Senior Program Manager – Future Workforce Development

TECHNATION is seeking a (temporary, full time) Senior Program Manager to provide strategic and operational leadership across two flagship programs: "Upskilling Program for Indigenous Stakeholders in Manitoba" (aka Scaling Initiative) and Career Ready.  

About TECHNATION

TECHNATION is the national voice of Canada's tech sector, representing the full spectrum of global and domestic tech companies, from SMEs to Canadian firms and multinational enterprises. As the leading technology association in Canada, we unite industry and government to drive economic prosperity by championing digital innovation, shaping tech policy, fostering inclusive workforce development, and advancing sector growth. 

We are committed to diversity in the workplace, and we encourage applications from minority groups, including women, Indigenous people, 2SLGBTQ+, and persons with disabilities. We also provide accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodation for a disability during any stage of the recruitment process, please notify us.

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Specifics

Fixed Term position:

• Full Time: hours per week
• Start Date:    December 1 or as soon as possible
• End date:      September 30, 2026
• Location:       Remote 
• Reporting Relationships:
  • Executive Director, Future Workforce Development, Operations (EDO)
  • Dotted line to: Executive Director, Future Workforce Development, Operations (EDS)
  • One dotted line direct report (Program Coordinator)
• Salary range: $ 90,000 - $100,000 (commensurate with experience)

About the Role

The Senior Program Manager provides strategic and operational leadership across two flagship programs: "Upskilling Program for Indigenous Stakeholders in Manitoba" (aka Scaling Initiative) and Career Ready. This role is responsible for overseeing the full lifecycle of the Scaling Initiative - from program setup and partner onboarding through to launch, implementation, and successful delivery - ensuring alignment with TECHNATION's Reconciliation and inclusion commitments and objectives.

In parallel, the Senior Program Manager leads employer engagement, partnership development, and outreach for the well-established Career Ready Program, strengthening employer participation and program reach. They supervise a team of Program Coordinators, drive cross-program collaboration, and represent TECHNATION with government, post-secondary, and industry partners to advance Canada's future tech workforce.  This is a fixed term role.

About the Scaling Initiative

The Scaling initiative builds on a proven "train-and-place" model designed to equip non-STEM graduates and underrepresented job seekers with in-demand digital and professional skills.

TECHNATION is expanding this model into new regions - beginning in Manitoba - through a shared delivery partnership that will focus on Indigenous, rural, and northern participants. The program combines hands-on training, employer engagement, and wraparound supports to strengthen local employment outcomes and demonstrate the national scalability of the Scaling Initiative approach.

About the Career Ready Program

TECHNATION's Career Ready Program is a national wage-subsidy initiative funded by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) that helps employers hire post-secondary students for meaningful work-integrated learning (WIL) placements in Canada's digital economy. The program connects students from all disciplines with employers across sectors, while advancing inclusion and innovation through specialized focus streams. Career Ready also delivers innovative IN-WIL cohorts and outreach initiatives that strengthen industry-academic collaboration and build a more inclusive tech workforce.

Key Responsibilities

Scaling Initiative - Program Leadership

• Provide end-to-end oversight of the Scaling Initiative project - from inception to close-out.
• Develop and maintain a detailed work plan, ensuring milestones, deliverables, and reporting requirements are met.
• Consolidate and deliver all program components and materials to the Training Partner (training content, communications guidelines, participant processes, survey instruments, etc.).
• Act as the day-to-day point of contact for both the funding partner (Future Skills Centre (FSC)) and the Training Partner in Manitoba.
• Track, manage, and report on program risks, timelines, and deliverables; ensure issues are mitigated proactively.
• Lead quarterly and annual narrative and financial reporting, working closely with the Finance team to support audits and compliance.
• Manage contracting activities, including RFP development and oversight of marketing and communications vendors.
• Monitor the Training Partner's performance against contractual deliverables, providing consulting support and facilitating feedback loops for continuous improvement.
• Liaise with the Diversity Institute and other past versions of the Scaling Initiative partners to ensure consistency and fidelity to the model.
• Gather sustainability insights and identify opportunities for long-term program continuation or expansion.
• Manage the Program Coordinator and activities on the Scaling Initiative

Career Ready - Partnerships, Business Development and Outreach

• Lead the employer engagement and outreach portfolio across the Career Ready Program, driving participation from SMEs, national tech firms, and underrepresented sectors.
• Develop and implement strategies to expand the program's employer network and strengthen industry partnerships.
• Analyze market trends, identify partnership gaps and emerging opportunities, and design targeted outreach projects to expand engagement within priority sectors and communities.
• Support the Program Coordinators in securing IN-WIL partnerships; co-develop cohorts (minimum 5 WIL participants) with industry partners and deliver enhanced experiential learning outcomes tied to employer or academic collaborations.
• Guide the scaling and sustainability of specialized focus streams - such as Infuse (STEAM), Accessibility, Indigenous Pathways, and B-NEXT for Black Entrepreneurs - delivered in partnership with post-secondary institutions serving underrepresented groups.
• Review and improve internal processes for partnership planning, engagement tracking, and outreach pipeline management to ensure consistent, measurable growth across all initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications team to align outreach activities with TECHNATION's brand and funding requirements.
• Identify and cultivate cross-program opportunities with ADaPT and other Future Workforce initiatives to maximize visibility and impact.
• Oversee partnership agreements, reporting, and compliance related to employer engagement and outreach activities.

Team Leadership and Cross-Program Coordination

• Supervise a team of (3) Program Coordinators supporting Career Ready initiatives, providing coaching, guidance, and performance feedback.
  • Work in close coordination with the (1) Program Coordinator, Indigenous Initiatives (dotted-line report), ensuring alignment on Indigenous-focused engagement, recruitment, and delivery across all programs.
• Establish clear priorities, workflows, and reporting mechanisms to ensure operational excellence.
• Provide mentorship and capacity-building support to emerging program staff.
• Collaborate closely with internal departments (Finance, Strategy, Research, Marketing) to ensure seamless program execution.

Strategic and External Relations, and Sustainability

• Represent TECHNATION in meetings with government funders, partners, and community organizations.
• Support knowledge mobilization and dissemination of program learnings through events, reports, and conference presentations.
• Contribute to strategic planning, proposal development, and cross-program initiatives that strengthen the sustainability of TECHNATION's Future Workforce Development portfolio.

Key Relationships

Internal

• Reports to Executive Director, Future Workforce Development Operations
• Dotted Line reporting to Executive Director, Future Workforce Development Strategy
• One dotted line direct report (Program Coordinator)
• Works closely with Program Coordinators, Program Coordinator (Indigenous Initiatives), Senior Data Analyst, Communications, and Finance teams

External

• Liaises with program funder on program quality, data and reporting
• Delivery partners – previous and current
• Vendors (partners, instructors, marketing, etc.)

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum 7–10 years of experience in program management, preferably in the tech, education, or non-profit sectors.
• Proven track record in managing complex, multi-partner projects with federal or provincial funding.
• Strong knowledge of work-integrated learning, skills development, or employment programs.
• Experience working with Indigenous organizations, rural/northern communities, or underrepresented r is a strong asset.
• Demonstrated leadership in partnership development, stakeholder relations, and team supervision.
• Excellent project management, communication, and analytical skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365, project management tools, and CRM systems.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, operations management, or a related field.
• Minimum 7–10 years of experience in program management, operations, project management, or a similar leadership role.
• Proven leadership experience managing staff and cross-functional teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Proficiency in report writing, including the ability to analyze data and present findings clearly and concisely.
• Experience with procurement and vendor management, including RFP development and contract oversight.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to balance multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and influence diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience with budget tracking, financial reporting, and resource allocation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 and project management software.

Assets

• Experience in a non-profit, association, or public sector environment.
• Experience working with government granting programs and funder reporting requirements.
• Knowledge of workforce development, Work-Integrated Learning (WIL), or experiential learning programs.
• Certification in project management or operations management (e.g., PMP)
• Bilingualism (English/French).
• Experience working with Indigenous communities, northern or rural organizations, and other diverse or underrepresented populations.