Director, Sector & Regional Development

Position Summary:

The Director, Sector and Regional Development is responsible for executing on OVIN’s external engagement strategy to drive sector growth, strategic partnerships, and commercialization opportunities across Ontario’s automotive and mobility ecosystem. This role is focused on building and activating relationships with industry, global partners, government, and the broader innovation ecosystem to reinforce OVIN as a key connector and catalyst.

About the Ontario Centre of Innovation:

The Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) is a not-for-profit organization committed to accelerating economic growth in Ontario through the commercialization of advanced technologies and research. OCI acts as a bridge among academia, industry, and government, investing in collaborative R&D, fostering innovation ecosystems, and helping promising ventures bring new technologies to market. In 2024, OCI invested $117 million across the province, including $61 million in industry contributions. These efforts helped drive the creation and retention of over 5,500 jobs and catalyzed more than $700 million in private-sector follow-on investments. OCI’s role is central to Ontario’s vision of innovation-led prosperity: by reducing the risk of commercialization, facilitating partnerships, and strategically deploying capital into high-impact technologies, OCI contributes to the province’s competitiveness, talent retention, and long-term economic resilience.

Key Responsibilities:

As the Director, you will be expected assume the following responsibilities:

Strategic Partnerships & External Engagement

• Support the development and deliver on the execution of OVIN’s external engagement strategy across Ontario and priority global markets.
• Build, maintain, and expand relationships with industry leaders, SMEs, post-secondary institutions, government, and ecosystem partners.
• Identify and secure high-value partnerships that drive commercialization, sector growth, and new opportunities.
• Represent OVIN at industry forums, events, and engagements.

Sector Strategy & Market Intelligence

• Maintain a deep understanding of sector trends across automotive, mobility, advanced manufacturing, and defence and dual-use technologies.
• Identify emerging opportunities and align engagement strategies to advance OVIN’s strategic priorities.
• Provide market insights and strategic advice to inform organizational direction and portfolio growth.

Regional & Ecosystem Development

• Strengthen relationships across Ontario’s regional innovation ecosystems.
• Lead initiatives that promote regional development, supply chain growth, and cross-sector collaboration.
• Facilitate connections between Ontario companies and global markets, customers, and partners.
• Work closely with internal teams to align external opportunities with program priorities and pipeline development.
• Support and contribute to corporate initiatives, advisory committees, and cross-functional activities.
• Other duties as assigned

Skills and Competencies:

• 10+ years of progressive experience in business development, strategic partnerships, or ecosystem development within automotive, mobility, advanced manufacturing, or related sectors
• Demonstrated success in originating, structuring, and closing complex, multi-party partnerships and collaborations.
• Strong, established network across industry, government, academia, and/or global markets.
• Deep understanding of the Ontario innovation ecosystem, including funding programs, commercialization pathways, and key stakeholders.
• Proven ability to identify and translate market and technology trends into actionable strategic opportunities.
• Experience engaging with global partners and navigating international markets and partnerships
• Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to assess business cases, partnership models, and investment opportunities.
• Experience working with or alongside large industry players (OEMs, Tier 1s), SMEs, and scaling companies.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders and operate effectively in ambiguous, fast-evolving environments.
• Strong communication and executive presence, with experience representing organizations in high-profile forums.
• Experience contributing to or shaping strategy, policy, or sector-level initiatives.
• Highly developed analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear insights.
• Ability to operate at both strategic and tactical levels, connecting ecosystem opportunities to programmatic outcomes.
• High degree of professionalism, integrity, and sound judgment.

Internal Contacts/External Contacts

• OCI staff at all levels
• Industry (from the CEO to the shop floor)
• Academic researchers, students, university research administrative staff
• University/college/hospital/government administration
• Government (at all levels, federal, provincial, and municipal)

Working Conditions

• Frequent travel (30 – 70%) across Ontario.
• Participation required in non-office hour events such as networking meetings and workshops

This role is being recruited for a current vacancy.

OCI is committed to creating a diverse and equitable environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. OCI welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.