Program Manager, Indigenous & Northern Services

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

To apply, please click on the link below.

https://catalysteplus.bamboohr.com/careers/80?source=aWQ9MjY%3D

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.

In the spirit of peace, friendship and respect, we recognize that our work takes place on traditional Indigenous territories across Canada. We also wish to acknowledge that the Catalyste+ office in Toronto is located on the traditional Indigenous territory of the Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa and the territory of the Mississaugas of the New Credit. In Montreal, our office is located on the unceded territory of the Kanien’kehá:ka.