Program Development Director Jobs in Ontario (NOW HIRING)

Our Nuclear Canada business is experiencing significant growth driven by planned international and domestic New Build projects. Candu Energy Inc., an AtkinsRealis company, New Build Incubator team is responsible for developing new nuclear strategies, advancing early-stage opportunities, and executing various initiatives and projects that are in the critical pre-project phases to cultivate a successful deployment of new nuclear builds.

This role will require strong business acumen, meaning a deep understanding of business operations, strategic thinking, and the ability to identify and capitalize on growth opportunities. The ideal candidate should demonstrate sound commercial judgment, a sharp sense of market dynamics, and a proven ability to drive business initiatives. The ideal candidate should be comfortable navigating complex stakeholder environments and translating technical and operational inputs into business value.

The New Nuclear Development Director is expected to have sound experience in project delivery and project execution methodology including an understanding of engineering, procurement, construction, contract management and project controls principles. The individual's excellent interpersonal skills drive the primary responsibility to maintain positive professional interface relationships with internal and external stakeholders, both client and partner organizations.

The New Nuclear Development Director will report to the Deputy General Manager, New Nuclear Development and will be a critical leader within the P&L, accountable for both the capture and execution of the earlystage project portfolio. In addition to growing the pipeline with existing and new clients, this role is responsible for executing early development projects, including strategic internal initiatives, that advance market entry, positioning, and readiness for full project delivery.

The role will establish and grow footprints, relationships, and preproject development activities across targeted Canadian and global regions, while providing strategic leadership across all phases of early project execution. This includes planning, team development, contract and commercial management, and stakeholder engagement. The New Nuclear Development Director will lead multidisciplinary teams comprising engineering, procurement, construction management, subcontractors, partners, affiliates, and vendors, ensuring alignment with client expectations, internal objectives, and corporate standards.

This is a dynamic, high-profile role influenced by variables such as government and corporate, evolving client directives, and senior stakeholder engagement. The New Nuclear Development Director must strategically navigate numerous stakeholders, ensuring the organizational structure supports project delivery. Success in this role requires not only technical expertise but also visionary leadership and stakeholder influence.

Proposals:

• Develop capture plans, proposal strategies, and develop/maintain client relationships to successfully capture business opportunities in the target regions.
• Lead the capture team on proposal preparations.

Project Planning & Scope Definition:

• Develop comprehensive project plans outlining timelines, budgets, resource allocation, and execution strategies.
• Define project scope and deliverables in accordance with contract documents and client requirements.
• Establish work breakdown structures (WBS), execution plans, and performance benchmarks.
• Development of business cases aligned with the organization strategy.
• Working closely with Deputy General Manager, New Nuclear Development, the New Nuclear Development Director shall strategically plan, develop, then execute projects to achieve strategic objectives of the organization. This may include customer driven, or internally funded, feasibility studies, consulting assignments, early project works, and other tasks that contribute to the New Build Incubator team's overall goals.

Team Leadership & Coordination:

• Assemble and lead a high-performing, multidisciplinary project team across engineering, integration, construction management, and support functions.
• Foster collaboration and clear communication among all stakeholders to ensure project cohesion and success.
• Accountable for all aspects of one or more projects within the mandate and to lead all team members who are performing duties to ensure that the work progresses with safety, quality, schedule, cost, and contractual requirements.

People Management:

• Maintain supervisory organizational structure and oversee career development of assigned project personnel.
• Recruit, interview, and select staff with appropriate skills; coordinate with functional managers to implement training and development programs.
• Make informed decisions on human resource matters, working closely with Labour Relations to resolve performance issues.

Contract & Risk Management:

• Accountable for all aspects of contract administration, including scope control, change management, and subcontractor/vendor oversight.
• Accountable for risk management, leveraging analysis using industry best practices such as Monte Carlo simulations and contingency draw-down curves.
• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations and governance standards.

Safety & Quality Assurance:

• Enforce adherence to safety protocols and quality standards across all project activities.
• Develop and implement safety programs, training initiatives, and corrective action plans to uphold performance excellence.
• Accountable for all aspects of nuclear and industrial safety, including compliance with corporate and client safety programs.
• Lead development and enforcement of training, corrective action programs, and performance standards related to safety.

Performance Monitoring & Reporting:

• Apply key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess project health and progress.
• Establish robust reporting protocols to meet contract, corporate, and stakeholder oversight requirements.

Procurement & Supply Chain Management:

• Oversee procurement strategies, contract scope, change control, and flow-down requirements from parent contracts to subcontractors and suppliers.
• Ensure governance and compliance throughout the supply chain.

Stakeholder Communication:

• Serve as the primary liaison for internal and external stakeholders.
• Maintain strong relationships with clients, partners, suppliers, and regulatory bodies to ensure alignment and transparency.

Ethical & Regulatory Compliance:

• Ensure all project activities comply with corporate ethics, cybersecurity standards, import-export regulations, intellectual property protections, and security clearance protocols.

• Educational Background: BSc in Business, Engineering or equivalent is an asset.
• Certifications: PMP, MBA, and/or P. Eng certification is an asset.
• Project Experience: 15+ years of experience in nuclear or major infrastructure business development, bid development, and/or leading or supporting projects in construction, manufacturing, or engineering services.
• Nuclear Experience: Experience in Nuclear Reactor new design and construction projects is an asset.
• Technical Skills: Ability to read and understand construction drawings, blueprints, and specifications is considered an asset.
• Nuclear Supply Chain: Understanding of nuclear supply chain and materials management principles.
• Project Delivery: Understanding of project delivery methodology, including earned value, critical path scheduling, prime contract and subcontract management, procurement and supply chain methodology, and inspection and test plans. Understanding of large EPC work including subcontracts, prime contract management.
• Quality Assurance: Appreciation of the importance of Quality Assurance Programs and their significance to the nuclear industry.
• Team Building: Ability to build and inspire teams (> 20 FTE) to work towards common goals.
• People Management: Experience managing direct reports within a project delivery functional support model.
• Leadership: Lead by example, setting high standards for Health & Safety and Nuclear Safety Culture.
• Safety Knowledge: Working knowledge of industrial safety and nuclear safety culture.
• Communication Skills: Excellent organizational, communication, and customer relationship skills. Demonstrated oral and written communication abilities.

Necessary Competencies:

• Demonstrates initiative, decisiveness, and perseverance.
• Plans and communicates effectively, with good instincts when to engage with stakeholders.
• Seeks and accepts responsibility and accountability.
• Possesses excellent judgment and can correctly apply skills and knowledge.
• Perform well under stress.
• Delegates effectively.
• Integrity and Trust, with a commitment to both safety and quality.
• Customer Focus.
• Team Player, Shares Knowledge.
• Ability to understand, plan, and execute in alignment with the overall business unit's strategies and needs.

Required Interfaces:

• Customers, Government officials, suppliers, affiliates, Candu Partners.
• Senior executives, department functional managers.
• Trades personnel.

Work Location(S):

• Candu Energy Pickering or Sheridan Park offices in Mississauga.
• Various other work locations (suppliers, project interfaces) as required.
• Frequent travels to, or relocation to customer site as required.

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