VP, Stakeholder Engagement and Communications

About MaRS

MaRS Discovery District (@MaRSDD) is a charitable organization and North America’s largest urban innovation hub, dedicated to helping high-growth technology companies succeed. With a focus on climate, health sciences and other emerging technologies, MaRS supports startups tackling some of the world’s most pressing issues. Through its world-class facilities, strategic programs and partnerships, MaRS accelerates the adoption of groundbreaking Canadian technology and bolsters a globally competitive innovation ecosystem. MaRS is the place where you can play a meaningful role in the innovation economy.

We understand requirements on a job posting can be daunting. If you're passionate about the role and believe you can make a meaningful impact, we want to hear from you, even if you don't meet every listed qualification. We’re always looking for great talent to join our team on planet MaRS. 

We actively encourage all candidates to apply, including equity-deserving communities, including those who identify as BIPOC, racialized, women, people with disabilities, and people with diverse gender identities, expressions and sexual orientations. 

We want you to be comfortable being your most authentic self throughout our recruitment process. Please reach out to [email protected] if there’s anything we can do to make your experience more accessible and inclusive, including accommodations. Include 'Accessibility Request' in your subject line.

About the Position

We are seeking a senior leader to unify and elevate how MaRS engages the world.

Today, elements of communications, marketing, government relations, philanthropy, content and reporting operate well, but independently. This role will bring these pieces together into one coordinated, strategic function aligned to MaRS’ enterprise priorities.

In approximately two years, success will look like:

A fully integrated engagement and communications strategy aligned to corporate strategy

Clear, consistent public positioning across all channels

Stronger, more strategic government and public affairs alignment

A coordinated insights and reporting engine that reinforces MaRS’ authority

A defined and scalable revenue engine within the portfolio (sponsorships, partnerships, philanthropy)

A disciplined approach to what MaRS says, where it shows up, and why

This is not a traditional “head of marketing” role. It is an enterprise-facing leadership position focused on brand positioning, stakeholder engagement, thought leadership and revenue partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Stakeholder Engagement

Orchestrate and execute a unified engagement strategy that connects ventures, tenants, government, corporate and community partners, volunteers, alumni and the broader innovation ecosystem of investors, industry and policy makers.

Build relationships and community across key ecosystem actors to support MaRS role as an anchor hub for Canadian innovation

Oversee government relations and public affairs, integrating with MaRS overall narrative and impact. Awareness of provincial and national priorities.

Position MaRS as a trusted, neutral convenor in Canada’s innovation ecosystem.

2. Communications, Brand & Marketing

Build a consistent and integrated MaRS brand and narrative to advance MaRS’ leadership in the innovation ecosystem, tied to our mission of commercialization of science and technology into business that propel Canada’s economic growth and social impact.

Grow digital marketing, PR, and social media to amplify the success stories of the ventures and partners of MaRS’ network (mission outcomes) and create opportunities for MaRS’ business development and fundraising.

Build relationships with media, thought leaders to amplify MaRS’ messaging.

3. Content, Insights & Thought Leadership

Build a coordinated content and reporting engine that translates data and impact into compelling storytelling

Integrate reporting, research insights and ecosystem intelligence into public positioning

Elevate MaRS as a primary source for innovation insights in Canada

Align events, content and programming with strategic priorities

4. Revenue Partnerships & Philanthropy

This portfolio carries both brand and revenue accountability 

Develop and scale corporate sponsorship and strategic partnership revenue

Identify and cultivate revenue opportunities linked to thought leadership, content and ecosystem engagement

Partner closely with the CEO and Philanthropy on donor strategy

Personally support and participate in closing major partnerships and sponsorships 

5. Senior Organizational Leadership

Lead and integrate a multi-disciplinary team across communications, marketing, content, insights and philanthropy

Serve as a core member of the senior leadership team

Ensure external positioning directly supports enterprise growth and funding stability

Establish clear metrics and accountability across the function

Requirements

Executive leadership experience in an organization with a dynamic multi-faceted business model

15+ years of senior level experience in partnership, stakeholder engagement, marketing, communications, fundraising or related fields. 

Strong business mindset, track record of revenue generation and/or fund development

Experience managing multi-channel engagement strategies, particularly marketing

Experience operating in complex, publicly funded or policy-adjacent environments and credibility with senior stakeholders across public and private industry

Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams, with an experience range from seasoned subject experts to developing careers

Experience in data-driven thought leadership development, storytelling, and digital content creation

Understanding of startup ecosystems, emerging technologies and industry trends.

Applications will close at 12pm EDT on March 19, 2026. This posting is for a new vacancy.

Applicants must be legally eligible to work in Canada, reside in Ontario and be willing to work out of our Toronto office (101 College Street) a minimum of 3 days per week.

Salary Range: $180,000 - $200,000, up to 20% discretionary incentive target,  GRSP, extended healthcare benefits, lifestyle spending account, and paid time-off.

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