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Associate Vice President, Applied Research

Posting Details

Position Information

Position Title Associate Vice President, Applied Research
Position Summary
Red Deer Polytechnic is seeking a motivated and experienced professional to join our Development and Partnerships team in the role of Associate Vice President, Applied Research. The successful candidate will have prior strategic leadership experience with the ability to collaborate with multiple stakeholders.

Reporting to the Vice President, Development and Partnerships, the Associate Vice President, Applied Research (AVPAR) provides leadership to applied research at Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) and is accountable for leading several key areas within the Polytechnic including the Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing (Technology Access Centre), Energy Innovation Centre, our partnership with Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre, as well as developing additional innovation centres.

Leading a growing team of dedicated professionals, the AVPAR will strengthen the vision of Red Deer Polytechnic by engaging with industry (profit and non-profit) to foster applied research and innovations activity and enhancing RDP’s brand and reputation as an industry-responsive partner and vendor. The AVPAR will provide strategic direction and support in the acquisition and growth of funding by evolving and strengthening relationships and engagement with governments, funding agencies (non-industry / non-donor stakeholders), industry partners and producers on a regional, national, and international level.

Red Deer Polytechnic is focused on the economic and social interests of the province by offering industry-relevant programming and enhanced applied research opportunities. The Polytechnic is fundamentally applied, externally focused, and responsive to the needs of employers and industry. RDP is focused on building and providing innovative learning and applied research environments that reflect where industry is going. These environments (Innovation Ecosystems) are where companies find solutions to challenges in their businesses, including through applied research, and are dynamic and interwoven with technology and know-how from multiple sectors and disciplines.

The AVPAR is responsible for implementing the goals of the Polytechnic’s strategic plan and contribution agreements related to applied research through day-to-day management of activities, staff supervision, staff development, policy, planning, budgets, project management, and administration process. The Associate Vice President, Applied Research participates as a member of the Polytechnic Leadership Team and contributes to the overall leadership of the polytechnic.
Position Responsibilities
You will be responsible for but not limited to the following:
Strategic Planning and Leadership
  • Provides strategic leadership for applied research focusing on the efficient and effective conduct of existing applied research projects, ensuring compliance with all internal policies and external funding agency requirements, and guiding the overarching direction and expansion of the division.
  • Grows and cultivates robust and comprehensive applied research ecosystems around existing areas of focus (Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing; Energy Innovation Centre; Social Innovation) and provide strategic guidance, leadership and analysis toward the development and creation of new and emerging applied research ecosystems.
  • As a member of the Polytechnic Leadership Team, participates and contributes to the strategic and operational leadership of RDP.
  • Designs, develops, and implements the strategic planning for Applied Research in alignment with RDP strategy and vision.
  • Develops, implements, and enhances policies and institutional operational and financial practices related to applied research.
  • Promotes change towards building a dynamic environment that is industry-responsive and solutions focused.


Entrepreneurship with Industry
  • Identifies, pursues, and develops relationships with companies that align with, and create value for programming, applied research, and innovation ecosystem development.
  • Demonstrates a proven capacity to create, manage and expand private, government and public-sector partnerships.
  • Demonstrates leadership in relationship building, critical thinking and decision making with a commitment to discretion, sound judgment and innovation.
  • Leads with an entrepreneurial and growth mindset with the ability to identify and assess client prospects, communicate client needs, and deliver exceptional solutions.
  • Builds and elevates RDP’s brand and national/international presence through dynamic, high-quality marketing and communications activities.
  • Generates effective engagement activities with internal and external stakeholders and represents Red Deer Polytechnic in a variety of industry and professional forums.
  • Expands applied research activities to further support product development, scale up and demonstration of current and emerging technologies.
  • Oversees new enterprise or entrepreneurial ventures, as required.
  • Collaborates with Development & Partnership in the solicitation of industry partners and large institutional contributions/investments.

Applied Research Across Campus
  • Designs and activates RDP’s applied research ecosystems, including revisioning of programming that integrates teaching, learning and applied research.
  • Oversees integration of student and faculty involvement in applied research projects.
  • Develops an active applied research culture that fosters the highest achievements and encourages originality and innovation.
  • Advances a culture of innovation by mentoring leaders across the Polytechnic to understand how to promote and expand innovation in their areas.
  • Leads the facilitation and promotion of applied research activities throughout the Polytechnic’s Schools that enable students, faculty, and employees to pursue applied research activities that are aligned with RDP’s applied research ecosystems and industry priorities.
  • Partners with leadership across the polytechnic in enhancing the utilization and development of polytechnic facilities for the delivery of applied research activity.

Operational Leadership
  • Oversees human resource development, planning and budgeting to ensure an efficient and effective operation that attracts and retains talent.
  • Leads the development of fundable proposals for sustaining the operating and capital needs associated with applied research at the polytechnic including supporting the writing of proposals and soliciting eternal partnerships.
  • Allocates resources in alignment with institutional priorities while managing risk and maximizing opportunities.
  • Develops and maintains a funding strategy for sustaining and growing applied research and innovation.
  • Measures, records, and reports applied research activities, contracts, performance, and impact to make informed decisions related to programs and services.
  • Contributes to the overall polytechnic community through participation in institution-wide initiatives and events.

People Leadership
  • Leads to inspire a diverse team to commit to the mission, vision, and values and to do extraordinary work to achieve business goals.
  • Acts as a demonstrated innovator with exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a broad range of individuals, including leadership teams, faculty, staff, students, and industry partners.
  • Promotes a strong sense of ownership and accountability among team members.
  • Demonstrates and promotes a balanced lifestyle.
  • Models and develops collaboration within the team where members meet regularly to plan, prioritize, and communicate their activities.
  • Implements team structure and workflow for effective delegation and distribution of work.
  • Manages performance and skill development through effective coaching and communication.
  • Operationalizes and applies the collective agreements an ensures policy compliance.
  • Encourages and supports growth and professional development within the team.
  • Accountable for Occupational Health & Safety supervisory responsibilities.
Required Qualifications
  • A PhD is preferred, but an appropriate combination of relevant education and experience will be considered.
  • Professional certification or designation within the field of expertise or relevant professional development.
  • Minimum 10 years experience gained through public and private sector organizations focused on applied research, innovation, commercialization, and entrepreneurship.
  • Three years experience at a senior administration level.
  • Expert in strategic business development and stakeholder relationship management.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop, collaborate on, and deliver innovative products and services.
  • Knowledgeable about municipal, provincial and federal funding sources.
  • Strong collaborator, with the ability to work effectively with multiple diverse groups.
  • Understands the importance of compliance and regulatory matters to the research enterprise and ability to develop an effective and efficient organization for dealing with them.
  • Ability to use clear and effective verbal and written communication skills to express ideas, request actions and formulate plans.
  • Demonstrated previous success in community involvement/leadership.
  • Proven experience initiating and effectively leading change.
Preferred Qualifications
Salary or Hourly? Salary
Salary $137,577 - $167,226 annually
Benefits and Compensation Information
Red Deer Polytechnic offers a comprehensive benefits package including extended health and dental care through Blue Cross, access to a health spending account, pension plan, Employee & Family Assistance Program, generous vacation allotments, credit tuition waivers and opportunities for professional development funding. Additional time off due to Institution closures between Christmas and New Year general holidays. *Eligibility to access the above mentioned benefits is dependent upon the EXEMPT Terms and Conditions of Employment and related RDP policies.
About Red Deer Polytechnic
Focused on advancing the economic and social priorities of Alberta, Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) provides more than 80 industry-relevant programs within a breadth of credentials to approximately 6,300 credit and apprenticeship students and 3,400+ learners with Extended Education programming. With modern teaching and learning spaces, and state-of-the-art research and innovation centres in advanced manufacturing and energy innovation, the Polytechnic provides applied research opportunities, leadership in the social, economic, and cultural development of Alberta, and myriad lifelong learning opportunities.

Red Deer Polytechnic’s main campus is located on Treaty 7, Treaty 6 and Métis ancestral lands. This is where we will strive to honour and transform our relationships with one another.

Whatever brings you to Red Deer Polytechnic, we are glad you are here. And we look forward to having you as a valued member of our polytechnic community.
Posting Detail Information

Competition Number 2023-E-019
Employment Type Permanent Full-Time
Number of Vacancies 1
Desired Start Date 07/04/2023
Position End Date (if term-certain)
FTE 1.0
Hours of Work You will be employed on a full-time basis. It is understood that the hours of work involved will vary and be irregular and are those hours of work required to meet the objectives of your employment. Normal hours of operation are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, M - F
Open Date 05/04/2023
Close Date
Open Until Filled Yes
Note to Applicant
To fulfill Red Deer Polytechnic’s mission to enrich the intellectual, economic, cultural, and social development of Central Alberta, people representing diverse perspectives and experiences are required. We welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous persons, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, persons with any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.
Red Deer Polytechnic will provide job applicants with accommodations in accordance with the Alberta Human Rights Code. To request an accommodation, please contact Peopleandculture@rdpolytech.ca. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
Special Instructions to Applicants

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Documents Needed To Apply

Required Documents
  1. Cover Letter
  2. Resume
Optional Documents