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 IAF

Launched in 2008, MaRS Investment Accelerator Fund (IAF) has grown into one of Canada’s most active early-stage venture capital funds. With a deep commitment to Ontario’s innovation ecosystem, MaRS IAF is a multi-sector fund, providing the capital, mentorship and networks needed to build global transformative companies.

About the Position

The Director of Platform supports IAF portfolio companies in building and scaling, connecting founders to talent, customers, and expertise they need to grow. The role strengthens portfolio performance by combining hands-on founder support with ecosystem access and structured insights across the fund.

Key Responsibilities

Drive Founder & Portfolio Success

• Provide structured, high-impact support across the portfolio, including talent, fundraising preparation, customer introductions, and operational guidance.
• Act as a trusted partner to founders, maintaining regular engagement and identifying company needs, risks, and opportunities that inform both founder support and portfolio oversight.
  

Build Ecosystem & Strategic Community

• Develop and maintain relationships with corporates, operators, investors, and service providers that create tangible opportunities for portfolio companies.
• Facilitate targeted introductions and targeted engagements that support customer acquisition, partnerships, talent recruitment, and follow-on investment.
  

Leverage the MaRS Platform

• Establish clear pathways for portfolio companies to access MaRS programs and experts.
• Serve as the point of coordination between IAF and MaRS Venture Services.
• Build additional support or programming where gaps exist
  

Develop Talent & Advisor Networks

• Build and maintain a high-quality database of advisors, executives, and operators to support portfolio companies
• Develop and manage talent pipelines that improve hiring outcomes and reduce time-to-fill across the portfolio.
  

Ensure Operational Excellence

• Implement systems and tools to deliver platform support efficiently across a high-volume portfolio.
• Track engagement, company progress, and founder feedback to identify trends, risks, and opportunities across the portfolio.
• Provide structured insights that support investment decision-making, portfolio strategy, and reporting to internal stakeholders.

Requirements

• Completed Bachelor’s degree
• 8+ years of professional experience in high-growth startups, scale-ups, or equivalent fast-paced environments
• Demonstrated track record in operations, strategy, senior level talent role, or chief-of-staff–type roles with founder-facing accountability
• Proven ability to design and execute programs, initiatives, or processes that support organizational or founder success
• Strong understanding of early-stage founder needs and the startup lifecycle
• Ability to design scalable programs and resources with measurable outcomes
• Excellent relationship management, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills
• Comfort managing shifting priorities and delivering results in fast-paced, high-volume environments
  

Nice to Haves

• Experience operating within, or closely supporting, early-stage venture-backed companies
• Strong exposure to early-stage companies and founder communities, with a network across North America
• Familiarity with venture capital dynamics, fundraising processes, or portfolio support models
• Ability to navigate and leverage the Ontario ecosystem to support portfolio companies
• Demonstrated success in community-building, partnerships, or network development
• Experience with CRM, community platforms, or talent-matching tools to deliver scalable founder support
  

Applications will close at 12pm EDT on May 11, 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 a new 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: $130,000 to $150,000, up to a 15% discretionary incentive, extended healthcare benefits, wellness spending account, GRRSP matching, and 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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