Senior Advisor, Industry and Ecosystem Engagement (2026-0205)

The Information and Communication Technology Council (ICTC) is seeking a Senior Advisor, Industry and Ecosystem Engagement to join the Capacity Building & Innovation team.

This is a one-year, full-time term position responsible for leading employer outreach, industry engagement, and partnership development activities in support of a workforce development program. The Senior Advisor provides strategic guidance on industry workforce needs, supports the recruitment and engagement of participating employers, and works to ensure program activities remain aligned with current and emerging sector priorities. The role serves as a key liaison between ICTC, manufacturing employers, industry associations, ecosystem partners, and other stakeholders to support program success and long-term industry impact.

The Senior Advisor manages relationships with employers and sector stakeholders, identifies opportunities to strengthen industry participation, and gathers market intelligence to inform program delivery and continuous improvement. Working closely with the Program Manager and internal teams, the Senior Advisor ensures employer perspectives are reflected throughout program implementation and helps create meaningful connections between workforce development activities and industry needs.

The role also involves supporting strategic partnerships, facilitating stakeholder collaboration, and contributing to employer engagement strategies that advance program objectives and strengthen ICTC's relationships across the manufacturing ecosystem.

The ideal candidate is a proactive relationship-builder with experience engaging employers, industry associations, and ecosystem partners. They possess strong stakeholder management and communication skills, a solid understanding of workforce development and industry trends, and the ability to translate employer needs into actionable program insights. Direct experience in the manufacturing sector, employer engagement, business development, workforce development, or ecosystem-building initiatives would be considered a strong asset.

Core Responsibilities:

Strategic Relationship Development:

Activating industry networks to identify and engage manufacturing SMEs and sector stakeholders interested in participating in the program.

Leading relationship development and engagement activities with manufacturing employes, industry associations, ecosystem partners, and workforce development stakeholders.

Supporting the recruitment and onboarding of participating employers, while fostering long-term engagement throughout the program lifecycle.

Building and maintaining trusted relationships with employers to understand workforce needs, skills gaps, and emerging industry priorities.

Acting as the primary liaison for participating employers and sector stakeholders, ensuring effective communication and a positive participant experience.

Ensuring employer perspectives and industry priorities are reflected in program delivery, continuous improvement, and workforce development activities.

Supporting the achievement of employer participation and engagement targets through proactive outreach, relationship management, and stakeholder engagement activities.

Providing regular updates and reports on employer engagement activities, stakeholder anticipation, industry insights, and progress toward program targets.

Advisory and Implementation:

Providing strategic guidance on industry workforce needs, skills gaps, digital transformation priorities, and emerging sector trends to help inform program delivery and employer engagement activities.

Collaborating with internal teams to ensure program activities align with employer needs, sector priorities, and ICTC's workforce development objectives.

Gathering and communicating employer feedback, industry insights, and stakeholder perspectives to support continuous improvement and program relevance.

Supporting the development and implementation of employer engagement strategies that strengthen participation and long-term industry partnerships.

Facilitating ongoing dialogue between employers, industry stakeholders, and program teams to ensure workforce development activities remain responsive to industry needs.

Ensuring employers have meaningful opportunities to inform program design, delivery, evaluation, and future workforce development initiative

Market Intelligence & Strategy:

Developing and implementing employer and stakeholder engagement strategies to identify workforce priorities, skills needs, and emerging challenges relevant to program objectives.

Gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing industry intelligence, employer feedback, and stakeholder insights to inform program delivery, continuous improvement, and future workforce development initiatives.

Staying current on manufacturing sector trends, workforce challenges, technology adoption, and regional economic developments to help ensure program relevance and responsiveness to industry needs.

Identifying opportunities to strengthen stakeholder participation, strategic partnerships, and engagement across relevant industries, sectors, and workforce development ecosystems.

Providing industry insights and recommendations to support employer recruitment, program planning, and stakeholder engagement activities.

Content and Messaging:

Contributing to the development of strategic content and messaging that clearly articulates ICTC's value proposition to industry partners and stakeholders.

Collaborate with internal teams (marketing, product development, customer success) to enhance service offerings for businesses.

What You Bring to This Position:

Bachelor's or master's degree in Business, Public Policy, Communications, Marketing, or a related field.

A sales-mindset and 3+ years of experience in business development, partnership development, industry engagement, or stakeholder management

Proven track record of meeting or exceeding business development and program targets;

A strong, established industry network and a deep understanding of Ontario’s business landscape, market, and culture;

A proven track record in building and maintaining strategic relationships with senior stakeholders and key industry influencers in Ontario;

Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills with the ability to build trust with a diverse clientele;

Excellent analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into actionable insights;

Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the capacity to engage effectively at all organizational levels;

Strategic thinking with the practical ability to drive initiatives from concept to execution.

Experience in project management and stakeholder coordination;

Proficiency in CRM systems and Microsoft Office Suite;

Fully bilingual in French and English is required.

What Sets You Apart:

Demonstrated success in identifying, developing, and managing complex, multi-stakeholder partnerships.

Proven experience in digital transformation, workforce development, or technology capacity building.

A record of contributing to strategic initiatives that extend beyond routine responsibilities.

Adaptability and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Are you?

An inspirational leader - Are you someone who motivates others, drives meaningful change, and navigates challenges with grace and resilience?

Driven and Determined - Are you highly motivated, self-starting, and willing to go above and beyond expectations with the drive to improve and exceed goals?

Optimism with a “can-do”, r esults-driven orientation – Are you able to think creatively and successfully navigate barriers and obstacles? Do you stay focused on achieving priority goals and results?

Dynamic, resilient, and flexible - Are you able to keep up with and embrace the rapid pace of change, advances in technology, intense com