AeroWR Growth Lead

Region of Waterloo; Kitchener; Hybrid; CAD 58,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The Region of Waterloo is seeking a proactive lead for AeroWR to drive growth in aviation, aerospace, and defence sectors. This role builds partnerships locally, provincially, nationally, and globally and oversees projects funded by government programs.

You will manage communications, plan sector events, and deliver provincial reporting while collaborating across teams to advance economic development initiatives. Hybrid work arrangement with in-office weeks and remote days is available.

Qualifications

• Requires a 3-year degree/diploma in communications, public relations, commerce, public administration, or strategic management, plus 4 years of related experience, or a 4-year degree with 3 years of experience.
• Strong strategic communications, project management, and community relations skills.
• Familiarity with aviation, aerospace, and defence sectors and related stakeholders and market trends.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; experience with digital channels and CMS, email marketing, and social media.
• Strong organizational and event planning abilities; experience managing government-funded projects and provincial reporting.
• Interpersonal, networking, and facilitation skills; ability to represent the Region at various levels.
• Proficiency with MS Office, Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, and CRM systems; ability to draft reports and promotional materials.
• Willingness to travel within and outside Waterloo Region.
• Commitment to the Region’s values and inclusive hiring practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day execution of AeroWR growth initiative and partnerships.
• Engage stakeholders locally to globally; identify market needs.
• Manage projects funded by Trade Impacted Community Program; ensure reporting.
• Plan bi-annual AeroWR roundtables; coordinate logistics and speakers.
• Generate content across blogs, social media, newsletters, and website.
• Support Homes and Strategic Projects pillars with industry data.
• Prepare briefs and updates for division leadership.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Skills

Strategic communications

Project management

Community relations

CMS & digital channels

Content writing

CRM systems

Event planning

Team collaboration

Microsoft Office

Canva

Adobe Creative Suite

Travel readiness

Education

3-year degree or diploma in related field

4-year degree + 3 years experience

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Office

Canva

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Job Number: 4930
Job Type:Temporary Full-Time
Vacancy Reason: Temporary
Temp Contract Length:18 Months
Location: 150 Frederick St - Regional Admin Headquarters
Job Category: Other
Number of Positions:1
Department: Economic Development
Division: Planning, Development and Legislative Services
Hours of Work: 35
Work Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM, hybrid: 2 days in-office / 3 days remote
Union: CUPE 1883
Grade: CUPE 1883 Grade 013
Salary Range: $42.12 - $47.72 per hour

About Us!
The Region of Waterloo is a thriving, diverse community committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations. Waterloo Region is part of the Dish with One Spoon wampum, a treaty guiding our commitment to:

• Taking only what we need
• Leaving some for others
• Keeping the dish clean

This agreement underpins our vision, mission, and core value, and reinforces our dedication to meaningful reconciliation and equity.
Waterloo Region is home to over 674,000 residents and expected to grow to nearly one million by 2051. Guided by our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan , “Growing with Care,” we prioritize homes for all, climate aligned growth, equitable services and opportunities and a resilient and future ready organization. Our mission is to provide essential services that enhance the quality of life for all residents, while our core value emphasizes caring for people and the land we share. Join us and be part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in our community.

The Role

Leads the day-to-day execution of the AeroWR strategic growth initiative to support, expand, and promote Waterloo Region’s aviation, aerospace, and defence sectors. Cultivates high-impact partnerships at the local, provincial, national, and global levels.
Leads continuous industry engagement, plans flagship sector events, drives the initiative’s multi-channel communications strategy, and oversees the execution and provincial reporting for projects funded by the Trade Impacted Community Program.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Serves as the primary operational lead and community point of contact for the AeroWR initiative. Maintains continuous, proactive engagement with local aviation, aerospace, and defence industry stakeholders to understand market needs, supply chain opportunities, and growth barriers.
• Identifies, creates, and cultivates strategic partnerships across local, provincial, national, and global ecosystems. Connects regional enterprises with post-secondary institutions, industry associations, and international trade networks to advance sector innovation and investment.
• Leads the execution, financial tracking, and milestone delivery of projects funded by the provincial Trade Impacted Community Program. Ensures rigorous data collection and prepares all mandatory compliance, impact, and financial reporting required by the province.
• Conceptualizes, plans, and executes bi-annual AeroWR roundtable events. Coordinates logistics, curates agendas, secures speakers, and facilitates discussions to bring together industry leaders, academic institutions, and government partners for collaborative sector planning.
• Generates ongoing, high-quality content to build and maintain the AeroWR brand. Writes, designs, and publishes materials across multiple channels including blogs, social media platforms, digital newsletters, and the AeroWR website. Translates complex industry wins and sector data into compelling public narratives.
• Supports the BuildWR team with industry data, market insights, and partnership opportunities that cross over into the Homes and Strategic Projects pillars.
• Tracks trends, policy shifts, and funding opportunities within the aviation, aerospace, and defence sectors. Prepares briefs and updates for the division leadership.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge and skills are acquired through a 3-year degree/diploma in a related field (such as but not limited to communications, public relations, commerce, public administration, strategic management) and 4 years of related experience, or a 4-year undergraduate degree in a related field and 3 years of experience.
• Knowledge and skill in strategic communications, project management, and community relations.
• Familiarity with the aviation, aerospace, and defence sectors, including stakeholders, regulatory environments, and market trends.
• Written and verbal communication skills with proven ability to generate content for diverse audiences. Proficiency in managing digital channels, including website content management systems (CMS), email marketing software, and social media platforms.
• Strong organizational and event planning skills to manage high-profile roundtables and stakeholder gatherings. Proven project management skills with the ability to manage government-funded projects, track deliverables, and fulfill strict provincial reporting requirements.
• Interpersonal, networking, and facilitation skills to build trust with enterprise leaders, government officials, and community partners. Ability to represent the Region of Waterloo professionally on global, national, and local stages. Ability to participate as an effective team member.
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office, graphic design/layout tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite), and customer relationship management (CRM) systems. Ability to draft reports, funding updates, correspondence, and promotional materials.
• Ability to travel within and occasionally outside Waterloo Region.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.

Region of Waterloo is committed to building a workforce through fair, equitable, and accessible hiring practices that allow us to hire qualified staff who reflect the diversity of the community we serve and to promote a respectful, inclusive, and equitable workplace.

• First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, and all other Indigenous peoples;
• members of groups that commonly experience discrimination due to race, ancestry, religion and/or spiritual beliefs, or place of origin;
• persons with visible and/or invisible (physical and/or mental) disabilities;
• persons who identify as women; and persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions

For questions or to request accommodations during your recruitment, onboarding or employment, please contact [e-mail] , or by calling our Service First Contact Centre at phone number [phone].
Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Hiring Process: Region of Waterloo may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to enhance efficiency during the recruitment process. However, applications will also be reviewed by a member of our Talent Acquisition team to ensure a fair and thorough assessment. AI does not make final hiring decisions.
Please note: candidates will be provided an update on their application. Please check your spam or junk folder occasionally as some candidates have noticed our emails in those folders (Gmail and Hotmail in particular).