Programs and Engagement Specialist

About Toronto Metropolitan

At the intersection of mind and action, Toronto Metropolitan University is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. Integral to this path is the placement of equity, diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our institutional culture. Our current academic plan outlines each as core values and we work to embed them in all that we do.

We welcome those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada, we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

In April 2022, the university announced our new name of Toronto Metropolitan University, which will be implemented in a phased approach. Learn more about our next chapter.

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The team 

Zone Learning uses experiential learning to allow students to apply their degree coursework to real world startups, causes, companies, projects or ventures. Members gain career-ready skills and experiences for the 21st-century workplace by initiating their own projects or contributing to existing ventures involving faculty, business and community partners. Zone Learning puts participants at the forefront of emerging markets to develop new products, explore innovative solutions, or embark on ventures to change the world, encouraging them to develop an entrepreneurial mindset.

Our 10 zones – each with a focus on a different industry – are incubators where people come together to brainstorm, kickstart projects, and build startups. Each offers one-on-one mentorship from experts as well as access to state of the art workspaces and technologies allowing members to grow their network, gain experience, build their resume and even access funding. Zone Learning is also home to the DMZ, the top-ranked university incubator in the world. With over 450 startups incubated each year and more than $560M in funding raised, the Zone Learning network offers participants the opportunity to shape initiatives from the ground up gaining real world experience through entrepreneurship.

Beyond our 10 zones, Zone Learning is also committed to promoting and supporting initiatives that will make regional or national impact. Some of these include Lab2Market, the first national-level program in Canada to fund and equip graduate students with the entrepreneurial skills needed to assess the commercial viability of research innovations, the Brampton Venture Zone, which supports the growth of new business, by creating high-skilled jobs, building a talent pipeline, and solidifying Brampton’s standing as a global hub of innovation and DMZ Innisfil, which, in partnership with the Town of Innisfil, provides the town’s growing startup community with exclusive resources and access to a network of partners, customers and investors.

The Opportunity

The opportunity

We are currently seeking a Programs & Engagement Specialist who will:
 

• Plan and implement internal and external community engagement initiatives, primarily based out of the Sandbox location in the Student Learning Centre (SLC)
• Develops and supports core programming to engage TMU students, in line with Zone Learning’s goals and objectives
• Acts as a key contact for internal and external partnerships and collaborations, including tours and workshop requests
• Sources and pursues new programs and partnership opportunities for Zone Learning to ensure TMU’s presence in the innovation and entrepreneurship space

Qualifications  

• Completion of a post-secondary degree or 4 years of specialized training in public relations, program management, communications or business development and a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience in the following requirements:
  • community relations/development and event management experience from initiation to implementation
  • experience with emerging technologies and digital media 
  • experience working within the start-up ecosystem to identify and build potential collaborations
     
• Demonstrated experience in identifying opportunities with students, potential partners and establishing relationships with partners who can support collaborations, event opportunities, and programming
• Proven ability to work independently and take initiative, as this role requires independent action, problem solving skills, and leadership
• Strong interpersonal relationship skills to work cross functionally with various internal and external stakeholders and partners and lead special projects from planning to implementation
• Good networking skills to represent Zone Learning actively during meet-ups, events, conferences and participation in the education and start-up communities to stay fully informed on key opportunities
• Solid oral and written communication skills for report writing and delivery of presentations to partners 

• Strong flexibility and time management skills to allow efficient management of deadlines and scheduling

• Proven research skills to conduct environmental scans and needs assessments, identify trends and modify program directions as indicated

• Ability to effectively write co-curricular materials, reports and proposals

• Demonstrated effectiveness in community/organizational development and capacity-building initiatives

• Computer skills, web skills

• Creativity, imagination, innovation and workshop facilitation

Additional Information

As part of the selection process, candidates may be required to complete an occupational assessment.  
Applications will only be accepted online through Toronto Metropolitan University's careersite.

Toronto Metropolitan University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and aims to ensure that independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity are embedded in all aspects of the university culture.
 
We will provide an accessible experience for applicants, students, employees, and members of the Toronto Metropolitan University community.We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, beginning with the recruitment process. If you have restrictions that need to be accommodated to fully participate in any phase of the recruitment process, please contact hr@ryerson.ca. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.