Business Development Specialist - Concordia University

The Concordia Applied AI Institute (AI2) is a multi-disciplinary applied research unit representing more than 120 faculty members and their graduate students from the 4 Concordia University faculties. AI2 is a values-driven institute, committed to engaged leadership, caring for AI’s community and consequences, and responsive to public interest. We support AI that improves, rather than maintains, the status quo. Through workshops, panel discussions, publications, and other avenues, we facilitate meaningful engagement with issues related to AI governance and adoption.

Job description

As part of the Applied AI Institute, you will contribute to advancing the applications of AI research locally and globally. As Business Development Specialist, you will be an integral part in ensuring the development of revenue-generation partnerships with industry, and public and civil society stakeholders.

You will work collaboratively with colleagues, clients, and industry partners to drive business growth and expand market opportunities for the Institute. Your role will involve identifying and cultivating relationships with key stakeholders, supporting the development and delivery of business-focused programs in AI-ML training, and in AI adoption, and proposing and implementing frameworks for industry membership. You will assist colleagues in responding to market demands and client needs via service offers. Additionally, you will contribute to budgeting and financial decision making, will contribute to optimize value proposition. You will play a key role in ensuring a seamless client experience, fostering partnerships, and supporting initiatives that drive revenue and business expansion. Other responsibilities related to the position may be assigned by the immediate supervisor

Application deadline: April 25, 2025
Salary: $70,000 - $85,000 per annum (one year contract)
Hours per week: 35 (hybrid work schedule – 3 days on site)
Immediate Supervisor: Manager, Operations, Strategic Initiatives, and Partnerships

Work environment

The Applied AI Institute is an interdisciplinary team composed of engineers and social scientists, both full-time professionals and research assistants from the Concordia community. We collaborate with faculty members from Concordia University that provide guidance and expertise for our projects. We believe in collaborative approaches to shared work and engage with a range of community partners, locally, across Canada and internationally who are similarly invested in considering AI critically and proactively from the perspective of community agency, autonomy and in consideration of social movement demands.

Your work will be reviewed by your manager as well as fellow team members. We enjoy working with diverse teams. We appreciate the varied outlooks and perspectives of our team members and how they shape our projects.

Qualities we admire

Being comfortable with self-directed learning
Responding well to feedback
Solving problems effectively
Embracing a growth mind-set
Prioritizing team success over individual success
Staying organized

Preferred qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Marketing, Sales, or a related discipline. A graduate degree is considered an asset.
Experience in business development, partnership management, or sales, ideally within the education, training, or technology sectors. Experience in market analysis, lead generation, and client relationship management is an asset.
Knowledge of business development strategies, client engagement techniques, and sales processes to identify and capitalize on growth opportunities.
Familiarity with the Montreal and national AI ecosystems and their key stakeholders is an asset.
Strong proficiency in spoken and written English and French to effectively communicate with partners, clients, and internal teams, as well as to prepare proposals, reports, and presentations.
Project management skills with the ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders, manage timelines, and drive successful business initiatives.
Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills, along with a strategic mindset and the ability to foster long-term partnerships.
Ability to work autonomously, develop business strategies, and execute plans within established deadlines.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail.
Knowledge of CRM tools and business intelligence platforms is considered an asset.

Note to applicants:

If you’re excited about the role and are committed to learning with and from your team members, aren’t afraid of constructive criticism, please apply! We’re more interested in finding someone who’s a great fit for our team than just checking off a list of qualifications.

Territorial Acknowledgment

Concordia University is located on unceded Indigenous lands. The Kanien’kehá:ka Nation is recognized as the custodians of the lands and waters on which we gather today. Tiohtià:ke/Montreal is historically known as a gathering place for many First Nations. Today, it is home to a diverse population of Indigenous and other peoples. We respect the continued connections with the past, present and future in our ongoing relationships with Indigenous and other peoples within the Montreal community.

Employment equity

Concordia University is strongly committed to employment equity within its community, and to recruiting a diverse faculty and staff. The University encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women, members of visible minorities, Indigenous persons, members of sexual minorities, persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to diversification; candidates are invited to self-identify in their applications.

Accessibility

Concordia desires to increase diversity among its community members and we strive to make our recruitment processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants. If you are contacted for an interview and anticipate needing accommodations during the process, please contact, in confidence, applied.ai@concordia.ca

Immigration status

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian and Permanent Residents will be given priority. To comply with the Government of Canada’s reporting requirements, the University is obliged to gather information about applicants’ status as either Permanent Residents of Canada or Canadian citizens.

This position is subject to all conditions outlined in the CARE collective agreement.

How to apply

Please send your CV and cover letter to applied.ai@concordia.ca

Accommodations are available to support your success at the interview stage. Please let us know how we can mitigate barriers that would prevent you from fully participating by contacting applied.ai@concordia.ca

Your request will be held in confidence.