Manager, Partnerships and Special Projects (term)

University of Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 91,000 - 118,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Canadian university in Toronto is seeking a Manager for Partnerships and Special Projects. This role involves building strategic partnerships, managing projects, and fostering collaboration within the university's innovation ecosystem. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in business development, relationship management, and project execution. The position is full-time, offers a competitive salary, and encourages diverse applicants.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Full-Time schedule

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Qualifications

• Minimum five years' experience in partnerships or business development.
• Experience in negotiating contracts and managing budgets.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze market data.

Responsibilities

• Develop partnership strategies with industry and government.
• Identify new business and funding opportunities.
• Lead and manage special projects.

Skills

Relationship building

Strategic negotiation

Project management

Communication

Market analysis

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

CRM systems

MS Office Suite

Job description

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Manager, Partnerships and Special Projects (term)

Date Posted: 11/27/2025
Req ID: 46221
Faculty/Division: Capital Projects
Department: Real Estate Department
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: 00058791

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.

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 commercializationp>

As part of the SRIC Ecosystem team, the Manager, Partnerships and Special Projects plays a key role in building and sustaining strategic partnerships that strengthen this growing innovation ecosystem. Reporting to the Ecosystem Director, the Manager develops and manages initiatives, collaborations, and special projects that enhance the Campus’s visibility, impact, and long‑term success.

Your opportunity

As the Manager, Partnerships and Special Projects, you will lead efforts to cultivate relationships with external partners, funders, and collaborators that advance the mission of the Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus. You will research and analyze partnership opportunities, develop business and marketing strategies, and manage high‑profile projects from conception through execution.

You will also play a pivotal role in identifying new opportunities for growth, coordinating special initiatives across units, and ensuring alignment between Campus programming and the University’s broader innovation and commercialization goals.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement partnership strategies to foster collaboration with industry, government, and community organizations.
• Identify and pursue new business, funding, and collaboration opportunities, including grants, sponsorships, and strategic alliances.
• Negotiate partnership agreements and contract terms, ensuring compliance with University policies and partner expectations.
• Lead and manage special projects, including defining scope, milestones, timelines, deliverables, and outcomes.
• Conduct market and trend analyses to inform strategy development and identify emerging opportunities.
• Coordinate multi‑stakeholder initiatives, ensuring effective communication and execution across partners and internal teams.
• Develop content for marketing and communications materials to promote programming and drive forward fundraising efforts.
• Prepare project briefings, proposals, and reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Monitor program budgets, track expenditures, and generate financial reports.
• Foster strong relationships with internal collaborators, external partners, and stakeholders across the innovation ecosystem.
• Provide guidance and direction to project staff or teams as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or acceptable combination of equivalent experience.
• Minimum five years’ experience in partnerships or business development in an entrepreneurship/innovation‑focused setting.
• Proven success in developing and maintaining strategic relationships with external stakeholders, ideally within innovation, research, or higher education sectors.
• Experience developing external partnerships to develop programming, including with government entities, not‑for‑profit organizations, and industry.
• Experience in negotiating contracts, managing budgets, and delivering complex, cross‑functional projects.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze market data, financial reports, and performance metrics to guide decision‑making.
• Proficiency with CRM systems, project management tools, and data analysis platforms.
• Strong relationship building skills with ability to be persuasive and diplomatic with senior officials.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• Excellent organizational and analytical abilities with keen attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with competing priorities.
• Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making skills in a fast‑paced environment.
• Self‑motivated and ability to work independently and meet firm deadlines.
• Advanced proficiency working with MS Office Suite.
• Excellent judgement and planning abilities.
• Highly developed service orientation.
• Possess the highest level of tact, ethics, values and integrity.

Assets

• Experience with the University of Toronto’s innovation ecosystem.

To be successful

• Adaptable
• Articulate
• Meticulous
• Proactive
• Resourceful

Note

• This is a term role for up to 24 months.

Closing Date: 12/05/2025, 11:59PM ET

Employee Group: USW

Appointment Type: Ancillary Operations

Schedule: Full‑Time

Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: USW Pay Band 14 -- $91,677. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $117,242. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.

Job Category: Facilities/Ancillary Services

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.

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. West strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP.

Accessibility Statement

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.

The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.

If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact [e-mail].