Role overview

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 careers@marsdd.com 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

This is a one year, fixed-term contract. The Senior Associate, Portfolio Engagement & Communications is a marketing specialist responsible for driving continuous engagement and retention across MaRS’s venture portfolio. This role isn't just about sending updates; it’s about architecting the "venture journey." By leveraging lifecycle marketing, sophisticated automation, and data-driven insights, you will ensure our founders and partners are consistently deriving value from the MaRS ecosystem. You will act as the bridge between Product, Program, and Communications teams to create a seamless, high-value user experience.

Key Responsibilities

Portfolio Communication & Lifecycle Marketing:

Design and execute end-to-end lifecycle campaigns (acquisition, onboarding, retention, and re-engagement) to maximize venture participation in the MaRS Connect platform including the Digital MaRS Community
Produce high-converting copy for digital channels, maintaining MaRS brand guidelines across all touch points
Build and manage Mailchimp drip campaigns and automated workflows, ensuring the right message is received by the right contact at the optimal time
Participate in bi-weekly meetings with the Connect Product team to review metrics, identify drop-off points, and recommend improvements to improve stickiness
Spearhead the use of AI tools to customize the venture experience by segmenting and identifying profile changes that trigger personalized and relevant content

Event/Program Marketing:

Working closely with the Core Portfolio team, MarCom and Learning Solutions team execute multi-channel promotional strategies for virtual and in-person events (Peer to peer sessions, Small Group Advisory, panels and cohorts) focusing on clear value proposition messaging to attract busy founders and their teams

Centralized Intake and Coordination:

Lead a unified intake process for marketing and communications requests going to the venture portfolio, ensuring the portfolio is never “spammed” and the messaging remains clear
Manage and execute on requests for collateral creation, copywriting, Mailchimp administration, event promotion, and messaging that go to the venture portfolio
Provide specialized support to program teams (e.g., Learning Solutions, Cohorts, thematic areas) by developing content and ensuring it reaches the right audience through the right channels
Maintain clarity and coordination of messaging to the venture portfolio through shared calendars, planning tools, and request-tracking workflows

Required Skills/Experience

Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in Marketing or Communications
4+ years professional experience in marketing and digital engagement
Strong capabilities in Mailchimp, GSuite (Calendar, Sheets, Slides)
Familiarity with digital community platforms and CRM/email marketing tools, including Salesforce
Understands best practices in producing high-performing copy for digital media
Strong copywriting skills tailored to startup/founder audiences
Ability to multi-task and comfortable working in a fast paced environment
Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills
Strong ability to work independently and collaboratively, and to learn quickly and problem solve
Exceptional time management skills
Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Nice to have:

Experience with end-to-end lifecycle campaigns
Experience with product marketing design and implementation
Experience with leading impactful email campaigns for curated audiences
Online community management skills with a strong track record of fostering peer networks
Data-driven mindset and decision-making
Great ability to build rapport with founders and ecosystem partners.
A proactive, solutions-oriented attitude with a passion for supporting startups and founders

Applications will close at 12pm EDT on July 27, 2026. However, we may close the posting earlier if we receive a high volume of qualified applications or if the position is filled before the deadline. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.

This posting is for an existing 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: $60,000 - $70,000, Canada Life benefits, lifestyle spending account, and generous paid time-off.

Our Applicant Tracking System, BambooHR, does not use Artificial Intelligence (AI). From time to time MaRS may use AI in our screening, assessment, and selection processes.

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