our unique combination of culture, race, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital or family status, physical or mental disability unrelated to job requirements, genetic information, or age. We are committed to advancing a culture that values diversity and inclusivity, including recruiting and developing a well-qualified and diverse workforce that embraces and encourages different perspectives.

Our Values:

• Integrity is at the core of our decisions and actions
• Empathy is integral to our relationships
• Commitments are honoured with passion and purpose
• Boldness and agility motivate our pursuits
• Curiosity and wonder inspire us