DIRECTOR, STAKEHOLDER EXPERIENCE & STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT

INVEST OTTAWA - Marketing and Communications

At Invest Ottawa (IO), we empower the brightest minds and boldest innovators across Canadas Capital. Join our team and help shape a magnetic experience that delights entrepreneurs, partners, and community members who visit Bayview Yards Ottawas dynamic innovation hub, managed by Invest Ottawa.

We areseeking an experienced and empathetic Director of Stakeholder Experience and Strategic Engagement to lead a high-performing team, create memorable and impactful customer experiences through innovative placemaking strategies, strengthen stakeholder relationships, and drive revenue and reputation for Bayview Yards and Invest Ottawa as a whole.

This role unifies the leadership of innovative space experience, sponsorship and partnership strategy, and community engagement under one mandateensuring every touchpoint feels cohesive, compelling, and meaningful for our partners, tenants, clients, and guests.

Spanning 55,000 square feet at the gateway to Westboro, Bayview Yards is not just a space,its an experience. A collaborative epicenter that pulses with creativity, Bayview is home to the citys top tech talent, startups, scaleups, and changemakers. Its where vision becomes realitycomplete with a prototyping lab, hybrid event spaces, an iconic red staircase to a riverside terrace, and a community garden. Its a place that sparks imagination and leaves visitors saying wow.

Reporting to the Vice President of Marketing and Bayview Impact, the Director, Stakeholder Experience and Strategic Engagementis a visionary, experience-driven leader who will:

• Curate exceptional and emotionally engaging experiences that transform every touchpoint into a moment of delight.

• Foster a thriving onsite and extended innovation community.

• Lead a creative, high-performing team that delivers impact at scale.

• Champion the continuous evolution of Bayview Yards and other Invest Ottawa properties as innovation landmarks, aligned with future-forward urban development initiatives such as Ottawas Innovation Village.

WHAT YOULL BE DOING:

Unified Stakeholder Experience & Placemaking

• Lead the design and delivery of an unforgettable, high-touch experience across events, tenancy, sponsorships, and onsite activations.

• Craft a culture of surprise, creativity, and innovation turning each visit into a memorable journey. Ensure every element, from signage to programming to staff engagement, reflects IOs values, brand, and innovation story.

• Breakdown silos and act as a bridge between internal teams and external stakeholders, aligning shared goals and enhancing consistency throughout our customer experiences.

• Seamlessly blend technology, storytelling, and design to create an environment that inspires curiosity and drives deeper engagement.
  

Sponsorship & Strategic Revenue Generation

• Develop and execute a new, contemporary sponsorship and partnership framework focused on long-term sustainability, measurable value, and brand alignment.

• Build and manage a pipeline of sponsorship opportunities and partnerships that activate our spaces and programs in meaningful, authentic ways.

• Drive additional earned revenue through space usage, events, and value-added services.

• Contribute to strategic proposals and funding initiatives that fuel the expansion of Bayview Yards and IOs reach and resources.

• Create and execute a business development and revenue strategy that blends sponsorship, tenancy, and fee-for-service models.

• Cultivate strong relationships with partners and sponsors, offering them fresh ways to add value and amplify impact.

• Oversee operational sponsorship fulfillment, tracking, and reporting.

Ignite Community and Collaboration

• Contribute to building an inclusive, vibrant ecosystem onsite by attracting the right mix of innovators, partners, and collaborators.

• Spark interaction and innovation through high-impact events, networking, and community-driven activities.

• Engage stakeholders with empathy and imagination, collecting feedback to continuously elevate the user experience.

Lead a Bold and Dynamic Team through Empowerment and Inclusivity

• Lead a collaborative, multidisciplinary team across Bayview Experience, Sponsorships and Partnership, and Facilities.

• Establish a culture of trust, autonomy, risk-taking, and curiosity, where people feel empowered and supported.

• Foster a team culture that thrives on experimentation, co-creation, and white-glove service.

• Empower your team to continually push boundaries and set new standards for innovation spaces.

• Serve as a coach, connector, and ambassadorfor staff, VIP guests, clients, and stakeholders.

• Reinforce a high standard of professionalism, responsiveness, and service excellence.

Strategy, Planning & Decision-Making

• Use data-driven insights and community input to shape placemaking and sponsorship strategies.

• Co-create annual plans and KPIs aligned with Invest Ottawas strategic objectives and Bayview Yards growth goals.

• Balance hands-on delivery with big-picture vision, ensuring day-to-day operations ladder up to long-term impact.

WHAT YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED/GAINED THROUGHOUT YOUR CAREER:

• A degree in Business, Marketing, Fundraising, Tourism & Hospitality, or related fieldor equivalent leadership experience.

• 7+ years of senior-level experience in innovation, economic development, major events, corporate and strategic partnerships, or placemaking.

• Proven success in revenue generation and sponsorship development, with track records of deals from $100K to $3M+.

• 5+ years leading and mentoring dynamic teams in tech-driven or community-focused organizations.

• A visionary mindset with a passion for trendspotting, user experience design, and reimagining how spaces can inspire.

• Outstanding interpersonal, negotiation, and communication skillswith a natural ability to turn ideas into action.

• Operational confidence with contracts, budgeting, negotiation, and stakeholder reporting.

• Ability to collect, interpret and analyze data to inform decision-making.

• Skilled at balancing brand, audience needs, and strategic priorities.

• Calm under pressure, able to pivot quickly and make sound decisions in fast-paced environments.

• Deep appreciation for DEI, creative placemaking, and the integration of arts, tech, and culture.

• Strong writing and presentation skills in English with French considered a strong asset

WHY THIS ROLE IS SPECIAL

You won't just lead a hub or find any sponsor. You'll craft a destination. A canvas for innovation where people come to connect, collaborate, and be inspired. You'll make Bayview Yards and every IO experience more than a place it will become a feeling, an experience, and a signature part of Ottawa's innovation story.

Do you have some of these skills but maybe not all? We still encourage you to apply as we would love to review your unique application and learn more about you! Invest Ottawa is strongly committed to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. We invite and encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including members of racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Invest Ottawa and Bayview Yards are determined to provide a barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you require accommodation during any phase of the evaluation process, please contact [email protected] to request specialized accommodation. Do know, all information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

At Invest Ottawa and Bayview Yards, we are focused on doing better and committed to leading by example because its whats best for us, our culture and our community.