Strategic Program Lead

Lead, Strategic Initiatives & Engagement

📍 Toronto, ON (Hybrid - Onsite Tuesday to Thursday)

💲 $64.00/hour + 4% Vacation Pay

📅 Contract Term: October 27, 2026 – October 26, 2027

⏰ Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

📞 Occasional evening calls (1-2 times per month) may be required

✅ Extension Possible

✅ Potential for Permanent Conversion

About the Opportunity

A leading financial services organization is seeking a Lead, Strategic Initiatives & Engagement to support the planning, execution, and delivery of high-profile brand, community impact, and corporate engagement initiatives.

This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned professional who can balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution. While strong project management capabilities are required, this is not a traditional Project Manager role. The successful candidate will lead initiatives from concept to completion, navigate ambiguity, influence stakeholders, and drive meaningful outcomes across multiple teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead strategic initiatives, engagement programs, and enterprise-wide campaigns from planning through execution.
• Manage multiple concurrent workstreams while ensuring alignment with business priorities.
• Develop project plans, governance structures, timelines, budgets, risk management plans, and success metrics.
• Coordinate stakeholders across business functions, leadership teams, external partners, agencies, and vendors.
• Support executive engagement activities, presentations, and communications.
• Facilitate workshops, planning sessions, governance reviews, and decision-making forums.
• Track milestones, budgets, risks, and dependencies.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational effectiveness and program delivery.
• Contribute both strategically and operationally to ensure successful execution of key initiatives.

Example Initiatives

• Community partnership and impact programs
• Employee engagement campaigns
• Brand and customer trust initiatives
• Mental health and awareness campaigns
• Enterprise-wide social impact programs

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Corporate Affairs, Social Impact, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience leading complex strategic initiatives, programs, or enterprise-wide projects.
• Strong program and project management experience managing multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Advanced stakeholder management experience within large, matrixed organizations.
• Experience developing governance frameworks, strategic plans, budgets, risk management processes, and performance measurements.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and presentation skills.
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders and drive alignment without formal authority.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will bring a blend of:

• Strategic thinking and hands-on execution
• Program and initiative leadership experience
• Marketing, communications, campaign management, or brand experience
• Community investment, CSR, corporate affairs, or social impact experience
• Employee engagement program experience
• Executive-facing presentation and communication skills
• Experience working within large, complex organizations
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Adaptability and comfort working in changing and ambiguous environments
• Experience managing multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously
• User-level familiarity with AI tools and workplace applications

Nice-to-Have Experience

• Financial services, banking, or insurance industry experience
• Experience managing agencies, vendors, PR firms, or creative partners
• Exposure to global stakeholders and cross-regional collaboration
• Social media and campaign experience
• Experience supporting high-visibility enterprise initiatives
• Global transformation or change management experience

What Success Looks Like

• Delivery of strategic initiatives on time and within scope
• Strong stakeholder engagement and satisfaction
• Improved execution discipline and operational effectiveness
• Achievement of measurable business, brand, community, and engagement outcomes
• Successful collaboration across multiple teams and stakeholder groups

Why Apply?

✅ Lead highly visible strategic initiatives

✅ Work closely with senior leaders and executive stakeholders

✅ Drive meaningful community, brand, and engagement outcomes

✅ Influence enterprise-wide programs and priorities

✅ Join a collaborative, fast-paced, and purpose-driven environment

✅ Opportunity for contract extension and permanent conversion

Work Environment

• Hybrid work arrangement (3 days onsite).
• Primarily focused on Canadian initiatives with some collaboration across North America and other global regions.
• Minimal travel expected.
• Occasional meetings outside regular business hours may be required.
• Opportunity to independently own key initiatives while contributing to larger team objectives.

Interview Process

Round 1: Virtual interview (45 minutes)

Round 2: Final virtual interview (45 minutes)

We're looking for candidates who combine strategy, stakeholder engagement, communications, and execution. If you've successfully led complex initiatives in large organizations and enjoy turning ideas into action, we'd love to hear from you.

Use AI for Hiring: Our recruitment process for this role includes the use of AI-based tools to help evaluate candidate qualifications and screen applications.

Why Kelly?

At Kelly®, we’re committed to finding rewarding opportunities that help you thrive - both professionally and personally. We partner with leading organizations across industries, connecting talented individuals to roles that fit their skills, interests, and goals. As part of the Kelly team, you’ll have access to a diverse network, ongoing career support, and resources to help you succeed. We value inclusion, respect, and work-life balance, and we offer competitive pay and benefits. Join us and discover what’s next for your career!