FACIT

FACIT is a strategic vehicle that transforms and accelerates breakthrough oncology discoveries from the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) and other Ontario-based innovators into opportunities that benefit patients, researchers, investors and the province’s economy. FACIT leverages diversified approaches to achieve its broad commercially focused mandate, including through investment capital and the creation of biotech startups, and in doing so helping to drive Ontario’s innovation ecosystem.

 

Job Purpose

The Senior Manager, Corporate Affairs will help to build the innovation ecosystem in the Province of Ontario by providing fundamental support for strategic planning and operations for FACIT, as well as managing research & technology partnerships and initiatives to enable commercialization of oncology innovations. He/she is responsible for ensuring that project plans are defined and executed to achieve business and technical objectives of collaborations and initiatives, both internal and external to FACIT. He/she also provides strategic project planning and communicates deliverables, milestones, and strategy to the Senior Director and other Senior Management stakeholders. 

Overall, the Senior Manager, Corporate Affairs is action-oriented, entrepreneurial, and flexible.  Further, he/she provides an innovative approach to project coordination, implementation, and delivery with passion, integrity, and a positive attitude, while being mission-driven, and self-directed.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

Execute on defined strategies that build and enhance the commercialization culture and innovation ecosystem within Ontario and implement services and business processes across FACIT:

• Provide leadership and support for the development, design, delivery and implementation of projects and efforts to advance the mission and vision of FACIT in alignment with the strategic goals of FACIT, OICR and the Province of Ontario.
• Implement and support internal projects designed to improve efficiencies within the FACIT team and support the promotion of an entrepreneurial spirit, including implementing all aspects of FACIT’s annual pitch competition.
• Champion all elements required to implement research collaborations with external commercial/industry partners including development of project plans, manage budgets, track timelines, monitor progress and build relationships.
• Manage multiple projects of high priority, complexity, and long-term duration with scope beyond FACIT and OICR.
• Liaise with external stakeholders (i.e. potential partners - industry and academia; government) to introduce them to FACIT, understand their needs, how these fit with FACIT's needs, how common goals can be achieved – follow initiatives through from initial meetings to outcomes.
• Drive technology transfer activities (CDAs, MTAs, etc.) to facilitate outreach activities and discussions about partnerships.
• Contribute to FACIT investments (assessing funding requests, drafting recommendations, tracking historical applicants, etc.) and start-up company initiatives (conducting diligence, market research, helping with business plans, performing operational activities temporarily) as required.
• Draft news releases, initiate and develop marketing materials (e.g. one-pagers, slide decks, advertisements, etc), and manage FACIT communication platforms to ensure currency and accuracy.
• Develop and present material for review and for informational purposes (written, verbal and graphical) with the ability to express complex strategic, technical, and operational concepts effectively to staff within FACIT.
• Network and build contacts to enable broader outreach for FACIT and its spin out companies.
• Complete analyses and build business cases to influence and drive decisions across FACIT.
• Operate at a high level of autonomy and efficiency in determining and prioritizing work objectives.

 

Perform planning responsibilities:

• Develop, implement, manage, and review short and long-term plans, which are in alignment with FACIT’s goals and strategies.
• Synthesize and distill large volumes of information gained during project/team meetings into cohesive summaries to help for planning of next steps.
• Prepare appropriate business plan documents in support of short- and long-term planning initiatives.
• Monitor progress towards the achievement of goals at regular intervals and take action, as required.
• Support organizational strategies and initiatives.

 

Perform corporate management responsibilities that support and advance FACIT’s goals:

• Monitor risks, privacy, and governance compliance on a regular basis; develop action plans to address identified issues.
• Manage the development, implementation, evaluation and maintenance of corporate policies, systems and procedures to contribute to organizational effectiveness.
• Contribute to corporate efforts and initiatives, as appropriate, to enhance FACIT's mission, values and goals.
• Represent FACIT on committees, as required, and in the external community at conferences, workshops, etc.

 

Process Improvements:

• Proactively establish a rational schedule of reviews of key processes and spearhead adjustments as needed.
• Recommend and lead process improvements within FACIT.
• Work with the FACIT team to solve problems with process improvements and use available technology including hardware, software, databases, etc.

Critical Qualifications

Experience & Expertise

BSc and/or MSc in Biological/Health Sciences or a related field is required.  A PhD and/or an MBA would be an asset.  At least 5 years of relevant scientific project management and/or start up experience in the innovation industry is required. Specific experience with commercialization and business management fundamentals is an asset. 

Appreciation of the challenges associated with managing different corporate structures, organizations or entities is preferred. Must be comfortable working with internal and external team members, including legal, finance, and commercial teams to progress projects, and have a collaborative mindset while being a strong team player.  Excellent written, organizational and communication skills are crucial.

Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and commitment to corporate mission with flexibility and an ability to multitask are essential.  Must be able to work within a fast-moving environment and exhibit professional maturity, confidence and competence. Other critical qualities include:

Analytical

Adaptive

Flexible/Agile

Results Driven

Organized

Articulate

Collaborative

Business Acumen

FACIT has a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates and will accommodate applicants’ needs throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. Please advise the Recruiter to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated throughout this process. Information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

FACIT has a diverse workforce and