Senior Advisor, Industry and Ecosystem Engagement

The Senior Advisor, Industry and Ecosystem Engagement for Ontario at ICTC, will be a key connector between industry, innovation ecosystems and workforce development initiatives—playing a strategic role in driving the scale up of Ontario high-growth companies and, ensuring they can compete globally in a digitally evolving marketplace. You will work at the intersection of business and technology, leveraging your established industry network to influence lasting change within the technology ecosystem.

This role involves identifying new business opportunities, building strong relationships with Ontario-based businesses, and meeting program growth and revenue targets. You will play a critical role in expanding our presence in the Ontario market.

Core Responsibilities:

• Strategic Relationship Development:

• • Activate industry networks to identify Canadian small and medium-sized companies interested in hosting interns for short-term, subsidized work placements and other forms of engagement with ICTC's programs, research and policy activities;
• Lead strategic account development for a portfolio of key industry partners, maintaining "trusted advisor" status while developing comprehensive digital talent strategies;
• Develop and implement a business growth strategy to identify and pursue new business opportunities in Ontario;
• Identify potential clients, initiate contact, and develop strong relationships to convert leads into long-term partnerships to deepen engagement with ICTC programs, services and resources;
• Act as the primary liaison for Ontario-based businesses, ensuring client satisfaction and retention through effective communication and service delivery;
• Ensure ICTC meets or exceeds its targets for participation of Ontario stakeholders in all ICTC programs through proactive client engagement and market research;
• Lead negotiations to secure mutually beneficial contracts with new and existing partners;

• Provide regular updates and reports on business development activities, performance metrics, and progress toward targets, including leveraging Salesforce and other business development tools.

• Advisory and Implementation:

• • Provide expert guidance throughout the technology adoption and talent development cycle—from assessing skills needs by Ontario companies, to identifying barriers to technology adoption, to implementing tailored programs and managing ongoing partnerships;
• Collaborate with internal teams to design and deliver integrated initiatives that meet industry needs and align with ICTC's broader mission of strengthening Canada's digital advantage;

• Ensure Ontario companies have a voice in all future program development and continuous improvement of existing programs.

• Market Intelligence & Strategy:

• • Develop and implement sector-specific strategies to identify common needs across key sectors in Ontario and capitalize on the adoption of emerging technologies;
• Gather, analyze, and synthesize market intelligence to inform strategic direction and program development at ICTC.

• Stay up-to-date with market trends, competitive insights, and regional business developments to refine strategies and offerings.

• Content and Messaging:

• • Contribute to the development of strategic content and messaging that clearly articulates ICTC's value proposition to our industry partners and stakeholders in Ontario.
• Collaborate with internal teams (marketing, product development, customer success) to enhance service offerings for Ontario businesses.

What You Bring to This Position:

• Master's degree or equivalent with 3+ years of relevant experience and/or expertise in the technology sector
• A sales-mindset and 3+ years of experience in business development, sales, or account management in the Ontario market;
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding business development and program targets;
• A strong, established industry network in Ontario and a deep understanding of Ontario's business landscape, market, and culture;
• A proven track record in building and maintaining strategic relationships with senior stakeholders and key industry influencers in Ontario;
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills with the ability to build trust with a diverse clientele;
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into actionable insights;
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the capacity to engage effectively at all organizational levels;
• Strategic thinking with the practical ability to drive initiatives from concept to execution.
• Experience in project management and stakeholder coordination;
• Proficiency in CRM systems and Microsoft Office Suite;
• Fully bilingual in French and English is required.

What Sets You Apart:

• Demonstrated success in identifying, developing, and managing complex, multi-stakeholder partnerships.
• Proven experience in digital transformation, workforce development, or technology capacity building.
• A record of contributing to strategic initiatives that extend beyond routine responsibilities.
• Adaptability and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Are you?

• An inspirational leader- Are you someone who motivates others, drives meaningful change, and navigates challenges with grace and resilience?

• Driven and Determined - Are you highly motivated, self-starting, and willing to go above and beyond expectations with the drive to improve and exceed goals?

• Optimism with a "can-do", results-driven orientation – Are you able to think creatively and successfully navigate barriers and obstacles? Do you stay focused on achieving priority goals and results?
• Dynamic, resilient, and flexible - Are you able to keep up with and embrace the rapid pace of change, advances in technology, intense competition and unparalleled levels of uncertainty? Are you open to change, evolving requirements, continuous feedback, and have the capacity to work with remote teams across Canada?
• A strategic, creative thinker – Are you skilled in analyzing complex situations and relationships? Are you able to channel your curiosity to navigate intricate challenges and drive innovation? Do you identify inter-relationships, patterns, and trends while noticing configurations across seemingly unrelated events? Do you synthesize information to pinpoint opportunities and issues? Do you tend to visualize new possibilities, challenge assumptions, and generate options to solve problems, seize opportunities?

• Collaborative - Are you able to work with and through others to achieve results? Do you have the emotional intelligence to understand the needs and perspectives of others, share information, report back, and be a strong team player?

• A decisive decision-maker – Are you able to analyze situations carefully, seek diverse perspectives, and make decisions that align with strategic goals and objectives?

• Ethical - Can you work with and steward confidential information and data? (This role requires high integrity, good judgment, confidentiality, and ethical compliance)

• A champion of diversity and inclusion - Are you committed to diversity and inclusion and understanding the issues and challenges faced by diverse groups?
• An excellent communicator – Do you have outstanding interpersonal and communication skills?
• Persuasive – Are you able to present concepts, ideas and proposals and close the deal?
• Strategic thinker and doer – Are you an expert in developing and executing strategic plans?
• Reliable – Do you demonstrate reliability, organizational skills, and accountability to meet and exceed project and funder deliverable requirements?
• Passionately committed to lifelong learning - stay abreast on industry trends, seek out new perspectives, and invest in your own personal and professional growth.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a dynamic, mission-driven, entrepreneurial organization committed to advancing Canada's competitive advantage in the digital economy.
• Lead high-impact programs that drive economic growth and shape the future of Canadian businesses.
• Work in an agile, collaborative, innovative, and forward-thinking environment where we are always helping each other achieve collective goals.

Location

• Remote - Ontario

Term

• 12 months term contract with competitive salary, benefits, vacation, personal time and RRSP contribution, with a possibility for renewal.

About ICTC

ICTC is a neutral, not-for-profit national centre of expertise with the mission of strengthening Canada's digital advantage in the global economy. For over 30 years, and with a team of 80+ experts, we have delivered forward-looking research, practical policy advice, and capacity building solutions for individuals and businesses. Our goal is to ensure that technology is utilized to drive economic growth and innovation, and that Canada's workforce remains competitive on a global scale.

• OUR MISSION IS TO: Strengthen Canada's digital advantage in a global economy
• OUR VISION IS TO: Foster globally competitive Canadian industries and a prosperous society empowered by innovative digital solutions.

ICTC is committed to being an equal opportunity employer. If you require accommodation measures during any phase of the hiring process, please notify us as soon as possible. All information received in relation to accommodation requests will be kept confidential.

ICTC respectfully acknowledges that ICTC headquarters is on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg People.