Ontario Programs Manager

Canada, Ontario, Kitchener

Applications due: 01 Dec, 2025

Job Synopsis

The Ontario Programs Manager provides strategic leadership and oversight for MCC Ontario's programs, supervising a team of Program Coordinators and technical experts. This full-time, salaried role is responsible for visioning, planning, monitoring, evaluating, reporting, and budgeting for direct service delivery, all grounded in MCC's principles of peace and justice. Reporting to a member of the senior leadership team, the Programs Manager carries full technical responsibility for team output, balancing immediate deliverables with long-term program effectiveness.

Key responsibilities include conducting ongoing needs assessments, developing programs in alignment with MCC's strategic plan, and collaborating with MCC Ontario's Communications staff to promote initiatives and engage a diverse constituency. The Programs Manager liaises with supporters, partners, funders, and MCC Canada Networks to ensure program sustainability and national coordination.

As a member of MCCO's Cross Department Leadership Team, the Manager leads by example—fostering a culture of integrity, compassion, inclusion, and continuous learning. Success in this role is measured not only by program outcomes but also by the practice of values-driven leadership, with a strong emphasis on peacebuilding, resilience, and commitment to the greater good.

MCC is a charitable organization that partners with churches and community organizations worldwide to walk with people who are disadvantaged. MCC supports activities that provide emergency assistance, reduce poverty, and promote healthy communities, sustainable living and alternatives to violence. As an internationally recognized NGO, MCC currently serves in more than 45 countries with over 475 partners, 1,000 staff and 40,000 volunteers.

This role has some hybrid options, but the expectation is at least 2 days a week in office.

Applicants must be legally able to work in Canada for the duration of their employment. Successful candidates will be required to provide a Police Background Check upon hire.

We thank all applicants for showing an interest in this position. Only those selected to move forward in our hiring process will be contacted.

Job Details

Salaried Employee -Full Time at 1 FTE

Qualifications

All MCC workers are expected to exhibit a commitment to a personal Christian faith and discipleship; active church membership; and biblical nonviolent peacemaking.

Required

Program development and leadership:

• Demonstrated capacity for program leadership, coordination, supervision, and administration.
• Proven ability to provide leadership in a collegial environment, engaging the talents of volunteers, constituents and staff
• Strong program planning, monitoring, budgeting, evaluating and reporting skills
• Community development skills including experience working with diverse populations and fostering inclusive environments

Field expertise:

• Solid understanding of MCC Ontario program themes including Peace theology and practice; Restorative Justice; Community Development; Migration and Resettlement; and Poverty Reduction along with an awareness of legislation and policy that contribute to related challenges in the province

Communication expertise:

• Willingness to work with sensitivity within a diverse cultural and theological milieu
• Ability to relate well with a wide range of people and be comfortable in communication with MCC Ontario constituency, MCC personnel (in Canada, the US and International programs), government and ecumenical circles.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to teach and write on MCC Program themes
• Ability to communicate in an articulate, engaging manner with tact and diplomacy when speaking with either government, partners or constituency

Work and organizational qualifications and skills:

• Demonstrated organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to independently prioritize a wide variety
• of tasks.
• Initiative, creativity, patience, and flexibility in adapting to changing needs.
• Commitment to MCC's Operating Principles, including respect for confidentiality and discretion.
• Willingness to work non-standard hours (evenings/weekends) and travel frequently within Southwestern Ontario.
• Valid G Ontario driver's license required.
• Proficiency in MS Office programs, including One Drive and Teams.
• Bachelor's Degree in a related field plus 3-5 years related experience including 1-2 years supervisory experience

Preferred

• Master's degree or equivalent in Restorative Justice, Peace and Conflict Studies, or related field
• Relevant experience and/or education in an Anabaptist organization/institution

Key Responsibilities

Program Management

• Provide leadership, supervision, and support to program coordinators. Recruit, engage, supervise, and support staff. Conduct regular staff check-ins and annual evaluations, including the development of annual workplans connected to the strategic plan and PMER project plans. Jointly plan, monitor, and delegate duties among program staff as appropriate
• Lead Program Team meetings, developing agendas that foster a collective vision and strategy across programs
• Assist in the development and tracking of program budgets in line with the overall MCC Ontario budget and priorities
• Facilitate program development and foster synergies across programs.
• Remain current with socioeconomic trends affecting marginalized populations, issues impacting programs, best practices in program development/management, and legal issues relating to program delivery.
• Ensure this information fuels program development and delivery within MCC Ontario's scope and mandate
• Actively participate in MCC Ontario Cross Departmental Leadership Team to collectively work at program planning and development within the MCC system, strategic plan and operating principles
• Collaborate with staff to foster program sustainability. Assist with proposal development or feasibility studies as appropriate.
• Work with Donor Relations and Communications staff to generate support and resources for programs.
• Collaborate and supervise the development of educational and advocacy resources to address peace and justice issues relating to local programs
• Take the lead in convening a MCC Ontario advocacy and lobbying team to bring collaboration and synergies to these efforts.
• Ensure alignment with MCC Ontario Board policy as well as appropriate tracking for government reporting purposes.
• Assist with the creation of standard operating procedures, onboarding guides and staff development resources to support consistency across programs

Peacebuilding Oversight

• Provide vision and overall direction for MCC Ontario's Peacebuilding initiatives (internal and external).
• Represent MCC on coalitions and networks to further MCC's peace goals.
• Ensure MCC Ontario representation in MCC Canada's Peacebuilding, Restorative Justice and Abuse Response and Prevention networks and roundtables.
• Liaise with Human Resources to ensure staff and volunteer peace skills are developed.
• Take the lead on working with a staff team to plan and implement MCC Ontario's annual Peace Conference.
• With the Program Development Coordinator, ensure planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting (PMER) development for building peace skills in community with partners
• Continue to monitor best practices and community/constituency needs related to Peace building and facilitate appropriate program development and adjust plans accordingly

Demonstrating Impact and Data Management

• Monitor and evaluate success over time according to indicators identified.
• Ensure appropriate data management and data integrity across programs using the Apricot database
• Work with Program Coordinators to develop reports that share insights of the program and engage supporters by sharing data and engaging stories.
• Assist with tracking progress towards identified shared program outcomes in line with MCC Ontario's strategic plan and priorities

Promotion and Community/Constituency Efforts

• Participate in public speaking engagements, developing and delivering effective and engaging presentations that are biblically based and reflect MCC's values and mission
• Work with MCC Ontario Communications staff to effectively promote Program initiatives
• Ensure fulsome and timely reports for outside donor/funding bodies
• Work closely with MCC Communications staff, Director of People and Programs and Executive Director on media relations as needed.

Other

• Ensure staff on your team comply with the risk management policy and procedures and foster a culture where risks are identified and mitigated.
• Provide support and direction for the effective implementation of MCC Ontario's health and safety program, ensuring health and safety policies, procedures and regulations are enforced.
• Ensure employees adhere to company policies and legal regulations.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned, including assisting with special events and projects as needed.
• Participate in MCC Ontario orientations, provincial meetings, Peace Conference and Staff Development Days.
• Participate in a local faith community, being willing to use your personal gifts within this community.
• Model nonviolent peacemaking through respectful daily interactions with staff and the public.
• Maintain a high level of integrity, reflecting Christian respect and Christ's unconditional love to those with whom you work, including colleagues, partner agencies, the homeless and the marginalized.
• Serve as a brand advocate and ambassador for MCC mission and values in every interaction with customers and donors, being proactive in promoting positive public, staff and volunteer relations.

Start Date

19 Jan, 2026

Salary Details

Base salary: $78,200. This role starts on day 1 with a company paid benefit package

Benefits

Group benefits package is employer paid and includes supplemental medical/dental/vision, life insurance, AD&D, global medical assistance, EAP and RRSP contributions matched - starts on day one.

LTD premiums are the responsibility of all permanent, salaried positions. These are the responsibility of the team member and are paid through salary deduction.

Location Description

This role will work out of the MCC Ontario Office at 50 Kent Ave, Kitchener Ontario.

Some hybrid options, but expectation of at least 2 days a week in office.