Praxis Spinal Cord Institute (Praxis) is a Canadian-based not-for-profit organization that leads global collaboration in spinal cord injury research, innovation, and care. We advance ground-breaking ideas that can be put into practice, making lives better. We actively engage people living with spinal cord injuries and other world-class experts to work together to identify and solve the most urgent challenges to make exceptional improvements in the health of people with spinal cord injuries. Praxis Spinal Cord Institute is proudly accredited by Imagine Canada and was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Charities by Maclean’s and Money Sense magazines, achieving an A+ rating.

Through a diverse workforce, Praxis is committed to excellence in research, innovation and care for people living with spinal cord injury. Praxis recognizes that a diverse workforce, comprised of individuals with an array of identities, abilities, backgrounds, cultures, skills, perspectives and experiences is vital to creativity, growth and innovation and our success in making an impact on quality of life. We support our commitment by fostering an inclusive workplace which is fair, equitable, supportive, welcoming and respectful, allowing us to continue to transform health outcomes.

The Praxis Spinal Cord Institute (Praxis) Commercialization Program focuses on facilitating and increasing funding for the development of innovative therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics and other health-related technologies with direct application to SCI towards commercialization. The program leverages the strengths and resources of Praxis’ Network in SCI research and care to gain development and commercialization expertise through a number of programs, including SCI incubate and SCI Accelerate. The goal of the program is to bring a greater number of innovations to market that will directly benefit people with SCI.

Reporting to the Director, Commercialization, the Manager, Commercialization assists in managing Praxis’ Commercialization Program (including SCI Incubate and SCI Accelerate programs) to expand and strengthen Praxis’ network for commercialization, helps to evaluate technologies and implement mechanisms for mentorship and coaching for SCI technologies based on their specific needs. This position is expected to execute on Praxis’ fundraising strategy to meet initial targets for the Commercialization Program/Innovation Fund from various sources, including government, people of high net worth, and corporate giving from industry. The Manager also grows and manages partnerships with corporate, institutional and government funders, and the role includes developing and managing grant agreements and submissions. This position also works on other related initiatives as required, in pursuit of Praxis’s organizational objectives.

The Manager, Commercialization works internally with Praxis program directors and project leads and externally with the Praxis research partner network, advisory committees, key national and international SCI groups and associations, key donors/funders, and individuals with SCI.

JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES

• In consultation with the Commercialization Program Advisory Committee, assist in the implementation of the Commercialization Program’s strategic roadmap;
• In consultation with Praxis Senior Management, operationalize and execute the strategy of the Commercialization Program, including implementing the program’s education of SCI technologies
• Develop and build partnerships and relationships with industry, investors and inventors/innovators in support of the Commercialization Program and Praxis’ Network Development strategy such as recruitment of mentors and volunteers as required;
• Manage identification, research and recruit potential SCI innovations to participate in Praxis programs and serve as corporate partners, as relevant
• Help manage negotiating agreements with new recipients of Praxis funding in order to implement terms that can earn Praxis return on investment arising from the successful commercialization of Praxis-funded projects, such as donation of shares to Praxis and royalties from commercial revenue;
• Organize occasional meetings of the Commercialization Program and lead the discussions at the meetings;
• Assess the suitability of alternative models for which Praxis can provide support, such as diverse fundraising and investment mechanisms, and implement suitable models into Praxis’ operations;
• Spearhead analysis of companies (e.g. Due Diligence/ Decision to Invest memo) to guide decision-making on funding/supporting different SCI technologies
• Lead analysis of reimbursement and regulatory strategy for specific technologies
• Manage Due Diligence process of specific streams of companies, end-to-end,
• Pitch novel ideas/projects for external buy-in, investment and support,
• Other duties related to the qualifications and requirements of the job.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Life Sciences or Healthcare-related undergraduate degree. Life Sciences, Healthcare-related and/or Business graduate degree would be considered an asset. Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  
• Five (5) years of experience in a comparable role, preferably in a health sciences or healthcare environment or account management structure.
• Business development and/or commercialization experience in life sciences is highly preferred.
• Business-to-business experience is an asset.
• Bilingual or proficiency in multiple languages would be an asset.

SKILLS/BEHAVIOURS

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including experience liaising with industry, universities, foundations, inventors, investors and related groups
• Excellent skills in direct outreach with donors and partner organizations
• Excellent knowledge of biotech and life sciences industries
• Knowledge of Canadian healthcare system and understanding of SCI care
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills (both written and verbal)
• Excellent analytical and writing skills to develop detailed, complex analyses
• Excellent judgement, problem-solving and organizational skills
• Highly process-oriented
• Good management and coaching skills to support rest of the team
• High tolerance for ambiguity
• Demonstrates tact, sensitivity and diplomacy when dealing with various stakeholders; able to effectively build relationships
• Self-motivated and works well both independently and in a team environment
• Demonstrates initiative, creativity and flexibility
• Ability to develop innovative strategies, solutions and opportunities to support Praxis’ charitable objects
• Able to manage competing priorities and multiple projects with varying degrees of complexity
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Ability to develop, track and maintain lists of partners, leads and contracts
• Comfortable with current e-marketing/commerce technologies (e.g. Salesforce)

HOW TO APPLY

Interested and qualified candidates can apply by March 31, 2023. While we thank all applicants for their interest, only short-listed candidates will be contacted. For more information on Praxis, please visit www.praxisinstitute.org.

Praxis Spinal Cord Institute would like to acknowledge that the land on which we are located is on the unceded traditional territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, specifically the shared traditional territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səlil̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) First Nations.