Do you believe youth deserve real pathways into meaningful employment, and do you have what it takes to design and build a province-wide program from the ground up?
If you want to genuinely change the trajectory of a young person's career, and you're someone who can open doors with employers, earn the trust of youth, and stay on top of the details that make a funded program run smoothly, this role is for you.
Please submit your cover letter and resume to [email protected] bythe end of day on July 13, 2026. Applications submitted through other channels will not be considered.
ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY
We're hiring a Director of Programs, NextMB to lead the design, launch, and ongoing delivery of NextMB, a new workforce development initiative supporting youth aged 18 to 29 across Manitoba.
This is a program-building role from day one. You'll establish NextMB's program model, build relationships with employers and community partners, manage a provincial funding contract, and lead a small team to deliver real results for young people across the province, not just in Winnipeg.
This role combines strategic program design, hands-on relationship building, and funder accountability. You'll need to feel just as comfortable planning out a program as you do building trust with a young participant or having an honest conversation with a funder about how things are going.
WHAT IS THE CHAMBER?
The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce is the province’s largest business organization, representing over 2,000 companies of all sizes, sectors, and a diversity of individuals from all backgrounds and lived experiences. We help businesses build strong connections, provide leading resources and events, and in turn help businesses grow.
WORKPLACE CULTURE IS A PRIORITY
At The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, we foster a team environment characterized by positivity and an unwavering belief in Winnipeg as an exceptional place to live, work, and play. We are committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace that represents the diversity of our community and encourages a variety of ideas, thoughts, and perspectives, where contributions are valued and everyone feels respected, welcomed, and has the opportunity to grow.
We’re a small but mighty and diverse team of amazing people, running many events a year and dozens of dynamic business programs and resources. Here, you'll find plenty of chances to get creative and see your ideas turn into reality. With that said, the health, safety, and happiness of our staff are important, and we highly encourage a work-life balance.
The Director of Programs, NextMB will:
· Design and launch NextMB, including its program model, participant streams, delivery structure, and operational procedures
· Build and sustain employer relationships from outreach through to confirmed placements, and represent NextMB at sector events and in community spaces
· Own the provincial funder relationship, communicating proactively and managing budget, variance reporting, and reconciliation
· Prepare accurate reports, including outcome data and narrative updates, for funders and internal leadership
· Lead a small team, set clear direction, and deliver program outcomes with lean staffing
· Travel across the province, including to communities not always accessible by public transit, to engage partners and employers in different regions
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
Required Qualifications:
· Post-secondary education in Business Administration, Human Services, Social Sciences, Public Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
· Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in program management, workforce development, employment services, or a related field
· At least 2 years of experience managing direct reports
· Demonstrated experience designing and launching a program from the ground up
· Demonstrated experience managing a government or major institutional funding contract, including deliverables, variance reporting, and budget reconciliation
· Demonstrated experience building and sustaining employer or business relationships at volume
· Proven experience building relationships with organizations that serve youth, including community agencies and referral partners
· Working knowledge of youth employment issues, including barriers facing young people entering the labour market
· Demonstrates ethical and responsible AI use and can apply AI-assisted tools appropriately to support workflow efficiency
· Able to travel across Manitoba on a regular basis, including to locations not served by public transit
· Legally entitled to work in Canada
Skills and Competencies:
· Business development and relationship management: comfortable building employer relationships and turning interest into real commitments
· Youth engagement: able to connect with young people and earn their trust
· Written and verbal communication: able to write clear, accurate reports for funders and leadership, and communicate confidently and professionally with employers, partners, and youth participants
· Time management and organizational skills: able to keep multiple priorities moving and follow through reliably
· Critical thinking and problem-solving: able to spot problems early and bring solutions
· Stakeholder and funder communication: comfortable keeping funders and leadership informed with real context
· People management and emotional intelligence: able to lead a small team with clarity, feedback, and care
· Program design and strategic thinking: able to build programs that work for the people they're meant to serve
· Cultural competency and equity-informed practice: understands the barriers youth face and able to design around them
· Adaptability and resilience: able to stay on track when things shift
Preferred Qualifications:
· Familiarity with Manitoba provincial labour, skills, or employment funding programs
· Knowledge of Manitoba's business or employer landscape
· Experience in a nonprofit, membership-based, or community-focused organization
· Knowledge of rural Manitoba labour markets, communities, and the distinct challenges youth face outside of Winnipeg
MORE DETAILS
· Full-time, contract position (August 2026 to March 31, 2031)
· Standard work week is 37.5 hours, Monday to Friday
· Evening and occasional weekend availability required to support employer engagement and program events
· Hybrid work arrangement (currently 50/50; subject to change at the organization's discretion)
· Direct supervisory responsibility for 2 team members
· Three weeks of vacation per year
· Paid sick days available
· Group health and dental benefits available after three months of full-time employment
HOW YOU CAN APPLY
We welcome applications from all qualified individuals. We strongly encourage Indigenous peoples, women, racialized persons, 2SLGBTQ+ persons, and individuals living with disabilities to apply.
Please submit your cover letter and resume to [email protected] by the end of day on July 13, 2026. Applications submitted through other channels will not be considered.
We are committed to fostering opportunities, diversity, and inclusion. Our dedication extends to providing a barrier-free recruitment and selection process, along with a supportive work environment. Should we invite you for an interview, please feel free to communicate your accommodation support requirements. This includes accommodations to enhance your interview experience. Your openness ensures that we can provide you with the best opportunities for success. Rest assured that all information related to accommodations will be handled with the highest confidentiality.
All applications are reviewed manually by a member of our team. Due to the volume of applications and the resources available, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. We sincerely thank all applicants for their interest in this opportunity.
Pay: $80,000.00-$85,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Flexible schedule
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision care
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Winnipeg, MB R3C 3X2
