OPPORTUNITY PROFILE CEO - Innovate Edmonton - edmonton.ca - Leaders International
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edmonton.ca OPPORTUNITY PROFILE │ CEO – Innovate Edmonton
ABOUT THE CITY OF EDMONTON
Approaching one million people, Edmonton is one of Canada’s fastest growing cities.
Edmonton’s character is marked by its openness, inventiveness, risk taking and collaboration. People and organizations
work together here to solve problems and go after opportunities.
The City’s population is among Canada’s youngest. Five post secondary institutions turn out thousands of graduates
each year, who are ready to work and eager to bring their ideas to life. Diversity, rich culture and arts, and a strong
social fabric add to Edmonton’s strengths.
The City’s economic development leadership focuses on improving Edmonton’s economic well being and delivering a
high quality of life for all. To build wealth, diversify the economy and create and retain jobs, the City creates the
conditions that support:
• A connected city with thriving businesses, social services, arts and culture, and community-driven
organizations;
• Vibrancy that is anchored in mutual success, respect and caring for one another;
• Systems-thinking that acknowledges that all parts of Edmonton are interdependent, and mutual success
contributes to a healthy community overall; and
• A commitment to focusing on initiatives that make it easier to do business in Edmonton
The following interconnected organizations represent the evolution of economic development in Edmonton:
• Edmonton Global
• Alberta Industrial Heartland Association
• Edmonton Tourism
• Edmonton Innovate (or Innovate Edmonton) TBC
• Edmonton Business
• Edmonton Airports
• Alberta Aerospace & Technology Centre (AATC)
Other stakeholders that contribute to the overall ecosystem in a linear way that could be enabled by technology to
achieve exponential outcomes:
• Social purpose and not-for-profit organization that contribute to positive social change
• Program and policies at all levels of government (municipal, provincial and federal)
• Post-secondary institutions focused on research and innovation (University of Alberta, MacEwan University,
NAIT, etc.)
• Other organizations in the innovation and technology space like A100, C100, MITACS, etc.
ABOUT INNOVATE EDMONTON
Edmonton has a tremendous opportunity to continue to build on the strengths of an active and creative
entrepreneurship ecosystem. Innovate Edmonton is a new, non-profit organization with the primary purpose of
championing innovation in Edmonton to drive a diverse, resilient, and creative economy in the city. Now, more than
ever, innovation will be an important part of Edmonton’s future economy. The entity will encourage and support local
innovators by providing programs and funding to support startups and scale-up companies. The organization will
ensure a rich ecosystem which supports entrepreneurial experimentation and creation of companies. The entity will
capitalize on and work with post-secondary institutions and technology entities to create an environment for
mentorship, investment, and risk-taking.
OPPORTUNITY PROFILE │ CEO – Innovate Edmonton 1
The City of Edmonton is currently in the process of appointing an inaugural Board for this entity, which will follow the
principles of a governance Board. The Chair of the Board has been selected.
Board members will serve as ambassadors for the city’s innovation ecosystem and contribute to the strategic direction
of the organization. The organization will be funded by the City of Edmonton.
The establishment of this entity aligns with Administration’s COVID strategy to Respond, Recover, and Reimagine. As
part of the Reimagine strategy, the entity will work with other technology entities and stakeholders to coordinate
programs and start new initiatives that will help increase the number of startups in Edmonton.
WHY NOW
Edmonton’s active and creative entrepreneurship ecosystem is underpinned by a number of existing innovation
related entities. These entities have successfully supported growth in the health, artificial intelligence and agri-tech
sectors and show significant potential to encourage growth in other sectors.
The purpose of Innovate Edmonton is to support the City’s interconnected and evolving ecosystem, which generates
economic growth for the region through innovative businesses, products, and services. The new entity will not lead
the community but will take its lead from the community and will be able to respond to the innovation community’s
needs and take a coordinated approach to diversifying Edmonton’s economy.
This work is even more critical in a post-COVID-19 environment, where innovation and diversification will be essential
to a more resilient local economy. Innovate Edmonton will support and coordinate Edmonton’s innovation community
after the pandemic emergency to encourage and support investors, entrepreneurs and scale-ups using a more
integrated and community centered approach than in the past.
THE OPPORTUNITY – CEO, INNOVATE EDMONTON BOARD
Reporting directly to the Chair of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) serves as the senior
executive for Innovate Edmonton and in partnership with the Board, is responsible for the success of this new
innovation entity. Together, the CEO and the Board will ensure that Innovate Edmonton accomplishes its mandate,
vision and mission of building upon and improving the City of Edmonton’s innovation ecosystem, while promoting its
innovation strengths locally, nationally and internationally, and also connecting the organization’s leadership with their
extensive networks of other innovation leaders.
As the face of the organization, the CEO will build effective, supportive and collaborative relationships with the
innovation community, as well as internal and external stakeholders, to ensure this new entity becomes a trusted
outcome-driven and action-based organization that will serve the innovation community.
The CEO manages day-to-day operations and has the authority to carry out the responsibilities in accordance with the
direction and policies established.
KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic and Operational Planning
• Develop the strategic direction and objectives of Innovate Edmonton for consideration and approval by the
Board of Directors and manage the execution of the strategic plan.
• Develop and establish a business plan that outlines specific financial and management objectives as required
by the Board of Directors to accomplish the strategic direction and support corporate outcomes.
• Establish a culture of best practices and benchmarking for all services and operations.
OPPORTUNITY PROFILE │ CEO – Innovate Edmonton 2• Establish a strategic approach to the design and management of programs, services, and operations that
ensures regular input from clients, communication with stakeholders, and consideration of emerging local,
national and international trends and issues.
Leadership
• Oversee the selection and hiring of required staff.
• Effectively create a positive and entrepreneurial team, ensuring that management and staff all work together
to deliver needed results through the joint efforts of all.
• Develop and motivate a strong Management team that is accountable for the day-to-day management and
operations of Innovate Edmonton.
• Provide the vision, leadership, coaching, mentoring, and performance-based structure for employees to
ensure strong performance, continuous improvement, and development.
Governance
• Establish and maintain a productive, sound relationship with the Board of Directors and appointed officers,
ensuring that they have all the information and support necessary to effectively exercise their governance
responsibilities.
• Support the governance Board to fulfil their oversight and fiduciary responsibilities.
• Employ and engage Innovate Edmonton Management team to establish organizational goals, strategies,
outcomes, performance metrics, and procedures necessary to implement and monitor business and
operational priorities.
• Monitor and evaluate progress made on organizational goals, strategies, and outcomes, and report results to
the Board of Directors on an ongoing basis.
• Work with the Chair and Committee chairs to achieve objectives and deal with matters of importance to the
governing Board.
Market Knowledge
• Acquire and maintain a sound knowledge of new innovations, nationally and internationally, in all sectors;
operate and ensure an in-depth understanding of current market conditions, trends, target markets, and
opportunities or threats.
• Provide leadership to the development and implementation of a comprehensive, market-driven marketing
strategy and plan to support various start-up and scale-up companies.
Communications/Corporate and Community Relationships
• Understand the external and internal environment as well as the interests and needs of stakeholders,
employees, and clients. Foster a spirit of cooperation with key stakeholders in government, business, and the
community.
• Act as the chief spokesperson for Innovate Edmonton.
• Ensure development of a strong communications and public relations plan and continued presence. Ensure
potential entrepreneurs are informed of Innovate Edmonton activities, successes, and future planning.
Financial Management and Risk Management
• With approval by the Board, develop a long-term financial plan and budgets designed to achieve the strategic
and operational objectives of Innovate Edmonton.
OPPORTUNITY PROFILE │ CEO – Innovate Edmonton 3• Communicate strategic priorities and expectations succinctly; look at the "big picture" while still attending to
issues of immediate concern.
• Translate Innovate Edmonton’s goals and priorities into action.
• Model and foster a proactive and results orientated operating style. Ensure accountability for the achievement
of results.
• Introduce new concepts and business opportunities and build partnerships that will add value for the region.
• Identify and evaluate new opportunities. Recognize, quantify, and manage risk for the organization.
Human Resources Management
• Provide leadership to all staff. and create and establish a working environment and corporate culture
conducive to the achievement of objectives established by the board.
• Ensure that support, coaching, and mentorship is available for staff. Lead the development of people through
organizational training, development opportunities, and fulfilling career experiences.
• Empower people and encourage innovation consistent with organizational priorities.
Program Management
• Manage the effective and efficient design and implementation of programs and services within the approved
operating plan and budget.
• Provide informed leadership and direction for programs and staff.
• Review and address programs and services to ensure they are relevant and in support of the community.
THE PERSON
The ideal candidate will have significant recent senior leadership experience combined with a proven track record of
advanced financial and organizational leadership. An effective and professional communicator, the incumbent will be
a confident individual who possesses experience representing an organization in the community, and with government
and elected officials.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
• Post-secondary education in business administration or a related field.
• Extensive experience in a leadership role.
• Experience and success at the President and/or CEO level would be a definite asset.
• A strong national and global network would be a strong asset. Has a “finger on the pulse” of the community
and is aware of current issues and trends.
• Experience working with a volunteer Board; committed to evolving its governance practices.
• A charismatic leader who has a positive reputation and can enhance the profile of the region.
• Experience in formulating policy as well as developing and implementing new strategies and procedures and
executing a strategic plan.
• Ability to communicate and interact with officials at all levels of government, and to work effectively with a
wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Ability to motivate teams and simultaneously manage several projects.
OPPORTUNITY PROFILE │ CEO – Innovate Edmonton 4• Experience with a successful startup business or other innovation entity.
• Highly developed and refined planning, negotiating, and communication skills.
SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES:
• A global citizen with a passion for different cultures and people.
• A digital native and connector; a chameleon like in any orbit.
• A disrupter at heart that has a deliberate approach to execution.
• An intense love of disruptive technology (e.g. Big Data, AI, IOT, 5G, VR/AR, robotics, blockchain etc.) and an
accelerator of science and health technology (e.g. wearables).
• Dislikes business and client friction; is an eliminator of waste. Capable of creating a digital company from the
“ground up”.
• Has a connection to Edmonton, but also possesses an extensive national and international network.
• A passion for city economics as a driver for change.
• A connector of people who innovate; has a strong desire to see everyone succeed. A systems thinker who can
connect relevant dots.
• An educator, enabler, facilitator, and coach.
• Avoids compromise but instead seeks out the best solution.
• Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) for you is table stakes.
• Recognizes value creation in the new economy and the value of intangible assets vs. tangible assets (elements
of the financial balance sheet).
• Build a culture of agility in the team.
• Has “off-the-scale” EQ combined with a healthy dose of IQ.
Among other attributes, the following will be important:
Strategic Leadership and Planning – Demonstrates a visionary and charismatic leadership style while providing
guidance and support to staff. A creative and influential leader who uses a practical, collaborative, and common-sense
approach and demonstrates expertise in issues management. Decisive decision-maker with a strong ability to
anticipate change and to respond to change effectively. Able to implement strategic priorities for the organization.
Board Relations – Understands the role of a “governing” Board of Directors. Experience in reporting to a volunteer
Board.
Relationship Builder and Advocate – Comfortable identifying and approaching individuals in government and the
business community as well as building and maintaining effective relationships. Possesses well-developed negotiation
skills.
Politically Astute – Knows and understands governance and has an intuitive ability to read the political implications of
recommendations and actions. Enjoys working with elected officials. Knows and understands the importance of
working closely with municipal jurisdictions and the provincial orders of government. Has expertise with policy
development and legal processes.
Communication Skills – A skilled verbal and written communicator; strong presentation skills; open and transparent;
has well-developed communication skills. Respects and welcomes a diversity of opinions. Strong public speaking skills.
OPPORTUNITY PROFILE │ CEO – Innovate Edmonton 5Media Relations – Able to act as Chief Spokesperson for Innovate Edmonton. Has effectively managed media and public relations. Financial Management – Timely and efficient in all budgeting, financial, and information reporting and planning. Risk Manager – Demonstrated ability in identifying, monitoring, and managing key risks in an organization (enterprise risk or other significant risks, including significant organizational, business process and systems changes that must be carefully monitored and managed). Personal Management Skills – Excellent organizational and time management skills, with demonstrated ability to simultaneously manage multiple strategic and administrative priorities and tasks. Ability to delegate effectively, establish clear accountabilities and develop the capabilities of others. Has a demonstrated track record of success as a results-oriented self-starter. Critical thinking, Analytical Skills – Evaluates information and extracts meaning; demonstrates strategic perspective; ability to develop strategies and policy positions. Possesses excellent judgment and good common sense. Demonstrates an ability to remain objective at all times. The posting will remain open until a CEO is selected. FOR INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT Anurag Shourie or Cecilia Oteiza Ayres Leaders International Executive Search Suite 501 Fox One 10226 – 104 Street Edmonton, AB T5J 1B8 Phone: 780-420-9900Email: Edmonton@Leadersinternational.com OPPORTUNITY PROFILE │ CEO – Innovate Edmonton 6
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