Senior Program Officer

The Winnipeg Foundation is For Good. Forever. We help people give back to our shared community by connecting generous donors with causes they care about For Good. We are an endowment-based public foundation, so gifts are pooled and invested, and the annual earnings are distributed back to the community Forever. Formed in 1921, we are proud to be the first community foundation in Canada. Our vision is ‘a Winnipeg where community life flourishes for all.’

The Foundation is committed to promoting work-life balance and diversity, both within the organization and in its community work.

We are currently recruiting for the role of

Senior Program Officer - Youth (Permanent – Full-time)

Our Values

Our Core Competencies

- Critical Thinking and Decision Making

The Role

This position serves as a pivotal force in executing and advancing The Foundation's comprehensive youth engagement strategy, which is designed to inspire and empower young individuals within the community. The role encompasses the management and coordination of flagship programs such as the Youth in Philanthropy initiative, which encourages youth to explore the impact of giving, and the Summer Internship Program, which provides invaluable hands‑on experience in the nonprofit sector. In addition to these, the position oversees various other youth engagement programs tailored to nurture civic responsibility and philanthropy. The successful candidate will engage meaningfully with a diverse array of youth and community leaders across Winnipeg, fostering partnerships that amplify young voices and inspire active participation. Ultimately, this role aims to deepen youth understanding and appreciation of the local charitable landscape, equipping them to become informed advocates for positive change.

Supervisory, Advisory, and Leadership Responsibilities

Beyond program oversight, this role carries the vital responsibility of leading and nurturing The Foundation's youth programming to ensure it fulfills its objectives and resonates with the target audience. Integral to this position is supervising staff dedicated to Youth Initiatives, including interns and temporary team members, ensuring they are supported, mentored, and empowered to make meaningful contributions to the organization's mission. This role fosters a collaborative atmosphere where creativity and innovation are encouraged, ultimately ensuring that all youth programming is executed with excellence and aligns with The Foundation’s overarching goals.

Core Areas of Responsibility

- Establishing and maintaining relationships with high schools and community organizations involved in Youth in Philanthropy

- Providing mentorship for youths, fostering leadership skills and personal development

- Planning and executing large‑scale events including but not limited to conferences, galas, and youth-focused gatherings

- Working with local charities to provide youth volunteer opportunities

- Managing the Summer Internship Program, including recruiting, selecting, and matching students with charitable host organizations

- Adapting existing programs and developing additional youth engagement programs to support overall Foundation goals

- Developing and managing the youth engagement budget

- Collaborating with other departments to develop tools and strategies to support youth engagement programs

- Reviewing grant proposals made by YiP Committees and recommending to the VP for approval

Experience, Education, and Credentials

3-5 years of experience in a combination of project management, event management, and collaborative engagement with internal and external partners

Experience working with youths

Demonstrated experience designing and implementing learning opportunities is considered an asset

About You

If your background differs from the one listed below, please explain in your cover letter why you would be a good fit.

Skills and Abilities

- Ability to solve problems strategically and within a systems approach

- Ability to manage projects independently, including strong logistical abilities

- Understanding of social innovation tools, approaches, and methodologies

- Strong facilitation and public speaking skills

- Aptitude for fostering positive, supportive, and mutually beneficial relationships

- Critical thinking

- Curious and analytical approach

- Patient and empathetic disposition

What We Offer

- Starting salary in the range of $70,400 - $87,900

- A comprehensive benefit package including health and dental benefits

- Access to Consult + (Virtual Doctor Service)

- EFAP program available to employees and family members

- Pension program starting at six months of employment

- Vacation starts at three weeks per year

- Eco-pass program (half-cost bus pass)

- Maternity/Parental Leave Top Up

- Professional Development opportunities

Applicants who do not fully satisfy all the essential requirements are nonetheless encouraged to submit their applications for consideration regarding this position. We firmly believe in the potential of diverse perspectives, skills, and experiences to enrich our team and contribute to The Foundation’s overall success.

The Recruitment Process

As part of The Foundation’s commitment to being transparent, the following are the stages of our recruitment process:

- Job posting (2 weeks in circulation)

- Phone screening (conducted after the closing date; duration: 2 weeks)

- First in-person interview (conducted within 2 weeks after phone screening interviews)

- Second in-person interview (within 2 weeks after the first interview)

Start date: January 2026

During the recruitment process, prospective candidates will be expected to provide specific examples of situations where they have demonstrated The Foundation's values and core competencies.

The Winnipeg Foundation is committed to an inclusive, barrier‑free environment and will accommodate the needs of applicants under the Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA) throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. We thank all applicants for their interest; only those advancing in the competition will be contacted. If you are contacted to participate in the process, please advise if you require any accommodations.

Note: If you would like to discuss an accommodation or have difficulty submitting your application via the portal, please email careers@wpgfdn.org for support.

#J-18808-Ljbffr