Skip to the content of the web site.

Director, WISE

Department: Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy Effective Date: July, 2009
Grade:

USG 15

35 hr/wk

Reports to: Executive Director, WISE -Ontario Research Chair in Public Policy for Sustainable Energry Management

General Accountability

The Director of WISE (DW) manages the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy (WISE). This position is central to the vitality and growth of Waterloo’s focus on energy research. The over-riding objective is to manage, promote, and increase the large base of research activity and funding in the area energy research and policy development in support of a long term sustainable energy future for Ontario at the University of Waterloo.

The Director will be responsible for four key management functions: 1) creating new contacts and building relationships with prospective business, industry and government funding partners 2) creating and implementing a plan for promotion of WISE research activities 3) managing large infrastructure and operating research projects, including proposal development, budgeting, financial and technical reporting 4) working with WISE members, directors and advisory board to advance the overall goals of WISE.

Nature and Scope

Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy is a recognized leader in promoting innovation through multi-disciplinary research in the development and deployment of advanced sustainable energy systems at the University of Waterloo. Energy researchers working as multi-disciplinary teams in the Faculties of Engineering, Science and Environmental Studies are undertaking leading edge studies and research with utilities, government agencies and private sector partners. The goal is to support emerging energy technologies to enhance the reliability and efficiency of the power system. More than 70 of Canada’s leading energy researchers are involved in undertaking key technology-enabling research as part of University of Waterloo’s focus on energy research through WISE.

The Director, WISE reports directly to the Executive Director of WISE.

Statistical Data

Specific Accountabilities

WISE is a Faculty of Engineering constituted initiative that welcomes and actively seeks faculty participation from across campus. WISE represents one of the largest university concentrations of energy researchers within Canada and is comprised of over 70 members from faculties and departments across the University of Waterloo campus. WISE research activities encompass a broad range of theme areas to provide solutions to the energy sector’s most pressing challenges including: Renewable Energy Resources, Storage and Transport, Conversion Technologies, Emission Management, Power System Optimization and Management, Conventional Energy Systems (nuclear, coal), Sustainable Energy Policy, Conservation, Demand Management and Energy Efficiency the Green Auto Powertrain.

 

Recent major awards include a provincially-funded Ontario Research Chair in Public Policy and Sustainable Energy Management, a major provincial research award to the Faculty of Engineering to improve the safety, cost performance and reliability of the existing power infrastructure under the UW Chair in Risk and Reliability of Energy Systems and a $12M funding through CFI and ORF for world-class research facilities including the new Centre for Advanced Photovoltaic Devices and Systems (CAPDS), $11M signature energy projects through OCE and industry partners, a solar thermal engineering centre, the advanced energy materials laboratory, several fuel-cell engineering laboratories and a state-of-the-art indoor, large-scale controlled wind turbine testing facility.

 

WISE research funding targeted in excess of $50M over five years for other WISE theme areas. The DW will provide the central leadership role in pursuing and implementing such funding and will assume fiscal responsibility for this budget. The DW will also assume fiscal responsibility for all new projects developed within WISE and will provide an important role in pursuing such funding. This will include coordination of federal and provincial grant and contract applications, addressing the criteria for all submissions such as:

 

Relationship Management:

The DW will be responsible for managing external relationships, including servicing and developing client relationships and tracking outcomes.  The manager will keep the WISE members informed and aware of inquiries and potential research opportunities and help to assess their viability for possible follow-up by senior officials from the WISE leadership.

The DW will also be involved in helping to develop marketing and promotional strategy for WISE, tracking research funding prospects, and then to implement the plan leading to securing funding from these opportunities.  The individual will work closely with the WISE leadership and researchers in determining prospects and targets.

Industry and Government Relations:

 

Research Funding and Reporting:

WISE has an approved internal budget to support its operations.

The DW will also assume responsibility for the preparation, coordination, implementation and reporting on major funding proposals stemming from WISE research groups and consortia. In addition to grant submissions such as NSERC Strategic Grants, IRC's, CRD's, CFI, ORF, OCE, this will include:

Technology Transfer

The DW is responsible for the implementation of a technology transfer and commercialization plan for WISE research outcomes. This plan will be developed in consultation and through the WISE Technology Transfer and Industrial Liaison Officer(s), the University Technology Transfer and Licensing Office, the Accelerator Centre, various government commercialization funds and organizations (eg. OCE commercialization, NSERC I2I), external Venture Capital and Angel Funds, and other means as appropriate.

 

Supervision:

The DW is responsible for the direct supervision of the WISE staff which includes:

 

Significant Internal Relationships include:

 

Significant External Relationships

Working Conditions

This is an on-going permanent position.