Community Engagement Specialist, AI@WORK
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.
About AI@WORK
AI is changing how businesses operate, compete and grow. AI@WORK helps small and medium-sized businesses adopt practical AI solutions while creating meaningful work-integrated learning opportunities for post-secondary students.
Through the program, participating businesses are matched with talented students who work alongside them to identify opportunities, implement AI solutions and build organizational AI capabilities.
The Role
We're looking for a Community Engagement Specialist to support the growth and delivery of AI@WORK.
As a Community Engagement Specialist, you will play a key role in introducing AI@Work to the business and student community. Working closely with Program Managers, participants, and external partners, you'll help ensure our community is engaged and excited about how AI@Work can help them tackle existing problems.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys building relationships, managing multiple moving pieces, engaging with stakeholders, and building event strategies.
What You'll Do
Business Engagement and Outreach
- Collaborate with Senior Program Managers and technical advisors to develop outreach strategies and growth initiatives that increase program engagement with businesses
- Generate early stage interest in the AI@Work program with prospective businesses
- Coordinate and facilitate discovery conversations with potential participating businesses
- Build and manage business pipeline for AI@WORK cohorts
- Represent Communitech at public events to increase awareness and promote AI@Work
- Partner with marketing to build key messaging documents and outreach cadences that celebrate program successes and generate interest
Student Engagement and Outreach
- Partner with marketing to build key messaging documents and outreach cadences that celebrate program successes and generate interest
- Partner with CEO and Senior Program Managers to host student information sessions
- Identify opportunities for AI@Work to engage with students across all three Waterloo Region Post-Secondary Institutions
- Partner with Program Manager and Program Specialist to develop engagement opportunities with AI@Work alumni
What We're Looking For
- 3 years of experience across marketing, event coordination, sales or customer service
- Exceptional relationship-building and communication skills
- Experience managing multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholders simultaneously
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Ability to work independently, take initiative, and solve problems proactively
- Experience coordinating projects, programs, events, or participant experiences
- Comfort using CRM systems, applicant tracking systems, or participant management tools
- Passion for technology, innovation, workforce development, and community building
Bonus Points If You Have
- Experience recruiting technical talent, including students or professionals in technology, engineering, data, AI, or related fields
- Experience working with startups, small businesses, or the technology sector
- Knowledge of AI, emerging technologies, or digital transformation
- Experience supporting grant-funded, government-funded, or cohort-based programs
Success in This Role
You are someone who:
- Builds trust and relationships quickly
- Enjoys connecting people with opportunities
- Is energized by outreach, engagement, and community-building activities
- Creates exceptional participant experiences
- Takes ownership and follows through on commitments
- Thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment
- Is highly organized and comfortable managing many moving pieces at once
Compensation
This is a full-time temporary contract position through August 2027, with the possibility of extension.
The annual base salary range is $55,000–$64,000. Actual compensation will be based on a variety of factors, including skills, experience, education, internal equity, and market considerations.
To Apply
Please apply online along with your resume and cover letter.
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.
ADP’s platform uses AI to generate Profile Relevance scores. All applications will be reviewed by a human. Scores do not affect the visibility of an application and applicants may opt-out when applying.
