About Junior Achievement of Southern Alberta
Junior Achievement of Southern Alberta (JA Southern Alberta) empowers young people with the financial literacy, entrepreneurship and work-readiness skills they need to succeed. Working with educators, volunteers, businesses and community partners, JA Southern Alberta delivers relevant learning experiences to students throughout southern and central Alberta.
The Opportunity
The Director, Partnerships & Programs is a senior leadership role responsible for translating JA Southern Alberta’s strategy into strong partnerships and sustainable regional growth. The Director will lead the planning, delivery, evaluation and continuous improvement of the program portfolio while building relationships that expand access, strengthen delivery capacity and improve the experience of educators, volunteers and students.
This role is well suited to a collaborative and practical leader who can move comfortably between strategy and execution. The Director will bring together people, systems and partnerships to ensure JA Southern Alberta grows with quality, consistency and measurable impact.
Key Responsibilities
Program Strategy, Quality and Growth
· Lead the development and implementation of JA Southern Alberta’s program strategy in alignment with the organization's strategic plan, annual priorities and learning-experience targets.
· Oversee the full program portfolio, including classroom programs, digital learning, volunteer-led delivery, experiential events and regional initiatives.
· Use participation, impact and operational data to identify gaps, strengthen programs and guide responsible growth, with particular attention to underserved schools and communities.
· Assess new program opportunities and pilots, ensuring they are mission-aligned, financially viable, measurable and operationally realistic.
Strategic Partnerships
· Develop and steward partnerships with school authorities, post-secondary institutions, businesses, community organizations and other JA offices.
· Create partnership models that expand student access, strengthen volunteer and educator participation, support regional delivery and advance shared priorities.
· Represent JA Southern Alberta in external meetings, working groups and community forums, building trust and positioning the organization as a responsive education and workforce-development partner.
· Work closely with the Director of Development to identify partnership opportunities, contribute program expertise to proposals and stewardship, and ensure commitments made to funders and partners are deliverable.
· Lead the implementation and operational stewardship of program-related agreements, including deliverables, timelines, reporting requirements and partner communications.
People and Operational Leadership
· Lead, coach and develop the programs team, setting clear expectations, strengthening accountability and fostering a supportive, high-performing culture.
· Demonstrated ability to lead and develop teams through growth, change and continuous improvement.
· Translate annual goals into team work plans, delivery calendars, performance measures and resource requirements.
· Oversee program budgets and forecasts, monitor performance against plan and make timely recommendations to address risks or capacity constraints.
· Strengthen systems, processes and documentation that support effective scheduling, inventory, data collection, reporting and cross-team coordination.
· Collaborate as a member of the senior leadership team, contributing to organizational planning, risk management, change initiatives and board reporting.
Measurement, Reporting and Accountability
· Maintain accurate, timely program data and ensure reporting requirements are met for internal decision-making, partners, funders, JA Canada and the Board of Directors.
· Monitor participation, reach, completion, quality and impact indicators; identify trends and recommend adjustments based on evidence.
· Ensure appropriate policies and practices are followed for privacy, consent, student safety, accessibility and responsible data management.
Qualifications and Experience
Required
· Post-secondary education in education, business, nonprofit leadership, community development, public administration or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
· At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in program leadership, partnerships, education, community impact or a related field, including experience leading people and complex initiatives.
· Demonstrated success building and sustaining relationships across multiple sectors and translating those relationships into practical outcomes.
· Experience designing, scaling, evaluating or improving programs across multiple locations, audiences or delivery models.
· Strong financial and operational judgment, including experience with budgets, work plans, performance measures, contracts or funded deliverables.
· Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with educators, volunteers, executives, community leaders and boards.
· Ability to manage competing priorities, make sound decisions and maintain momentum in a collaborative, evolving environment.
Working Conditions
· This is a full-time position based in Calgary, with regular travel throughout southern Alberta.
· Occasional evening, weekend or early-morning work is required to support events, meetings and community engagement.
· The successful candidate must be able to complete any screening or safeguarding requirements associated with working in youth-serving environments.
What We Offer
· A hybrid work environment, with three days per week in the office
· A comprehensive benefits package
· Employer-matched RRSP contributions after one year of service
· Additional paid time off during the holiday season
· Funding for professional development and continued learning
· Salary range $90,000 - $110,000
Our Commitment
JA Southern Alberta is committed to creating an inclusive workplace and welcomes applications from qualified candidates with diverse backgrounds, identities, experiences and perspectives. Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process upon request.
How to Apply
Please submit a cover letter and resume outlining your interest and relevant experience to [email protected]. by October 8, 2026. We thank all applicants for their interest; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
