HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE & INNOVATION

Position: Director, Plant Response and the Environment
Organization: Vineland Research & Innovation Centre
Location: Vineland Station, Niagara Region, Ontario

Director, Plant Responses and the Environment
Research & Development Department

Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (Vineland) is recruiting for a Director, Plant Responses and the Environment to work in an industry-driven research environment. Vineland is a world-class research centre dedicated to horticultural science and innovation. Located in Canada’s Niagara Region, on the traditional territory of Anishinaabeg, Ojibway/Chippewa and Haudenosaunee peoples, this territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties.

Vineland’s mission is to deliver innovative products and production solutions that address the needs of the horticulture industry and advance Canada’s research and commercialization agenda. We are an independent, not-for-profit organization, funded in part by the Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

Our people are the most important asset in achieving our goals and are known in the world for excellence in science and entrepreneurship. Our staff enjoys an exciting and challenging work environment noted for collaboration and knowledge sharing.

GENERAL OUTLINE:

Reporting to the Vice President, Research and Development (VP, R&D), the Director, Plant Responses and the Environment is responsible for leading an integrated and cross-disciplinary team of scientists and technical staff focused on developing practices to create environmental conditions that support the sustainable growth and use of plants for the Canadian horticulture sector.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

(*A more comprehensive position outline is available upon request.)

As a member of the R&D leadership team, you will:

• Develop and maintain client relationships important for the success of the Corporation by:
  • Working with the VP R&D and Director Business and Client Development to scout new R&D opportunities, developing relationships with industry and understanding priority issues in the Canadian horticulture sector
  • Cultivating support and investment for research with technology companies, producers and producer groups, product suppliers, infrastructure suppliers, municipalities and other land managers, and other potential clients and partners.
• Lead and manage the Plant Responses and the Environment team by:
  • Managing a research and innovation program with multi-disciplinary teams of scientists that may include plant productions, urban forestry, environmental horticulture, plant pathology, biochemistry, agronomy, engineering and consumer science.
  • Creating a positive work environment and culture by developing, mentoring and coaching staff with the appropriate skills and competencies to meet corporate objectives.
• Support Vineland’s business objectives by:

• Developing program/project design, planning and problem solving in support of corporate objectives.
• Manage and administer an annual operating budget for the Program by:
  • Ensuring financial transparency and accountability, monitoring budget adherence, identifying and explaining variances, and ensures financial reporting is effectively managed in compliance with Vineland policies.
  • Securing external investment to ensure the program is adequately resourced.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

• Post Graduate degree in horticulture, plant sciences, forestry or related discipline; PhD in a relevant discipline is preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in horticulture research, plant biology, plant productions, urban forestry or plant physiology; combined experience in both research and commercial settings is preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership experience with cross-functional teams.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to coordinate relationships.
• Applied knowledge of leadership, management and team motivation principles and practices with demonstrated experience in managing people.
• Familiarity and experience with project management principles, processes and tools.
• Familiarity with intellectual property (IP) protection and management.
• Sound working knowledge of budgeting, business development, and corporate planning.
• Ability to handle complex situations in a dynamic work environment.

Location:

Vineland Research and Innovation Centre*
4890 Victoria Avenue North, Vineland Station, Ontario, Canada, L0R 2E0
(*Please note that this location is not accessible by public transportation.)

Include:

• A cover letter stating how your experience qualifies you for the position
• Résumé
• Contact information of three references

Vineland is committed to employment equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates including women, Indigenous peoples, members of visible minorities and racialized groups, persons with disabilities, persons of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and others. In accordance with all applicable provincial accessibility standards, accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process.

Applications are encouraged immediately and should be submitted online below. We appreciate all applications received; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

We invite you to submit your application in confidence to:

Website: http://www.vinelandresearch.com

E-mail: careers@vinelandresearch.com

Vineland Research and Innovation Centre
4890 Victoria Avenue North, Box 4000
Vineland Station, Ontario, Canada, L0R 2E0

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For more information on Vineland Research and Innovation Centre visit us at vinelandresearch.com