Community Engagement Specialist

University of Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Toronto is seeking a Community Engagement Specialist to foster collaboration within their innovative ecosystem. This role involves coordinating high-impact events, developing marketing strategies, and ensuring effective communication with community partners. Ideal candidates will possess a Bachelor's degree and at least five years of relevant experience in event coordination and community engagement. Proficiency in social media and Adobe Creative Suite is essential. The role requires excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of experience in event coordination, community engagement, marketing.
• Proficiency with LinkedIn and social media strategy design.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate program and event calendars.
• Manage event logistics and bookings.
• Develop marketing and communications initiatives.

Skills

Event coordination

Community engagement

Marketing strategies

Social media proficiency

Adobe Creative Suite

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Canva

Job description

About us

The University of Toronto is a pioneering institution in research, innovation and entrepreneurship. The Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus (SRIC) is a hub for innovation, collaboration, and discovery at the University of Toronto. Focused on advancing cutting‑edge research and partnerships across artificial intelligence, life sciences, and other transformative fields, the Campus brings together startups, researchers, industry leaders, and community partners.

SRIC Ecosystem team

The SRIC Ecosystem team is responsible for fostering collaboration, driving engagement, and optimizing the development and growth of its community of innovators and mission‑aligned partners. The overarching goal is to create an environment that supports the advancement of scientific research, product development, entrepreneurship and technology commercialization.

Community Engagement Specialist

As part of the SRIC Ecosystem team, the Community Engagement Specialist plays a vital role in cultivating a dynamic and connected ecosystem, fostering collaboration through effective marketing and communications activities, curating community engagement programs, and delivering events that engage our growing community of innovators and mission‑aligned partners.

Your opportunity

Reporting to the SRIC Ecosystem Director, the Community Engagement Specialist will bring energy, creativity, and organizational excellence to support the mission‑aligned programs and events that make the Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus thrive. The Specialist will plan and execute high‑impact events; develop and implement outreach and marketing assets and activities; work closely with tenants, partners, researchers, and industry to foster engagement and collaboration; and collaborate effectively with Campus Events as well as Marketing & Communications colleagues to enable these initiatives. The Specialist will be at the center of activity, helping to build a strong sense of community within the Campus and across the University’s innovation ecosystem.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Coordinating the schedule for program and event calendars
• Overseeing space and resource requirements for events and related programming
• Analyzing and making recommendations for changes to venue, event fees and surcharges
• Developing marketing/communications strategies that support fundraising campaigns and programs
• Monitoring accounts for a project and/or program
• Act as the first point of contact for event‑related inquiries and logistics
• Manage event calendars and bookings, verifying details and resolving scheduling conflicts
• Develop and implement marketing and communications initiatives and activities to support events, outreach campaigns, and fundraising initiatives
• Produce digital and print promotional and outreach materials
• Create and maintain content for digital platforms and social media channels
• Coordinate with vendors and partners, managing contracts, catering, audio‑visual needs, and accommodations
• Collect feedback and conduct post‑event evaluations, analyzing outcomes and recommending improvements

Essential Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree or acceptable combination of equivalent experience. Minimum five years of experience in event coordination, community engagement, marketing and communications. Experience in developing marketing and outreach strategies for diverse audiences. Ability to deal with extensive contacts throughout divisions of the University, SRIC partners and community members. Proficiency with social media platforms LinkedIn, and with social media strategy design. Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) and online graphic design platform Canva, for content production. Proficiency with Microsoft suite, including PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Teams. Familiarity with accessibility standards and inclusive design for web and digital communications (e.g., AODA compliance). Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast‑paced environment. Strong attention to detail and accuracy in all work. Demonstrated planning, organizational, and time‑management skills. Excellent decision making and creative problem‑solving skills. Outstanding communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills. Ability to multi‑task to manage multiple competing priorities and deadlines. Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends to support events.

Assets (Nonessential)

• Familiarity with event management systems, digital marketing platforms, and CRM tools
• Experience editing HD and UHD videos (ability to create simple animations for intros/outros and adding these to the video, editing/adding soundtracks, reducing noise, cropping/combining video clips)
• Understanding of website content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Drupal) and web integration best practices

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Adaptable
• Articulate
• Courteous
• Organized
• Proactive Problem solver
• Responsible

Closing Date: 11/20/2025, 11:59 PM ET

Lived Experience Statement

Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity‑deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.