Program Manager (SRI) Physical Sciences Regular Full-time

One of Canadas Top 10 Research Hospitals Sunnybrook Research Institute is developing innovations in care for the more than 1.3 million patients the hospital cares for annually.

Sunnybrook Research Institute is the research enterprise of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre a teaching hospital fully affiliated with the University of Toronto. Research spans three Toronto-based campuses eight programs and three scientific platforms. Our main aims are to understand and prevent disease and to develop treatments that enhance and extend life. Our vision is to invent the future of health care. Each year we conduct about $100 million in research across 500000 square feet including in the worlds first Centre for Research in Image-Guided Therapeutics.

INOVAIT is Canadas image-guided therapy (IGT) and artificial intelligence (AI) network. INOVAIT supports Canadian IGT companies and academic institutions to go faster and farther to build and validate medical technologies positively impact the healthcare system and create high-quality jobs. The Network brings together small medium-sized and large companies research organizations post-secondary institutions and not-for-profit organizations to collaborate on game-changing projects to transform healthcare. INOVAIT strengthens the Canadian IGT ecosystem by fueling continuous innovation that revolutionizes healthcare globally. INOVAIT was established in 2020 by Sunnybrook Research Institute and supported by the Government of Canadas Strategic Response Fund (SRF).

Reporting to the INOVAIT Executive Directors the Program Manager (Strategic Relations and Communications) will lead INOVAITs Networking Program one of the core pillars of INOVAIT. The Program Manager is the leader shaping the public voice and impression of INOVAIT. Working closely with other managers this role plays an integral part in sharing the Networks mission ensuring INOVAITs initiatives and value propositions are clearly articulated to diverse audiences.

This role leads the development and execution of integrated communication strategies including content creation for newsletters press releases websites social media and event campaigns. It oversees the INOVAIT and Medventions websites job board and membership portal while ensuring brand consistency and high-quality messaging across all channels. The manager also drives media outreach government relations and public relations efforts developing policy documents RFPs and briefings for government stakeholders and elected officials to amplify INOVAITs impact on a national and international stage.

Beyond communications the Program Manager contributes to shaping the Networks strategic direction by providing insights into stakeholder needs and monitoring ecosystem developments. The role actively fosters relationships with industry partners government representatives academic institutions and media outlets to strengthen INOVAITs profile as a leader in medtech and AI innovation.

The position also leads the planning and execution of major eventsconferences workshops and networking sessionsoverseeing logistics. By leveraging digital tools such as HubSpot the Program Manager drives member engagement outreach campaigns and onboarding initiatives.

Overall this role is essential in advancing INOVAITs mission by guiding strategy amplifying its voice and driving meaningful connections across stakeholders government and the public.

Summary of Duties:

Membership & Government Relations

• Lead planning and execution of membership rollouts and onboarding
• Draft and format policy documents RFPs and stakeholder briefings for Ministerial and Senatorial offices and other relevant government committees
• Represent INOVAIT in coordination with other life sciences innovation networks on the national and international stage
• Guiding and directing the HubSpot CRM organization and specific membership engagement
• Supporting Member communications and marketing needs on an ad-hoc basis
• Attend and participate in SRF meetings with government and institutional leadership

Strategic Communications & Content:

• Lead the development and implementation of the networks communication strategies and marketing campaigns.
  • Work and collaborate with senior management on the development and execution of network strategy and outreach communications.
• Source and manage service providers including website developers designers and writers.
• Create a variety of communication materials including print digital and social media project management and applicable budget management.
• Maintain and update the INOVAIT and Medventions website content including event pages team bios and project listings.
• Direct and oversee the development maintenance and growth of:
  • The INOVAIT Job Board
  • The INOVAIT Membership Portal and Map
• Create digital design assets such as presentation slides and thumbnails for online platforms.
• Investigate and recommend new digital tools relevant for supporting network operations and growth.
• Help INOVAITs team improve and effectively communicate their offerings and value propositions
• Develop and manage the INOVAIT brand ensuring high quality and consistent messaging and branding across all channels and materials for all audiences (e.g. website social media press releases monthly newsletters video and photo galleries etc.)
• Manage and monitor INOVAITs communication channels including social media
• Develop relationships and seek opportunities to collaborate with other service organizations and media outlets in Canadas healthcare innovation ecosystem
  • Collaborate with internal and external teams to develop and refine messaging for outreach campaigns.
• Develop and maintain media relationships with national and targeted media contacts
  • Ensure that INOVAITs key developments are platformed in relevant media
• Work with academic and industry professionals and subject matter experts to create and develop cutting-edge and engaging content (i.e. articles stories news videos case studies etc.) that showcases the network
• Oversee French translation workflows (if required)
  

Event Planning and Execution:

• Coordinate the planning and delivery of networking and community events (e.g. annual meetings industry exhibitions educational lectures and workshops and networking mixers)
• Plan and coordinate conferences symposiums and workshops including vendor management and A/V arrangements
• Draft event invitations promotional materials and follow-up surveys.
• Oversee logistics such as venue bookings catering signage and attendee communications.
• Manage guest speaker arrangements and prepare speaking notes.
  

• Project Management:

• Organize and manage timelines tasks and deliverables for events newsletters reports and other communications- or strategy-related projects.
  • Track and report on project statuses timelines and expenditures
• Develop budgets logistics plans and materials for events ensuring alignment with network goals.
  

• Stakeholder and Member Engagement:

• Responsible for identifying and forming relationships with strategic partners including elected officials and their staff.
• Lead stakeholder communications and outreach.
• Create maintain and strengthen relationships with key strategic stakeholders and members

Qualifications:

• Proven track record of leading stakeholder and communications for a network or similar entity
• At a minimum a bachelors degree in Communications Public Relations Marketing Political Science Health Policy or a related field
• 5-7 years of experience in communications marketing public affairs or stakeholder relations ideally within healthcare life sciences innovation networks or government.
• Experience with:

o Leading integrated communication strategies (web digital social PR and media).

o Government relations: drafting briefing notes RFPs and policy documents for federal/provincial audiences.

o Events management: planning and executing high-profile conferences workshops or industry-focused events

o Brand management: maintaining consistent messaging across multi-channel campaigns.

• Demonstrated proficiency in:

o Interpersonal time management and organizational skills.

o Oral and written communication skills and attention to detail.

o CRM and marketing automation platforms (e.g. HubSpot Mailchimp or equivalent).

o Web management skills (e.g. WordPress or equivalent CMS)

o Graphic design tools (e.g. Adobe Illustrator InDesign Premiere After Effects Canva or similar) for producing digital and print assets

o Analytics tools (e.g. Google Analytics or similar) to track performance

o Event tools (e.g. Zoom Eventbrite or similar)

o Microsoft Office Google Workspace and Figma

• Assets

o A Masters degree in Public Policy Business Administration Health Administration Strategic Communications or a related field

o Experience working within innovation networks research institutes or non-profits

o Familiarity with Canadas healthcare innovation ecosystem (medtech AI life sciences)

o Experience preparing materials for federal ministries SRF programs or parliamentary committees

o Comfort representing INOVAIT externally at public speaking events panels and media interviews.

o Knowledge of equity diversity and inclusion practices in communications and stakeholder engagement

• Fluency in French