Intellectual Property Commercialization Leader

Priority may be given to the following designated employment equity groups:
Indigenous Peoples* (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), persons with disabilities, and racialized persons*. The Employment Equity Act, which is currently under review, uses the terminology Aboriginal peoples and visible minorities.

Applicants are asked to self‑declare when applying to this hiring process.

City: Within a National Research Council Office across Canada

Organizational Unit: Business and International Innovation

Classification: RCO

Tenure: Continuing

Language Requirements: Bilingual Imperative CBC/CBC

Work arrangements: Due to the nature of the work and operational requirements, this position may be eligible for a limited hybrid arrangement (combination of working onsite and telework). Alternative arrangements may also be considered to accommodate candidates as required.

We are looking for an Intellectual Property (IP) Commercialization Leader to join the Business Management Directorate of our International Innovation (BII) Branch. The IP Commercialization Leader will work closely with IRAP, the NPO, NRC’s IP team, researchers, and business professionals in NRC’s Research Centres to advance the licensing and commercialization of NRC generated intellectual property. The role involves establishing key business development and IP commercialization policies, providing technical business intelligence for strategic initiatives, and supporting NRC strategic priorities.

• Assist in identifying IP with strong commercial potential.
• Lead the establishment of IP commercialization teams.
• Assist in building strong industry‑attractive value propositions and identifying prospective Canadian licensees.
• Develop strategic approaches to marketing the IP.
• Implement targeted plans to engage potential receptors and negotiate licenses to NRC IP.
• Lead the organization in employing AI to facilitate and accelerate the transfer of NRC IP to Canadian industry.

Collaborate with other RC business development, contract, and IP management employees to develop new approaches to support technology transfer. Provide guidance in NRC’s IP committee meetings on the commercial potential of technologies. Support internal initiatives to improve IP commercialization understanding across the organization and external initiatives to increase awareness of NRC’s IP portfolio.

• Bachelor of Engineering, Science, or Business Administration.
• Master of Business Administration would be an asset.

• At least 5 years of recent experience in leading teams of business and research staff in IP commercialization activities.
• Significant and recent experience in managing and leading IP commercialization activities in a research environment.
• Significant and recent experience in strategic stakeholder engagement planning and execution.
• Significant and recent experience in researching and negotiating IP‑related agreements to successful closure and positive impacts for Canadian industry.
• Relevant experience in industry and technology transfer networks, including collaboration with industrial and academic partners.
• Demonstrated experience in the development and integration of tools, policies, and marketing strategies to support technology transfer.
• Experience in technology transfer of IP arising from collaborative R&D projects with industrial partners.
• Demonstrated experience in leveraging intellectual property to address industry and public sector challenges.
• Experience communicating both verbally and in writing technology business opportunities to potential and existing clients.
• Experience utilizing AI tools to assist in identifying potential licensees.
• ‘Significant’ is defined as at least 2 to 6 years of experience.
• ‘Recent’ is defined as within the last five years.

• Reliability Status required; verification of background information over a period of 5 years.
• Some travel is required.

• Bilingual Imperative CBC/CBC

• Knowledge of IP protection/management/commercialization and technology transfer.
• Solid working knowledge in intellectual property, research and…