We’re looking for a Regional Director for Quebec. This bilingual position plays an important role in our efforts to help advance natural product innovation in the province and across the country. See the full job posting below.

Regional Director – Quebec

Natural Products Canada (NPC) is the driving force behind Canada’s Natural Product Innovation Cluster–a strategic community of SMEs, research institutes, corporations, investors, government departments, and service providers who support the development and commercialization of naturally-derived products and technologies in health and life sciences, natural resources, agriculture and agri-food, and sustainable bioproducts.

As part of its role in the Cluster, NPC offers a suite of Commercialization Programs to help companies and researchers advance high-potential products and technologies; provides connection and innovation scouting services to industry and investors through its Innovation Hub; and leverages its Investment Fund to help develop and de-risk promising Canadian opportunities. NPC has over 600 opportunities in its pipeline, has completed eleven investments, and has already experienced two exits. Established in 2016, NPC is funded by a range of public and private investors, including the Government of Canada’s Centre of Excellence in Commercialization and Research (CECR) program, administered by the Networks of Centres of Excellence.

Summary:

The Regional Director (RD) is the primary point of contact between NPC and its key stakeholders, including SMEs and start-ups, research institutes, corporations, investors, government agencies and other experts and organizations that play a role in advancing innovative natural products and technologies. The RD plays a critical role in identifying and evaluating high potential opportunities and connecting regional and national people and resources to accelerate the commercialization process for natural products and technologies. This position reports to the Chief Executive Officer and requires a skilled and engaged individual that is highly motivated to identify, align, and optimize existing assets and generate strategic partnerships and investment to ensure commercial success. The position is located at the Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF) at Laval University in Québec City, QC.

Responsibilities:

• Identify and evaluate high-potential natural product opportunities from industry and research institutes within Quebec.
• Assist in the evaluation and due diligence of opportunities for NPC and partner programs and initiatives.
• Assist clients in the development of appropriate commercialization pathways.
• Identify and recruit relevant entrepreneurs and researchers, expertise, infrastructure, and other key resources within Quebec to augment NPC and Canada’s Natural Product Innovation Cluster.
• Manage relationships with key clients, stakeholders and Cluster members.
• Promote NPC and the Cluster to key clients, stakeholders and potential partners within Quebec.
• Facilitate connections between INAF, research organizations and private industry to accelerate research, development, and commercialization of natural products and technologies.
• Travel as required throughout Quebec, Canada and internationally.

Experience and Skills Required:

• Established track record of leading successful commercialization efforts in the public or private sector.
• Experience with and/or knowledge of the investment and due diligence process.
• Experience in scientific, technology, and/or product assessment.
• Entrepreneurial mindset.
• Business development experience.
• Intellectual property management experience.
• Superior networking and relationship-building skills.
• Strong team player with excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently with strong time-management and organizational practices.
• Proven focus on measurement and results.
• International experience is desirable.
• Regulatory and/or marketing experience is desirable.

Qualifications

• A degree in a pertinent scientific discipline and a Master of Business Administration.  An equivalent combination of education and experience may also be considered.
• Minimum 7-10 years of experience.
• Fluency in English and French, both written and spoken.

Interested individuals are invited to forward a resume and cover letter to [email protected] on or before June 30, 2020.

We thank all interested parties; however, only those applicants under consideration will be contacted.