Program Manager

**Office location**:380-180 Attwell Drive, Toronto ON, M9W 6A9

The planet needs our help to ensure that the products we use every day stay out of our waterways, ecosystems, and landfills. That’s where Product Care Recycling comes in. For over 30 years, we’ve worked with manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to take responsibility for the life cycle of their products. From lighting to paints, hazardous special products to alarms - we develop and manage sustainable recycling programs across Canada. As the creator of one of the first Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs in North America, joining the Product Care team is your opportunity to join an industry-leading team working to deliver great environmental outcomes for our communities. Please visit productcare.org to learn more about us.

**About The Position**:
We are seeking a highly motivated Program Manager - Community Partnerships to strengthen and enhance our partnerships with municipal, First Nation and Indigenous communities across Ontario. This role is pivotal in supporting hazardous and special products (HSP) and lighting collection programs, investigating opportunities for collaboration with our partners and leading program discussions with communities and working groups. As the primary liaison, the Program Manager - Community Partnerships will implement clear and timely communications with communities, maintain agreements, coordinate annual planning activities, conduct site visits and streamline processes to improve Product Care’s collaboration and service delivery with partners. Reporting to the Ontario Programs Director, this role will lead and implement partnership activities aligned with the organization’s strategic plan.

**Key Responsibilities**:
**Leadership**:

- Provide leadership, mentor, and oversee direct report, including recruitment and selection, training, and performance management, etc.
- Assign and oversee duties to employees and contractors to ensure duties are carried out properly.
- Ensure employees practices and procedures are following company standards.
- Collaborate across departments and regions to harmonize where needed and leverage best practices.

**Partnership Building**:

- Manage, liaise and build relationships with municipal, First Nation and Indigenous communities across Ontario
- Develop and implement partner engagement and management strategies in support of Product Care’s strategic plan and Ontario programs priorities
- Provide project management support by developing and maintaining milestone schedules and tracking the development of deliverables and execution of tasks to ensure deadlines are met.
- Track and analyze partner feedback, incorporating insights into future initiatives to enhance program performance and service delivery.
- Evaluate program services and develop, implement and support pilot projects and program improvement initiatives in collaboration with partners.
- Lead and coordinate regular working group meetings and discussions.
- Attend and represent Product Care at events, tradeshows and conferences to enhance partnerships.
- Conduct site visits and in person meetings to further learn and enhance Product Care’s programs and partnerships with municipal, First Nation and Indigenous communities.

**Administration**:

- Maintain contact, site and services information for all municipalities and keep internal databases and regulatory reporting up to date. Follow up regularly with municipalities to ensure data accuracy and completeness.
- Prepare and distribute agreements, track agreement status and progress to execution, perform regular follow ups and support municipalities to secure and maintain signed agreements.
- Collect and verify annual collection services.

**Financial Management**:

- Analyze and monitor program expenditures
- Create and manage budgets for municipal, First Nation and Indigenous community program services, including collection, end-of-life management, auditing, research and program enhancement.

**Reporting**:

- Analyze and prepare program reports and other documentation for internal and regulatory reporting.
- Prepare and deliver reports, briefing notes, presentations, and communication materials.
- Support the development of reports to Product Care Board of Directors.

**Research**:

- Conduct research and analysis to develop strategies and find synergies for continuous improvement of program operations and performance
- Identify opportunities for new programs
- Work with other provincial Program Managers to understand program similarities and differences to move towards consistency in program and stewardship administration.

**What You Bring**:

- Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Environmental Studies, or a related field. Master’s degree is advantageous.
- 5+ years of experience working in municipal waste management, municipal contracts and relations, or stakeholder engagement.
- Strong project management skills, including data tracking, commu