Partnership Advisor, CDL-Rockies

Position Overview:

The Creative Destruction Lab in the Haskayne School of Business is currently seeking a Full-time Limited Term Partnership Advisor for approximately 20 months.

The Creative Destruction Lab Rockies (CDL – Rockies) is a cohort-based university-linked new venture accelerator program at the Haskayne School of Business. CDL – Rockies helps innovators transition from science projects to high-growth companies, inviting some of the world’s top, early state high technology ventures to Calgary for this innovative 9-month program. After a rigorous application and selection process, the CDL – Rockies program engages senior entrepreneurial leaders as well as noted scientists, engineers, economists, investors and business-school students in support of new venture founders with a goal to prepare these founders for seed stage financing and accelerated growth.

A key member of the CDL team, the Partnership Advisor will support the generation of philanthropic and corporate support for the program and fosters engagement amongst our stakeholders and the start-up community at large. Reporting to the Director (Operations), the Partnership Advisor works closely with and on behalf of the Site Lead and the Director (Programs) as well as other members of the team, and internal and external stakeholders. The support of this latter group, which includes world-class mentors and scientist, founding partners, and corporate sponsors is crucial to the continued success of the CDL program and our ability to make a meaningful impact and create influence in the start-up ecosystem across western Canada. The Partnership Advisor is involved in a variety of high-level planning activities, will access highly sensitive and confidential information, interacts with these key external stakeholders, and is the lead for all engagement events. The impact of decisions made by this position will be program-wide, will affect the overall network of CDL sites, in the start-up community across western Canada, and could be university wide.

Diplomacy, tact, discretion, conflict resolution and ability to manage fluid expectations, and prioritize multiple projects and deadlines are key skills required for this role. The position requires an ability to manage complex projects, work under pressure, and balance multiple timelines and competing priorities, with select professional and other staff collaboration on a project-by-project basis.

This position is involved in the planning, development and implementation of development and engagement programs to help achieve fundraising targets and increasing stakeholder satisfaction. Including supporting the Senior Consultant in identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding donors to the program, securing the time commitment of mentors, engaging scientist, and will be overall responsible for the planning and delivery of major events throughout the year.

Occasional extended or alternative hours (evenings and weekends) and travel will be required based on the needs of the CDL Rockies’ Fellows and Associates, Founding and Corporate Partners, and Scientists, and the Director (Operations). The successful candidate should anticipate working approximately three to four weekends per year and around five evenings per month.

Position Description:

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

Partnership Management:

  • Provides expert advise on all partnership activities.
  • Supports the Director of Operations goal to secure $2.5M+ in annual revenue from a combination of grants, donations, and sponsorship.
  • Supports all of the Senior Consultant’s efforts in identifying, selecting, onboarding, and maintaining satisfaction for all of CDL Rockies’ partners and in growing CDL Rockies’ reputation and influence as it becomes a leader in the western Canadian start-up ecosystem.
  • With, on behalf of, or as a stand-in for the Senior Consultant, works closely and frequently with Fellows/Associates (C-suite level stakeholders), scientists, senior representatives from corporate offices, and high-net worth individuals.
  • Sells the CDL value proposition to potential donors and partners.
  • Identifies potential impediments or frictions for various partnership opportunities and how these can be overcome.
  • Evaluates and recommends strategies to grow CDL Rockies presence and influence in universities across Canada.
  • Leads for CDL Rockies’ branding including developing and managing an annual marketing plan to include the contracting of marketing materials and the selection and purchase of all merchandise, successfully represent all three brands (CDL-Rockies, University of Calgary and CDL-Global) at the highest caliber.

Event Management:

  • Scopes, plans, coordinates, organizes, and leads the execution of all partnership related events annually, to include:
  • Venture Socials (x5) for 200+ guests off-campus or a suitably alternate virtual experience that allows for CEO founders to connect, share experiences, and potential enter into mutually beneficial partnerships.
  • Fellow And Associate Dinners (x5) for 100 guests off-campus or a suitably alternate virtual
  • experience that allows for the mentors, partners and scientists to interact with their peers, participate in executive-level education, and listen to prominent speakers.
  • Fellow and Associate Breakfast for 100 guests off-campus or virtually. Alumni / Sponsor Workshop and Dinner for approximately 150 participants off-campus or virtually.
  • Current Cohort / Sponsor Workshop and Dinner for approximately 100 participants off-campus or virtually.
  • Multiple (5-10) less formal events related to venture recruitment ranging from 20 to 100 guests on, off-campus, or virtually. This could include events that bring together and / or other labs financial partners, alumni, community partners, current ventures, scientists, or any combination of these or other stakeholder groups.
  • Lunch with MBAs for approximately 50 guests on campus, circumstances dependent.
  • Note for all the above: the CDL virtual experience is a unique delivery model that delivers a top-tier level of service, rarely experienced through other programs through, guided through detailed standard operating procedures (SOPs_, formal training for all roles, and a unique technology stack. This role would be required not only to become intimately familiar with this model, but would have a leading role in shaping the SOPs, improving training, identifying lessons learned, and promoting best practices.
  • Provides advice, support, and guidance to the Program Manager in the planning of CDL Sessions and leads coordination and hosting of all partners during CDL Sessions (x4 annually)
  • Fills various roles in CDL Sessions for partnered labs including hosting small group meetings between CEO founders and mentors, partner lead, production lead, or slack lead.
  • Negotiates contracts with vendors as required.

Advisor for the CDL Program at Large:

  • Advises on the planning, development, design and implementation of the CDL-Rockies Program including interview day, Sessions, and other program activities.
  • Develops and improves synergies between CDL-Rockies, other CDL sites, and CDL-Global, including coaching and collaborating with partner teams at other sites and with the CDL-Global Director of Partnership and their team.
  • Supports the planning and execution of the annual Super Session (500+ CEO founders, 1,000+ mentors and scientists).
  • Fosters development of staff, team building, mentorship.

Qualifications / Requirements:

  • University degree is required; Master’s degree in business, communications or other related field is preferred. 
  • Minimum of 8 years of work experience related to partnership, event, and vendor management.
  • Minimum of 5 years of work experience within the non-profit sector, alumni relations, partnership relations, or in a donor relations capacity is required.
  • Previous experience working in a post-secondary educational setting or a large, complex organization focused on customer service and / or client satisfaction is required.
  • Minimum of 7 years of experience in event planning and project coordination is required.
  • Advanced skills and knowledge of social media and emerging communications technologies (i.e. Slack, Trello, Salesforce) required.
  • Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written) and excellent listening skills
  • Must be able to secure meetings and meet confidently one-on-one with individuals and organizations for the purpose of advancing CDL partnerships.
  • Ability to handle ambiguity and work effectively in a large, complex, dynamic, and sophisticated organization.
  • Demonstrated professionalism, tact, and maturity in handling highly sensitive and confidential information ethically and with discretion.
  • Must be self-motivated, proactive, energetic and goal oriented.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects or priorities simultaneously; strong organization and problem-solving skills.
  • Demonstrated leadership through proven ability to inspire and motivate others
  • Experience in sales is an asset.
  • Knowledge of University culture and operating procedures is an asset
  • Work experience working with start-ups, technology companies, or venture capital is an asset.
  • Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office applications is essential.

Application Deadline:  December 16, 2022

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

Additional Information:

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase 3.

To find out more about management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Management and Staff Careers website. For more information visit Careers in the Haskayne School of Business.

The University strongly recommends all faculty and staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

About the University of Calgary:

The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High, committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.

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