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Senior Entrepreneurship Advisor - Digital Health
This is a one-year, part-time term position, with the possibility of renewal. Salary will be pro-rated according to hours worked.
The position is based in the McGill Engine Centre (https://www.mcgill.ca/engine/), in collaboration with the Clinical Innovation Platform at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (CLIP - https://rimuhc.ca/clinical-research/clinical-innovation-platform-clip).
Responsibilities and activities align with those of an Entrepreneur‑in‑Residence, mentoring program participants, evaluating project submissions, and providing professional expertise on the potential commercialization of their technologically-based ideas.
The location of work will be evenly split between McGill and CLIP.
Position Summary:
McGill Engine in collaboration with the CLIP is launching the new “Health Innovations Catalyst” (“InnovSanté”) program, for multidisciplinary research teams from Quebec universities and their affiliated hospitals and research institutes interested in commercializing their research in the fields of: therapeutics, diagnostics, digital health, surgical tools, tools for drug discovery and development, and medical devices. We aim to accelerate and increase the number of innovative startups in the fields of medtech and life sciences in Quebec by creating a unique, tailored, and favorable ecosystem of all essential stakeholders.
Senior Entrepreneurship Advisors will be selected from three different industry verticals, namely medtech, digital health, and life sciences/biotech. They will function as Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, providing practical guidance, coaching and mentoring to Quebec university researchers, inventors, students, and startup teams as they pursue their health-related innovation entrepreneurial journeys.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Assist in the development and promotion of the InnovSanté program, specifically in the filed of Digital Health
- Meet one-on-one with potential team program participants to provide professional expertise on the potential commercialization of their technologically-based ideas, inventions, technologies, R&D projects, and startups/spinoffs that can be applied to health
- Identify early-stage technologies and teams with commercial potential
- Evaluate project submissions to the program
- Take part in the selection process with the Steering Committee
- Mentor the InnovSanté teams via the lean start-up methodology and the IRL framework, in particular, with each team, set up and keep track of the project development plan, by each IRL indicator
- Provide one-on-one weekly mentoring meetings with the InnovSanté teams
- Provide expertise on team composition, links with key project stakeholders, and project funding opportunities from other existing programs (preclinical work, user evaluations, or pilot projects to demonstrate performance and/or technology scale-up)
- Facilitate connections of InnovSanté teams to other program support resources (internal and external), in particular clinicians and MBA student interns
- Provide contacts and introductions for the InnovSanté teams to the program network partners (industry experts via MEDTEQ and Consortium Québécois sur la Découverte du Médicament, and investors such as adMare, Fonds FTQ, Lumira, Genesys, Amplitude) as part of their project development plan
- Collaborate with other business incubators, business accelerators and other entrepreneurial support organizations inside and outside of McGill, e.g., the Dobson Centre, Centech, L’Esplanade, etc.
- Assist with technology transfer, licensing and industrial partnerships
- Provide educational workshops on topics related to health-related technological innovation and entrepreneurship
Other Qualifying Skills and/or Abilities:
- Proven track record of founding, scaling, or leading digital health startups
- Minimum 8–10 years of experience in healthcare technology, telemedicine, health data analytics, or related sectors
- Strong network within digital health industry, investors, and business accelerators
- Familiarity with clinical workflows and integration of digital solutions in healthcare delivery
- Experience in regulatory pathways (Health Canada, FDA, EMA)
- Visionary thinker passionate about transforming healthcare through innovation
- Collaborative and approachable, with a commitment to fostering an inclusive and dynamic innovation environment
- Adaptable to academic settings while maintaining strong industry and investor connections
Assets:
- Graduate degree in a relevant field (e.g., Health Informatics, Biomedical Engineering, Public Health, Business Administration, or related discipline)
- Demonstrated ability to raise capital, build strategic partnerships, and scale digital health solutions
- Prior experience as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence, advisor, or mentor in an academic or incubator setting
- Experience with intellectual property strategy and commercialization within university ecosystems
As one of Montreal's Top Employers, here is what we offer:
Competitive benefits package (Health, Dental, Life Insurance) (if eligible)
Defined contribution pension plan (with employer contribution up to 10%) (if eligible)
Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA)
Competitive vacation policy
Two (2) personal days
Two (2) floating holidays
Nine (9) "Summer Fridays" - paid days off between the St-Jean Baptiste holiday and Labour Day
Paid time off over the December holiday period
Tuition waiver for regular employees and their dependents
Up to two (2) days of remote work per week where the position permits
Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.
Knowledge of English: McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level 4 (qualifier) on a scale of 0-4.
For a definition of our language proficiency levels, please click here.
Minimum Education and Experience:
Annual Salary:
Job Profile:
MPEX-COM3A - Internal External Relations - Senior Professional/ManagerHours per Week:
Supervisor:
Position End Date (If applicable):
Deadline to Apply:
McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [email protected].
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree
- Five years of related experience
- Proven track record of founding, scaling, or leading digital health startups
- Eight to ten years of experience in healthcare technology, telemedicine, health data analytics, or related sectors
- Strong network within the digital health industry, investor community, and business accelerators
- Familiarity with clinical workflows and integration of digital solutions in healthcare delivery
- Experience with Health Canada, FDA, and EMA regulatory pathways
- Visionary approach and passion for healthcare innovation
- Collaborative, approachable, adaptable, and committed to an inclusive innovation environment
- Graduate degree in health informatics, biomedical engineering, public health, business administration, or a related discipline
- Ability to raise capital, build strategic partnerships, and scale digital health solutions
- Experience as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence, advisor, or mentor in an academic or incubator setting
- Experience with intellectual property strategy and commercialization within university ecosystems
- Authorization to work in Canada and willingness to work in Quebec
- English proficiency sufficient for verbal and written workplace communication
What We Do
McGill University is a public research university with extensive research activities across various engineering disciplines, including civil and materials engineering, focusing on areas like construction materials and advanced manufacturing.
