Head of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

In the context of expanding its activities, UMP6 Canada, the Canadian branch of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, is hiring a HEAD OF INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP for a permanent position. The role is based in Montreal, Canada.

About UM6P:

Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) is an internationally oriented institution of higher learning, that is committed to an educational system based on the highest standards of teaching and research in fields related to the sustainable economic development of Morocco and Africa. UM6P is an institution oriented towards applied research and innovation. On a specific focus on Africa, UM6P aims to position these fields as the forefront and become a university of international standing.  

More than just a traditional academic institution, UM6P is a platform for experimentation and a pool of opportunities. With an innovative approach, UM6P places research and innovation at the heart of its educational project as a driving force of a business model.

In its research approach, the UM6P promotes transdisciplinary, entrepreneurship spirit and collaboration with external institutions for developing up to date science and at continent level in order to address real challenges.

About UM6P Canada :

Recently established, UM6P Canada aims to become a major high-level player in Research and Executive Education in Canada in fields where it has strong and distinctive expertise. UM6P Canada's primary mission is to promote UM6P's expertise in research, education, and innovation while fostering lasting links between Africa and Canada. This initiative actively facilitates technology transfers and partnerships, while encouraging a dynamic culture of innovation on the African continent. Additionally, it seeks to become a leading hub for technological innovation and a catalyst for economic progress in Africa by connecting creative minds and exceptional talents from Canada and Africa.

Join UM6P Canada to be part of a pioneering venture where your contribution fuels our collective growth in a spirit of co-construction and innovation. Our ambitious project stands out by offering tangible value to the established ecosystem in Canada and Africa. Be part of a team of experts working on dynamic themes such as agriculture, mining, artificial intelligence, energy, sustainable development, and innovation and entrepreneurship.

Location: Montreal, Canada

Specialization: Research Department

Reporting Line: Top Management

Type of Work: Hybrid, evolving according to UM6P Canada's strategic needs

Position Dimension:

UM6P Canada aims to develop activities and lead projects at the heart of UM6P’s strategic issues, where UM6P has strong expertise in supporting African economic and social development. This includes agriculture, mining, artificial intelligence, energy, renewable energies, and broader sustainable development topics.

UM6P Canada’s implementation project is based on four axes:

1. Developing doctoral research activities in Canada on subjects where UM6P has strong expertise.
2. Developing Executive Education activities.
3. Promoting innovation and startup creation in Canada focused on these strategic issues.
4. Developing consulting and service offerings in UM6P’s main areas of intervention.

Key Responsibilities:

In alignment with UM6P Canada’s orientations and priorities, and based on the identified needs in various sectors (Agtech, Cleantech, Deeptech…):

• Gather and identify the needs of UM6P and its various clients, define and propose strategic policies and directions to address them.
• Define, structure, and develop an offering to identify target innovations/startups and establish a roadmap for support services.
• Lead projects and consulting missions for UM6P Canada clients in Africa and elsewhere to assist in identifying and incubating innovative startups.
• Study opportunities and, if necessary, lead projects for UM6P Canada or its partners’ equity participation.
• Serve as the interface with clients.
• Develop project P&Ls and ensure the financial profitability of programs.
• Plan and manage the Executive Education budget and report to the general management.
• Utilize various mechanisms to enable UM6P Canada to benefit from available incentives for innovation and entrepreneurship activities.
• Foster and manage relationships with industrial partners, investors, and other stakeholders to promote technology transfer.
• Provide advice and support to researchers and professors in developing intellectual property (IP) and patent processes.
• Organize events around innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology transfer (hackathons, excellence awards, roundtables, idea debates), considering Canada-Africa priorities.
• Promote UM6P Canada’s offering within the entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem in Canada for relevant fields.
• Actively monitor the latest technological advancements in the aforementioned domains and propose ways to leverage them (regulatory, technological, and competitive intelligence).
• Promote UM6P’s expertise and enhance the value of its research results and patents.
• Develop and propose a medium-term development plan and priorities for UM6P Canada’s innovation and entrepreneurship activities.

Context and Environment:

• UM6P is at the heart of scientific and technological agendas that address challenges Africa faces, including natural resource management, continental industrialization, human capital development, climate change, and others.
• UM6P Canada’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship division should accelerate several of these topics in partnership with Canada’s ecosystem while developing African talents’ capabilities in the field.

Objectives:

• Develop a high-level innovation and entrepreneurship offering with Canadian partners to strengthen capacity and facilitate North-South technology transfer. Leverage human expertise, technology, and potential investments to support Africa’s ongoing research, innovation, and entrepreneurship dynamics.
• Identify initiatives of interest for UM6P priorities (startups, entrepreneurs, doctoral projects, specialized incubators, accelerators) and connect and support them to co-develop with existing resources. These could be located within existing incubators in Canada and/or Morocco.
• Promote and highlight UM6P’s expertise in Canada.

Desired Profile:

• Strong educational background in a relevant field related to our activities (engineering, computer science, physical sciences, chemistry, energy, or related disciplines). A PhD is a plus.
• Entrepreneurial and technological culture with proven experience in the field.
• Good knowledge of support ecosystems (incubators, venture capital, corporate innovation management) and financing tools.
• Established network of contacts within the target community in Canada and proven ability to position and promote UM6P Canada’s offering to suitable targets.
• Excellent analytical and synthesis skills, creativity, curiosity, autonomy, rigor.
• Strategic vision and good understanding of economic issues.
• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to manage cross-functional projects, aptitude for representation, and network animation.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Pronounced sense of service and team spirit required.
• Fluency in French and English.

Why Join Us:

• Join a startup phase company and contribute to its growth with a co-constructive and innovative philosophy.
• Be part of a pioneering team committed to creating and maintaining excellence bridges between Africa and Canada.
• Participate in an ambitious and differentiating project that adds real value to Canada’s existing ecosystem.
• Work with global experts on promising topics: agriculture, mining, artificial intelligence, energy, renewable energies, and sustainable development.
• Be part of a team committed to ecological transition issues, fostering talent, and contributing to African economic and social development.

If you have a different profile or career path and believe you can take on this responsibility and add value to our team, do not hesitate to contact us as well.

Additional Benefits:

• An attractive and stimulating work environment focused on research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
• Exciting and challenging responsibilities with interesting perspectives.
• A “Safe Space” to implement your own ideas.
• Cooperation in a spirit of trust and a dynamic and appreciative atmosphere.
• Very competitive social and other benefits package.

Application and Selection:

The application package should include:

• A detailed CV.
• A cover letter with a concise presentation of your background and key achievements related to the mission.
• Your vision for developing the Innovation & Entrepreneurship division.
• Entrepreneurial and innovation ideas and concepts, if applicable.
• Contact information of 5 referees.