Program Director

Help an iconic Canadian company celebrate its first century and launch its next.

Term: 36-month contract | full time in office

Salary Range: $180,000 - $210,000

Travel: Frequent travel within Canada

A century of aviation. A national celebration. An opportunity to make history.

Some opportunities come along once in a career. This one comes along once in a century.

In 2028, De Havilland Aircraft of Canada will mark its 100th anniversary. Headquartered in Calgary, this iconic Canadian company is preparing to celebrate a remarkable aviation heritage—and set the stage for its next century of innovation and growth.

We are seeking a senior communications and program leader to bring this milestone to life. As Program Director, Centennial , you will lead the strategy, development, and delivery of a national program that connects people to De Havilland’s story, celebrates its contributions to Canadian aviation, and creates a legacy that extends well beyond the anniversary.

From signature events and compelling storytelling to strategic partnerships and lasting heritage initiatives, you will help shape how a century of achievement is celebrated—and how the company’s next chapter is introduced.

The Opportunity:

This is a highly visible mandate with national reach, executive engagement, and the opportunity to turn ambitious ideas into memorable experiences.

Reporting to the designated Executive Sponsor and working closely with the De Havilland Governance and Strategy Committee, you will bring together teams across the business and engage employees, customers, government, industry, and communities across Canada.

You will combine strategic vision with hands-on delivery: building the roadmap, developing relationships, managing the details, and ensuring every element contributes to a cohesive and meaningful Centennial Program.

For a leader who thrives on complex programs, powerful storytelling, and bringing people together around a shared purpose, this is an opportunity to create something extraordinary.

What You Will Lead:

Shape the vision and build the program

• Develop and execute a comprehensive Centennial strategy, translating the company’s ambitions into a clear roadmap and implementation plan.
• Work with the Governance and Strategy Committee to establish priorities, objectives, and measures of success.
• Establish and manage program governance, budgets, schedules, milestones, and reporting, including biweekly progress updates.
• Identify legacy initiatives that strengthen De Havilland’s brand, relationships, and community impact beyond the centennial year.

Create exceptional events and experiences

• Create a diverse national portfolio of employee celebrations, customer and industry events, public open houses, community activities, VIP engagements, and commemorative ceremonies, layering onto existing DHC events and offerings.
• Bring together internal teams, agencies, and external vendors to deliver outstanding experiences across multiple Canadian locations.
• Ensure every activity reflects a consistent brand, compelling message, and high standard of execution.

Bring people and partners together

• Build relationships with employees, customers, suppliers, government representatives, aviation organizations, museums, educational institutions, Indigenous partners, and community organizations.
• Inspire participation across De Havilland’s sites, connecting local ideas and celebrations to a shared national vision.
• Serve as the central point of coordination for internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop strategic partnerships, sponsorship opportunities, collaborative programming, and co-hosted initiatives that expand the program’s reach and impact.

Tell a century of stories—and introduce the next chapter

• Partner with DHC Corporate Communications and Marketing to develop and deliver an integrated Centennial communications strategy.
• Identify media and public relations opportunities that showcase De Havilland’s history, achievements, people, and future vision.
• Support executive speeches, announcements, publications, digital content, historical storytelling, and promotional materials.
• Help ensure the company’s legacy is shared accurately, creatively, and meaningfully with audiences across Canada.

Preserve the heritage and create a lasting legacy

• Collaborate with Corporate Archives and Heritage, retirees, museums, aviation organizations, and internal experts to bring the company’s history to life.
• Support the collection and presentation of stories, artifacts, photographs, and historical conten