Program Manager (2026-0204)

The Information and Communication Technology Council (ICTC) is seeking a Program Manager to join the Capacity Building & Innovation team.

This is a one-year, full-time term position responsible for the overall management and successful delivery of a workforce development program. The Program Manager provides operational leadership, oversees program implementation, manages budgets and timelines, coordinates internal and external stakeholders, and ensures program objectives, performance targets, and reporting requirements are achieved. The role is accountable for delivering high-quality outcomes for employers and participants while maintaining alignment with organizational priorities and funding requirements

The Program Manager manages multiple program priorities and oversees outreach, partnerships, stakeholder engagement, and program administration to ensure the various components of the program complement one another, achieve program deliverables, and align with ICTC's overall corporate goals. The successful candidate will also share accountability for the growth and development of ICTC's related line of business. The role also involves working across ICTC departments to support the ongoing development and growth of the program.

The ideal candidate is an organized, proactive program management professional with experience delivering employer-facing workforce development programs, strong stakeholder management skills, and the ability to keep a complex, multi-partner initiative on track and on schedule. Direct experience in the manufacturing and/or automotive sectors, or working closely with industry employers and associations, would be considered a strong asset.

What will you be doing?

Program Planning & Implementation

• Developing and overseeing detailed program work plans, including timelines, milestones, resource requirements, risks, mitigation strategies, and staffing needs to support successful program delivery.
• Managing the implementation of the program work plan and ensuring activities remain aligned with program objectives, contractual obligations, budgets, and timelines.
• Coordinating program activities across internal teams, delivery partners, and stakeholders, identifying dependencies and adjusting plans as needed.
• Managing the day-to-day working relationship with the delivery partner, ensuring roles, timelines, and deliverables are clearly defined and met.
• Setting clear expectations and holding the delivery partner accountable for agreed-upon deliverables, timelines, and service standards.
• Facilitating regular partner check-ins, planning sessions, and issue-resolution discussions to support successful program delivery.
• Overseeing the delivery of multiple program cohorts, employer participation, and key program activities to ensure successful achievement of program targets and outcomes.
• Preparing, monitoring, and forecasting program budgets, identifying financial risks, and ensuring expenditures comply with funder requirements and ICTC financial policies.
• Monitoring program performance, deliverables, and KPIs, identifying risks and implementing corrective actions as required to keep the program on track.
• Supporting employer recruitment, outreach, and engagement strategies in collaboration with internal teams and delivery partners to achieve enrollment targets.
• Working with communications and marketing teams to develop and implement program promotion, stakeholder communications, and participant engagement activities.
• Leading program governance activities, including coordinating steering committee meetings, partner check-ins, and internal planning sessions.
• Supporting continuous improvement efforts by identifying opportunities to enhance program processes, participant experience, operational efficiency, and program outcomes.
• Coordinating the collection of program data and documentation required for monitoring, evaluation, impact measurement, and continuous improvement activities.
• Leading the preparation of funder reports, progress updates, briefing materials, and other required reporting deliverables.
• Providing regular program updates, analysis, and recommendations to senior leadership, highlighting progress, risks, opportunities, and areas requiring decision-making.

Employer & Stakeholder Engagement

• Managing relationships with participating employers, industry stakeholders, and the delivery partner to support recruitment, engagement, retention, and successful program outcomes.
• Supporting sector-focused employer outreach and recruitment efforts, leveraging ICTC's employer network and ecosystem partnerships to drive participation.
• Building and maintaining strong working relationships with manufacturing SMEs, industry associations, ecosystem partners, and funder representatives.
• Coordinating and leading stakeholder meetings, steering committee discussions, funder check-ins, and partner engagement activities.
• Collaborating with the delivery partner to monitor employer participation, address challenges, and ensure a high-quality participant and employer experience.
• Supporting the collection of employer feedback, success stories, and key informant interviews to inform program evaluation and continuous improvement.
• Representing ICTC and the program at industry events, conferences, employer briefings, and stakeholder engagement opportunities.
• Identifying opportunities to strengthen partnerships, expand employer engagement, and support the long-term growth and sustainability of the program

Partnership and Business Development

• Building and maintaining strong relationships with employers, industry associations, government representatives, workforce development organizations, the delivery partner, and other ecosystem partners to support program success and growth.
• Developing and managing strategic partnerships that support employer recruitment, participant engagement, program delivery, and achievement of program outcomes.
• Working collaboratively with the delivery partner and other stakeholders to ensure alignment, effective communication, and successful execution of partnership commitments.
• Representing ICTC at industry meetings, conferences, networking events, and stakeholder engagement activities to promote the program and strengthen ICTC's presence within the manufacturing, automotive, and workforce development ecosystems.
• Identifying and pursuing opportunities to expand employer participation, strengthen industry engagement, and enhance the program's impact and reach.
• Monitoring partnership agreements, stakeholder commitments, and collaborative activities to ensure value is realized and obligations are fulfilled.
• Supporting outreach, communications, and employer engagement activities in collaboration with internal teams to increase awareness and participation among target audiences.
• Providing subject matter expertise and operational insights to support proposal development, partnership development, and future funding opportunities related to workforce development, digital transformation, and skills training initiatives.
• Working closely with executive leadership to identify opportunities for program sustainability, growth, renewal, and expansion, including the development of new funding proposals and strategic partnerships.
• Proactively identifying emerging industry needs, partnership opportunities, and stakeholder priorities within the manufacturing, automotive, AI, and workforce development sectors, and providing recommendations to leadership

People Management

• Leading, coaching, and coordinating ICTC program staff, facilitators, contractors, and subject matter experts supporting program delivery, employer engagement, evaluation, and reporting.
• Demonstrating strong people management practices and acting in accordance with ICTC's employment policies, procedures, and organizational values.
• Supporting workforce planning activities, including resource allocation, hiring needs, budget considerations, and organizational capacity planning.
• Working in partnership with Human Resources to recruit, onboard, train, and retain high-performing team members.
• Establishing clear team objectives, performance expectations, roles, and responsibilities aligned with ICTC's strategic priorities and program goals.
• Developing and managing team and individual OKRs, providing ongoing coaching, mentorship, performance feedback, and professional development support.
• Conducting regular performance reviews and addressing performance concerns in a constructive and timely manner, in collaboration with Human Resources where appropriate.
• Creating and fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture that encourages accountability, innovation, continuous learning, and knowledge sharing.
• Managing staff schedules, workloads, priorities, and resource allocation to ensure the timely and effective delivery of program objectives.
• Supporting change management and helping team members adapt to evolving program requirements, priorities, and organizational needs.
• Building and maintaining positive, collaborative working relationships across ICTC teams to support organizational goals and successful program delivery.

Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Supporting program monitoring and evaluation activities by coordinating data collection, participant and employer feedback, surveys, interviews, and other reporting requirements.
• Collaborating with ICTC's Evaluation and Impact team and the delivery partner to ensure timely access to program data, performance metrics, and supporting documentation.
• Coordinating the preparation and submission of funder reports, progress updates, and other program reporting requirements.
• Reviewing program performance data and stakeholder feedback to identify risks, opportunities, and recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Preparing program updates, briefing materials, and status reports for senior leadership and key stakeholders

What we are looking for!

Do you have the following knowledge?

• Post-Secondary Education degree with a specialization in fields such as Business Administration, Project/Program Management, Public Administration, or a related field
• Knowledge and experience with business growth and development, especially in the public and not-for-profit sectors.
• PMP, PMI-ACP, or another recognized project/program management certification is a strong asset.
• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning and program development.

What we are looking for!

• 5-7 years of relevant experience in program management, workforce development, economic development, or a related field.

• Experience managing complex programs, including budgets, partnerships, multiple priorities, and ambitious timelines.
• Experience delivering government-funded programs and meeting reporting and compliance requirements.
• Experience engaging employers, SMEs, and external stakeholders.
• Strong people management and leadership skills.
• Excellent organizational, project management, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong attention to detail, with experience in reporting, documentation, and performance tracking.
• Ability to work independently and effectively in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
• Experience working in the not-for-profit sector is an asset.
• Experience working with employers in the manufacturing and/or automotive sectors is a strong asset.

Are you?

• An inspirational leader- Are you someone who motivates others, drives meaningful change, and navigates challenges with grace and resilience?
• Driven and Determined - Are you highly motivated, self-starting, and willing to go above and beyond expectations with the drive to improve and exceed goals?
• Optimism with a “can-do”, results-driven orientation – Are you able to think creatively and successfully navigate barriers and obstacles? Do you stay focused on achieving priority goals and results?
• Dynamic, resilient, and flexible - Are you able to keep up with and embrace the rapid pace of change, advances in technology, intense competition and unparalleled levels of uncertainty? Are you open to change, evolving requirements, continuous feedback, and have the capacity to work with remote teams across Canada?
• A strategic, creative thinker – Are you skilled in analyzing complex situations and relationships? Are you able to channel your curiosity to navigate intricate challenges and drive innovation? Do you identify inter-relationships, patterns, and trends while noticing configurations across seemingly unrelated events? Do you synthesize information to pinpoint opportunities and issues? Do you tend to visualize new possibilities, challenge assumptions, and generate options to solve problems, seize opportunities?
• Collaborative - Are you able to work with and through others to achieve results? Do you have the emotional intelligence to understand the needs and perspectives of others, share information, report back, and be a strong team player?
• Ethical - Can you work with and steward confidential information and data? (This role requires high integrity, good judgment, confidentiality, and ethical compliance)
• A champion of diversity and inclusion - Are you committed to diversity and inclusion and understanding the issues and challenges faced by diverse groups?
• An excellent communicator – Do you have outstanding interpersonal and communication skills?
• Strategic thinker and doer – Are you an expert in developing and executing strategic plans?
• Reliable – Do you demonstrate reliability, organizational skills, and accountability to meet and exceed project and funder deliverable requirements?
• Passionately committed to lifelong learning - stay abreast on industry trends, seek out new perspectives, and invest in your own personal and professional growth.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a dynamic, mission-driven, entrepreneurial organization committed to advancing Canada's competitive advantage in the digital economy.
• Lead high-impact programs that drive economic growth and shape the future of Canadian businesses.
• Work in an agile, collaborative, innovative, and forward-thinking environment where we are always helping each other achieve collective goals.

Location

Remote (Ontario).

Additional notes:

• This role reflects growth in our team and expanded operational scope.
• ICTC is committed to being an equal opportunity employer. If you require accommodation measures during any phase of the hiring process, please notify us as soon as possible. All information received in relation to accommodation requests will be kept confidential.

About ICTC

ICTC is a neutral, not-for-profit national centre of expertise with the mission of strengthening Canada's digital advantage in the global economy. For over 30 years we have delivered forward-looking research, practical policy advice, and capacity-building solutions for individuals and businesses. Our goal is to ensure that technology is utilized to drive economic growth and innovation, and that Canada's workforce remains competitive on a global scale.

• OUR MISSION IS TO: Strengthen Canada's digital advantage in a global economy
• OUR VISION IS TO: Foster globally competitive Canadian industries and a prosperous society empowered by innovative digital solutions.

ICTC respectfully acknowledges that ICTC headquarters is on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg People.