RRC Polytech is Manitoba’s largest institute of applied learning and research, with more than 150 full- and part-time degrees, diploma and certificate options. Through hands-on and online learning opportunities and state-of-the-art instruction, we prepare our students to become leaders in their fields – while also ensuring they can meet changing industry demands and contribute to the province’s economic growth.
Accessibility and Accommodations:
RRC Polytech is committed to accessible employment and to ensuring that our hiring processes are barrier free. If you require information in an alternate format, or if you require an accommodation to participate in the hiring process, please contact humanresources@rrc.ca.
Director, Lab to Market (Term Full-Time)
Research Partnerships & Innovation
POSITION TYPE: Full-Time, Term Position Available (anticipated May 4, 2026 up to March 31, 2030)
POSITION LOCATION: Notre Dame Campus (Winnipeg, MB) Hybrid**
EMPLOYEE GROUP: Non-Union
** RRC Polytech reserves the right to modify work arrangements in alignment with operational and organizational needs.
At RRC Polytech we aspire to have a workforce that is representative of the diversity within our communities. For this hiring process, a preference hiring practice will be applied. First consideration will be given to applicants who self-identify within their application as one or more of the following equity-deserving group(s): Women, Indigenous Peoples, Persons with Disabilities, Racialized Persons, Persons of the 2SLGBTQlA+ Community. First consideration will also be given to internal applicants. For more information about our hiring practices, please visit: www.rrc.ca/hr/work/hiring-process/.
Employment support is available to candidates who self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit) seeking employment at Red River College Polytechnic. For guidance on the application process, interview preparation, or to discuss accommodation needs, applicants are invited to contact our Indigenous Recruitment Consultant at Indigenoustalent@rrc.ca.
TALENT POOL: This competition may be used to establish a 12-month talent pool of qualified candidates for future vacancies. Even if you do not meet all of the listed qualifications, we encourage you to apply.
ABOUT THE TEAM
Labs4 is a Canada-wide network of 38 colleges and universities working in partnership to empower researcher-entrepreneurs to turn academic breakthroughs into real-world ventures, products, and solutions. Administration and oversight of the network is led by the Labs4 National team which is situated within RRC Polytech’s Research Partnerships & Innovation (RPI). RPI leads the applied research enterprise across RRC Polytech and is industry’s gateway to the vast base of knowledge, capabilities, facilities, and industry networks that reside at Red River College Polytechnic — a Canadian leader in applied research and commercialization.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
Red River College Polytechnic is seeking a national Director, Labs4 to lead the transformative national College-University network for entrepreneurship and research commercialization. With $24.1 million in federal funding, this network will drive research-based entrepreneurship and commercialization across Canada, leveraging Canada’s innovation ecosystem and collaboration with 38 co-applicant and collaborating postsecondary institutions. This network will also prioritize driving impactful change in supporting Indigenous entrepreneurship.
The Director, Labs4, oversees the national Lab-to-Market College-University network's cross-Canada program for delivering entrepreneurship training to researchers at all levels through 8 regional administrative and program delivery hubs and 3 Indigenous entrepreneurship hubs, overseeing and maintaining collaborations with 38 post-secondary institutions and dozens of supporting organizations such as regional innovation networks, incubators and accelerators, chambers, and industry associations. The Director, Labs4 is responsible for developing and managing the national budget, ensuring adherence to NSERC funding guidelines and reporting requirements, and ensuring the successful delivery of the program through effective leadership, planning, monitoring, and reporting. This position ensures alignment with the national strategy, working directly with the hubs to deliver decentralized training programs and commercialization supports within a centralized National framework and standardized first in class programming.
The Director, Labs4 is responsible for overseeing a national team of regionally distributed program managers, an operations and administration team, the National program’s key metrics and evaluation frameworks, achieving program impacts, managing budgets, liaising with regional units, and maintaining relationships with Indigenous incubator hubs to ensure culturally relevant and successful programming. This role will also lead the planning of Labs4 Executive committee meetings, create mechanisms for input from Advisory councils, and oversee the team to lead the Annual summit. The Director, Labs4, reports directly to the Executive Director, Research Partnerships and Innovation, who leads and chairs the Labs4 Executive Committee.
Please note we welcome applicants from across Canada.
WHAT YOU WILL BRING
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Innovation, Science, Engineering, or a related field. Combination of education and experience may be considered.
- Experience in program management, particularly in the areas of research commercialization, entrepreneurship, or innovation.
- Proven experience in leading multi-site, national programs with a focus on training, research commercialization, or entrepreneurship.
- Experience working with Indigenous communities and understanding the unique challenges and opportunities in delivering programs tailored to Indigenous students is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated experience in overseeing large-scale, multi-partner, federally funded programs, particularly in the areas of research commercialization, entrepreneurship, or similar fields, or equivalent scale and seniority
- Proven ability to manage decentralized teams, inspire collaboration, and lead diverse, cross-functional teams.
- Strong financial management skills with the ability to oversee large budgets and ensure compliance with funder requirements.
- Expertise in engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, including academic institutions, government agencies, industry partners, and Indigenous communities.
- Advanced ability to communicate complex ideas and strategies clearly to diverse audiences, including executive teams, funding bodies, and regional hubs.
- Ability to define, track, and report on program metrics and outcomes, ensuring continuous improvement and alignment with strategic goals.
- Expertise in IP, entrepreneurship, and research commercialization.
- Must have the ability to act and represent the College in a professional, collegial, collaborative, and entrepreneurial manner.
- Experience building a respectful workplace culture that promotes diversity, learning and continuous improvement.
NICE TO HAVE
- Master’s or Doctoral degree in a relevant field such as Business, Innovation, Science, Engineering, or other related areas.
WHY WORK WITH US
At RRC Polytech, we believe our people are our greatest assets. We offer supportive, inclusive workplace where you can grow, contribute and thrive.
Salary Range for this position: $121,056 - $162,052 per annum
Generous Paid Vacation: full-time employees accumulate a minimum of 15-days vacation per year, increasing to 30 days with service, while full-time Instructors accumulate 44 days per year. Information on casual and part-time vacation accrual is outlined in the Collective Agreement or the Terms and Conditions for Excluded Employees as applicable.
December Break: employees receive time off with pay during the period between Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
Defined Benefits Pension Plan: Employer and Employee contributions to future retirement benefits.
Comprehensive Benefits: Including Health and Group Life insurance, Long Term Disability, employee & family assistance program, mental health support up to $1,000, and a robust Health Care Spending Account.
Inclusive Leave Programs: Wellness, maternity, adoptive, and parental leave, as well as ceremonial, cultural, religious and spiritual leave.
Growth and Recognition: Professional development, professional licensing and fees coverage, and severance pay on retirement.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
- Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada
- This position may be required to work evenings and/or weekends
- This position may be required to work overtime
- This position may be required to travel
Please note that applicants internal to Red River College Polytechnic must apply through My Portal on HRIS Unlimited.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
RRC Polytech campuses are located on the lands of the Anishinaabeg, Ininiwak, Anishininwak, Dakota Oyate, and Denésuline, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.
We recognize and honour Treaty 3 Territory Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, the source of Winnipeg’s clean drinking water. In addition, we acknowledge Treaty Territories which provide us with access to electricity we use in both our personal and professional lives.
