Priority may be given to the following designated employment equity groups: women, Indigenous peoples* (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), persons with disabilities and racialized persons*.

* The Employment Equity Act, which is under review, uses the terminology Aboriginal peoples and visible minorities.

Candidates are asked to self-declare when applying to this hiring process.

City: Within a National Research Council Office across Canada

Organizational Unit: Digital Technologies 

Classification: MGT-2 

Tenure: Continuing 

Language Requirements: Bilingual Non-imperative CBC/CBC 

Work Arrangements: 

• Due to the nature of the work and operational requirements, this position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement (combination of working onsite and telework). Employees in this position who telework will be required to travel to the identified work site at least four times per week at their own expense. 
  
  We recognize that Indigenous candidates may have important connections to their communities. If you are an Indigenous candidate, you may be eligible for an exception to this work arrangement. To learn more, please contact the hiring team, using the contact information below.

Discover the possible

Anything is possible at the National Research Council (NRC). As Canada’s leading research and technology organization, our world-renowned research pushes the boundaries of science and engineering to make the impossible, possible. Every day we explore new ideas through innovative research and help companies discover possibilities that impact Canada’s future and the world.

At the NRC, you’ll also discover new possibilities. Our supportive workplace fosters a culture of creativity, welcoming fresh perspectives and innovation at all levels. We value teamwork. You’ll collaborate across multiple fields and with the brightest minds to find creative solutions. Most importantly, you’ll discover what’s possible within you as you grow, make valuable contributions and progress in your professional journey. From ground-breaking discoveries to a life-changing career, discover your possible at the NRC.

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.

NRC’s Challenge Programs leverage NRC’s well-established assets (facilities, expertise, and networks) to serve as the anchor for convening strategic, highly dynamic teams to address public challenges, government priorities and to stimulate business innovation. They bring together the best minds from academia, industry and government to deliver breakthroughs across the innovation continuum that matter to Canadians. 

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. For this Challenge program, the NRC will collaborate with partners from the private and public sectors, academia and other research organizations (both domestic and international).  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. 

The Role, Continued

As Program Director, you will work with the NRC’s National Program Office (NPO), which is responsible for the day-to-day administration and oversight of Challenge Programs. In particular, you will collaborate with an NPO Innovation Investment Advisor who plays an impartial advisory role or ‘challenge function’ in the strategic oversight and delivery of Challenge Programs. You will also be provided with access to funding administered through the NRC’s National Program Office (NPO) to defray the costs of eligible external collaborators participating in the Challenge Program.

To successfully direct the Program, you will have experience leading collaborative applied R&D projects and managing financial and human resources. You will have experience with stakeholder engagement and business development and be able to demonstrate and draw upon your significant knowledge and proven track record in leading successful and impactful industry adoption of AI solutions. You will have expertise in a wide array of disciplines including machine learning, AI modeling and simulation. You will be able to communicate and leverage your significant knowledge of the AI industry in Canada and internationally. 

This is a unique opportunity to play a leadership role in advancing multiple forms of research, to help transform the adoption of AI enabled productivity technologies in Canada’s critical sectors.

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.
 

For information on certificates and diplomas issued abroad, please see Degree equivalency

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.

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

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)

View all competency profiles

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.

Please direct your questions, with the requisition number (23424) to:

E-mail: NRC.NRCHiring-EmbaucheCNRC.CNRC@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

Telephone: 613-858-5773 

Closing Date: 20 January 2025 - 23:59 Eastern Time 

For more information on career tools and other resources, check out Career tools and resources

*If you are currently a term or continuing employee at NRC, please apply through the SuccessFactors Careers module from your NRC computer.