Program Director, AI For Productivity Challenge Program

The Role

We are looking for a Program Director for the AI for Productivity Challenge Program. The Program Director would be an individual who shares our core values of integrity, excellence, respect and creativity.

The goal of the AI For Productivity Challenge Program is to develop safe AI enabled productivity enhancing technologies that will be adopted in Canada’s critical industry sectors. The Program will utilize secure experimental sandbox environments, equipped with advanced software, AI compute hardware, and access to comprehensive AI and subject matter expertise from NRC research staff and collaborators. The success of these experiments will be measured by their ability to significantly improve productivity or efficiency, or by their potential to generate new revenue streams when applied to proprietary company data or client interactions.

You will be part of NRC’s Digital Technologies Division, reporting directly to the VP, but will be expected to work collaboratively with multiple research centres, IRAP and business units across NRC. Under your leadership, the program will bring together industry expertise, researchers and technical staff from across Canada’s AI ecosystem and NRC’s research centres to deliver on the program’s mandate.

Screening Criteria

Applicants must demonstrate within the content of their application that they meet the following screening criteria in order to be given further consideration as candidates:

Education

A graduate university degree in computer science, engineering or in a field relevant to the position.

In lieu of a graduate degree, a combination of education and significant applied AI experience may be considered.

Experience

Program management

• Experience developing strategic program plans and associated metrics for innovation.
• Significant and recent administrative, financial, and human resource management experience.
• Recent experience in leading, planning, monitoring and aligning studies, projects or strategic initiatives within a fast-paced and complex environment.
• Experience supervising and developing staff in multidisciplinary teams, ideally in a matrix environment of projects and programs.

Artificial Intelligence

• In-depth experience working in the Canadian and international context around program-specific AI technologies: industries, forums, trends, issues, and the engagement needed to keep this knowledge current.
• Proven experience in establishing and managing partnerships, particularly with the AI community including contributions, terms of engagement, reporting, and IP ownership.

Communications

• Significant and recent experience in providing strategic advice to senior level executives in the public or private sectors.
• Demonstrated experience designing and delivering impactful technical and programmatic presentations to various audiences.

Business Experience

• Significant business experience within relevant scientific and technological domains gained through industry, government, or partnership experience.
• Experience in one or more of the targeted industry sectors—manufacturing, clean tech, agriculture/food security would be an asset.

Significant experience is defined as the depth and breadth of the experience normally associated with the performance of the duties for a period of approximately three (3) years. Recent experience is defined as having performed the duties within the last five (5) years.

Condition of Employment

Secret (II)

Language Requirements

Bilingual Non-imperative CBC/CBC

Note: In the event that no qualified bilingual candidates are identified, NRC may consider unilingual candidates who will be required to commit to achieving these levels within two years.

Assessment Criteria

Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

Technical Competencies

• Knowledge of the NRC’s mandate, programs and the unique requirements of an innovation program.
• Extensive knowledge of R&D management and strategic planning in a complex, interdisciplinary, and multi-partner environment.
• Extensive knowledge of techniques for creating and deploying AI applications across various sectors, including an understanding of global trends.
• Knowledge of key players, industry dynamics, and business models for applying AI in critical sectors, both nationally and internationally.
• Knowledge of policies and practices related to contract management, financial management, human resources, and procurement management.
• Proficiency in strategic marketing, negotiation, and securing business and partnership relationships.
• Capability to autonomously evaluate, manage, and assume risks for large scale applied R&D projects.

Behavioural Competencies

• Inspirational Leadership (Level 3)
• Strategic Outlook and Alignment (Level 3)
• Drive for Results and Efficiency (Level 4)
• Leverage Collaborative Relationships (Level 3)
• Financial Management (Level 3)
• Client Relationship Management (Level 3)
• Industry Sector Knowledge (Level 3)
• Self-awareness (Level 4)
• Action management (Level 4)
• People Management (Level 3)

Competency Profile(s)

For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profile: Management Competencies (MG)

Compensation

From $150,435 to $180,450 per annum.

NRC employees enjoy a wide-range of competitive benefits including a robust pension plan, comprehensive health and dental coverage, disability and life insurance, office closure at the end of December, and additional supports to enhance your well-being throughout your career and beyond.

Notes

• Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC's directives.
• A pre-qualified list may be established for similar positions for a one year period.
• In order to ensure a prompt and efficient processing of applications, candidates must provide, along with their résumé, a detailed covering letter explaining how they meet the Essential Qualifications for each of the requirements of this position (education, experience, language requirements), and any Asset Qualifications, by providing concrete examples. In addition, the candidate is encouraged to describe in detail when, where and how they gained the experience. Failure to provide an appropriate cover letter will result in the rejection of your application. Candidates will not be solicited for incomplete or possible missing information.
• Preference will be given to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada. Please include citizenship information in your application.
• The incumbent must adhere to safe workplace practices at all times.
• We thank all those who apply, however only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.