Program Manager, Indigenous & Northern Services
- Toronto, ON, M5G 1Z6, Canada
Full-time
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Job details
- Job type
- Full-time
- Posting language
- English · French
- Posted
Original job description
English section of this bilingual listing.
SUMMARY
Reporting directly to the Sr. Manager, NRIPSD, the Program Manager, INS is responsible for the planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of Catalyste+ programs and partnerships with Indigenous Nations, Indigenous organizations, and Northerner communities across Canada. Drawing on strong expertise in Indigenous economic development initiatives and implementation of government-funded programs, the role provides strategic and operational leadership to the program team to ensure high-impact program execution, relationship-based engagement, and fulfillment of contract deliverables.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Program Manager will work in close coordination with the Sr. Manager, NRIPSD and (Sr.) Project Officers to implement contract requirements and project logistics, build relationships with partners, ensure timelines are met, monitor project plans and budgets, and support the project administration. The primary responsibilities are structured around four core operational pillars.
Program Operations & Project Management
- Oversees the end-to-end operational execution of Catalyste+ INS projects, ensuring alignment with Annual Work Plans (AWP's), budget compliance, timely funder reporting, and continuous workflow improvement.
- Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL): In coordination with the MEL department, contribute to developing, maintaining, and implementing robust MEL frameworks for INS assignments and programs.
- Funder Relations & Reporting: Build and maintain transparent, responsive relationships and regular communication with program funders, ensuring strict compliance with contribution agreements, grant conditions, and narrative/financial reporting timelines.
Outreach & Relationship Management
- Proactively build, nurture, and maintain strong, relationship-based partnerships with Indigenous Nations, Indigenous organizations, Northern communities and key external stakeholders grounded in trust, cultural safety, and reconciliation.
Opportunity Identification & Business Development Support
- Monitor sector trends and scan for new business development opportunities and strategic leads;
- Collaborate with the Sr. Manager, NRIPSD and Director, INS to support the conversion of leads into program initiatives
- Apply deep sector expertise in Indigenous economic development, community development, and industry participation (e.g. natural resources, tourism, SME development) to inform program design, project delivery and innovation
Team Leadership & People Management
- Provide supervisory leadership, guidance, and day-to-day oversight to (Sr.) Project Officers;
- Conduct Performance Management Reviews (PMRs) and foster professional development
- Nurture a collaborative, culturally safe team culture
SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Support senior leadership (Director, INS and Sr Manager NRIPSD) in executing action items within the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and assisting with internal and external RAP-related communications
- Maintain on-going collaboration with the Volunteer Services Team to assist with volunteer recruitment and coordination ensuring optimal matching of volunteer expertise with Indigenous client priorities
- Represent Catalyste+ at relevant national, regional and sector events; identify opportunities to co-deliver sector specific workshops or presentations (2-3 times per year) in coordination with leadership.
- The Program Manager, INS is expected to travel regularly to conferences, events, gatherings and partner meetings, including visits to remote and Northern regions as required (approximately 15%-20% travel required)
- Perform other related duties and special operational projects as may be required to support departmental and organizational goals
KNOWLEDGE, LANGUAGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS
- Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in program or project management (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
- Demonstrated expertise and hands-on experience in Indigenous economic development, community development initiatives, and sector-based program delivery
- In-depth understanding of Indigenous worldviews, realities, principles of economic reconciliation, UNDRIP, and relationship-based engagement approaches
- Strong relationship-building, proactive outreach, stakeholder facilitation and intercultural collaboration skills
- Experience supervising staff, conducting performance reviews, and fostering team growth in hybrid/remote environments
- Ability to identify strategic partnership opportunities and support proposal development led by senior management.
- Willingness and flexibility to travel to remote, rural, and Northern communities across Canada as needed for program oversight, stakeholder meetings, and community gatherings.
- English proficiency is required, French or Indigenous languages (e.g., Ojibwe, Cree, Dene, Inuktitut, Michif, or other Indigenous languages) considered a strong asset
- Qualified candidates who self-identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis are strongly encouraged to apply.
Application deadline: Wednesday, November 25, 2026
Catalyste+ is an equal-opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates in all aspects of the selection process.
________________________________________________________________
RÉSUMÉ
Read the full bilingual original
SUMMARY
Reporting directly to the Sr. Manager, NRIPSD, the Program Manager, INS is responsible for the planning, coordination, implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of Catalyste+ programs and partnerships with Indigenous Nations, Indigenous organizations, and Northerner communities across Canada. Drawing on strong expertise in Indigenous economic development initiatives and implementation of government-funded programs, the role provides strategic and operational leadership to the program team to ensure high-impact program execution, relationship-based engagement, and fulfillment of contract deliverables.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Program Manager will work in close coordination with the Sr. Manager, NRIPSD and (Sr.) Project Officers to implement contract requirements and project logistics, build relationships with partners, ensure timelines are met, monitor project plans and budgets, and support the project administration. The primary responsibilities are structured around four core operational pillars.
Program Operations & Project Management
- Oversees the end-to-end operational execution of Catalyste+ INS projects, ensuring alignment with Annual Work Plans (AWP's), budget compliance, timely funder reporting, and continuous workflow improvement.
- Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL): In coordination with the MEL department, contribute to developing, maintaining, and implementing robust MEL frameworks for INS assignments and programs.
- Funder Relations & Reporting: Build and maintain transparent, responsive relationships and regular communication with program funders, ensuring strict compliance with contribution agreements, grant conditions, and narrative/financial reporting timelines.
Outreach & Relationship Management
- Proactively build, nurture, and maintain strong, relationship-based partnerships with Indigenous Nations, Indigenous organizations, Northern communities and key external stakeholders grounded in trust, cultural safety, and reconciliation.
Opportunity Identification & Business Development Support
- Monitor sector trends and scan for new business development opportunities and strategic leads;
- Collaborate with the Sr. Manager, NRIPSD and Director, INS to support the conversion of leads into program initiatives
- Apply deep sector expertise in Indigenous economic development, community development, and industry participation (e.g. natural resources, tourism, SME development) to inform program design, project delivery and innovation
Team Leadership & People Management
- Provide supervisory leadership, guidance, and day-to-day oversight to (Sr.) Project Officers;
- Conduct Performance Management Reviews (PMRs) and foster professional development
- Nurture a collaborative, culturally safe team culture
SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Support senior leadership (Director, INS and Sr Manager NRIPSD) in executing action items within the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and assisting with internal and external RAP-related communications
- Maintain on-going collaboration with the Volunteer Services Team to assist with volunteer recruitment and coordination ensuring optimal matching of volunteer expertise with Indigenous client priorities
- Represent Catalyste+ at relevant national, regional and sector events; identify opportunities to co-deliver sector specific workshops or presentations (2-3 times per year) in coordination with leadership.
- The Program Manager, INS is expected to travel regularly to conferences, events, gatherings and partner meetings, including visits to remote and Northern regions as required (approximately 15%-20% travel required)
- Perform other related duties and special operational projects as may be required to support departmental and organizational goals
KNOWLEDGE, LANGUAGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS
- Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in program or project management (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
- Demonstrated expertise and hands-on experience in Indigenous economic development, community development initiatives, and sector-based program delivery
- In-depth understanding of Indigenous worldviews, realities, principles of economic reconciliation, UNDRIP, and relationship-based engagement approaches
- Strong relationship-building, proactive outreach, stakeholder facilitation and intercultural collaboration skills
- Experience supervising staff, conducting performance reviews, and fostering team growth in hybrid/remote environments
- Ability to identify strategic partnership opportunities and support proposal development led by senior management.
- Willingness and flexibility to travel to remote, rural, and Northern communities across Canada as needed for program oversight, stakeholder meetings, and community gatherings.
- English proficiency is required, French or Indigenous languages (e.g., Ojibwe, Cree, Dene, Inuktitut, Michif, or other Indigenous languages) considered a strong asset
- Qualified candidates who self-identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis are strongly encouraged to apply.
Application deadline: Wednesday, November 25, 2026
Catalyste+ is an equal-opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates in all aspects of the selection process.
________________________________________________________________
RÉSUMÉ
Relevant directement du gestionnaire principal du NRIPSD, le gestionnaire de programme INS est responsable de la planification, de la coordination, de la mise en œuvre, du suivi et de l’amélioration continue des programmes Catalyste+ et des partenariats avec les nations autochtones, les organisations autochtones et les collectivités du Nord partout au Canada. S’appuyant sur une solide expertise en matière d’initiatives de développement économique autochtone et de mise en œuvre de programmes financés par le gouvernement, ce poste assure un leadership stratégique et opérationnel à l’équipe du programme afin de garantir une exécution efficace des programmes, un engagement fondé sur les relations et la réalisation des livrables prévus au contrat.
RESPONSABILITÉS PRINCIPALES
Le gestionnaire de programme travaillera en étroite collaboration avec le gestionnaire principal du NRIPSD et les agents de projet (principaux) afin de mettre en œuvre les exigences contractuelles et la logistique des projets, d’établir des relations avec les partenaires, de veiller au respect des échéanciers, de surveiller les plans et les budgets des projets, et d’appuyer l’administration des projets. Les responsabilités principales s’articulent autour de quatre piliers opérationnels fondamentaux.
Opérations de programme et gestion de projet
- Supervise l’exécution opérationnelle de bout en bout des projets Catalyste+ INS, en veillant à leur conformité avec les plans de travail annuels (PTA), au respect du budget, à la remise en temps opportun des rapports aux bailleurs de fonds et à l’amélioration continue des processus de travail.
- Suivi, évaluation et apprentissage (MEL) : En coordination avec le service MEL, contribue à l’élaboration, à la mise à jour et à la mise en œuvre de cadres MEL solides pour les missions et les programmes INS.
- Relations avec les bailleurs de fonds et rapports : Établit et entretient des relations transparentes et réactives ainsi qu’une communication régulière avec les bailleurs de fonds des programmes, en veillant au strict respect des ententes de contribution, des conditions d’octroi de subventions et des échéances relatives aux rapports narratifs et financiers.
Sensibilisation et gestion des relations
- Établit, entretient et maintient de manière proactive des partenariats solides et fondés sur les relations avec les nations autochtones, les organisations autochtones, les communautés du Nord et les principaux intervenants externes, en s’appuyant sur la confiance, la sécurité culturelle et la réconciliation.
Identification des occasions d’affaires et soutien au développement des affaires
- Surveiller les tendances du secteur et rechercher de nouvelles occasions de développement des affaires ainsi que des pistes stratégiques;
- Collaborer avec le gestionnaire principal du NRIPSD et le directeur de l’INS pour favoriser la conversion des pistes en initiatives de programme
- Mettre à profit une expertise sectorielle approfondie en matière de développement économique autochtone, de développement communautaire et de participation industrielle (p. ex. ressources naturelles, tourisme, développement des PME) pour orienter la conception des programmes, la mise en œuvre des projets et l’innovation
Direction d’équipe et gestion du personnel
- Assurer la supervision, l’encadrement et le suivi quotidien des agents de projet (principaux);
- Mener des évaluations de gestion du rendement (EGR) et favoriser le perfectionnement professionnel
- Favoriser une culture d’équipe collaborative et respectueuse des différences culturelles
RESPONSABILITÉS SECONDAIRES
- Appuyer la haute direction (directeur de l’INS et gestionnaire principal du NRIPSD) dans la mise en œuvre des mesures prévues dans le Plan d’action pour la réconciliation (RAP) et contribuer aux communications internes et externes liées au RAP
- Maintenir une collaboration continue avec l’équipe des services aux bénévoles afin de faciliter le recrutement et la coordination des bénévoles, en veillant à ce que les compétences des bénévoles correspondent de façon optimale aux priorités des clients autochtones
- Représenter Catalyste+ lors d’événements nationaux, régionaux et sectoriels pertinents; cerner les occasions d’animer conjointement des ateliers ou des présentations spécifiques au secteur (2 à 3 fois par année) en coordination avec la direction.
- Le gestionnaire de programme, INS, doit se déplacer régulièrement pour assister à des conférences, des événements, des rassemblements et des réunions avec les partenaires, y compris des visites dans des régions éloignées et du Nord au besoin (environ 15 % à 20 % de déplacements requis)
- Accomplir d’autres tâches connexes et mener à bien des projets opérationnels spéciaux, au besoin, afin de soutenir les objectifs du ministère et de l’organisation
EXIGENCES EN MATIÈRE DE CONNAISSANCES, DE LANGUES ET DE COMPÉTENCES
- Au moins 7 ans d’expérience progressive en gestion de programmes ou de projets (ou combinaison équivalente de formation et d’expérience).
- Expertise avérée et expérience pratique en matière de développement économique autochtone, d’initiatives de développement communautaire et de mise en œuvre de programmes sectoriels
- Compréhension approfondie des visions du monde autochtones, des réalités autochtones, des principes de réconciliation économique, de la Déclaration des Nations Unies sur les droits des peuples autochtones (UNDRIP) et des approches d’engagement fondées sur les relations
- Solides compétences en matière d’établissement de relations, de sensibilisation proactive, d’animation des parties prenantes et de collaboration interculturelle
- Expérience en supervision de personnel, en conduite d’évaluations de rendement et en favorisation de la croissance d’équipe dans des environnements hybrides ou à distance
- Capacité à identifier des occasions de partenariats stratégiques et à soutenir l’élaboration de propositions menées par la haute direction.
- Disponibilité et flexibilité pour se rendre dans des collectivités éloignées, rurales et nordiques partout au Canada, au besoin, pour la supervision des programmes, les réunions avec les intervenants et les rassemblements communautaires.
- La maîtrise de l’anglais est obligatoire; la maîtrise du français ou des langues autochtones (p. ex. l’ojibwé, le cri, le déné, l’inuktitut, le michif ou d’autres langues autochtones) est considérée comme un atout majeur
- Les candidats qualifiés qui s’identifient comme étant des membres des Premières Nations, des Inuits ou des Métis sont vivement encouragés à poser leur candidature.
Date limite de dépôt des candidatures : mercredi 25 novembre 2026
Catalyste+ est un employeur qui respecte l’égalité des chances et encourage la candidature de toute personne qualifiée. Des aménagements sont disponibles sur demande à chaque étape du processus de sélection.
More about this job
Responsibilities
The Program Manager is responsible for the planning, coordination, and execution of programs and partnerships with Indigenous Nations and Northern communities. They provide strategic leadership to the team, manage project budgets, ensure contract compliance, and foster strong relationships with stakeholders.
Requirements
Candidates must have a minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in program or project management with demonstrated expertise in Indigenous economic development. Proficiency in English is required, and the role demands the ability to travel to remote and Northern communities.
Skills
- Program management
- Project management
- Stakeholder engagement
- Relationship building
- Budget management
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Team leadership
- Performance management
- Strategic planning
- Cross-cultural collaboration
- Proposal development
- Community development
- Contract compliance
- Reporting
Visa sponsorship
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Categories
- Management & Leadership
- Social Services
- Government & Public Sector
- Consulting
Keywords
- Program Manager
- Indigenous Services
- Northern Services
- Economic Development
- Project Management
- Stakeholder Management
- Budget Compliance
- Monitoring Evaluation and Learning
- MEL
- Reconciliation
- UNDRIP
- Cultural Safety
- Business Development
- Performance Management
- Hybrid Work
- Community Engagement
- Contract Administration
- Strategic Leadership
- Non-profit
- Grant Reporting