Community Development Manager

ORION Ontario's Research and Education Network; Toronto; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

ORION Ontario's Research and Education Network seeks a relationship-focused leader to connect people and create value for members across Ontario’s education and research sectors. You will own revenue targets, manage a sales pipeline, and collaborate with engineering to translate customer needs into technical solutions.

The role emphasizes stakeholder relationships, strategic account development, and cross-functional teamwork with Marketing and Product to drive growth and community impact.

Qualifications

• Proven inside/solution sales experience in tech or related sectors.
• Experience selling technology, networking, or cybersecurity solutions.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, IT, or Engineering or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Own and achieve revenue targets.
• Build, manage, and maintain a robust sales pipeline and CRM.
• Identify, qualify, and prioritize opportunities within existing and new accounts.
• Support and respond to RFPs, proposals, and business case development.
• Drive opportunities from initial engagement through to close.
• Build and maintain relationships with stakeholders, decision-makers, and technical users.
• Act as the primary contact for customer inquiries and satisfaction.
• Develop an understanding of customer objectives and challenges.
• Deliver presentations and communicate the value proposition effectively.
• Maintain high levels of customer satisfaction and retention.
• Partner with customers to identify needs and translate them into technical solutions.
• Contribute to solution architecture and design with engineering.
• Articulate technical value in competitive scenarios.
• Develop business cases and solution documentation.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Product, Marketing and Project Management teams.
• Provide customer feedback to influence product development and lifecycle decisions.

Skills

Consultative selling

Relationship management

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Business acumen

Strategic thinking

Multi-priority management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, IT, or Engineering

Tools

CRM software

Job description

We’re looking for a relationship-focused, strategic, and community-minded leader who is passionate about connecting people, fostering collaboration, and creating value for members and stakeholders across Ontario’s education and research sectors.

The ideal candidate will bring a combination of community engagement expertise, partnership development experience, and strong business acumen, along with a genuine commitment to advancing ORION’s mission.

• Own and achieve individual revenue and growth targets
• Build, manage, and maintain a robust sales pipeline and CRM database
• Identify, qualify, and prioritize opportunities within existing and new accounts
• Support and respond to RFPs, proposals, and business case development
• Drive opportunities from initial engagement through to close

Customer Engagement & Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, decision-makers, and technical users
• Act as the primary point of contact for customer inquiries, needs, and ongoing satisfaction
• Develop a deep understanding of customer business objectives and challenges
• Deliver presentations and communicate the value proposition effectively
• Maintain high levels of customer satisfaction and retention

Technical Solution Strategy & Design

• Partner with customers to identify needs and translate them into technical solutions
• Contribute to and help drive solution architecture and design in collaboration with engineering
• Articulate technical value and differentiate offerings in competitive scenarios
• Support development of business cases and solution documentation
• Participate in network, security, and infrastructure solution discussions

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Engineering, Product, Marketing, and Project Management teams
• Coordinate technical deliverables and support solution implementation planning
• Provide customer feedback to influence product development and lifecycle decisions
• Assist in campaigns, communications, and follow-ups with marketing teams
• Support escalation and resolution of technical or service issues

Market & Opportunity Development

• Identify trends, customer needs, and new market opportunities
• Contribute to the development of new products, services, and go-to-market strategies
• Support community growth initiatives and strategic account expansion
• Develop creative strategies to deliver value across education, healthcare, and government sectors

Core Competencies

• Consultative selling and problem-solving mindset
• Strong communication and presentation skills (technical and non-technical audiences)
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into business value
• Relationship-building and stakeholder management
• Analytical and structured thinking for business cases and solution design
• Self-motivated, proactive, and results-oriented
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work cross-functionally

Qualifications:

• Proven experience in inside sales, solution sales, or technical sales roles
• Experience selling or supporting technology, networking, or cybersecurity solutions
• Demonstrated ability to manage pipeline and achieve revenue targets
• Experience working with public sector, education, healthcare, or large institutions is an asset
• Bachelor’s degree in business, IT, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)

Knowledge and Skills:

• Understanding of IP networking concepts (e.g., MPLS, BGP, VPNs)
• Familiarity with cybersecurity solutions (e.g., SIEM, DDoS protection, cloud security)
• Ability to interpret and contribute to technical solution architecture
• Experience working with IT infrastructure, telecom, or managed services environments

Reporting Relationship

• This position reports directly to the Director of Community Engagement

Accommodation and Accessibility

ORION is committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible, and barrier-free workplace. In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), accommodations are available throughout the recruitment, selection, and employment process for candidates with disabilities. If you require accommodation at any stage of the hiring process, please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs in a timely and respectful manner.

ORION is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all employees can thrive.