We are Koru.

Koru is a first of its kind venture studio funded by the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. We partner with OTPP portfolio companies to build and invest in businesses with a clear right to win.

Founded in 2019, our mission is to drive value creation aimed at growing the overall value of OTPP’s portfolio companies by partnering with them to identify, validate, build and oversee new disruptive businesses. We go from 0-1, building ventures that address customer frictions head-on — and we leverage our corporate partnerships to gain unfair advantages in the market.

We offer a unique balance of risk and reward where startup talent can build with the backing of a $250B pension plan and the ability to impact portfolio companies all around the world, explore disruptive new opportunities and share in the upside of every business we put into the market. We promote a truly entrepreneurial mindset and a culture of spirited reinvention.

You will have a unique opportunity to be exposed to a wide array of industries, and be a vital voice when it comes to your particular domain, but also various areas of the businesses you’ll launch. Since 2019, we’ve launched 10 ventures across a broad array of industries and problem spaces. Take a look at our portfolio of ventures to see for yourself.

About the Executive Assistant & Office Manager's responsibilities:

The Executive Assistant (EA) & Office Manager plays a pivotal role in supporting Koru's leadership team and shaping the company's work environment and culture. As EA, this individual is responsible for efficient calendar management and handling various administrative tasks to support leadership in the delivery of ambitious business objectives. As Office Manager, this individual oversees day-to-day operations of the office, maintains amenities and plans team events, all while fostering a fun, positive, and inclusive work environment and team culture.

Executive Assistant

Provide efficient and proactive calendar and administrative support to Koru’s Partners.
Continuously plan and prioritize tasks in order of importance and manage unexpected challenges as they arise.
Receive and promptly respond to incoming communication from Koru’s key stakeholders, including our Board Members and leadership from across Koru’s venture portfolio.
Carry out travel planning and bookings for the Partners and other senior leaders at Koru, as required.
Maintain the EA Playbook, ensuring it is kept up to date and reflects the key contacts and core EA processes.
Maintain confidentiality, ensuring sensitive information is handled with care and discretion.
Maintain detailed and organized administrative records, as needed.
Compile and organize expense reports for leadership, as needed.

Office Management

Actively ensure the office environment is kept welcoming, well-maintained, organized, and fully stocked with all necessary supplies.
Manage vendor relationships to ensure the office runs smoothly, including cleaning vendors, handy person for odd jobs, and vendors required for office improvements.
Serve as the main point of contact for office-related enquiries from Koru team members, our portfolio of ventures, and other external stakeholders.
Serve as the main point of contact and administrator for Koru’s office booking platform.
Manage communication with the team when it comes to building or neighbourhood bulletins, such as fire safety notices, elevator outages, and general information affecting employee use of the building / office.
Identify and implement ways to optimize office and administrative processes to improve efficiency.
Support the Head of People and Operations with the creation, implementation and management of office policies and procedures.
Contribute to the accurate tracking of purchases which feed into a central People and Operations budget.

People and Culture

Fully participate in the welcoming of new team members and employee departure process, promptly responding to assigned tasks in a timely manner.
Actively seek opportunities to continuously improve the employee experience and workplace culture at Koru.
Provide leadership of Koru’s Events Committee, including the planning and execution of flagship team events, and other events in the calendar that boost team engagement and social connection.
Support the Head of People and Operations with the creation and delivery of People and Operations programs / special projects
Provide support to People and Operations team members as needed.

Skills & Experience

Must haves

3+ years of experience working as an EA or in a similar role.
Experience working directly with Founders, Managing Directors, and C-Suite.
Excellent time management, attention to detail, organization and planning skills.
Adept at active follow-up and follow-through.
The ability to operate with a high degree of accuracy and efficiency to meet deadlines.
The ability to think critically and problem solve effectively
Excellent oral and written communication skills
A high level of sensitivity when dealing with confidential information
The ability to work effectively across all levels of the organization
A positive attitude and enthusiasm for getting things done
A strong working knowledge of iOS, Google Suite, and Microsoft Office

Nice to haves

Experience in the tech sector or a start-up work environment.
Experience with: Budget Management, Project Management and Events Management.

What happens next?

Once we review your application, if we’d like to move you forward in the process, here’s what you can expect:

Step 1: Interview with the Hiring Lead (Virtual, 30-45 minutes)

Step 2: Interview with a Team Member (Virtual, 30-45 minutes)

Step 3: Practical Challenge & Team Interview (Virtual, 60 minutes + prep time)

Step 4: Interview with a Partner (Virtual, 30 minutes)

Step 5: Candidate Debrief

Step 6: Offer

Total Rewards at Koru.

Our total rewards package is balanced, flexible, inclusive, and fair which makes it a key part of our employer value proposition. We regularly review and update our total rewards, taking into account best practices, industry trends, and feedback from our team. Currently, our total rewards package is inclusive of:

Cash compensation made up of 1) competitive base salary 2) annual bonus 3) company-matched RRSP and 4) participation in our equity program
Comprehensive health benefits, including:
Group insurance
A flexible healthcare spending account
Fitness benefit
Mindfulness benefit
Generous paid time off including vacation, sick, and a parental leave top-up.
Other benefits include, mobile phone reimbursement and education benefit.

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Diversity of perspectives and experience is at the core of how we approach disruption and innovation. We believe in fostering an environment where team members of all backgrounds can feel comfortable bringing their whole selves to work every day. We aim to ensure all of our employees work in an environment that makes them feel valued, heard and supported while they strive towards career pursuits and their personal and professional growth.

We are committed to providing accommodations for all candidates that require them and in all aspects of the recruitment, selection, and/or assessment process. If you are selected to participate in any part of the selection and/or assessment process, please inform us of any accommodation(s) that you may require.

Our location.

Koru’s offices are located in downtown Toronto. We humbly acknowledge that Koru HQ is located on land that is the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the New Credit, Chippewa (Anishinaabeg), Haudenosaunee, and Wendat. This territory is covered by the ‘Toronto Purchase: Treaty 13’ which was the surrender of the lands from the Mississaugas of the Credit to the British Crown initially in 1787.

Koru staff and/or board members are made up of settlers, immigrants, descendants of immigrants, or a combination thereof. Our roots lie in continents across the world and we are grateful for the opportunity to share this land where we work and live.

Please note that this role is hybrid and requires the selected candidate to commute to Koru HQ in downtown Toronto as and when required by the company. Additionally, all individuals considered for this role are required to be legally eligible to work in Canada.

We’re flattered that you’d like to join our team, but only applicants selected to proceed in the hiring process will be contacted.

People and Culture jobs

Executive Assistant & Office Manager