Academic Program Manager Jobs in Calgary, AB (NOW HIRING)

About Us

ECO Canada is the steward for the Canadian environmental workforce across all industries. From job creation and wage funding to training and labour market research - we champion the end-to-end career of an environmental professional. We work with the federal, provincial, and municipal governments in all Canadian regions to support economic growth and environmental stewardship as best practices.

When you work at ECO Canada, you are supporting the growth of an abundant environmental workforce. Along with competitive benefits and compensation, we provide the opportunity to work alongside a dynamic team that values collaboration, high performance, and, of course, celebrating our successes! We believe that rewarding, meaningful work should be part of every step of the career journey.

Job Description

ECO Canada is seeking an experienced and results-oriented Business Development Manager to support the growth of its environmental, climate change, sustainability, ESG, workforce development, and professional services portfolio.

This is a new role within the Professional Services team and will focus on identifying, pursuing, and securing new project opportunities from government, industry, Indigenous organizations, academic institutions, funders, and strategic partners. The successful candidate will actively scan the market for RFPs, funding opportunities, partnership opportunities, and emerging project leads, and will take a lead role in developing high-quality proposals.

This is a contract term position until March 31, 2027, with the possibility of becoming permanent based on measurable business development outcomes, particularly the number and value of new projects successfully secured.

Key responsibilities

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities related to environmental services, climate change, sustainability, ESG, workforce development, training, accreditation, certification, and applied research projects. 
• Actively monitor RFP platforms, government procurement portals, funding announcements, industry opportunities, and partner networks for relevant opportunities. 
• Build and maintain a pipeline of qualified leads, including potential clients, funders, partners, and project collaborators. 
• Develop market intelligence on emerging trends, client needs, funding priorities, and opportunities aligned with ECO Canada's mandate and capabilities.  
• Support the VP, Professional Services, in developing and implementing a business development strategy for the department. 

• Lead the development of proposals, expressions of interest, concept notes, RFP responses, and funding applications.  
• Coordinate inputs from internal subject matter experts, project managers, finance, marketing, and external partners. 
• Ensure proposals are compelling, technically sound, strategically positioned, and aligned with funder/client requirements. 
• Develop proposal workplans, budgets, timelines, partnership structures, and outcome frameworks in collaboration with internal teams. 
• Track proposal submissions, follow-ups, outcomes, and lessons learned to improve future success rates. 

• Build and strengthen relationships with government departments, funders, industry associations, Indigenous organizations, academic institutions, environmental employers, and other strategic partners.  
• Represent ECO Canada in meetings with prospective clients, partners, and funders. 
• Support the development of partnership models that create new project opportunities and long-term strategic value. 
• Work collaboratively with internal program areas to identify cross-selling and integrated service opportunities. 

• Maintain a structured business development pipeline, including opportunity status, timelines, probability of success, expected value, and next steps. 
• Provide regular updates to the VP, Professional Services on leads, proposals, conversion rates, and revenue potential. 
• Support internal planning by identifying upcoming opportunities that require resource allocation or early positioning.  
• Contribute to improving business development systems, templates, proposal tools, and client engagement processes. 

• Number of qualified opportunities identified and pursued. 
• Number of proposals, concept notes, and RFP responses submitted. 
• Number and value of new projects successfully acquired.   
• Proposal success rate and quality of submissions. 
• Strength and growth of ECO Canada's project pipeline. 
• Development of new client, funder, and partner relationships. 
• Contribution to long-term revenue growth and sustainability of the Professional Services portfolio. 

Qualifications & Experience
The ideal candidate will have:

• 8-10 years of relevant experience in business development, proposal development, project acquisition, consulting, environmental services, sustainability, climate change, ESG, or workforce development. 
• Demonstrated experience identifying and responding to RFPs, grants, funding calls, and procurement opportunities. 
• Proven track record of developing successful proposals or securing funded projects. 
• Experience working with government, funders, industry, Indigenous organizations, academic institutions, or non-profit organizations. 
• Strong writing skills, with the ability to develop persuasive proposals, concept notes, executive summaries, and client-facing materials. 
• Strong relationship-building, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills. 
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple deadlines, and coordinate across teams. 
• Strong business acumen and ability to translate ideas into fundable, practical, and measurable projects. 
• Post-secondary education in environmental studies, sustainability, business, public policy, communications, economics, or a related field. A graduate degree or professional designation would be considered an asset. 

• Strategic thinking and market awareness  
• Strong proposal writing and storytelling ability
• Entrepreneurial mindset and results orientation 
• Relationship-building and client engagement 
• Understanding of government funding and procurement processes 
• Ability to work with technical experts and translate ideas into fundable proposals 
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills 
• Professional judgement, diplomacy, and credibility with external stakeholders 

 Why Join ECO Canada?

• Be part of a passionate, mission-driven team supporting Canada's environmental workforce.
• Gain hands-on experience across multiple areas of the environmental sector.
• Opportunities for professional development and growth within a supportive environment.
• Collaborative workplace culture where your ideas are valued and encouraged.

This is a one-year contract position. Extension or transition into a permanent role will be considered based on demonstrable performance, including successful project acquisition, pipeline development, proposal success, and measurable contribution to departmental growth.

This role is based at ECO Canada's Calgary head office (unless otherwise noted). After a 3-month probation period, eligible employees may transition to a hybrid schedule with at least 3 days per week in the office.

If you feel you are the perfect fit for this position and are looking to join a company culture that is fun, flexible, and defined by our collective drive for success, please apply now through our website. Upload your resume and cover letter as one PDF file. Applicants who do not include a cover letter will not be considered.

We thank all applicants; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
No phone calls, please.

ECO Canada is dedicated to recruiting and retaining employees from diverse backgrounds. By recognizing and valuing a diverse workforce, we are committed to hiring practices that are fair and equitable. ECO Canada will always seek to hire the most qualified candidate for a position based on character, competency, compatibility, and commitment.

In the spirit of respect and truth, we honour and acknowledge Moh'kinsstis and the traditional Treaty 7 territory of the Blackfoot confederacy: Siksika, Kainai, Piikani as well as the Stoney Nakoda and Tsuut'ina nations. We acknowledge the members of the Metis community and specifically, the Metis Nation Region Three. Finally in the spirit of reconciliation and because we are all treaty people, we also acknowledge all Calgarians who make our homes in the traditional Treaty 7 territory of Southern Alberta.