Innovation Intern

interac; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 29,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Downtown Toronto office

Intern learning bootcamp

Monthly intern socials

Job summary

Interac is offering an internship in Toronto focused on Innovation Practice, supporting event design, co-creation workshops, and strategic planning. The role blends analytics with creative execution, requiring curiosity and a collaborative mindset.

The position runs January to April 2027 with a flexible hybrid work setup. You will gain hands-on experience in shaping digital finance projects and participating in high‑impact innovation initiatives.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in an undergraduate program at a Canadian institution.
• Ability to organize complex, event-based projects with multiple pieces.
• Knowledge of design thinking methods to support problem solving.
• Strong storytelling and creative thinking to drive innovation.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the design and delivery of Innovation Events (Creativity Festival, Interac University Innovation Challenge).
• Support Interac Studio in co-creation workshops.
• Plan and assist with company-wide kick-off events like Interac Live.
• Shadow team members in product engagement discussions and develop PoC proposals.
• Conduct research and analyze data to benchmark decisions.
• Translate complex problems into clear concepts for internal teams.

Skills

Design thinking

Public speaking

Storytelling

Time management

Event coordination

Research

PowerPoint

Microsoft Office

Education

Undergraduate degree (Canada)

Tools

PowerPoint

Excel

Word

Outlook

Job description

Who We Are:

Every transaction matters. Every Canadian matters. At Interac, we protect both - driving trust, security, and inclusion, so our digital economy thrives.

Founded in 1984, Interac connects Canadians through secure digital payments, advanced identity verification and industry-leading fraud protection. Connecting banks, businesses, and individuals, Interac enables millions to send, receive, and manage money safely and effortlessly every day - across both digital and physical environments.

As the backbone of Canada's financial ecosystem, Interac facilitates over 20 million transactions daily, supported by trusted partnerships with government and financial institutions. Consistently ranked as Canada's most reputable financial technology brand, Interac is deeply embedded in the daily lives of Canadians.

Who You Will Work With:

Supporting the Innovation Practice squad, there is an opportunity for an intern to participate in the development and delivery of a series of Innovation Practice offering roll‑outs that are focused on fostering a culture of innovation within Interac. The opportunity includes contributing to the development and launch of innovation events and crowdsourcing initiatives as well as interactive, co‑creation sessions with diverse groups from across Interac and our partners and ecosystems. (e.g., the Interac Creativity Festival, Interac Live, U‑Innovate University Innovation Challenge).

This position requires a blend of strategic, problem‑solving, creativity and analytical mindsets, with the ability to structure and organize ideas; therefore, the successful candidate must have a sense of curiosity, creativity and resourcefulness with a willingness to fluidly approach the problem statement.

What You Will Do:

• Participating in the design and development of Innovation Events (Creativity Festival, Interac University Innovation Challenge)
• Supporting the team in the Interac Studio by supporting in the design and delivery of co‑creation workshops.
• Plan and support with company‑wide kick‑off events like Interac Live.
• Shadowing Innovation Practice team members during product engagement conversations, providing support in the development of Proof of Concept proposals
• Conduct thorough research to gather and analyze data, providing accurate benchmarks that inform decision‑making and strategic planning
• Frame and communicate complex problems into clear, understandable concepts - presenting these ideas to internal teams

What You Bring:

• Currently completing an undergraduate degree from a creditable Canadian institution with a focus on Design, Communications, Commerce (Marketing or Innovation focus), Information, Industrial Design, Advertising or similar field
• Ability to organize a complex event‑based projects by keeping many moving pieces on track in parallel
• Knowledge of design thinking methods and techniques to support the problem solving and solutioning efforts of our teams
• Utilize creative thinking to generate innovative solutions and ideas, enhancing project outcomes and driving innovation
• You are a storyteller - you feel comfortable communicating complex concepts using various creative storytelling methods
• You are creative. You are hungry. You are a self‑starter!
• Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills, with proficiency in creating compelling PowerPoint presentations
• Display a strong willingness to learn and adapt to new tasks and environments, while maintaining flexibility and resilience in dynamic situations.
• Proven time management and organization skills. You are able to prioritize and manage your time effectively to meet deadlines
• Understanding that success is in the details - you tend to notice things that others don't
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Power Point, Excel) with preference for ability to build exciting presentations on PowerPoint

Although not required, you have some familiarity or previous experience with the following:

• Relationship building
• Design thinking
• Experience in participating in hackathon or case competition‑type events

What We're Offering:

The hourly pay rate for this position is $25, and the internship term runs from January to April 2027. The exact amount will depend on factors such as skills, experience, and job‑related knowledge. An internship opportunity at Interac also features:

• Flexible hybrid work model with monthly intern socials for better work‑life balance
• Convenient downtown Toronto office located minutes away from Union Station
• Interac learning bootcamp designed to help you hit the ground running

Why Join Us?

At Interac, the impact we make, and the people who drive it, is profound. When you become part of our team, you're joining a purpose‑driven organization that’s shaping the future of digital finance in Canada. Here's what you can expect:

• Investing in the Future - Help us unlock digital prosperity for all Canadians.
• Innovative Thinking - Collaborate on products, practices, and platforms that re