Business Partner, Emerging Technology and Talent

Alberta Innovates / InnoTech Alberta • Edmonton, AB

20h • Hybrid

About The Position

As a Business Partner, Emerging Technology and Talent is responsible for leading the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of programs and initiatives that advance research, innovation talent development, and ecosystem growth in areas strategically important to Alberta. This role drives innovation outcomes such as knowledge creation, technology adoption, commercialization, and the development of highly qualified personnel. The position also plays a key role in building and maintaining strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, including industry leaders, innovators, municipalities, research institutions, and post-secondary organizations, to achieve outcomes related to job creation, industry competitiveness, and broader economic, social, and environmental benefits. The key responsibilities include managing grant programs and related processes; coordinating expert reviewers and project advisors; delivering program calls and ecosystem engagement activities; and contributing to the development of standardized processes, tools, and guidance to ensure operational excellence.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Innovation, Entrepreneurship or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in program or project management, preferably in the public sector, innovation, research, or technology-focused environment.
• Proven experience in implementing and execution of collaborative projects.
• Experience in working in/with government and industry in a wide range of sectors, innovative technology development, and supporting programs.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal teams, senior leaders, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to facilitate collaboration and consensus among diverse stakeholder groups with varying priorities and perspectives.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging to different audiences.
• Skilled in delivering presentations and facilitating meetings or workshops.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, competing deadlines, and high-volume workloads.
• Demonstrated tact, diplomacy, and persuasiveness in navigating complex or sensitive situations.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to support evidence-based decision-making.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Proficient in project management principles and tools, with the ability to manage timelines, resources, and deliverables.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Willingness and ability to travel as required to support stakeholder engagement and program delivery.
• The successful candidate will be required to undergo a security clearance and provide credible references.

Nice To Haves

• Familiar with Alberta’s innovation social, economic, environmental and technological needs and priorities.

Responsibilities

• Establish project funding agreements and detailed project plans in collaboration with recipients.
• Monitor project progress, manage change requests, and provide regular updates to the ET&T team and leadership.
• Review interim and final project reports to assess outcomes and compliance.
• Coordinate project monitoring and change management processes across the ET&T project advisor team.
• Provide portfolio-level services including data analysis, status reporting, and responding to internal and external information requests.
• Prepare program and financial reports, including quarterly updates for leadership, ensuring documentation is current and accurate.
• Support ET&T vendors by managing administrative requests and developing budget forecasts.
• Ensure funded projects align with ET&T’s mandate and meet defined objectives and deliverables.
• Participate in steering committees and maintain ongoing communication with funding recipients.
• Lead end-to-end delivery of ET&T calls for proposals and programs.
• Manage the proposal evaluation process, including assembling expert review panels, contracting reviewers, and providing guidance throughout the process.
• Coordinate the development and enhancement of program scope, guidelines, evaluation criteria, and supporting documentation.
• Participate in proposal evaluation activities by compiling reviews, scoring submissions, and preparing recommendation documents.
• Lead outreach, engagement, and coaching activities to support prospective applicants and enhance program accessibility.
• Support the debrief process for unsuccessful applicants and provide constructive feedback on proposal submissions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Represent ET&T at workshops, conferences, cross-ministry working groups, and other events.
• Provide guidance to stakeholders on ET&T policies, procedures, and program expectations.
• Contribute to the execution of ET&T’s marketing and communication strategies.
• Ensure internal stakeholders are informed of key processes, evaluation criteria, and performance targets.
• Contribute to the development of tools, policies, and procedures that enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of ET&T programs.
• Conduct research and analysis on industry best practices, market trends, and emerging technologies to inform program design.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying and implementing enhancements to internal processes and program delivery.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation aligned with internal classification and pay bands
• Comprehensive benefits, including health and dental coverage and pension benefits
• Vacation starting at three weeks, plus paid time-off programs that support balance
• Opportunities for learning and professional development
• A respectful, inclusive work environment that values collaboration and diverse perspectives
• Flexible work arrangements, where operationally feasible

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level