Opportunity: IP Director
New Ventures BC (NVBC) is a non-profit society with a mandate of supporting and recognizing early stage technology start-ups in British Columbia. We run the annual $250,000 New Ventures BC Competition, and an accelerator program that offers education and mentorship to startups across BC.
NVBC recently launched the Accelerate IP Program and will also be supporting the delivery of the BC’s Intellectual Property Education Strategy. We are seeking an expert in Intellectual Property to be a part of building this core part of BC’s overall IP Strategy. You’ll advise on and develop curriculum and programming, be our go-to expert resource, build a local IP ecosystem, and lead collaborative efforts on IP frameworks to support tech ventures.
This is a 1-year contract with the possibility of extension and is delivery focussed, offering flexibility around hours and engagement type. This role will report to NVBC’s Executive Director and an IP Steering Committee. Once the programming is developed there will be support provided during the execution phase.
We are open to applications from individuals as well as proposals from organizations that are able to deliver within the budgeted annual salary.
Responsibilities include
Advising on all program streams for the current AccelerateIP program (Awareness, IP strategy mentorship, IP strategy, and IP Implementation) and making recommendations to ensure content, programming format, and delivery are of the highest quality.
- Create a vetting framework for adding to the program’s approved legal service provider list, including advising on realistic service expectations and pricing for each stream.
- Advise on processes for IP Strategy and IP Implementation streams of the program.
- Assist the program team with questions related to these applications as required.
- Overseeing iteration of education programming content, create a plan to scale the training of additional instructors to deliver more programming.
- Oversee and assist with the development of training materials
- Work with the team to monitor client utilization and key performance indicators of the program, advising on areas for improvement, optimization, and sustainability
- Ensure the application process and programming is being developed and delivered in a manner that facilitates both quality and excellence as well as encouraging and accessible to a diverse group of participants. Any official work within the EDI&B space is considered an asset.
Overseeing NVBC’s role in delivering the BC IP Education Strategy
- Lead the creation and direction of an education roadmap, IP literacy framework, an online IP hub
- Coordinate IP education working groups to foster collaboration across stakeholders
- Develop programming for annual IP education summits and workshops
- A willingness and ability to deliver educational content when required
- Oversee the expansion of an IP certification program, including reviewing learning management systems and frameworks to meaningfully award the program’s micro-credential
Creating and managing strategic industry relationships
- Manage IP patent landscape reports with partners
- Act as primary liaison between AccelerateIP and the Province of BC’s Intellectual Property Strategy to ensure collaboration and alignment on all key initiatives
- Work with IP partners across on Canada on joint IP education and IP resource initiatives
Experience and Qualifications may include:
- Education in engineering, science, or a field relevant to the intellectual property
and/or - Law degree or similar accreditation with experience as an IP lawyer in house or in a law firm
and/or - 7-10 years of demonstrated experience advising and servicing clients with complex IP needs through experience as a patent agent, in-house IP executive, or IP consultant.
- Extensive professional knowledge and experience with the process and components within all streams of the Accelerate IP Program
- Familiarity and experience across a range of IP rights and data (i.e., experience in IP strategy, US /Can laws, patents, copyright, trademarks, and trade secrets)
- Proficiency in developing and implementing IP strategy for business at stages from startup- scaleup including how to to identify, protect, manage, and commercialize their IP
- Knowledge on how IP may differ among industry subsectors
- Experience in developing curriculum and training materials is considered an asset
- Experience in delivering group presentations and trainings on related topics is considered an asset
- Strong communication skills
- Experience in identifying, developing and maintaining strategic collaboration opportunities and relationships
- Excellent advisory, presentation, and consultation skills
- Previous involvement with Canada’s start-up ecosystem with a passion for supporting founders and businesses!
Engagement
NVBC is interested in meeting with individuals seeking full-time salaried employment as well as independent contractors and organizations with experience in advising and consulting with programs and initiatives similar way.
The role is considered to be remote first, with requirements to attend in-person meetings and travel from time to time in which case pre-approved expenses will be covered by NVBC.
This role is open to applicants from across BC / Canada, with a preference for a BC-based location.
The annual budget for this role is $155,000-185,000 based on experience and engagement type. To express your interest in this role, please include:
- A CV or a comprehensive LinkedIn profile outlining your relevant education and work experience
- A letter of introduction providing a summary of your experience as it relates to the above-stated description and criteria as well as your preferred engagement with NVBC.
- Due to the nature of this role, we will be looking be seeking letters of recommendation or references from past employers, clients or programs you have worked with.
Send interest to: hello@newventuresbc.com
We regret that we can only reply to those being considered for the position
