Recruitment posting
Alberta Innovates
Competition #: 630
Ministry : Technology and Innovation
Opening Date : 2018/12/18
closing Date : 2019/01/13
Role : Board Director
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 a Director on the Board of the Alberta Innovates Corporation (Alberta Innovates or the Corporation).
Alberta Innovates is a provincial crown corporation. The vision is to be indisputably recognized as a leader – provincially, nationally, and internationally – in catalyzing research and innovation.
The corporation’s investments advance provincial economic growth, solve near-term challenges, enable long-term diversification and sustainable jobs. Work with researchers, innovators, industry and entrepreneurs is moving the province to a lower-carbon future, enhancing the responsible use of land and water, and contributing to the improved health and well-being of Albertans.
The corporation encompasses:
- 600 staff across Alberta, including more than 100 PhDs
- 10 locations, 14 investment portfolios and more than 70 programs
- Research and entrepreneurial investments in the range of $286 million annually
- Two applied research subsidiaries, InnoTech Alberta and C-FER Technologies
- Three business lines concentrating in health, clean energy and bio-technology
Mandated to coalesce the broader provincial innovation system, the corporation connects promising innovators with the scientific and technical expertise, funding, networks, and applied research facilities to de-risk technologies and grow new capabilities. Entrepreneurial coaching accelerates innovators’ ideas from startup to scale for impactful application and job growth. Strategically driven and results oriented, each $1 invested by Alberta Innovates generates $6.40 in revenue by small/medium businesses and each $1 put into a leveraged project attracts $35.66 in external funding from private sector partners and other orders of government.
Alberta Innovates is also guiding development of four core emerging technologies: Data-Enabled Innovation, Digital Technology for Business Transformation, Clean Technology, and Innovative Production and Distribution.
The corporation’s unique position in the research and innovation ecosystem enables it to apply these emerging technologies across multiple sectors, and to lever cross-sectoral research and innovation partnerships to accelerate the development, uptake and spread of these technologies.
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 related governance documents signed between the Corporation and the Government of Alberta, represented by Economic Development and Trade.
Directors must act honestly and in good faith, leaving aside personal interests to advance the public interest and the mandate of the Corporation. This includes supporting the Chief Executive Officer of Alberta Innovates in all matters that will assist the Corporation to achieve its research and innovation mandate.
Key Responsibilities include, without limitation:
- Collaborating with the Minister and Deputy Minister to define the research and innovation outcomes and targets and liaising, in coordination with the Department, with respective Ministers to endorse the actions needed to achieve outcomes and targets.
- Advising the Minister and Deputy Minister on research and innovation system policy and overarching research and innovation system strategy led by the Department.
- Approving the Corporation’s strategic plan.
- Approving and recommending for submission to the Minister the Corporation’s business plan, budget, and annual report.
- Monitoring the financial performance of the Corporation, ensuring that, with the advice of the external auditors, the financial results are reported on a timely and regular basis and in accordance with any legislated requirements and the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to ensure adequate and appropriate financial stewardship.
- Monitoring the overall performance and activities of the Corporation, and identifying any material developments and significant emergent issues and opportunities that are to be disclosed on a timely basis by the Chair to the Minister and the Deputy Minister - particularly in relation to the implementation of research and innovation system outcomes, policy and strategy.
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Effectively enhancing existing networks with leaders across the innovation spectrum, including academic institutions, researchers, technologists, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists, to expand Alberta Innovates’ global reach.
Alberta seeks vision, energy and world class credentials in their Board Directors. Board Directors will actively support the Province’s efforts as a place where original thinking, entrepreneurship, and innovation is recognized and celebrated.
Core competencies include senior executive-level leadership, governance, entrepreneurial thinking, marketing/communications, strategic planning, and financial literacy.
In addition, the Board is specifically seeking individuals with experience in digital health and related commercialization and scale up, and/or proven public auditing/financial compliance and large complex organization expertise.
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 on other private sector, public or not-for profit sectors, or Crown corporation boards.
- Previous leadership experience within a highly complex, multi-functional organization in the private, public, or not-for-profit sectors.
- 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.
- Operational policy development and management.
- Public policy experience and an understanding of how government works.
- Comprehensive understanding of the research and innovation landscape (regional, national, international).
- Understanding the relationship between basic research and commercialization.
- Extra-provincial exposure including international experience or networks.
- Understanding of the relevant legal and regulatory environments related to the commercialization of innovation.
- Board and executive evaluation and performance assessment.
- Financing and investment management.
- Understanding of research and innovation for urban, rural and aboriginal communities.
- 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.
- Financial and capital markets experience (multi-industry / innovation specialization) related to early, mid-stage, growth and large companies.
Professional and Personal Characteristics
- Integrity and accountability
- Adaptability and sound judgment
- Strong interpersonal skills (team player, collegial, collaborative, consensus building / conflict resolution skills)
- Effective communicator (strong listening and verbal)
- Courage of conviction
- Impact and influence
- Creativity and passion for innovation
- Broad perspective – “big picture strategic thinker”
- Commitment (including ability to apply necessary time and effort
- Independence / impartiality
- Ability to simplify complex data and ideas into clearly articulated frameworks and strategies
- Appropriate academic credentials or equivalent professional experience
Remuneration and expenses payable to Alberta Innovates Board directors are paid in accordance with Schedule 1, Part A of the Committee Remuneration Order (OC 466/2007). Current rates are:
A member of a committee shall be paid:
- $164 for up to and including four hours in any day, or
- $290 for over four hours and up to and including eight hours in any day, or
- $427 for over eight hours in any day
The board meets 5 – 6 times a year for full day meetings. There is an expectation of sitting on at least one of the three committees of the board in addition to strong attendance at board meetings.
Meetings are balanced between Calgary and Edmonton.
In addition to your cover letter and resume, we require a biography. Click HERE to download form.
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 ready to take a leadership role in ensuring a positive future for Albertans, please contact Boyden’s Calgary office at 403-410-6700 for more information. Please 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.
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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 4 line biography using the Biography template found under additional documents section. Your biography should include your name, current work experience, board/committee experience and relevant education. 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.
The personal information in ePAAS is collected pursuant to section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The information will be used to administer and manage recruitment for current and future public agency appointment opportunities. Questions regarding the collection, use, or disclosure of this information, may be directed to the Public Agency Secretariat, Public Service Commission, 12th Floor 44 Capital Boulevard, 10044 - 108 Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 3S7 or by calling 780-644-3060. Applicants will be required to identify any real or perceived conflicts of interest and may be required to undergo additional screening.
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.