Job Title : Ontario North, Program Manager
Outward Bound Canada is passionate about building and sustaining representation and diversity within the outdoor industry. We welcome applicants with diverse backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives. BIPoC, 2SLGBTQ+, and candidates living with a disability are highly encouraged to apply, even if your experience doesn’t precisely match the job description for this role.Your experience, skills, and passion will set you apart so tell us about your achievements and journey to date, and the things you learned along the way.
WHO WE ARE
Outward Bound Canada (OBC) is a charity that equips youth for the future through transformative adventures in nature. These experiences develop resilience, social and emotional intelligence, and environmental leadership, preparing youth with skills to contribute to a better, more compassionate, and resilient society.
We are deeply committed to addressing barriers to access and creating opportunities for marginalized populations. We believe in fostering diversity and inclusion so that the outdoor sector reflects the rich diversity of Canada.
THE ROLE
The Program Manager – Ontario North provides leadership and oversight for Ontario Wilderness programs, ensuring each experience is safe, mission-aligned, and deeply impactful for participants. This role blends field leadership, program management, and staff development, supporting instructors to grow professionally while delivering high-quality, consistent programming.
Working in close collaboration with the wilderness and field teams, the Program Manager ensures operational excellence, strong communication, and seamless logistical coordination across courses. At its core, the role fosters a culture of mentorship, reflection, and accountability — strengthening instructor capacity, enhancing participant outcomes, and reinforcing a cohesive, high-performing regional team.
WHAT WE OFFER
Location: Ontario North Regional Base
Salary: 60,000-70,000
Benefits: Health Care Spending Account Fund & Employee Assistance Plan
Term: May 2026 – October 2026. This is a full-time, term position (37.5 hours per week). Work schedules are flexible and aligned with program delivery needs. Evening and weekend work will be required as part of supporting programs and teams in the field.
Supervisor: Director of Wilderness Operations
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Program Leadership & Quality
- Provide leadership and support to ensure programs are delivered in line with OBC’s curriculum and educational approach, staying true to our mission, vision, and commitment to safety.
- Collaborate with the Director of Wilderness Operations, Curriculum Senior Manager, and the Wilderness team to refine program design, implement curriculum, evaluate outcomes, and ensure training and instructor development are aligned with program goals.
- Ensure programs reflect best practices in experiential education and inclusion.
- Coordinates the execution of the program plans to enhance and develop programming; developing initiatives, course mix, operations and logistics, and other projects assigned.
- Manages and supervises instructional employees, ensuring high-quality program delivery, educational outcomes are met, program and instructor evaluations are complete.
Instructor Development & Mentorship
- Mentor and coach instructors in leadership, facilitation, technical skills, and group management.
- Support professional growth and development of all instructional staff through feedback, training, and field-based coaching.
- Collaborate with the Curriculum Senior Manager to align training and mentorship with OBC’s curriculum and program standards.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, reflection, and continuous learning across the instructional team.
Risk Management & Field Support
- Act as Regional Safety Officer (RSO), ensuring programs comply with OBC risk management protocols.
- Brief instructors and students on safety and participation expectations.
- Provide field support, stepping in as needed to coach instructors or maintain program quality.
- Collaborate with the Program Operations & Administration team to ensure incident reporting, emergency planning, and risk management systems are properly implemented and adhered to.
- Other duties as assigned
Collaboration & Communication
- Work closely with Program Operations & Administration to ensure smooth logistics, scheduling, and data management.
- Collaborate with HR, Development, and Marketing teams to support outreach, recruitment, and program evaluation.
- Represent Ontario North in national program planning, training, and evaluation initiatives.
- Build strong, supportive relationships across field and regional teams.
- Champion inclusion, equity, and belonging in program design, instructor development, and workplace culture.
- Lead by example, modeling OBC’s values and standards in all interactions.
QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
- 5+ years of experience in outdoor education, experiential programming, or wilderness leadership.
- Demonstrated ability to mentor, develop, and support staff or instructors.
- Strong understanding of risk management in wilderness and adventure-based education contexts.
- Exceptional organizational and leadership skills, with the ability to oversee multiple programs, coordinate diverse teams, and navigate complex timelines in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and coaching skills to engage effectively with staff, instructors, families, and external partners.
- Ability to lead collaboratively, adaptively, and empathetically.
- Valid F-class driver’s license and ability to travel to remote locations as needed.
- Position requires a police background check, including a Vulnerable Sector Check.
- Current Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification or equivalent, enabling support for field operations and participation in training or on-program activities.
ASSETS
- Experience in trauma-informed care and mental health first aid.
- French language proficiency.
- Experience in program development and evaluation.
- Relevant technical certifications (e.g., Swiftwater Rescue, Bronze Cross).
