Catholic Social Services (CSS) is currently seeking an experienced and visionary Program Manager to build and launch two new employment training programs from the ground up: Ready to Serve (RTS) and Renewing Expertise, Navigating Upward (RENU). This role requires a leader who can design program structures, establish operational systems, and develop strong employer partnerships across multiple sectors to ensure participants have access to high quality practicum placements and meaningful employment opportunities after graduation. The Program Manager will play a central role in shaping program strategy, cultivating industry relationships, and ensuring both programs achieve strong outcomes from their first cohort onward.

This is a contract position until March 31, 2028, with possibility of extension. The job application closing date is May 11, 2026.

Programs Overview:
Ready to Serve (RTS)

A 16 week employment training program focused on the food and service industries. Core components include:

• Themed workshops tailored to service sector role
• Four week paid work based learning
• Post work based learning support
• Up to 8 weeks of work maintenance and follow up

Five cohorts (30 participants each) running from August 2026 to March 2028

RENU Program

A 16 week employment readiness program targeting Business Administration, IT, and Human Services. Core components include:

• Group learning and reflection sessions
• Individualized support and one on one coaching
• Work based learning experience
• Optional targeted paid work exposure for participants needing additional support

Eight cohorts (25 participants each) running from August 2026 to March 2029

Job Summary:
Program Leadership & Implementation

• Lead the development of two new employment programs from the ground up, including designing processes, workflows, tools, and implementation plans.
• Oversee the planning, coordination, and delivery of all program cohorts for RTS and RENU programs.
• Ensure programs meet funder requirements, timelines, and quality standards.
• Lead program evaluation, quality assurance, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Coordinate graduation ceremonies, employer appreciation events, and other program milestones.

Staff Supervision & Team Development

• Supervise program staff, providing leadership, coaching, and performance management.
• Support staff with consultation, decision making, and problem solving.
• Plan and implement ongoing staff development in collaboration with senior leadership.
• Participate in hiring, onboarding, scheduling, and disciplinary processes as required.

Budget, Compliance & Risk Management

• Manage program budgets, monitor expenditures, and ensure alignment with funder expectations.
• Identify and evaluate risks to ensure program sustainability and continuity.
• Ensure all documentation, reports, and records meet agency and funder standards.
• Assist with funding proposals, budget development, and financial reporting.

Reporting & Outcome Tracking

• Lead longitudinal outcome tracking for both programs.
• Prepare comprehensive monthly, quarterly, and annual reports, including statistical, narrative, and financial components.
• Analyze program data to inform decision making and improve service delivery.

Partnerships & Community Engagement

• Develop and grow strong employer partnerships across targeted industries (food/service, business administration, IT, human services) to secure practicum placements and employment opportunities for participants.
• Build a strong employer pipeline to ensure each cohort has sufficient work based learning placements and post program hiring pathways.
• Represent the agency professionally in community groups, committees, and sector networks.
• Collaborate with training partners, industry associations, and community stakeholders to strengthen program outcomes.

What This Job Requires:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Social Sciences or a related field.
• Minimum 3 years of supervisory and program development experience in a culturally diverse environment.
• Experience in employment programs, workforce development, or adult education is an asset.
• Additional certifications or designations considered an asset.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Other qualifications include:

• Strong leadership, coaching, and team building skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Demonstrated experience with budgeting, financial oversight, and reporting.
• Ability to analyze community needs and develop innovative program strategies.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple cohorts and timelines.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and trauma informed practice.
• Police Information Check including vulnerable sector search, and Intervention Record Check current within six (6) months

You can apply online for Police Information Check including Vulnerable Sector Search and Intervention Record Check.

For Police Information Check, including Vulnerable Sector Search, please visit the City of Edmonton's police service website.

For Intervention Record Check, please visit the informalberta.ca

Police Information Check including vulnerable sector search, Intervention Record Check are conditions of employment and the financial responsibility of the candidate.

What We Offer:

• The annual salary for this position, based on a 40-hour workweek, $84,313.44 - $94,878.72 based on qualifications and experience.
• We offer flexibility and supportive working environment.
• Comprehensive benefit options when eligible.
• Work within a highly collaborative, team-oriented organization, where your ideas are heard, and you can see your impact daily.
• Growth Opportunities: apply and grow your skills within a dynamic, innovative and expanding Agency that is taking a leadership role in our industry.

About Catholic Social Services:
You will be joining an established Agency that is guided by faith to care for and bring hope to people in need with humility, compassion and respect.

With 65 years of service delivery experience, Catholic Social Services is one of the largest multi-function social services agencies in Canada, with nearly 2000 staff, and hundreds of volunteers delivering over 100 different programs to people in need throughout Central Alberta and Edmonton.

Our values are at the core of everything we do!

• Humility: We acknowledge with gratitude our human abilities and limitations. We demonstrate humility by doing the best that we can with the resources that we have.
• Compassion: We respond to people in need with love. We demonstrate our compassion by caring for people without judgment and without condition.
• Respect: We demonstrate our respect by being personally present, open and attentive to those we care for and by honouring their dignity and freedom.

We thank all applicants. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Catholic Social Services is committed to fostering a diverse and representative workforce. In an effort to enrich our agency and reflect the communities we serve, we welcome applications from qualified individuals of all diverse groups and backgrounds.