Program specialist Jobs in Ottawa, ON

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Posting Reason:

Temporary replacement of a regular position

Job Type:

Employee

Anticipated Duration in Months (for contracts and temporary assignments):

6

Job Family:

Program Management

# of Open Positions:

1

Faculty/Service - Department:

PDI - International & Business Development

Campus:

Main Campus

Union Affiliation:

SSUO

Date Posted (YYYY/MM/DD):

2026/07/20

Applications must be received BEFORE (YYYY/MM/DD):

2026/07/31

Hours per week:

35

Salary Grade:

SSUO Grade 11

Salary Range:

$90,987.00 - $114,932.00About the Professional Development Institute:

The Professional Development Institute (PDI) of the University of Ottawa has been in the business of providing recognized career learning for over 40 years. Tens of thousands of decision makers and professionals at all levels in the public service and the private sector benefit from courses, programs and events to advance their knowledge and expertise. PDI’s experienced instructors are content and industry experts in their field and are trained to meet the specific needs of adult learners.

Position Purpose:

Reporting to Associate Director, the the incumbent ensures planning, organization, execution and continual improvement regarding effective delivery of specific programming at the University of Ottawa Professional Development Institute. Develops plans and deliverables based on strategies to achieve program objectives and promote service excellence. Ensures strong collaboration among institute program staff, external clients and consultants. Implements processes and procedures to optimize resources that further the success of the institute’s professional development services.

In this role, your responsibilities will include:

• Program management: Supervises operations (courses, workshops, training and activities) needed to support program delivery, including administrative and financial tasks, resource allocation, oversight and communication. Co-ordinates shared activities as part of joint projects within the program, optimizing resources and communication. Liaises with faculties and other services whose contributions are essential to program success, and ensures effective communication and collaboration on topics of shared interest. Supervises activities undertaken as part of special projects within the program.

• Liaison: Supervises work of external staff assigned to special projects, to ensure consistency with overall program and institute objectives. Collaborates and negotiates with external consultants, as well as with representatives of the federal public service and various private sector industries, to determine training needs and ensure that their standards are met. Assists with integrating external staff.

• Planning: Assists with needs analysis and strategic planning, proposing innovative ideas and providing factual information on program delivery. Formulates short-, medium- and long-term business plans in light of program needs and overall objectives. Determines risks and applies contingency measures to ensure program continuity. Anticipates main resources (human, material, financial and space-related) needed to meet program objectives.

• Continual improvement: Develops main indicators for performance evaluation based on program objectives and conducts timely follow-up. Analyzes performance-related trends and adjusts program elements accordingly. Monitors trends and norms in the field, to propose innovations in program planning and delivery, and links deliverables with overall section objectives, to achieve service excellence. Given program longevity, ensures changes to deliverables based on participants’ evolving needs.

• Statistics and reports: Prepares and analyzes moderately complex reports on courses and programs, to provide advice and recommendations to managers and support long-term resource planning.

• Program promotion: Acts as a program ambassador, promoting the program’s purpose, uniqueness and achievements. Demonstrates the link between program objectives and the institute’s overall vision, while protecting the program’s reputation.

What you will bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in a field related to the program’s main activities, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.

• Five years’ relevant experience in program or project management

• Experience in budget management and planning

• Experience interpreting performance indicators to support evidence-based decision-making

• Ability to work effectively in an environment where activities move quickly, requirements are stringent and/or deadlines are strict

• Excellent organizational skills, to manage various aspects of ongoing activities

• Ability to simplify and explain regulations and procedures

• Ability to motivate a team and to collaborate with multiple stakeholders

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

• Proven dedication to customer service

• Availability to work outside of regular hours

• Availability to travel outside of the region

• Bilingualism — French and English (spoken and written)

Prior to May 1, 2022, the University required all students, faculty, staff, and visitors (including contractors) to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as defined in Policy 129 – Covid-19 Vaccination. This policy was suspended effective May 1, 2022 but may be reinstated at any point in the future depending on public health guidelines and the recommendations of experts.