Program Specialist, AI@WORK
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.
About AI@WORK
AI is changing how businesses operate, compete and grow. AI@WORK helps small and medium-sized businesses adopt practical AI solutions while creating meaningful work-integrated learning opportunities for post-secondary students.
Through the program, participating businesses are matched with talented students who work alongside them to identify opportunities, implement AI solutions and build organizational AI capabilities.
The Opportunity
We're looking for a Program Specialist to support the growth and delivery of AI@WORK.
As a Program Specialist, you will play a key role in recruiting participants, coordinating program activities, and delivering an exceptional experience for businesses and students throughout the cohort lifecycle. Working closely with Program Managers, participants, and external partners, you'll help ensure cohorts are successfully recruited, onboarded, supported, and engaged from start to finish.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys building relationships, managing multiple moving pieces, creating exceptional participant experiences, and helping programs achieve meaningful outcomes.
What You'll Do
Participant Recruitment & Outreach
Build and manage participant pipelines for AI@WORK cohorts
Develop outreach strategies to attract qualified businesses and students
Conduct outreach, information sessions, and discovery conversations
Assess participant fit and guide applicants through the selection process
Build relationships with ecosystem partners, post-secondary institutions, businesses, and community stakeholders
Track recruitment activity and support achievement of cohort targets
Support student recruitment processes, refining position descriptions, reviewing applications, coordinating schedules, and conducting screening interviews as needed
Participant Experience & Engagement
Serve as a primary point of contact for participants throughout the program
Support onboarding, orientation, and cohort launch activities
Deliver a high-quality participant experience from application through program completion
Respond to participant inquiries and proactively resolve issues or concerns
Gather participant feedback and identify opportunities for improvement
Foster engagement and retention throughout each cohort
Program Coordination & Delivery
Support Program Managers in the planning and execution of AI@WORK cohorts
Coordinate participant communications, scheduling, and engagement activities
Support participant matching, onboarding, and cohort logistics
Maintain accurate participant records, program documentation, and reporting
Track program outcomes, success stories, and key performance metrics
Collaborate with internal teams, partners, and stakeholders to support successful program delivery
Contribute to the continuous improvement of program processes and participant experiences
What We're Looking For
3 years of experience in program coordination, recruitment, talent acquisition, participant engagement, customer success, or a related field
Exceptional relationship-building and communication skills
Experience managing multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholders simultaneously
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Ability to work independently, take initiative, and solve problems proactively
Experience coordinating projects, programs, events, or participant experiences
Comfort using CRM systems, applicant tracking systems, or participant management tools
Passion for technology, innovation, workforce development, and community building
Bonus Points If You Have
Experience recruiting technical talent, including students or professionals in technology, engineering, data, AI, or related fields
Experience working with startups, small businesses, or the technology sector
Experience in campus recruitment, workforce development, or work-integrated learning programs
Knowledge of AI, emerging technologies, or digital transformation
Experience supporting grant-funded, government-funded, or cohort-based programs
Success in This Role
You are someone who:
Builds trust and relationships quickly
Enjoys connecting people with opportunities
Is energized by outreach, engagement, and community-building activities
Creates exceptional participant experiences
Takes ownership and follows through on commitments
Thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment
Is highly organized and comfortable managing many moving pieces at once
Compensation
This is a full-time temporary contract position through August 2027, with the possibility of extension.
The annual base salary range is $55,000–$64,000. Actual compensation will be based on a variety of factors, including skills, experience, education, internal equity, and market considerations.
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.
Please note that ADP’s platform uses artificial intelligence (AI) to generate an applicant’s Candidate or Profile Relevance score. This is one of many factors that will be reviewed in making interview decisions, and all applications will be reviewed by a human. Scores do not affect the visibility of an application and applicants may opt-out when applying.
