POSITION DESCRIPTION

Director, Startups & Scaleups

As Director, Startups & Scaleups, you will be at the forefront of driving programming efforts for AI commercialization, supporting both small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as managing relationships with related AI ecosystem stakeholders. This role requires an agile approach to ecosystem development, partner management, and team leadership, particularly within the context of Vector’s FastLane program.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ecosystem Development:
  
  • Organize and lead AI commercialization sessions, which are aimed at fostering innovation and economic growth in the Vector community of researchers. 
    
  • Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with AI and broader innovation ecosystem partners, including venture capitalists, Intellectual Property Ontario, incubators, accelerators, and other relevant entities. 
    
  • Collaborate with internal and external partners to expand Vector’s reach and impact within the startup and scaleup community.
    
• Bronze Sponsors Management: 
• Develop and implement account plans that maximize Bronze-level industry sponsor satisfaction and engagement.
  
• Manage all aspects of the Bronze-level industry sponsor relationships, including onboarding and continuous engagement.
  
• Design and deliver outstanding industry sponsor experiences, capturing and reporting on program outcomes.
  
• FastLane Program Management:
  
• Oversee and develop the FastLane team, ensuring high team performance, effective program delivery, and outstanding program results.
  
• Continuously evolve the Vector FastLane program to meet the evolving needs of AI startups and scaleups.
  
• Oversee grant reporting and maintain compliance with public funding requirements, including corporate reporting.
  
• Systematically capture and report on program outcomes, using data to drive year-over-year program improvements and articulate impacts.    
  
  

KEY SUCCESS MEASURES

• The Industry Innovation team reports on its various metrics and achieves it targets as approved by Vector’s President & CEO and Board of Directors;
• Internal and external stakeholder feedback, including FastLane companies, is such that Vector’s Industry Innovation team provides high quality service, support, and impactful data/resources as required; and
• Stakeholder feedback is such that Vector’s programs and offerings are valuable and help to improve and inform various internal processes.
  
  

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE 

Based on the provided job description for the Director, Startups & Scaleups role, the ideal candidate profile would include the following:

Experience and Expertise:

• Holds, at minimum, a university degree.
  
• 4+ years of experience in a leadership role within the startup/scaleup ecosystem, preferably in a publicly-funded program management or innovation ecosystem development capacity.
  
• Extensive knowledge of the local startup community, including key stakeholders, funding sources, and support programs.
  
• Expertise in building and maintaining strategic partnerships with AI and broader innovation ecosystem partners, including venture capitalists, incubators, accelerators, and other AI ecosystem players.
  
  

Leadership and Relationship Management:

• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to juggle multiple priorities and deadlines.
  
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to effectively engage with diverse audiences.
  
• Proven ability to lead and motivate teams, fostering a collaborative environment and high-performing team.
  
• Track record of successfully managing complex relationships and partnerships, including with industry sponsors and public funding bodies. 
  
  

Program Management and Reporting:

• Hands-on experience with grant management, including compliance, reporting, and impact / outcome measurement.
  
• Proficiency in data analysis and using data-driven insights to inform program improvements and demonstrate impact.
  
• Ability to continuously evolve programs to meet the changing needs of tech sector startups and scaleups.
  
  

Personal Attributes:

• Passion for supporting the growth and success of startups and scaleups, with a deep understanding of their challenges and needs. 
  
• Entrepreneurial mindset and ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. 
  
• Proactive and solutions-oriented, with a track record of identifying and addressing issues before they arise. 
  
• A team player with strong problem-solving and analytical skills, coupled with a strategic and innovative approach. 
  

The ideal candidate for the Director, Startups & Scaleups role would possess a unique blend of AI ecosystem expertise, program management skills, and relationship-building acumen to drive the success of Vector’s startup community and deliver meaningful impact.

At the Vector Institute, we are committed to driving excellence and leadership in Canada’s knowledge, creation, and use of AI to foster economic growth and improve the lives of Canadians. We strive for greater inclusion in the programs and culture that we build by welcoming and encouraging applications from all qualified candidates. This includes but is not limited to applicants who are indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, racialized persons/visible minorities, women, and people with disabilities.

If you require an accommodation at any point throughout the recruitment and selection process, please contact hr@vectorinstitute.ai and we will happily work with you to meet your needs.

The Team 

The DMZ is a world-leading startup incubator based at Toronto Metropolitan University that equips the next generation of tech entrepreneurs with the tools needed to build, launch, and scale highly impactful startups. By providing connections to customers, coaching, capital, and a community, the DMZ’s customized approach helps innovators reach the next milestone in their entrepreneurial journey – whatever that might be. Through its award-winning programming, the DMZ has helped more than 800 startups raise $2.5 billion in capital and create 5,000+ jobs. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada with globally-accessible programming, the DMZ has a widely-recognized international presence with offices in Vietnam, India, and the U.S., and partnerships across North America, Latin America, Africa and Asia.

The Opportunity

The Community and Startup Recruitment Specialist plans, develops and administers the recruitment policies and procedures for DMZ programs to reflect the goals and objectives of the DMZ. You will also evaluate a company’s business status, model and profile to determine qualification to apply to a DMZ program. All while maintaining a direct connection with prospective startup teams and its founders, fostering relationships with current and alumni of DMZ, building new relationships with founder-focused organizations/events, and maintaining a pulse on high potential founders to strengthen the DMZ’s entrepreneur-driven environment and enhance the reputation of TMU.

Other responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Plans, implements and monitors the full recruitment cycle for DMZ programs:
•  
• Develops, implements and recommends recruitment policies, procedures and sourcing tools and techniques to meet DMZ program targets for enrolment.\
• Provides direction, advice and guidance with respect to the interpretation of recruitment and acceptance policies and the status of targets during the recruitment cycle.
• Identifies and sources companies through a data-driven approach, including info sessions/webinars, pitch competitions/demo days and conferences/meetups.
• Maintains and leads communication to promote, to advise and to update on the progress of recruitment efforts for DMZ programs.
• Resolves recruitment challenges with the Manager by examining feedback collected and identifying appropriate courses of action in a timely manner.

Leads the recruitment and screening process from initial meeting to acceptance:

• Organizes screening panel members; collects feedback from panel members and DMZ staff, and coordinates business and technology due diligence.
• Ensures the enrolment of quality companies by assessing company applications based on a thorough review of pre- and post-acceptance conditions.
• Advises the Programs and Partnerships staff regarding applicants with exceptional qualifications or issues.
• Researches, documents and analyzes document fraud including communication with DMZ staff for the verification of company information including funding and human resources available, financial statements and customer verifications, etc.
• Provides detailed verbal and written advice to prospective companies regarding DMZ programs and requirements, DMZ activities, services and programs, and assists potential applicants to make educated choices in the selection of program/s.
• Makes final recommendation of companies’ suitability for DMZ programs and makes referrals to other Zones or entrepreneurship programs and services as needed.

Supports and/or participates in outreach activities:

• Develops and maintains positive working relationships with prospective community partners and founder focused organizations that are strategic to pipeline development of overall programs and to create a strong partner referral network.
• Represents the DMZ and TMU at community events both locally and globally, including conferences, tech summits and participates in public speaking engagements.
• Presents information about the Zone Learning framework and its objectives to prospective entrepreneurs, partners and members.
• Collaborates with the Manager and the Startup Recruitment team to research, review and provide input in building recruitment materials.
• Advises on key messaging in recruitment material to prospective startups and entrepreneurs.

Provides ongoing support and administration to improve delivery of service:

• Reviews and recommends changes or improvements and priorities concerning administrative policies and procedures, application processing and acceptance requirements.
• Organizes, leads and facilitates sessions with DMZ staff to review existing practices, and to discuss and find solutions to issues of mutual concern.
• Monitors application deadlines and adjusts document-processing workflow to meet the needs of programs.
• Provides detailed reports to DMZ management regarding applications, offers, acceptances and withdrawals. Designs, analyzes and prepares summary reports (current and historical) relating to recruitment efforts.
• Conducts relevant industry research to identify trends and the needs for DMZ programs. Conducts environmental scans and needs assessments, and identifies current and emerging markets and areas of opportunity to be leveraged by emerging technologies.
• Reports insights and research to the Manager to inform the ongoing development and improvement of recruitment efforts.
• Responsible for keeping all company records and activities up to date in the CRM system.

Assists in other day-to-day activities:

• Assists in training new Programs and Partnerships Assistants regarding recruitment functions, policies and procedures. Provides day-to-day coaching and on-the-job training to DMZ student staff.
• Leads special projects that may be assigned by the Manager, including assigning and coordinating the work of PnP Assistants, student staff, and other DMZ staff involved in the project.
• Represents the DMZ and TMU at external meetings amongst other professionals within the tech ecosystem.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications

To help us learn more about you, please provide a cover letter and resume describing how you meet the following required qualifications:

• Completion of a post-secondary degree program is required to attain the appropriate analytical, research and organizational skills needed to synthesize complex information and concepts.
• A minimum of four (4) years or relevant work experience in a startup ecosystem, including a focus on pipeline development in a technology organization and understanding of program development.
• Significant experience in entrepreneurship, including building and managing relationships.