Sadia Kamran
Toronto
Summary
Professional leader with extensive experience in driving strategic initiatives and fostering effective team collaboration. Strong background in project management, budget oversight, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring organizational goals are met efficiently. Known for adaptability, reliability, and focus on achieving impactful results. Skilled in leveraging data-driven insights, optimizing processes, and mentoring teams to excel in dynamic environments.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Director, Communications & International Development
Toronto Metropolitan University
12.2024 - Current
- Leading the strategic planning, development and promotion of outreach, community engagement and communications direction for 15 undergraduate, 17 graduate, 1 PhD program at The Creative School, domestic and international markets
- Maintaining a highly collaborative approach with internal top-level management, middle-management, and lower-level management, and external stakeholders [30+ industry partners, 50+ international partners, and sponsors] while cultivating and developing new partnerships and collaborations
- Managing the public interface of the Dean’s Office including 50+ events annually, marketing, promotion and communications activities related to 27 programs, strategic special projects, new/existing programs and strategic initiatives
- Overseeing and managing The Creative School’s international partnership development projects [15+ global projects annually with $500,000+ annual budget] and associated industry projects from project conceptualization to development and implementation
- Leading strategic international business development and growth initiatives including building awareness 27 programs, identifying new business opportunities and key stakeholders [target growth of $400,000+ annually], and developing potential new partnerships and collaborations. Collaborating closely with the Dean in all aspects of development of new opportunities and initiatives
- Building and maintaining strong, productive relationships with internal (managing 15+ direct reports) and external stakeholders to ensure Toronto Metropolitan University is a leader (proactively collaborating with C-Suite level executives) within The Creative School on strategic approaches to development and outreach to enhance the profile, and image of The Creative School within TMU and externally
Associate Director, International Development
Toronto Metropolitan University
07.2023 - 12.2024
- Led strategic international business development and growth initiatives including building awareness for The Creative School programs
- Collaborated with executive leadership (Dean, Executive Director, Advancement and Strategic Planning) on the development of an International Strategy for The Creative School programs
- Coordinated the development of short-to-long-term strategic business plans focused on business development, revenue generation and growth
- Managed all international operations and establishing performance metrics, reporting mechanisms to assess effectiveness and impact of The Creative School macro objectives. Successfully led international activities around the globe, metrics provided below:
- 50+ international academic partners in Asia, Australia/Oceania, Europe and South America
- 538% growth in student participation from 2019-2025 in semester exchange
- 114% growth in student participation from 2021-2025 in for-credit short-term travel programs
- 86% growth in student participation from 2020-2025 in for-credit and not-for-credit virtual programs
- $200,000 net revenue in international executive education programs
Manager, International Development
Toronto Metropolitan University
10.2019 - 07.2023
- Led the planning, execution, and operations of international strategic projects with The Creative School’s Dean, and in accordance to Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) internationalization strategy, from initiation to implementation. Project include but not limited to:
- Managed implementation of transnational education partnership in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Developed 10+ academic partnerships for The Creative School’s strategic global course offerings and intentionally diversified partner institutions in Europe, Middle East, South Asia and South America
- Spearheaded execution of 20+ global learning opportunities through:
- Developing programming and operations/logistics of international opportunities
- Providing leadership in the modelling of curricular and co-curricular opportunities
- Executing the communications and recruitment in TMU-wide community and partner network
- Developed sustainable TMU-wide international programs that are modelled in curricular and co-curricular programs in collaboration with partners globally
- Conducted research on emerging opportunities in international higher education
Communications Coordinator
Toronto Metropolitan University
05.2018 - 10.2019
- Project managed and coordinated the revised brand identity at the School of Fashion that captures the vision. This project was a strategic implementation that required ongoing buy-in from internal and external stakeholders to ensure a democratic and collaborative launch. Online publications include: (1) ryerson.ca/fashion; (2) instagram.com/ryersonfashion; (3) twitter.com/ryersonfashion
- Developed and delivered engaging and informative in-person or virtual presentations that clearly explained technical and non-technical program information. Presentations included: (1) Open House (100+ in attendance), Recruitment Presentations (40+ in attendance), Virtual Recruitment Platforms (20+ in attendance) to prospective students facilitated by Central Recruitment; (2) Coordinated high-profile events: Awards Night, Mass Exodus, and many more events with 150+ guests including key donors in attendance
- Liaised and explored business development opportunities with external partners (i.e., Business of Fashion) to further expand School of Fashion’s presence globally
- Maintained collaborative partnerships nationally with organizations like Canada Goose and Lululemon and how to further expand School of Fashion’s ongoing relationships
- Implemented streamlined communications platform for internal Fashion community and external community (employers, partners, collaborators). Outreach included:
- (1) Internal: internship opportunities (upgraded system launch), prospective partnerships, upcoming SRC activities, funding opportunities
- (2) External: Fashion specific posting form, slide decks, website for key events and initiatives
Education
Master's Degree - Communication
Toronto Metropolitan University
01.2017
Postgraduate Diploma - Marketing Management - Financial Services
George Brown College
01.2016
Bachelor of Arts (BA) - Honours, Business and Society
York University
01.2015
Skills
- Data Analysis
- Financial Forecasting
- Project management
- Proposal and Report Writing
- Strategic planning
- Adaptable
- Strategic communications
- Negotiator
- Stakeholder management
- Problem-solver
- Strategic leadership
- Analytical thinking
Websites
Accomplishments
- Supervised team of 15+ staff members.
- Collaborated with team of 8 in the development of off-shore campus in Italy.
- Achieved $300,000 net revenue through one project by effectively leading business development and establishing strategic partnerships.
- Received "Exceptional Performance Award", the highest possible rating exemplifying one of the top performers and role models, demonstrating excellence in all areas.
- Received "Assistant Vice-President International Global Learning Award" that recognized my team who has made significant contributions to Global Learning at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Hindi
Full Professional
Urdu
Full Professional
Timeline
Associate Director, Communications & International Development
Toronto Metropolitan University
12.2024 - Current
Associate Director, International Development
Toronto Metropolitan University
07.2023 - 12.2024
Manager, International Development
Toronto Metropolitan University
10.2019 - 07.2023
Communications Coordinator
Toronto Metropolitan University
05.2018 - 10.2019
Postgraduate Diploma - Marketing Management - Financial Services
George Brown College
Bachelor of Arts (BA) - Honours, Business and Society
York University
Master's Degree - Communication
Toronto Metropolitan University