<Industrial Liaison Officer, the Water Institute>

Department:

Office of Research, the Water Institute

Effective Date:

January, 2013

Grade:

USG 11

35 hr/wk

Reports to:

Managing Director, the Water Institute

General Accountability

Reporting to the Managing Director of the Water Institute, the Industrial Liaison Officer (ILO) is responsible for establishing, managing and maintaining the Water Institute’s External Partners Program (EPP). Through the EPP, the ILO will establish and maintain strategic relationships with organizations external to the university, including those in the private sector, the public sector, the research community and civil society, with a particular interest in water research and education. The ILO will also promote the EPP to Waterloo researchers and support them in developing partnerships with external organizations. The ILO will have a relevant undergraduate or graduate degree and significant industry experience with existing networks in the water sector.

The ILO position requires:

Ability to build rapport and relationships with faculty members and external partners;
Ability to define and solicit organizations that are suitable as research or commercial partners;
Ability to work independently;
Outstanding communication, interpersonal, customer relation and time management skills;
Significant project management experience, with demonstrated ability to plan, execute and monitor multiple activities;
Strong water sector background.

The ILO will work in close collaboration with the Water Institute administration, Water Institute faculty members, Office of Research staff, Development staff and Faculty Development Officers.

Nature and Scope

The University of Waterloo is recognized as one of Canada's research-intensive Universities and has a long and successful track record of research partnership with industry and other collaborating partners. Waterloo has a long tradition of excellence in water research and education and, in 2009, established the Water Institute to “facilitate excellence in research, education and innovation in water science, technology, management and governance”. The Institute’s goal is to increase Waterloo’s profile as a centre of excellence in water through promoting interdisciplinary research, facilitating partnerships and supporting the development of interdisciplinary teaching programs. Currently the Water Institute includes about 130 researchers from across all six university academic faculties (Applied Health Sciences, Arts, Engineering, Environment, Mathematics and Science).

Faculty members of the Water Institute are responsible for water research and education programs that are diverse, and collectively comprehensive, with core disciplinary expertise in areas such as:

Hydrological (groundwater, surface water) science and engineering;
Water/wastewater treatment and technology;
Ecohydrology;
Aquatic ecology and ecotoxicology;
Water management and governance.

Water research and education at the University of Waterloo is strongly focused on solving practical problems, and many of our researchers have close associations with industry and other external organizations. To help build on these traditional strengths, the Water Institute is launching the EPP with the particular purpose to:

Attract new partners to the University;
Formalize access and communications between the Water Institute and external partners;
Identify and promote new opportunities for Water Institute researchers and students;
Facilitate development of new research partnerships;
Improve the long-term financial sustainability of the Water Institute.

The ILO will have primary responsibility for implementing, managing and maintaining the EPP.

Statistical Data

Not applicable.

Specific Accountabilities

External Partners Program

Plan and manage implementation of the Water Institute’s External Partners Program (EPP).
Develop the EPP recruitment strategy and plan, including target markets and organizations and marketing activities.
Develop EPP marketing and promotion materials, such as website content, presentations and brochures.
Implement the EPP recruitment strategy and plan, including marketing and promotional activities, and visits to potential partner organizations.
Establish and maintain relationships with EPP member organizations to identify opportunities for collaborative research;
Provide liaison and advice to EPP member organizations on issues related to water research and education at Waterloo;
Facilitate campus visits and other events to enhance interactions between Waterloo researchers and EPP member organizations;
Manage delivery of EPP news and information services;
Manage and maintain EPP on-line jobs board;
Manage planning and execution of the annual Water Institute Research Symposium and Career Fair;
Develop and implement a system for tracking, and assessing the effectiveness of interactions with EPP member organizations;
Develop and monitor EPP program effectiveness metrics;
Monitor and report on EPP performance;
Communicate and promote the EPP program to Waterloo researchers;
Recommend improvements to the EPP program.

Other Duties

Provide support to the Water Institute Executive Director and Managing Director.
Contribute to Water Institute marketing and communications activities, including website enhancements and preparation of the annual report.
Collaborate with Office of Research Industrial Liaison staff, Development staff, Faculty Associate Deans, Research, and others as they develop strategic plans for research and industrial liaison.