We’re hiring our next Communications & Operations Lead for 2025-26! Are you the creative leader we’re looking for? In this blog, past Communications & Operations Leads share their experiences in the role, how we create impact at U of T, and how you can submit your application.
Written by Julia Allworth, Manager, Innovation Projects
Innovation Hub Communications & Operations Lead Role
The Innovation Hub is hiring a Communications & Operations Lead in a new 1-year internship model intended for someone who has graduated from a university or college program in the last two years. The internship is an excellent way to start your career at U of T and become an internal applicant for future opportunities. In this role, we’re looking for someone who has leadership experience – it can be student leadership experience, or work-related experience, but the role is an important leadership role on our team, and someone who helps us make strategic decisions. The role also requires someone who is a seasoned graphic designer because the Communications & Operations Lead also takes a hands-on role in the Innovation Hub’s brand and visual storytelling. There’s a lot to learn in the role and I’m looking forward to providing mentorship to the successful candidate over the next year. You’ll learn more about yourself in this role, be challenged, and have the opportunity to gain unique experiences that can set you up for a successful career!
Let us tell you a bit more about the role, and hear from some of the incredible people who have led the Innovation Hub’s communications and operations in the past.
As the Communications & Operations Lead, you’ll become the in-house design expert, project manager, operational lead, event planner, and so much more. The Communications & Operations Lead supports all day-to-day operations, graphic design, audiovisual storytelling, UX/UI website development, and the Innovation Hub blog; creating and carrying out training for team members, coaching Team Leads, meeting with project partners, ensuring project milestones are met, and presenting the work to partners and within the broader University of Toronto community. Working closely with the Manager, Innovation Projects, the Communications & Operations Lead role provides an opportunity to get involved with strategic projects at the university and learn how to make change from within. This full-time role is designed to be transformational learning experience for new graduates at U of T.
Stories from Past Communications & Operations Leads
Hayley: I joined the Innovation Hub in April 2024 after completing my Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Culture, Information & Technology at UTM. I applied for the Communications & Operations Role for the opportunity to continue supporting students throughout their university journeys while collaborating on design thinking projects that make real change within the university. Now, in this role, I lead all operations and communications for our work, applying my expertise in design and project management within student services to manage meaningful projects of all kind. As someone who loves to learn, I’m grateful to learn something new and develop my skills every day at the Innovation Hub; whether I’m designing graphics for reports, prototyping webpages, publishing blog posts, designing curriculum-driven activities, coaching my team members, storyboarding videography projects, building systems in Excel, onboarding new team members, and everything in between. No two days are the same! Through this role, I learned to truly level up my skills and emerge with a clearer vision of my future career in higher education. I’m so excited to bring what I’ve learned into future spaces to continue making impact in the community.
Paul: I joined the Innovation Hub in February 2022 while completing my Master of Education at OISE. In this role, I brought my talents in visual design and experience in student engagement to create supportive spaces for students to learn and grow together. During my time at the Innovation Hub, I learned to create an environment where people can collaborate and feel comfortable and safe to discover their passions and get to know themselves. By leading my team of students and helping them develop confidence and become comfortable learning from failure, I also learned more about myself. Now, I work at the Office of the Registrar at Victoria University as a Front Line Advisor, and I am looking forward to the career ahead of me in change-making within student affairs.
Improving Campus Life at U of T
What is the Innovation Hub all about? We’re a design research collective that aims to improve student experiences at U of T by working with campus partners on real design challenges. We gather insights on the way people are impacted by programs, services, spaces, and other challenges at the university to ultimately gain a better understanding of the needs of diverse students at U of T. Together, we use our storytelling skills to elevate student voices and improve campus life.
Internship Details
- Contract Length: 1 year beginning in spring 2025
- Job Location: Student Commons (230 College St.) 100% in-person work
- Hours: 8:45 AM – 5:00pm (37.5hr/week)
- Hourly Wage: $35.81 + benefits & vacation
- Note: This is a 1-year Internship that offers full benefits of a USW Staff-Appointed Position
How to Apply
We’re currently accepting applications for the Communications & Operations Lead. This is an incredible opportunity – and we’re looking for incredible people like you. If you know of someone who might be a great fit, let them know!
To apply for the role, send your resume + cover letter as a combined PDF to innovationhub@utoronto.ca. A portfolio of graphic design work is required with your application. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.
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