Program Manager, Defence and Dual-Use

Program Manager, Defence and Dual-Use

Communitech helps tech companies start, grow, and succeed in Waterloo Region.

We’re building a tech ecosystem that’s proudly local, globally ambitious and powered by community.

Since 1997, Communitech has brought community and tech together to build Canada’s most vibrant innovation ecosystem. We connect local startups and scale-ups to the support they need to grow, compete and lead.

Today, that means helping trusted AI solutions reach the market, turning bold ideas into valuable IP, expanding peer and advisory networks for founders, and uniting voices through the Waterloo Tech Coalition to take on the issues that matter most.

Our goal is to keep Waterloo Region the most connected, collaborative, and resilient tech hub in the country.

We’re looking to grow our team with passionate people – people who believe in our mission and who are willing to do what it takes to help our founders succeed. If you like to work collaboratively, get s#!t done and be a champion for Canadian tech, we want to hear from you. Wonder what it’s like to work at Communitech? Learn more at

Role Overview

The Program Manager is responsible for the successful delivery, governance, and oversight of Communitech’s Defence and Dual-Use strategic program and partnerships. This role leads complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives, ensuring program objectives, funding requirements, budgets, reporting obligations, and deliverables are achieved while fostering strong relationships with government, industry, ecosystem, and community partners. The Program Manager acts as the primary point of accountability for their program portfolio, driving cross-functional collaboration, managing risks and opportunities, and ensuring programs deliver meaningful outcomes and impact for participants, partners, funders, and Communitech.

Responsibilities

• Lead the successful delivery of Communitech's NATO DIANA programming, ensuring program objectives, participant outcomes, budgets, reporting requirements, and stakeholder expectations are achieved.

• Serve as the primary relationship manager for NATO DIANA stakeholders, including government, industry, academic, and ecosystem partners, strengthening Communitech's role within the defence innovation ecosystem.

• Drive engagement across the DIANA ecosystem by connecting participants to relevant partners, resources, opportunities, and strategic relationships that support growth and commercialization.

• Monitor program performance, manage risks and issues, and provide regular reporting and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders.

• Lead dual use initiatives, such as Communitech’s flagship event, the Dual Use Summit, NORAD delegation visits, and dual use ecosystem events (eg. Arctic Defence event/screening with BSIA)

• Represent Communitech at external events, meetings, and working groups related to defence innovation, emerging technologies, and ecosystem development.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience leading programs, projects, partnerships, or strategic initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.

• Knowledge of, or strong interest in, Canada's defence innovation ecosystem, dual-use technologies, or emerging technologies is considered a strong asset.

• Experience working with defence organizations, government agencies, NATO DIANA, NORAD, procurement organizations, or the broader defence and security sector is preferred.

• Proven ability to manage programs from planning through execution, including governance, budgets, reporting, risk management, and stakeholder engagement.

• Experience managing government-funded programs, grants, or contribution agreements is considered a strong asset.

• Strong relationship management skills with the ability to build credibility and influence across government, industry, academia, and partner organizations.

• Exceptional organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing reports, presentations, and executive-level updates.

• Demonstrated ability to identify risks, solve complex problems, and drive initiatives to successful outcomes.

• Comfortable representing an organization externally through meetings, events, speaking opportunities, and partner engagement.

• Experience working within the technology, innovation, startup, or entrepreneurship ecosystem is strongly preferred.

• Existing relationships within the Waterloo Region technology ecosystem are an asset, or a demonstrated ability to quickly build meaningful community and partner relationships.

Location

This role is based in Kitchener, Ontario. We work five days a week in the office, with flexibility in hours and schedule.

A significant portion of this role is spent externally meeting with prospective and existing members, attending ecosystem events and building relationships that contribute to membership growth. The ideal candidate is already connected to the Waterloo Region technology ecosystem, or ready to become deeply embedded within it.

Contract Term

This is a full-time, fixed-term contract position ending March 31, 2027, with the possibility of extension subject to program funding and organizational needs.

Compensation

The annual base salary range is $80,000-90,000. The actual compensation will be based on various factors, including the candidate’s level of skills, experience and education.