Business Initiatives Officer

Yukon University’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship (I&E) Centre believes in unleashing the innovator and entrepreneur in Yukoners by promoting, developing, funding and servicing the advancement of Yukon innovations and businesses.

As the Business Initiatives Officer, you will be accountable for the successful co-development, implementation and delivery of multiple entrepreneurial programs focused on building the capacity of early to mid-stage innovators and entrepreneurs. This position will direct the delivery of 2-3 signature programs annually including I&E’s brand-new, territory-wide Summer Biz School, organizing and executing I&E’s new educational programming in collaboration with our Bachelor of Business Administration program, and other business growth and scaling programs to support entrepreneurs and innovators at various phases of their enterprise development.  Participant selection, recruitment of program delivery contractors, event planning, budget oversight and ongoing program management are operational parts of this role.  You will have a leading role in outreach and engagement within the Yukon, including the development of mentorship networks and bespoke mentor matching across programs in the territory and ensure a strong presence for I&E in the broader local, national and international entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

The ideal candidate for this dynamic role will have completed a relevant post-secondary degree in Business or Innovation, combined with business experience and knowledge of core frameworks in entrepreneurial advancement, such as lean start-up, business model development, start-up financing and more.  Strength in all forms of communication, including the ability to effectively communicate to both technical and student audiences, is a mandatory skill for this role. Other skills that will support your success are the ability to be a creative self-starter; able to take an idea through to implementation;  Strong program operations and program management experience; understanding budgets and project logistics and reporting; proficiency in digital environments; knowledge of Yukon innovation and entrepreneurship communities; strong analytical skills, the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of government and non-government organizations as well as experience working with First Nations.  Rounding off these professional skills is the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced team environment, where we support each other through our strengths and passion for what we do.

A class 5 Drivers License is required for this role.