Manager, Climate Programs – Adaptation

Role Overview

• Lead all aspects of the Adaptech program, providing support for up to 10 adaptation and resilience innovation startups to help them grow and scale their technologies.
• Scout opportunities for startups to pilot their tech within the public and private sectors, including managing a municipal piloting initiative.
• Collaborate with MaRS’ internal teams to deliver bespoke services to the startup cohort, including Market Intelligence, Business Advisory, Capital Advisory, and Communications support.
• Cultivate a robust ecosystem of investors and corporate partners to ensure adaptech startups can access capital and customers required to advance their commercialization efforts.
• Develop and update a three-year roadmap for Adaptech at MaRS, including a comprehensive fundraising plan to secure renewals and identify new funding sources.
• Support the MaRS philanthropy office and business development team on funding proposals and participate in conversations with potential funders/partners.
• Work with the MaRS marcom team to identify key trends and cohort “wins” that can inform thought leadership articles, OpEds, social media posts, case studies, and research briefs that fill ecosystem knowledge gaps.
• Manage the program budget, ensuring all expenses align with annual targets and organizational standards.
• Oversee the tracking of key performance indicators (KPI) for the Adaptech program, and assure all connections and services delivered by MaRS to cohort ventures are logged in Salesforce.
• Manage the delivery of semi-annual and annual progress reports to program funders and stakeholders, where required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, environmental science, engineering, or public policy.
• Master's or MBA with a focus on sustainability, finance, urban planning an asset.
• 5 years in program management, venture capital, or corporate innovation.
• General knowledge of the ClimateTech landscape and physical climate risks.
• Experience working with startups/founders and understanding their growth lifecycle.
• Demonstrated passion for climate action in cities, social innovation, and public policy/procurement.
• Strong group facilitation and public speaking.
• Critical thinking skills, including the ability to draw out key insights, craft strategic approaches and build towards the big picture.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently and interdependently.
• Ability to multitask and work in an open-concept, dynamic and fast moving environment.
• Excellent communication (written and oral) competency in English.
• Proficient in the use of G-Suite applications, Asana, Salesforce, Air Table, and popular AI tools such as Gemini, Claude and ChatGPT.

Benefits

• up to 10% discretionary incentive target
• GRSP matching
• extended healthcare benefits
• wellness spending account
• paid time-off