Program Manager, Operations Leadership

Job Description
The Program Manager, Operations Leadership & Learning serves as the primary owner for strengthening the capability, performance, and long-term growth of the skilled trades leadership team across Seaspan Shipyards. Reporting to the Senior Manager of Organizational Development & Change, this role is responsible for the development and execution of learning and leadership strategies that enhance workforce effectiveness, enable continuous improvement, and align with our organizational development roadmap.

The Program Manager is responsible for the development of learning strategies, curriculum design and training execution that will enable the trades leadership to drive improvements that support the safe, productive and efficient operations of the trades workforce. This role will collaborate closely with learning advisors, the trades leadership team, subject matter experts, unions, and other internal stakeholders to build and sustain a robust learning environment for the trades leadership.

Note: This position qualifies for an optional hybrid work schedule after 90 days of onsite work and onboarding. Employee will be subject to the terms of the Flexible Work Policy Agreement.
What You'll Do

• Lead the development and implementation of a targeted leadership development strategy for trades supervisors on key competencies and capabilities that support the effective management and development of trades employees.
• Define the trades leadership strategy and align with the broader leadership development roadmap created by the Learning Advisor to ensure cohesion across the organization.
• Design, deliver and continuously evolve leadership programs, workshops, coaching support, and practical tools tailored to front-line trades leadership.
• Acts as a recognized subject-matter authority whose recommendations influence enterprise decisions related to trades capability, leadership readiness, and workforce sustainability.
• Serves as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on complex workforce capability and leadership challenges.
• Facilitate trades leadership development workshops.
• Provide guidance and support to leaders in driving a culture of learning, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create and continuously improve the Day One orientation and onboarding experience for trades employees.
• Ensure onboarding aligns with organizational values, safety standards, and workforce development goals.
• Monitor onboarding effectiveness to drive enhancements based on feedback and performance indicators.
• Collaborate with Senior HR and Operations leadership to define and govern a comprehensive, enterprise-wide learning strategy for the trades workforce that aligns with operational needs, regulatory requirements, and future skills development priorities.
• Conduct needs assessments and skills gap analyses across trades to inform learning priorities and program design.
• Partner with technical trainers, safety teams, and production leaders to ensure training strategy is fit-for-purpose and meets compliance requirements.
• Track, measure, and report on program effectiveness, recommending improvements to enhance learning outcomes and workforce readiness.
• Build strong relationships with trades leadership, operations, HR, and learning and development partners to ensure alignment and engagement in learning & development initiatives.

What You'll Bring

• Post-secondary education in Organizational Development, Adult Education, Human Resources, Business, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in learning and development, organizational development, or leadership development, preferably in a skilled trade, industrial, or manufacturing environment. Combination of work experience with the above and in a skilled trades may be considered.
• Experience designing and delivering training, leadership programs, and onboarding solutions.
• Experience working or leading in a unionized environment and/or heavy industry.
• Strong leadership and influence skills, with experience coaching, mentoring, and guiding leaders and subject matter experts Proven ability to design and deliver impactful learning strategies and programs.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Proficiency in instructional design technologies (ie. Articulate, Canva, etc.) an asset.
• Experience with learning management systems; knowledge of Oracle Learning Cloud an asset.
• Strong analytical skills and experience using metrics to evaluate training effectiveness.

Why you'll love working here

• This is a full-time, permanent position. With multiple operations and long-term projects, Seaspan employees enjoy job stability as we look ahead to build ships for decades to come.
• In addition to an annual bonus and pension plan matching, this role provides you a very competitive salary in line with the successful candidate's experience.
• We also provide a best-in-class health and wellness benefits package for this position, including such things as full health care (e.g. unlimited physiotherapy), dental, vision, life insurance, medical leave coverage, parental leave coverage, wellness/fitness reimbursement for memberships or registration fees, and an Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP).
• Parking is included and to assist those that are using transit, we operate a complimentary shuttle bus Monday through Friday with various pick up and drop off points around North Vancouver.

The estimated salary for this position is $135,000 - $165,000. In determining final salary, Seaspan considers many factors including the successful Candidate's skillset and experience as well as position location and internal equity. The final base salary offer will be at the Company's sole discretion and presented as part of a competitive total compensation package.

About Us
Seaspan Shipyards is one of North America's most modern shipyards and unique in its ability to provide a complete range of services including new construction, conversion, refit, repair and life-cycle maintenance work for Canada's Coast Guard and Navy as well as commercial vessels including cruise-ships and deep-sea vessels. Seaspan Shipyards operations include Vancouver Shipyards, Vancouver Drydock and Victoria Shipyards.

To learn more, visit our website:

This position may involve defense articles and/or technical data regulated by the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations ("ITAR") and the U.S. Arms Export Control Act. In compliance with ITAR, the successful candidate will be subject to a security clearance through the Canadian Controlled Goods Program as regulated by the Controlled Goods Regulations and Defense Production Act. The successful candidate will be required to maintain their security clearance throughout their employment in this position.

Seaspan is committed to Employment Equity, supports diversity in the workplace, and encourages applications from all qualified individuals including, women, members of visible minorities, Indigenous persons, and persons with disabilities. If you require any accommodations at any stage of the recruitment process, please reach out to our Talent Acquisition team at for confidential support. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible environment.