MANAGER, INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT COVE Dartmouth, NS COVE is a global technology partner advancing high-impact solutions from seabed to space. COVE transforms innovation into market-ready technologies through testing, commercialization support, market expertise and access to critical infrastructure. Leveraging its networks and mission-driven platform, COVE connects investors, innovators, industry, and the research community to drive cutting-edge capabilities for commercial and defence applications. Based in Canada and operating internationally, COVE supports the full lifecycle of maritime and multi-domain technologies – from research and development to manufacturing, integration, and export – linking Canadian innovation to global markets. COVE has built a globally recognized innovation platform, with an ecosystem of more than 700 organizations spanning startups, multinational firms, researchers, Indigenous partners, and public sector collaborators. Through its programs, facilities, and partnerships, COVE enables real-world testing and validation, strengthens supply chains, and accelerates technology adoption in complex operating environments. With strong connections across the North Atlantic, the United States, and the Arctic, and as part of international networks including NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA), COVE plays a key role in advancing technologies that support economic growth, environmental sustainability, and global security. As COVE experiences rapid expansion, it is actively seeking to expand its team to further bolster its transformational influence as a global technology partner in advancing high-impact solutions. COVE recognizes that its journey toward this goal hinges on the strength of its team – a group of individuals who collaborate, innovate,



and continually strive for excellence. Join COVE as it embarks on this exciting journey of discovery and advancement. The Opportunity Reporting to the Director of Partnerships & Industry Development, the Manager, Industry Development leads the delivery and expansion of COVE’s Innovation Challenges Program, and related commercialization initiatives, that connect defence operational priorities with innovative small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to accelerate technology validation, adoption and supply chain integration. The Manager works with the Canadian Armed Forces, prime contractors, industry, technology, research partners and SMBs to translate operational and supply chain needs into targeted innovation challenges, connecting Canadian technologies with opportunities for validation, adoption and defence and commercial procurement. Success in this role is measured by trusted stakeholder relationships, effective challenge delivery, identification of capability gaps and the advancement of credible technology solutions that create tangible opportunities for Canadian companies to enter defence programs and supply chains. As part of the Market Development team, the Manager strengthens COVE’s role as a connector between operational needs and Canadian innovation while helping build a scalable national portfolio of creative dual-use technologies. Duties And Responsibilities




- Lead the end-to-end delivery of COVE’s Innovation Challenges Program, from identifying operational needs and sourcing solutions through challenge design, SMB project execution, validation and pathways to adoption.
- Work directly with industry, government, the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Armed Forces, prime contractors and other sponsors to identify operational problems, capability gaps, supply chain requirements and technology needs suitable for challenge-based innovation and adoption.
- Translate complex operational and technical requirements into well-defined challenge statements, evaluation criteria, milestones and measurable outcomes that can be effectively communicated to Canadian industry.
- Develop and lead initiatives to expand Canadian SMB participation in domestic and international defence supply chains by identifying capability gaps, connecting SMBs with prime contractors, and supporting supplier qualification and technology adoption.
- Manage a portfolio of SMB projects, establishing statements of work, budgets, milestones, deliverables and decision gates.
- Assess technology readiness including whether solutions are operationally relevant, commercially viable and aligned with defense priorities.
- Identify barriers to adoption and work with partners to resolve issues related to integration, funding, procurement, intellectual property, as well as technology validation and demonstration.
- Facilitate working sessions with senior industry and defence stakeholders to define requirements, evaluate technologies, and to resolve technical or commercial barriers to ensure promising solutions are advanced.
- Support COVE's broader engagement with Canadian and international defence organizations and primes to identify o

📌 Manager, Industry Development (Halifax Regional Municipality)
🏢 Polaryn Solutions
📍 Halifax Regional Municipality