Title: Director, Community Ecosystem & Partnerships - Tangerine
Requisition ID: 263284
At Tangerine, we’re redefining banking. As Canada’s leading digital bank, we thrive on innovation, agility, and bold thinking, tackling every challenge head-on with leading technology and the unstoppable power of collaboration.
Our client-obsessed teams deliver flexible, accessible banking solutions, breakthrough products, and award-winning service. Beyond banking, we’re committed to making an impact in the communities we serve and across our organization. We foster a culture built on integrity, inclusion, and fearless ambition – where diverse perspectives are valued, and people are empowered to do their best work.
Are you ready to disrupt the status quo? Do you crave challenges that push boundaries? If you’re a high performer looking to accelerate your career and reimagine the banking landscape, this is your moment.
Let’s shape the future of banking together!
What you will be doing:
This role will shape and scale a bold new community and ecosystem Tangerine is building with and for Canadian entrepreneurs enabling them to connect, learn, and grow their businesses while expanding their impact.
Designed to serve the broader small business ecosystem in Canada, this community will also be a key growth engine for Tangerine Small Business. It will bring our vision to life in a way that is digital-first, highly relevant, and distinctly different. The Director, Community & Ecosystem Partnerships will build, scale, and operate a modern, high-impact community platform and program suite. Through smart partnerships, compelling storytelling, thought leadership, and curated experiences, this leader will create meaningful opportunities for entrepreneurs to access insights, connections, and a broader ecosystem of support. As a senior leader, you will build a robust and organic business community and ecosystem with two direct reports, and partner with our Director of Take-to-Market to authentically enable community to become a true competitive advantage fueling client acquisition, deepening engagement, strengthening brand affinity, and helping Tangerine earn a distinctive place in the lives of Canada’s modern business owners.
Is this role right for you? In this role, you will:
- Strategy, Growth & Ecosystem Leadership
- Lead the design, launch, and scaling of Tangerine’s digital-first Small Business community growth engine, establishing the Tangerine Business Community as a differentiated go-to-market platform to attract, engage, and retain modern business owners across Canada.
- Set the strategic direction for Tangerine’s entrepreneur ecosystem by identifying, securing, and managing high-impact partnerships, sponsorships, and external collaborators, while shaping priority segments, engagement journeys, and value propositions that expand client value, brand relevance, and market reach.
- Develop the multi-year community and ecosystem roadmap, including operating model, governance, prioritization, partner investment strategy, and success measures required to scale sustainably and deliver measurable business impact.
- Community, Brand & Go-to-Market Leadership
- Own the strategy and editorial vision for community engagement across thought leadership, founder storytelling, curated experiences, and partner-led programming to create meaningful, ongoing value for entrepreneurs and strengthen acquisition, loyalty, and advocacy outcomes.
- Lead cross-functional alignment across Small Business, Marketing, Brand, Product, Partnerships, Communications, Digital, Analytics, Legal, Compliance, and Finance to bring the community strategy to market and translate ecosystem insight into stronger client propositions and experiences.
- Represent Tangerine externally as a credible voice in the entrepreneur ecosystem by building visibility through thought leadership, strategic forums, partnerships, and community presence that strengthens Tangerine’s relevance with modern business owners.
- Performance, Governance & People Leadership
- Define and track KPIs across our growth flywheel, specifically as it relates to community growth, engagement, acquisition, participation, partner performance, referrals, conversion, retention, client sentiment, and commercial contribution, using data and insight to optimize strategy and demonstrate impact.
- Provide strategic leadership over third-party relationships, sponsorship commitments, agencies, vendors, and community programming execution, ensuring strong governance, disciplined risk management, and alignment with Tangerine’s risk appetite and control environment.
- Create an environment that delivers effective and efficient operations in accordance with Tangerine’s Values, Code of Conduct, and Global Sales Principles, while ensuring the adequacy and effectiveness of controls related to operational, compliance, AML/ATF/sanctions, and conduct risk.
- Build and lead a high-performing team and partner network by setting clear direction, elevating capability, fostering innovation, and implementing a people strategy that attracts, develops, and retains top talent while enabling strong succession and leadership depth.
Do you have the skills that will enable you to succeed in this role? We'd love to work with you if you have:
- 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in strategic partnerships, ecosystem development, community building, growth marketing, business development, strategic communications, and/or related disciplines.
- Demonstrated success building and scaling new strategic initiatives, digital-first platforms, or programs from concept through launch, optimization, and sustained growth.
- Deep understanding of the Canadian Small Business market, entrepreneur needs, and ecosystem dynamics, with the ability to translate insight into differentiated client propositions and go-to-market strategies.
- Knowledge of startup and founder ecosystems, including accelerators, incubators, industry networks, and other ecosystem partners, is an asset.
- Proven ability to originate, negotiate, and manage strategic partnerships, sponsorships, and senior external relationships that deliver measurable brand, client, and commercial outcomes.
- Strong strategic, commercial, and analytical acumen, including experience defining KPIs, assessing performance, and using data and insight to inform investment and growth decisions.
- Experience working in financial services, digital banking, fintech, platforms, or other regulated and digital-first environments is strongly preferred.
- Exceptional communication and storytelling capabilities, with the executive presence to influence senior stakeholders, align matrix partners, and represent the brand externally.
- Experience leading teams and delivering through complex, matrixed environments, including external agencies, vendors, and strategic partners.
- Strong judgment, governance, and risk management orientation, with the ability to operate effectively within compliance and control frameworks.
- Proven people leadership capability, including attracting, developing, and retaining high-performing talent while fostering an inclusive and accountable team environment.
- Post-secondary education in business, marketing, communications, or a related field is preferred; an MBA is considered an asset.
What's in it for you?
- You will be part of a diverse, inclusive, and purpose driven community of client- obsessed innovators who move fast, push boundaries, and celebrate big together.
- We are creating something game changing and you get to make your mark on it.
- You will have access to thousands of online and in person learning experiences at your fingertips to elevate your career and accelerate your development.
- From competitive benefits to programs that support your wellbeing and financial goals- we invest in you today and in your future.*
*Tangerine employees participate in Scotiabank’s pension & benefits programs (available to permanent employees)
Location(s): Canada : Ontario : Toronto
At Tangerine we value the unique skills and experiences each individual brings to the team, and are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible environment. If you require accommodation during the recruitment and selection process, please let our Recruitment team know.
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