Director, Data & Technology
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.
Role Overview
We are seeking a strategic, forward-thinking, and hands-on leader to oversee Communitech’s Data and Technology functions. Reporting directly to the CFO, the Director of Data & Technology will oversee IT infrastructure, enterprise applications, cyber security, web operations, and data governance.
With our core technical foundation in place, this leader will bring the vision and hands-on expertise needed to transform Communitech’s data assets into actionable strategy, champion responsible AI adoption to streamline internal workflows, and maintain resilient, high-performing IT operations for our staff, facility tenants, and the broader Waterloo Region tech ecosystem.
Key Responsibilities
AI Innovation & Workflow Integration
- Lead the identification, evaluation, and adoption of modern AI tools (generative AI, automation scripts, LLM integrations) across internal teams to optimize operations and reduce administrative friction.
- Establish clear guidelines, privacy standards, and ethical guardrails for data security and safe AI usage across the organization.
- Stay ahead of emerging technology trends to ensure Communitech’s tech stack reflects best practices, positioning our non-profit as a forward-thinking leader in the AI-driven tech landscape.
Strategic Data & Analytics Leadership
- Foster a culture of storytelling with data across the organization.
- Enable decision making and ensure ecosystem trends, member needs, and non-profit reporting metrics are continuously illuminated through actionable reporting and business intelligence solutions.
- Oversee the modernization and integrity of Communitech’s data and analytics infrastructure to maintain data integrity, security, and scalability.
Enterprise IT, Infrastructure, and Web Operations
- Lead internal teams and external partners across IT operations, cloud platforms, web development, and application management to deliver high availability and exceptional service quality for our teams and on-site hub tenants.
- Act as the primary authority on organizational cyber risk, developing, executing, and monitoring risk mitigation strategies, compliance protocols, and incident response frameworks to protect member and organizational data.
Team Leadership & Operations
- Lead, coach and develop high-performing Data and Technology teams.
- Maintain a strong track record of completing technical and operational projects on time and within budget through modern project management methodologies and AI-assisted workflows.
- Partner closely with internal leaders to align technology roadmaps with overall business objectives and ecosystem needs.
- Foster a culture of responsiveness, ownership, collaboration and continuous improvement.
What Success Looks Like
The Director, Data & Technology will make Communitech more valuable, relevant, and indispensable to the members and community we serve.
Success in this role will include:
- Successfully introducing AI-driven tooling and automation that noticeably reduces manual overhead across programs, reporting, and internal operations.
- Delivering clean, real-time dashboards and impact analytics that clearly measure member engagement and ecosystem health for various stakeholders.
- Maintaining an exceptionally reliable, secure, and modern IT environment for the Communitech team and hub facility tenants.
- Establish a resilient security posture that protects sensitive startup and organizational data against evolving threats.
- Foster an empowered, agile team culture grounded in ownership, responsiveness, continuous learning, and continuous improvement.
Qualifications
- 5+ years of progressive technology leadership experience across enterprise IT, data engineering, software development, or digital transformation (non-profit or innovation hub experience is a strong asset).
- Hands-on understanding of how to practically integrate modern AI tools, automation, and SaaS platforms into workplace processes to maximize non-profit efficiency.
- Broad technical grasp across Web, Security, and IT with expertise in data architecture, Business Intelligence, and advanced reporting solutions.
- Proven ability to manage, inspire, and develop multi-disciplinary technical teams while remaining willing to dive deep into execution when necessary
- Technical Breadth:
- Solid architecture understanding of cloud data stacks and web platforms
- Deep understanding of networking fundamentals, SaaS platforms, and enterprise cyber security best practices.
- Strong track record managing technology vendors, external service providers, and outsourced partners.
- Strong business acumen and project management discipline with a history of delivering operational and technical projects on time and within budget.
- A strong, member-centric mindset with a deep passion for supporting entrepreneurs, tech start ups, and the local innovation ecosystem.
Compensation
The annual base salary range is $100,000-$115,000. The actual compensation will be based on various factors, including the candidate’s level of skills, experience and education.
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.
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