Director, Programs and Partnerships

Join Our Dynamic Team at Colleges and Institutes Canada!

Are you ready to make a difference in the world of education? At Colleges and Institutes Canada, we’re on the lookout for passionate, innovative, and driven individuals to join our team. If you’re eager to contribute to a vibrant community and work to strengthen Canada’s publicly supported colleges, institutes, CEGEPs, and polytechnics, we want to hear from you!

Why Choose Us?

• Impactful Work: Be part of a mission-driven organization dedicated to advocacy for colleges and institutes across Canada.
• Collaborative Environment: Work alongside a diverse team of professionals who are as committed to excellence as you are.
• Innovative Culture: Embrace a culture that values creativity, innovation, and forward-thinking solutions.
• Salary: Obtain a highly competitive compensation

Ready to Take the Next Step? Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of something extraordinary!

Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) is seeking a strategic and dynamic leader to join our team as Director, Programs and Partnerships. In this role, you will lead a talented group of managers in delivering a diverse portfolio of national and international programs that advance CICan’s mission and support the priorities of Canada’s publicly supported colleges and institutes.

You will oversee the full lifecycle of projects—from concept development and design to promotion, partner engagement, implementation, communications, reporting, and evaluation. With multiple funders, member institutions, and external partners involved, your leadership will be critical to ensuring projects are delivered on time, on budget, and in alignment with funding agreements and strategic goals.

As part of CICan’s leadership team, you will represent the organization with credibility and influence among key stakeholders, including federal government officials, industry leaders, and international bodies. You’ll monitor policy trends, labour market shifts, and funding opportunities to inform strategy and enhance member value—positioning colleges and institutes as essential contributors to Canada’s skills and innovation ecosystems.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading strategic program and project delivery across a varied portfolio
• Building and maintaining strong partnerships with funders and stakeholders
• Identifying new opportunities for funding and collaboration
• Contributing to the development of a forward-looking strategy for the division
• Fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence

This is a unique opportunity to make a national impact while working in a dynamic, inclusive, and mission-driven environment. If you’re a visionary leader with a passion for education, innovation, and partnership-building—we’d love to hear from you.

What we are looking for:

• Proven organizational and leadership abilities;
• Outstanding communication, interpersonal and relation-building skills;
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills; and
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment with resilience and adaptability.

Minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience in: 

• Employee management and team leadership, including recruitment, professional development, coaching, performance management, team building and conflict resolution;
• Delivering programs and projects funded by external sources (such as the Government of Canada and foundations), including program design, planning and launch;
• Developing program budgets, timelines and reporting requirements
• Monitoring and evaluating program performance using data, metrics and evaluations frameworks
• Proposal development and business development, with a demonstrated track record of securing funding through successful proposals and building long-term strategic partnerships
• Stakeholder engagement and government relations, including representing an organization with senior federal officials, industry partners, and other key stakeholders to advance policy and program goals;
• Working with postsecondary institutions or within the education and/or workforce development ecosystem, ideally in a national or multi-stakeholder context.

Knowledge of:

• Best practices in project management principles and methodologies;
• Financial management and planning, budgeting and monitoring;
• Contract management preparation and follow-up;
• Monitoring and evaluation frameworks to improve outcomes and communicate impact;
• Standard business and productivity tools, including Microsoft Office suite and social media tools;
• Canadian college and institute system, including its institutional diversity, governance structures, funding models, and its evolving role in skills development and innovation (an asset).
• Federal policy frameworks and funding programs relevant to postsecondary education, workforce development, and innovation (an asset)

Professional Training: 

• Post-secondary diploma in business administration, public/international affairs, project management or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Certification in project management PMP (an asset).

Compensation: $110,475 to $146,340 (MGT II)

Status: Temporary Full-Time until March 31, 2028 (with the possibility of an extension)

Location: 1 Rideau Street, suite 701, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 8S7

Working conditions:

• Domestic and international travel;
• Hybrid work environment with ability to attend the Ottawa office regularly

Language: Bilingual – English and French (Reading, writing and speaking)

Open to: CICan employees and the general public.

How to apply  

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and résumé in a PDF format.

CICan is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in its workforce. We recognize that diverse teams generate unique solutions, ideas, and perspectives. Therefore, we welcome and encourage applications from women, persons with disabilities, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) individuals, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Do not hesitate to contact Human Resources at Colleges and Institutes Canada (613) 746-2222 x 5827 if you require alternative arrangements to submit your application. CICan provides accommodation during all parts of the hiring process, upon request. If contacted to proceed with the selection process, please advise us if you require any accommodation.

We thank all candidates for their interest, however, only those selected to continue in the selection process will be contacted.

CICan’s offices in Ottawa are located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation.