VICE PRESIDENT, AREA X.O
INVEST OTTAWA - AREA X.O
Area X.O, founded and operated by Invest Ottawa, is Canada’s premier R&D complex for emerging technologies and NATO DIANA Test Centre, where visionary entrepreneurs, innovators and leaders come together to shape the future. From dual-use technologies and solutions for defence and cybersecurity to smart mobility, autonomy, connectivity, smart cities, robotics, agri-tech, and drones, Area X.O accelerates the development, testing, commercialization and adoption of next-generation solutions, helping founders, companies and their collaborators get to market safely, faster. It is as a beacon of innovation, multi-purpose technologies and cross-sector collaboration.
Set in the heart of our global tech hub, Area X.O plays a central role in advancing the economic growth, sustainability, and global competitiveness of Canada’s Capital region. Together with Ottawa’s thriving tech ecosystem, this team is dedicated to advancing the market, customer, and investor readiness of the entrepreneurs and firms it serves, helping to accelerate their growth, success, and economic impact. By unleashing the potential of emerging and advanced technologies, Area X.O helps to enhance lives; create new opportunity, jobs, investment and economic growth; and strengthen community safety and prosperity.It is within this dynamic context that Invest Ottawa is seeking a forward-thinking, entrepreneurial and tech-savvy Vice President, Area X.O (Vice President) to drive the next phase of strategic growth, innovation, and impact.
Reporting to the President and CEO of Invest Ottawa, the Vice President will lead the continued expansion of Area X.O, overseeing all facets of operations, performance, growth, and sustainability, while scaling the organization to its next phase of growth.
This Vice President will bring a minimum of 10 years of executive leadership, an entrepreneurial mindset and proven ability to scale complex innovation-driven enterprise. Building on Area X.O’s strong foundation and momentum, and working closely with a committed team, fellow Invest Ottawa programs and collaborators, this leader will ensure operational excellence, security, sustainability and measurable impact, while strengthening its national and global reputation and opportunity as a hub for next-generation technologies that power Canada’s prosperity and security.
This includes:
Leading and overseeing the development and implementation of the long-term plan and technology roadmap of Area X.O with its high-performing team, defining annual targets for client impact, market expansion, technology adoption, sector engagement, and economic outcomes
Managing and operating all facets of Area X.O, including personnel, physical assets, and budget, with responsibility for achieving year-over-year growth in financial performance, client satisfaction, and organizational sustainability.
Leading and collaborating with a talented team of engineering, business development and operations professionals, and sets clear priorities and KPIs including measurable outcomes for professional development, project delivery, and client impact; models leadership and provides coaching and support consistent with Invest Ottawa’s values.
The Vice President will play a pivotal role in evolving Area X.O’s capabilities across defence, security, public safety, future mobility, clean technology, smart agriculture, and next-generation communications. A track record of technology leadership within an innovation-based organization, and a strong grasp of technologies such as IoT, 5G, autonomous and electric systems, and connected infrastructure will be key to driving innovation and market adoption.
The ideal candidate will excel at scaling an innovation-based organization systematically and impactfully, and building strategic partnerships with industry, government, and academia to deliver measurable results. The successful candidate will be equally adept at visionary leadership, business growth and operational excellence, someone who can balance strategic growth with day-to-day execution, risk mitigation and management, and stakeholder engagement.
As an ideal candidate, you bring:
A minimum of 10 years of executive leadership experience
Proven experience scaling or growing an innovation-based organization with impact
Demonstrated leadership in advanced technology environments such as innovation hubs, testbeds, or applied R&D facilities.
A track record in managing market opportunities, technical operations, budgets, diverse stakeholders across industry, government, academia and the investment community, and multidisciplinary teams in complex, client-centric settings.
Proven ability to bridge technology and business, translating complex engineering and R&D capabilities into scalable products, partnerships, and market impact
Strategic insight into, and experience with, emerging technologies (connectivity, autonomy, IoT, 5G, autonomous and electric vehicles, connected infrastructure).
Master’s degree preferred in Business, Engineering, or Operations Management
This is a rare opportunity to lead one of Canada’s most dynamic technology hubs, where innovation meets real-world impact. The Vice President, Area X.O, will help innovators, entrepreneurs and their collaborators grow and succeed, and shape the future of technology development, commercialization, and adoption for Canada’s Capital region.
