Chief Executive Officer

Our client is an internationally recognized leader in supporting innovation, commercialization and entrepreneurship. Innovacorp helps high potential early stage companies commercialize their technologies and succeed in the global marketplace. Their internationally recognized High Performance Incubation (HPi) business model incorporates incubation, mentoring, and seed and venture capital investment. Every day, Innovacorp provides hands-on business guidance, tailored to meet the unique and evolving needs of high potential early stage technology companies. Key industries include information technology, life sciences, clean technology, advanced manufacturing and aerospace. Innovacorp is a provincial Crown corporation, falling under the jurisdiction of Nova Scotia Economic and Rural Development and supporting the provincial government's path for creating a prosperous Nova Scotia. The Innovacorp team moves at the speed of business to help Nova Scotia knowledge-based companies overcome traditional hurdles to business growth. For more information about Innovacorp, please visit www.innovacorp.ca.

On their behalf, we are seeking a high-energy, results-focused CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER to pursue Innovacorp's vision of delivering the most effective technology commercialization practice in North America as it moves towards the desired state of Nova Scotia's innovation capital markets. Under the direction of the Board of Directors, the CEO will provide leadership to Innovacorp's management team and staff, while achieving the organization's strategic objectives and ensuring its operations are effectively managed. The CEO will be expected to influence government policy development and to form partnerships both within the provincial government and externally to fulfill Innovacorp's mission.

As Innovacorp's chief relationship officer, you are comfortable and credible with a wide range of constituents, from the scientist in a client's company lab, to a boardroom of venture capitalists, to twenty-something keen entrepreneurs, to an auditorium of business people from around the globe. You will demonstrate an understanding of global business and societal trends, especially in the knowledge sectors, and are able to think clearly about how the needs of Nova Scotia's economy are changing.

To qualify for this role, you have 10 to 15 years extensive private sector experience. A background in science, telecommunications or engineering would be considered a desirable asset. You are known to be an ambassador with an optimistic attitude, a proven persuasive champion. You are comfortable working in an environment of high public scrutiny and accountability. Those who have worked with you would describe you as a person out there pushing and pulling for constructive change. Demonstrating a leadership style that motivates and develops others, you will lead the Innovacorp team to sustain a significant and prominent contribution to Nova Scotia’s innovation and commercialization agenda.

For more information about this position, click to open a full Position Profile.

To express an interest, please contact Jim Wilson or Virginia Sterling Boddie at (902) 423-1657 or send your resume in confidence to 2021@WilsonExecutiveSearch.com, quoting reference #2021 in the subject line.