Director, Program Design and Development

DEPARTMENT: Program Design

COMPANY: Skills for Change

REPORTING: Chief Strategy, Innovation and Growth Officer

LOCATION: 791 St. Clair Ave West, Toronto ON

CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent (Non-unionized)

HOURS: 35 hours per week (Monday – Friday, occasional evenings and/or weekend hours)

AVAILABLE TO: Internal and External Candidates

APPLICATION DEADLINE: As soon as the position has been filled.

START DATE: Immediately

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITY:

Skills for Change (SfC) is a leading nonprofit organization with a 41-year history of service and commitment to empowering immigrants, refugees, and underserved communities. With an annual budget of $13.5 million and multiple sites, SfC has been at the forefront of delivering impactful programs that foster community development and individual empowerment.

The organization is committed to contributing to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, specifically focusing on poverty reduction, quality education, gender equality, good health and well-being, sustainable communities, decent work, and climate action.

Through its long history, SfC has successfully touched the lives of thousands, offering them tools, skills, and opportunities to integrate and thrive in new environments. We continue to evolve our program offerings to meet the changing needs of the communities we serve, ensuring our work remains responsive, targeted, and effective.

PROGRAM NATURE AND SCOPE:

The Director of Program Design and Development will play a pivotal role in driving the organization’s mission and strategic vision. They will be responsible for identifying needs, developing new program initiatives, and enhancing existing programs. They will lead a team of program designers and developers, work closely with partners, and secure funding through grant writing and fundraising initiatives and develop plans to achieve them.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning

Work closely with the leadership team to position the program development function in alignment with the overall organizational strategy, goals and mission.

Analyze emerging market trends and community needs to identify opportunities for new or improved programs and available grant funding.

Program Design and Development

  • Lead the design, planning, and support the implementation of new programs in partnership with the Program teams.

  • Conduct feasibility studies and pilot tests for new program initiatives in partnership with the Program teams

  • Oversees the assessment of current programs to gauge their effectiveness, while also providing strategic recommendations for enhancements based on these evaluations.

  • Leads and manages the team responsible for assembling applications for government funding across different tiers, to bolster Skills for Change initiatives and capital projects. Ensures comprehensive proposals, including budget specifics, are developed in compliance with best practices and within set deadlines.

  • Directs the creation of persuasive and detailed grant proposals that compellingly present the value and expected impact of Skills for Change projects. Facilitates the coordination and integration of contributions from cross-functional team members.

  • Orchestrates the cultivation and stewardship of relationships with key funding agencies and organizations. This includes representing the organization at important meetings and proactively seeking out funding opportunities to further the organization's mission.

  • Oversees the initiation, development, and execution of a comprehensive public affairs strategy aimed at positioning Skills for Change favourably among various governmental bodies, while also building a compelling case for sustained government backing of the organization's operations.

  • Directs research into charitable foundations that align with the mission of Skills for Change and supervises the preparation and submission of grant applications to relevant foundations to secure additional support.

Fundraising and Grant Writing

  • Identify potential funding opportunities at the local, regional, and national levels and lead the grant writing process with the team of Program design staff.

  • Utilize the understanding of logical frameworks and theories of change to craft compelling, outcome-oriented grant proposals.

  • Engage with donors and secure sponsorships for program initiatives.

  • Team Leadership

  • Develop, Recruit, train, and manage a high-performing team of program designers and developers.

  • Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence within the team to perform at the highest level.

Partnership Development

  • Cultivate and maintain positive relationships with external partners, stakeholders, and community organizations to further organizational goals and priorities.

  • Collaborate with internal departments to ensure seamless integration of new programs into the current SFC program offerings.

Monitoring and Evaluation

  • Develop and implement robust evaluation methods to assess program design and partnership outcomes and impact.

  • Produce regular reports to update the leadership team and board of directors on program design progress and effectiveness

Finance Management

  • Prepare and manage budgets for program development activities by keeping the overall departmental goals in mind.

  • Monitor expenditures and ensure optimal allocation of resources.

Program Design and Oversight

  • Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Identify potential risks and issues within programs and develop mitigation strategies.

  • Policy Alignment: Ensure that all programs align with provincial, federal, and sector-specific compliance regulations.

  • Quality Assurance: Implement and oversee quality assurance processes for grant development.

Team Management and Leadership

  • Team Development: Responsible for hiring, training, and development of the program design and development team.

  • Cross-functional leadership: Collaborate with other departments such as finance, marketing, and operations to ensure program success and goal achievement.

  • Strategic Guidance: Provide strategic direction to the program team, ensuring alignment with the organization's mission and goals.

Communication

  • Board Reporting: Regularly update the board of directors on program status and milestones.

  • Public Relations: Represent the organization at external forums, including industry conferences, funder gatherings, and media events, to share best practices and promote the organization's programs.

  • Performance Metrics: Develop and track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for program success.

Qualifications & Experience:

  • Master’s degree in Humanities & Liberal Arts, Development Practice, Public Administration, Business, or a related field.

  • At least 10 years of experience grant writing, fundraising, and partnership development in a nonprofit setting is required.

  • Strong understanding of logical frameworks and theories of change, with the ability to articulate these clearly in grant proposals and program documentation.

  • Proven track record of successfully securing high-value grants (six figures or more) from multiple funding sources including government agencies, foundations, and corporations.

  • Extensive experience in developing, implementing, and leading strategic partnership initiatives that have resulted in sustainable collaborations and increased organizational reach.

  • Demonstrated ability in overseeing cross-functional teams involved in grant writing, proposal development, and relationship management.

  • Demonstrated experience in grant writing and fundraising.

  • Excellent leadership and team management skills.

  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking abilities.

  • Principles and techniques of grant proposal writing and budgeting.

  • Knowledge of grant writing resources and information sources with a national scope.

  • Demonstrated leadership and management skills, including the ability to motivate and inspire a team.

  • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.

  • Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.

  • Knowledge of fundraising regulations and best practices.

  • Familiarity with fundraising software and database management.

  • Passion for the mission and values of Skills for Change.

Preferred:

  • Prior experience in a leadership role within a nonprofit organization focused.

  • A history of actively participating in organizational strategic planning, including the development of annual goals and budgets related to grant and partnership activities.

  • Advanced proficiency in utilizing grant management software, CRM systems, and other data analytics tools to track performance metrics and outcomes.

  • A portfolio showcasing successful grant proposals, partnership agreements, and reports demonstrating a high impact on organizational success.

Certifications:

Grant Writing Certification or a Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) credential is a plus.

Skills:

  • Exceptional writing, editing, and communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly and persuasively.

  • Strong leadership and managerial skills, including experience in team supervision, mentorship, and development.

  • High proficiency in project management, including budgeting, planning, timeline management, and reporting.

  • Superior networking and relationship-building abilities, with a focus on long-term partnership cultivation and stewardship.

  • Personal Qualities:

  • Detail-oriented and highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

  • Dynamic, self-motivated individual with a strong work ethic and the ability to work independently or in a team setting.

  • Commitment to Skills for Change's mission and values, with a passion for making a positive social impact.

TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:

To ensure fair and equitable pay at Skills for Change, placement on the salary range will be based on your years of experience, skills and qualifications relevant to the position. In addition to competitive compensation, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, flexible Hybrid work arrangements to name a few!

Skills for Change is an equal-opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals. We are committed to providing a respectful and inclusive workplace that is free from discrimination and harassment. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

PLEASE SEND YOUR APPLICATION TO:

hr@skillsforchange.org

Join us in this impactful role and be a driving force in reshaping employer partnerships and engagement strategies. Your innovative thinking strategic planning, and team leadership will contribute to our mission of fostering meaningful and lasting relationships with our employer partners while building new models of delivery.

WORK WITH US AND ENJOY:

  • 100% employer-paid comprehensive health, dental & wellness benefits

  • Generous paid sick days and an attractive vacation package

  • Employer-matched RRSP contributions and access to life insurance coverage

  • Professional development workshops, training and development opportunities

  • Company-wide wellness initiatives, staff awards and retreats.

As part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion racial justice and reconciliation, Skills for Change encourages applications from those who identify as Black, Indigenous, LGBTQS+, Racialized and other under-represented communities. Skills for Change offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in each stage of the hiring process. If you are contacted regarding a job opportunity, please advise if you require accommodation. This document is available in an alternate format on request. We thank all applicants for their interest in this position however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.