Work with Us and Support the Growth of the Innovation Hub!

By Julia Allworth, Manager Innovation Projects

Are you someone who has a passion for community, creativity, and accessibility? We’re excited to share our posting for the Senior Project Assistant role here at the Innovation Hub! To learn more about the role and how to apply, take a look below.

Working as the lead administrator for the Innovation Hub and directly supporting the Manager, Innovation Projects, the Senior Project Assistant takes a leadership role in all elements of strategic and operational planning and communications for the Innovation Hub. They also provide leadership and support to the Innovation Hub teams in carrying out their work.

Senior Project Assistant Job Duties:

Administration

Provides direct day-to-day administrative support to the Manager, Innovation Projects and the Innovation Hub teams
Manages payroll & timesheet deadlines, communicates with all individuals on payroll, and collects timesheets in a timely manner
Supports hiring processes, workflows, and timelines
Supports team members with administrative-related questions
Develops materials outside of the scope of design thinking projects, including presentations, professional development, or conference proposals
Checks emails, providing support to community members inquiring at the Innovation hub

Project Management

Maintains and oversees the project plans for every initiative at the Innovation Hub, adjusting timelines as necessary
Uses Asana to manage and update the project management system and prepares twice-weekly project status updates for the leadership team
Coordinates with the Manager, Innovation Projects and Research Lead on project timelines & needs
Follows up with leadership team members on weekly needs, upcoming project deadlines, etc.

Communications

Manages the Digital Communications Team Lead (student role) and coordinates all communications strategy and materials for the Innovation Hub
Oversees deliverables and timelines of communications-related work, including graphic design and formatting, website development, content development, events and more
Supports developing resources and workflows for communications materials
Ensures quality control of all materials, including meeting the brand & vision of the Innovation Hub and that materials are accessible for web, digital, and print
Oversees three websites & content management (including blogs, website accessibility, and web content maintenance): to ensure work is completed on time, including:
- Graphic design and formatting: work with the team to develop graphic design materials & final deliverables such as reports, presentations, and more
- Website Development: oversees all website content and managing timelines on any updates and/or changes
- Content Development: Ideates topics for content creation with team members for two active blog sites, manages timelines and check-ins to support content development. Provides guidance, feedback, and timelines for any posts, deliverables, and projects in this work. Ensures weekly content is provided for the websites

Supporting Student Teams & Workplace Support

Manages team member access to the Innovation Hub community space and digital sites, including Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, website(s), and more
Sends weekly reminders & updates to team members, and develops shared documents for weekly updates across all teams
Supports developing weekly teachings, resources, and additional processes to support teams
Supports access-related inquiries or tech-related issues in the space
Manages and updates Innovation Hub’s SharePoint system for file and document structures and organization
Supports community events and/or partner events or initiatives (as needed)

Strategic Development

Develops project plans for updates, design research projects, events, or additional projects
Engages in strategic conversations to support the growth of the Innovation Hub, providing feedback/insight from a Communications and Operations perspective

Events

Leads event planning and strategy for Innovation Hub events
Develops graphics, outreach materials, and event registration with support from the communications team
Manages communications with event attendees
Supports virtual and in person event planning and coordination (i.e., event set up, organization, facilitation, etc. as needed)
Develops accessible post-event follow up materials, such as session recordings, materials, and more

Qualifications:

Overall Qualifications

Demonstrated leadership abilities and a commitment to leading in manner that supports a diverse team
A high capacity individual who can balance multiple projects and work within tight deadlines with competing priorities – demonstrated ability to organize tasks and balance multiple competing priorities
Demonstrated experience with digital communications, brand management and graphic design, ability to translate complex data/information into simple visuals and text
A strong commitment to and interest in creating safer spaces through an anti-oppressive lens
A team player with the ability to coach team members and provide input and feedback
A strong communicator in both oral and written communication, ability to present to interact with diverse audiences
A strategic thinker with a creative mind who can support team members in building visionary strategies for their work
High level of patience and strong conversational skills who takes a collaborative approach, enjoys working in teams with diverse members & perspectives
Highly creative, innovative & an outside-of-the-box thinker

Technical/Software Experience Required

Advanced experience and skills with the Microsoft Office suite
Strong communications and graphic design skills with high aptitude in Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, and Adobe Acrobat DC
Proficient with WordPress and website management
Ability to develop original infographics
Has used collaborative tools around collaboration and ideating etc. (mural, miro, etc.)

Details about the Role:

Contract Length: 12 months
Hours: 35 (full time)
Pay: $27-$32 / hour
Expected Start Date: February 1st, 2022
Application Deadline: January 9th, 2022

How to Apply:

Interested and qualified applicants are invited to submit a resume and cover letter by email to innovationhub@utoronto.ca by Sunday January 9th , 2022 at midnight.