OCE Career Centre
OUR CULTURE
As our name suggests, OCE is about the pursuit and achievement of excellence.
We seek it in the partnerships we create, and we seek it in the results
we produce. OCE fosters, builds and supports innovation and innovators
in Ontario. We do this by attracting and retaining employees who are passionate
about the work they do.
OCE’s critical success factors are its team, technologies and
track record. The team possesses a unique range of business and academic
backgrounds.
Many are specialists in their field, with a keen understanding of the
science, the product potential, and the path to traction in the marketplace.
Some are committed to identifying and developing cutting edge technologies,
and mentoring the entrepreneurs and researchers who bring these ideas
to market. Still others are more entrepreneurial in spirit, coming to
OCE to share and further develop specialized commercialization skills.
Adept networkers, our staff understand the need to communicate effectively
across multiple levels of expertise and experience. In industry –
we work with the president or general manager, the skilled tradesmen and
the shop floor staff. In academia – we work with senior administration,
seasoned academics, and the assistant professor just building his/her
career. And in government, OCE staff work with everyone right up to the
Premier.
Our culture is fast-paced, challenging and rewarding. At OCE, people
get first-hand experience working with new technologies and innovative
ideas, and forming the networks and connections to develop and drive them
to the marketplace. OCE employees are business- and research- savvy, results-oriented,
adaptable and accountable.
Whether it be biomaterials for skin, bone and cartilage repair, or sensor
systems to monitor and help control industrial pollution, OCE employees
are excited by the prospect of being among the first to learn of a new
technology. They are passionate about helping innovators develop and bring
their ideas to market.
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VALUES
Our values embody the spirit of OCE. They
reflect the energy of an organization that has a solid history of leading
innovation in Ontario. They articulate the following codes of behaviour
that guide us in all our undertakings.
- Partnership: We believe
in the power of teamwork and building effective partnerships both internally
and externally. The result is a culture based on transparency and the
sharing of information.
- Trust and Respect: We trust
and respect our staff, clients, and stakeholders and we hold ourselves
to the highest standards of professionalism.
- Flexibility and Agility:
We believe in serving clients and partners according to their needs
and timelines. We set service standards and hold ourselves accountable
to these goals. We identify with the entrepreneurs we work with.
- Risk-taking: We are in
the “new ideas” business. We value creativity and believe
in life-long learning. We accept the risks associated with furthering
development of innovative ideas and people.
- Accountability: We are
accountable for our individual and collective decisions and actions
as they impact our relationships and the performance of the organization.
- Positive Work Environment: We
support diversity and believe that OCE functions best when staff are
like-minded – not necessarily alike. And, we support programs
that facilitate work-life balance.
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DIVERSITY
At OCE, diversity is our strength! Diversity is broadly defined as all
the ways that we are unique and different. Valuing diversity at OCE is
recognizing the environment of innovation and creativity resulting from
a workplace that embraces individual backgrounds, experiences, ideas and
talents. We strive to create a place where people are encouraged to grow
and develop to their full potential. Without the unique perspective of
all of our employees, we would not be where we are today. We have grown
and prospered as a result of our diversity.
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CODE OF CONDUCT
We pride ourselves in the professional conduct of our staff as they engage
with our respective stakeholders in business settings, on campus, and
within government circles. Employees are ambassadors for the organization
in all situations and their behaviour should reflect this.
In addition, OCE establishes policies and standards that ensure a safe,
enjoyable working environment.
OCE expects that employees will:
- Comply with company policies, procedures and practices;
- Put forh their best efforts in all that they do for us;
- Treat all colleagues, clients, suppliers or any person who does business
with OCE with respect and courtesy.
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EMPLOYEE COVENANTS
Given the sensitive nature of our business employees will have access
and be party to confidential information which they must safeguard. In
support of this, our offer of employment is conditional upon employees
agreeing to, and abiding by Employment Covenants outlining conflict of
interest, non-competition, workplace conduct, use of company property,
non-solicitation and legal remedies.
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COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY
OCE’s Vision is to be the pre-eminent research-to-commercialization
vehicle in Ontario. This is reflected in our values; partnership, trust
and respect, flexibility and agility, accountability; and risk-taking.
Similarly, our compensation philosophy and associated processes are aligned
to respect – and reinforce – the values and vision described
above.
Our compensation philosophy has been designed to attract and retain employees
from the public, private and not-for-profit sectors; be appropriately
positioned within markets we interact and compete with for services and
talent; and reward excellence in performance.
This OCE compensation strategy is designed to reinforce the
two important roles we play:
- Be a hotbed for uniquely skilled subject matter experts and business
developers who devote their careers to identifying and nurturing leading
edge Intellectual Property (IP), mentoring and spinning off highly
successful companies at OCE; and
- Act as a training ground for entrepreneurial individuals to learn
specialized commercialization and business development methodologies,
and then move to industry to apply their skills for the economic benefit
of the province.
Total compensation at OCE comprises of:
- Base salary
- Performance Bonus
- Benefits
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BENEFITS
OCE offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to provide our employees
with peace of mind and access to a wide range of programs. OCE pays 100%
of the premiums with the exception of Long Term Disability and any Optional
Life Insurance you may elect.
Our benefits include:
- Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance –
2 x salary
- Optional Life Insurance
- Income Protection –
- Short Term Disability
- Long Term Disability*
- Health Care Benefits - Medical and Dental Plan
- Vision Care
- Company Pension Plan *
- Tuition Assistance
- Employee Assistance Program
* Participation is mandatory
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VACATION
OCE recognizes that vacations benefit the organization by helping to
renew staff members’ energy and creativity, and play an important
role in the company’s commitment to work-life balance.
All full-time and permanent part-time employees are entitled to an annual
vacation allotment which takes into account previous work experience,
and
as negotiated at the time of hire.
Our generous vacation benefit operates on an accrual basis, with
the vacation year beginning on April 1st and ending on March 31st annually.
Employees are entitled to carry up to 5 days of unused vacation into
the
next vacation year.
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ORIENTATION
At OCE we know that first impressions count! That’s why we work
hard at helping employees integrate quickly and well, ensuring that they
understand how they can make a difference and have impact as quickly as
possible.
It all starts with our offer of employment. Our offer package has been
designed to provide potential employees with information they need to
make an informed decision. It includes an Employment Agreement outlining
the terms and conditions of employment, a detailed overview of our benefits
program, a copy of the job description, and a comprehensive package of
material designed to stimulate their interest.
Recognizing that new employees are inundated with information when they
join, we have designed a four step orientation program to provide you
with information in stages.
Step 1
On your first day of employment, we will arrange for you to meet with
a colleague who will review the various components of the OCE orientation
programme. This will include a review of our:
- History
- Mission and Vision
- Policies and guidelines
- Operational processes and procedures
In addition, you will be taken on a site tour, we will introduce you
to your fellow employees, and ensure you are enrolled in our
employment
programs.
Step 2
During your first week, your Manager will:
- Review your Job Description and ensure you have a good understanding
of our expectations
- Set your goals and objectives in line with our overall business strategies
- Review the performance management program and compensation philosophy
- Assign a colleague who will serve as your guide through OCE
Step 3
Within the first month or two, you will take part in a formal information
session conducted by members of the Leadership Team. This session is
aimed
at building on your knowledge about the organization, specifically information
about other divisions and/or functions. This will give you a chance
to
hear about their key challenges, successes and deliverables.
Step 4
Finally, over the course of the first six months of employment, there
will be a continual checking in to ensure that you have the necessary
tools and support to be successful in your new role.
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PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
A formal performance management programme is an integral component of
the OCE work environment. OCE has defined a clear stepped process to setting
goals, managing progress and reviewing overall performance.
The objectives of the performance management process are as follows:
- Establish clear responsibilities and accountabilities for each position
- Create objectives unique to each employee and role
- Monitor performance progress and provide consistent and timely feedback
- Evaluate overall year-end results against established performance
benchmarks
- Ensure that employees are rewarded commensurate with their achievements,
i.e. receive recognition for their results, consistent with OCE’s
mandate or objectives
The performance management cycle is directly linked to the compensation
cycle, setting the framework for a true pay for performance environment.
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CAREER DEVELOPMENT
At OCE you are responsible for driving your career! To assist in this
regard:
- We encourage peer interaction and mentoring. The best mentoring partnerships
are formed when you take the initiative. Talk to your peers, search
out people with experience you can learn from, subject matter experts
and talk to your manager.
- Our organization is designed to expose staff to cross functional learning
opportunities. In addition we encourage broad exposure to all of our
internal operations through lateral and term appointments.
- We encourage and support risk taking and actively partner with other
like minded organizations to develop mutually beneficial secondment
opportunities in order to develop our internal expertise.
- We promote an environment where continuing education and professional
development is strongly encouraged. We believe that employee development
offers individuals the opportunity to improve on-the-job performance
and prepare them for greater responsibilities within the company.
- OCE provides a maximum of $1500.00 annually per person for job related
upgrading and accreditation including the cost of course materials and/or
books.
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