Recruitment posting
Alberta Innovates
Competition #: 478
Ministry : Economic Development and Trade
Opening Date : 2017/08/16
closing Date : 2017/08/30
Role : Alberta Innovates Board Chair
It is recognized in Alberta as a fundamental principle and as a matter of public policy that all persons are equal. Diversity and inclusion are valued and supported on the boards of Alberta's public agencies.
The Minister of Economic Development and Trade is seeking applications from qualified individuals interested in serving as Chair of the Board of the Alberta Innovates Corporation.
Alberta Innovates is an integral part of Alberta’s strategically aligned and integrated provincial research and innovation system. Innovation is key to economic growth and job creation and will be increasingly important to Alberta’s competitiveness in the global economy. Alberta Innovates, with a global innovation leader now in place as CEO, and the consolidation of four previous organizations complete, is energized to provide entrepreneurs, businesses and researchers with a single window to meet a range of needs – one innovation powerhouse. It is an integral part of Alberta’s research and innovation system, with an objective to enable accelerated outcomes that matter to Albertans, including a more diversified economy, enhanced environmental performance, and a healthier population.
The vision is to be indisputably recognized as a leader – provincially, nationally, and internationally – in catalyzing research and innovation. The corporation is mandated to be outcomes-oriented, user-driven/responsive, collaborative, strategic, transparent, and accountable.
Alberta Innovates connects Alberta’s promising innovators with the technical expertise, funding, networks, applied research facilities to de-risk technologies as well as entrepreneurial coaching to accelerate them to the next level for impactful application and job growth. Innovations across Alberta’s current and emerging sectors are the focus, whether they are doing exploratory 21st century digital / materials / omics research that may unlock future impactful opportunities or solving near-term challenges in health / agriculture / forestry / bio-industrial or clean energy.
Alberta Innovates is contributing to an exciting ecosystem of research and innovation that ranges from scientists involved in applied research and businesses to entrepreneurs who want to invest in ideas and transform them into products and services for a global market. The Board is comprised of up to 12 research, innovation, and business leaders. These individuals will clearly articulate the goals and priorities of the Government of Alberta to Alberta Innovates. The Directors share their governance expertise, industry insights, and professional networks to provide strategic guidance and governance oversight. The Directors support the governance and oversight of Alberta Innovates and work with the Minister of Economic Development and Trade to define the research and innovation outcomes and targets - that will contribute to diversification in Alberta’s economy.
The Board will ensure that Alberta Innovates delivers its mandate, as defined in legislation and through any related governance documents signed between the Corporation and the Government of Alberta, represented by Economic Development and Trade.
The Board Chair represents the Board and its interests as well as the interests of the Corporation, in dealing with the Minister, the Deputy Minister, the CEO, and stakeholders within and beyond the Government of Alberta. As such, the Chair develops strong working relationships and maintains open lines of communication with these parties.
The Chair provides leadership to the Board and effectively facilitates its work.
Key Responsibilities as Board Chair include, without limitation: • Overseeing the performance of the CEO.
- Overseeing the review and approval by the Board of the Corporation’s strategic plan, business plan, budget and annual report.
- Monitoring the financial performance of the corporation, ensuring that, with the advice of the external auditors or the Office of the Auditor General, the financial results are reported on a timely and regular basis and in accordance with any legislated requirements and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
- Planning and managing Board meetings.
- Ensuring that the Board, and its committees, have opportunities to meet independent of management.
- Administering the Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Policy and ensuring the conflict of interest matters relative to respective members are addressed by the Board.
- Informing the Minister and Deputy Minister on a timely basis (verbally and/or in writing) of: Material developments and significant emergent issues, incidents and opportunities; and Mitigation approaches and updates on the resolution of issues and incidents which have escalated from emergent to critical status.
- Lead the Board succession planning, in coordination with the government.
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Ensuring that the Board conducts an annual evaluation of its own performance, (including its committees, the Chair, Vice-Chair and individual Directors) and the performance of the CEO. The Chair brings forward results of the evaluations for the Board review, discusses opportunities to improve Board effectiveness, and may use findings to recommend Board renewal through recruitment of new members, or replacement of existing members.
The ideal Board Chair is a strategic leader with a sophisticated understanding of board governance principles, sound business acumen, knowledge of government and public policy development and a passion for research and innovation’s key role in advancing and diversifying Alberta’s economy.
Candidates considering this position should have experience and relevant qualifications in several of the following areas:
- Understanding of good corporate/board governance gained from past experience serving as Board Chair on private sector, public, Crown corporation or not-for profit boards
- Executive-level business expertise related to running a large, complex organization, including human resource management, communications, marketing, accounting/audit and information technology in addition to technical leadership.
- Knowledge of government operations and experience working effectively within a government environment
- Comprehensive understanding of the research and innovation landscape (regional, national, international)
- Extra-provincial exposure including international experience or networks • Understanding the relationship between basic research and commercialization
- Competency in growing a business and/or establishing a new business or industry in Alberta or elsewhere
- Development of strategic plans, business plans and annual reports
- Financial literacy: budget planning; financial statements; accounting and audit; and risk management
- Board and executive evaluation and performance assessment
- Financial and capital markets experience (multi-industry / innovation specialization) related to early, mid-stage, growth and large companies
- Understanding of research and innovation for urban, rural and aboriginal communities
- Understanding of the relevant legal and regulatory environments related to the commercialization of innovation
Remuneration and expenses payable to Alberta Innovates Board Chair is paid in accordance with Committee Remuneration Order in Council 466/2007, Schedule 1, Part A (see below).
The board meets 5 – 6 times a year for full day meetings. There is an expectation of joining, in an ex-officio capacity, the committees of the board in addition to mandatory attendance at board meetings.
Meetings are balanced between Calgary and Edmonton
Remuneration
Effective April 1, 2009, remuneration and expenses payable to Alberta Innovates Board Members are paid in accordance with Committee Remuneration Order in Council 466/2007, Schedule 1, Part A.
Committee Remuneration Order
Schedule 1
Effective April 1, 2009
Part A
1. A member of a committee, other than the chairman, shall be paid a) $164 for up to and including four hours in any day, or b) $290 for over four hours and up to and including eight hours in any day, or c) $427 for over eight hours in any day, spent on the business of the committee.
2. The chairman or person acting as the chairman of a committee shall be paid a) $219 for up to and including four hours in any day, or b) $383 for over four hours and up to and including eight hours in any day, or c) $601 for over eight hours in any day, spent on the business of the committee.
3. The chairman and members of a committee are entitled to be paid travelling and living expenses in accordance with the Subsistence and Travel Allowance Regulation made by Ministerial Order 1/98, as amended, or any order made in substitution therefore, as though they were employees of the government.
4. Where the Minister responsible for the committee is satisfied that the chairman or a member of the committee suffers a loss of remuneration as a result of his service on the committee, the Minister, subject to the prior approval of the Minister charged with the administration of the Public Service Act, may increase the fees payable under this Part up to a maximum of double the appropriate rate determined under Section 1 or 2.
If you are ready to take a leadership role in ensuring a positive future for Albertans, please contact Boyden’s Calgary office at 403-410-6700 or forward your resume and related materials in complete confidence to the posting on the Alberta Government Public Agency opportunities portal, www.alberta.ca/public-agency-opportunities.cfm or albertaopportunities@boyden.com.
Boyden global executive search
Suite 1600, 250 – 6th Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta
T2P 3H7
Carefully read the Recruitment Posting and the Position Profile to ensure this is an appropriate opportunity for you. Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements.
Online applications are preferred. To apply, click on the 'apply' button, create or sign into your account in the ePAAS system; upload your resume, view the listing under Current Opportunities and click on 'submit application'. The uploaded resume will be automatically attached.
Provide a short (maximum 200 words) biography using the Biography template found under additional documents section. Your biography should contain general information about your education, experience, community involvement, skills, etc. Please note that biographies may be edited for length and clarity.
Once your biography and other required form(s) are completed, save it to your PC. When you hit 'submit application', you will be prompted to upload additional documents. Drag and drop (or upload) your completed cover letter, biography and other form(s) into the 'Drop files below or click to upload' section before clicking the 'apply' button.
If you are unable to apply online, please submit a cover letter and resume, quoting the recruitment posting competition number, to the contact provided on the posting. We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to assess which candidates' qualifications most closely match the agency's requirements. Only those selected for interviews will be contacted to advance to the next step in the appointment process. You can check the status of each competition on-line at https://www.alberta.ca/public-agencies.cfm.
All potential candidates will be screened for potential conflicts of interest. Please Note: Successful applicants will have the following information about them made publicly available on the Public Agency Secretariat Website: name, biography, public agency, and position title.
Agency Website: www.albertainnovates.ca
Enabling Legislation: http://www.qp.alberta.ca/documents/Acts/A31P7.pdf