Programs Officer

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Programs Officer based in Canada.

Are you passionate about entrepreneurship, program management, and creating meaningful opportunities for business owners across Canada? This fully remote opportunity offers the chance to coordinate and deliver impactful national programs that support entrepreneurs at every stage of their business journey. You will oversee a diverse portfolio of initiatives, including webinars, industry roundtables, pitch competitions, and networking events, ensuring seamless execution from initial planning to final reporting. Working closely with internal teams, external partners, speakers, judges, and entrepreneurs, you will help build strong connections across Canada's entrepreneurial ecosystem. The role combines strategic program planning, stakeholder engagement, event coordination, and performance tracking in a dynamic, collaborative environment. If you are highly organized, adaptable, and motivated by helping businesses grow, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to Canada's innovation and entrepreneurship landscape.

Accountabilities

• Program Planning and Management:
  • Coordinate the planning, development, and delivery of assigned national programs, ensuring activities align with annual objectives and strategic priorities.
  • Establish and maintain program documentation, shared drive structures, and annual project plans.
  • Create, organize, and assign project tasks through Notion, coordinating responsibilities across Programs, Marketing & Communications, and Design teams.
  • Maintain event calendars, schedule briefing calls, create event pages, and ensure all program milestones are completed on time.
  • Monitor project progress, manage competing priorities, and ensure efficient coordination of program activities.
• Webinars and Ecosystem Engagement:
  • Research, identify, and engage relevant speakers, industry experts, and ecosystem stakeholders for webinars and other program activities.
  • Coordinate speaker onboarding, including collecting promotional assets, sending calendar invitations, and updating event information.
  • Develop event scripts, briefing documents, discussion questions, and other supporting materials.
  • Prepare promotional kits and coordinate with Marketing & Communications and Design teams to produce high-quality event materials.
  • Manage communication with speakers before and after events, including sending briefing information and thank-you messages.
  • Support ecosystem meetings and maintain strong relationships with relevant stakeholders.
• Event and Pitch Competition Coordination:
  • Coordinate the planning and execution of pitch competitions, pop-up pitch events, and other entrepreneurial initiatives.
  • Develop event descriptions, ticketing copy, promotional content, and application webpages in collaboration with marketing teams.
  • Monitor application numbers weekly and provide updates to relevant internal stakeholders.
  • Research and secure suitable venues, audiovisual services, catering, and other logistical requirements for in-person events.
  • Coordinate venue visits and support partnership development for pitch competitions.
  • Identify and engage potential judges, manage their onboarding, and prepare adjudication forms and briefing documents.
  • Review applications to verify eligibility and coordinate the onboarding of selected entrepreneurs and pitchers.
  • Organize pitch schedules, send calendar invitations, coordinate travel and accommodation arrangements, and prepare travel briefings.
  • Manage event-day logistics and oversee the coordination of speakers, judges, participants, and pitchers throughout preliminary and final rounds.
  • Facilitate the judging process and coordinate with judges to determine competition winners.
• Partnerships, Reporting, and Performance Tracking:
  • Maintain accurate records of partner integrations and commitments within the MEP tracking system.
  • Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and ensure program activities and partner contributions are properly documented.
  • Support the preparation of mid-year and annual program reports.
  • Maintain regular communication with partners, alumni, and ecosystem stakeholders.
  • Collaborate with internal teams to ensure partner visibility, promotional commitments, and event deliverables are fulfilled.
  • Identify opportunities to improve program processes, event delivery, and stakeholder engagement.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience in program management, project coordination, or a related field, with the ability to independently manage multiple initiatives.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, including the ability to coordinate complex activities, manage deadlines, and oversee multiple moving parts simultaneously.
• Excellent multitasking and prioritization abilities, with strong attention to detail and the capacity to maintain efficiency in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strategic thinking and the ability to understand overall program objectives while managing detailed operational requirements.
• Previous experience coordinating and managing events, including both virtual and in‑person activities.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to work effectively with internal teams, external partners, speakers, judges, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to create, edit, and deliver clear and engaging content, scripts, promotional materials, and briefing documents.
• Experience with stakeholder outreach, speaker engagement, event logistics, and participant onboarding.
• Knowledge of entrepreneurship, small business development, marketing, and strategies that support entrepreneurs and business growth.
• Familiarity with project management platforms, digital collaboration tools, data management systems, and performance tracking processes. Experience with Notion or similar platforms is an asset.
• Strong decision‑making and problem‑solving abilities, including the capacity to address complex issues, build consensus, and manage unexpected challenges.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while remaining collaborative and accountable for results.
• A motivated, enthusiastic, flexible, and adaptable approach, with the ability to thrive in a changing work environment.
• Strong teamwork skills and the ability to coordinate tasks across multiple departments, including Marketing & Communications and Design.
• French language proficiency, both written and spoken, is considered an asset.
• A genuine interest in entrepreneurship, innovation, and strengthening Canada's business ecosystem.

Benefits

• Remote Work Flexibility: Fully remote position based in Canada, offering the opportunity to work from your preferred location.
• Meaningful Impact: Contribute to national initiatives that empower entrepreneurs, support small businesses, and strengthen Canada's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• Professional Development: Gain valuable experience in program management, event production, partnership coordination, and stakeholder engagement.
• Diverse Projects: Work across a varied portfolio of webinars, pitch competitions, industry roundtables, workshops, and entrepreneurial programs.
• Collaborative Environment: Build relationships with a broad network of entrepreneurs, industry professionals, speakers, judges, and ecosystem partners.
• Career Growth: Develop strategic, operational, communication, and leadership skills while contributing to high‑impact national initiatives.
• Innovation‑Driven Culture: Join a purpose‑oriented environment that values creativity, agility, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.