Program Specialist

Communitech; Kitchener; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

In-office five days a week

Inclusive environment

Job summary

Communitech in Waterloo Region seeks a Program Specialist to lead ElevateIP initiatives, develop and deliver IP education, and coordinate partnerships. You will manage the learning platform, assemble regional startup resources, and support workshops and information sessions.

You will work with multiple teams, promote program awareness, and help access specialized training. This role demands strong organization, communication, and a commitment to inclusive outreach.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience with a learning management system; please indicate the platform you are familiar with in your application.
• Previous experience working with enabling or growth organizations, supporting business-to-business sales, or working in a startup environment is considered an asset.
• Strong organizational skills with great attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Passion for building relationships and providing outstanding customer service.
• Ability to handle and maintain confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Strong Google suite skills and collaborative tech usage.
• Ability to responsibly and ethically use generative AI tools to streamline workflows and increase efficiency in a professional setting.
• Experience using Salesforce or a similar CRM is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Maintain our learning management platform with a suite of materials, best practices, and training modules focused on delivering IP services and support to startups.
• Compile and communicate local and regional support available to assist startups and how to access them.
• Provide overviews on program resources, expertise, and education available through the ElevateIP program and how to access them.
• Support the delivery of educational workshops, roundtables, events, and information sessions.
• Build relationships and work cross-functionally with multiple teams at Communitech to drive startup recruitment into the program.
• Collaborate with team members on marketing and outreach activities to increase ElevateIP program awareness and engagement.
• Research and recommend processes and documentation to enable startups to find or access specialized training and support.
• Coordinate and track contracts, partnership agreements and invoices, and events schedule.
• Engage external vendors and partners to develop and provide advanced IP education/training for underrepresented groups and sectors.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Customer service

Relationship building

Discretion with information

Google Suite

Tools

Learning Management System

Salesforce

Job description

Program Specialist - IP Capacity Building

Communitech helps tech companies start, grow, and succeed in Waterloo Region.

We’re building a tech ecosystem that’s proudly local, globally ambitious and powered by community.

Since 1997, Communitech has brought community and tech together to build Canada’s most vibrant innovation ecosystem. We connect local startups and scale-ups to the support they need to grow, compete and lead.

Today, that means helping trusted AI solutions reach the market, turning bold ideas into valuable IP, expanding peer and advisory networks for founders, and uniting voices through the Waterloo Tech Coalition to take on the issues that matter most.

Our goal is to keep Waterloo Region the most connected, collaborative, and resilient tech hub in the country.

We’re looking to grow our team with passionate people – people who believe in our mission and who are willing to do what it takes to help our founders succeed. If you like to work collaboratively, get s#!t done and be a champion for Canadian tech, we want to hear from you. Wonder what it’s like to work at Communitech? Learn more at https://www.communitech.ca/corporate-stuff/careers/.

Communitech is based in downtown Kitchener, Ontario. We work in-office five days a week because great things happen when we're together — creating space for deeper collaboration and stronger relationships with each other and the ecosystem we support.

The Role

Reporting to the VP, ElevateIP, the Program Specialist will oversee the successful development, implementation and execution of products and services related to the ElevateIP Program, a federally funded initiative to ensure more equitable access to:

• IP protection awareness, promotion and information
• IP strategy mentorship and coaching
• Funding the development and implementation of IP strategies

The Program Specialist will support the development and delivery of information sessions and materials to help build awareness of the program among startups. Education and training may be delivered in person, remotely, or hybrid, and comes in a variety of formats such as videos, courses, workshops, and self-assessment tools.

Responsibilities

Working closely with the Senior Program Manager, the Program Specialist will assist the overall ElevateIP team in working with startups and appropriate advisors to coordinate the following activities:

• Maintain our learning management platform with a suite of materials, best practices, and training modules focused on delivering IP services and support to startups
• Compile and communicate local and regional support available to assist startups and how to access them (e.g. licensed service providers, self-assessment tools, and IP strategy resources)
• Provide overviews on program resources, expertise, and education available through the ElevateIP program and how to access them
• Support the delivery of educational workshops, roundtables, events, and information sessions
• Build relationships and work cross-functionally with multiple teams at Communitech to drive startup recruitment into the program
• Collaborate with team members on marketing and outreach activities to increase ElevateIP program awareness and engagement (e.g. promoting program events and resources on social media, hosting program information sessions, etc.)
• Research and recommend processes and documentation to enable startups to find or access specialized training and support
• Coordinate and track contracts, partnership agreements and invoices, and events schedule
• Engage external vendors and partners to develop and provide advanced IP education/training for underrepresented groups, verticals, or sectors based on startup needs and gaps, in particular to meet the needs of: Underrepresented groups (including, but not limited to, women, Indigenous people, racialized groups, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ2S+ individuals); Specific sectors, technologies, and focus areas; Special topics related to IP strategy and implementation
• Other duties as assigned. All duties subject to change.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of relevant professional experience
• Experience with a learning management system; please indicate the platform you are familiar with in your application
• Previous experience working with enabling or growth organizations, supporting business-to-business sales, or working in a startup environment is considered an asset
• Strong organizational skills with great attention to detail
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Passion for building relationships and providing outstanding customer service
• Ability to handle and maintain confidential information with discretion and professionalism
• Strong Google suite skills and collaborative tech usage
• Ability to responsibly and ethically use generative AI tools to streamline workflows and increase efficiency in a professional setting
• Experience using Salesforce or a similar CRM is an asset
• Willingness to represent Communitech at events outside of normal working hours on occasion

Compensation

The annual base salary range for this role is $55,000-$58,000. This is a contract, full-time position to March 31, 2027, with the possibility of extension until March 31, 2030.

We thank all applicants in advance; however only individuals selected for an interview will be contacted. All applications will be kept confidential. Communitech is a diverse and inclusive environment and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including aboriginal persons, francophones, members of sexual minority groups, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, and women. We will provide any requested accommodation to candidates with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.

In compliance with Ontario’s Bill 190, we confirm that this posting represents a current, existing vacancy within our organization.