Program Manager Contract Jobs in Toronto, ON (NOW HIRING)

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario is a provincial association, committed to improving services and support for individuals living with mental illnesses and addictions issues, and to the promotion of mental health in Ontario.

Resilient Minds (RM) is a national program designed to build the psychological strength and resiliency of first responders and front-line community workers. It is an evidence-based, peer-to-peer skill-building program designed by and for first responders to develop strategies to mitigate and better manage occupational stress and enhance personal resilience. The program builds skills needed to reduce personal risks related to psychological impacts, and assist colleagues, family, or members of the public who may be struggling with a mental health problem or are in crisis.

Job Summary

CMHA Ontario is seeking a Program Manager, Resilient Minds (Ontario). The position is a special funded full-time, temporary contract. Under the direction of the Deputy Chief of Programs, the Program Manager will lead the planning, implementation, and growth of the program across the province, including overseeing Instructor Trainers from within the first responder and frontline community, and setting and achieving program goals and targets. The Program Manager will help drive revenue growth for the program by identifying key business opportunities and areas of focus, as well as building long-term client relationships. They will also coordinate the program, handling all training logistics, such as, but not limited to communicating with Instructor Trainers, clients and other stakeholders. The position is based in Toronto.

The ideal candidate is an experienced program manager with knowledge of Ontario’s first responder community, along with strong communications and project management skills, as well as knowledge of mental health promotion to help generate program growth.

Core Responsibilities

• Work with the Deputy Chief of Programs to strategically position the program within the Ontario context and consider approaches to better meet the evolving mental health needs within Ontario’s first responder and frontline community.
• Meet regularly with Deputy Chief of Programs to provide updates, share information and collaborate on key program priorities.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with professional first responder associations, local first responder departments, and participate in relevant events and conferences to promote and grow brand recognition of the program.
• Work with Deputy of Chief of Programs to identify new partnerships and strategies for partner engagement.
• Collaborate with the Deputy Chief of Programs and other internal CMHA stakeholders like the Communications Team, Evaluation Lead, etc., to engage partners.
• Identify and pursue high-value opportunities across priority sectors.
• Develop and manage a robust business development pipeline, including lead generation, qualification, proposal development, progressing opportunities toward partnership and program delivery.
• Actively manage and leverage CRM to track program opportunities, relationships, pipeline activity, forecasts, enabling program performance and support informed decision-making.
• Hire and oversee a network of skilled Instructor Trainers to deliver and support Resilient Minds adaptations across Ontario.
• Deliver training programs with Instructor Trainers.
• Manage the day-to-day program operations, including developing proposals/contracts, coordinating payments for Resilient Minds Instructor Trainers and suppliers/vendors, and managing client invoicing.
• Follow and support management of project plans in terms of schedules, budgets, and achievement of program goals and objectives.
• Manage program delivery data and participant records in the CRM, upon course completion, to ensure timely delivery of evaluations and training certificates.
• Contribute to the design, development and implementation of communications strategies, materials, activities, and educational resources.
• Prepare and submit regular activity updates to the Deputy Chief of Programs as requested to meet various reporting requirements (e.g., Schedule A updates, Management Reports, CMHA Ontario’s Annual Report).
• Help support the development of funding grant applications/proposals, as needed.
• Participate in internal meetings, including training opportunities within Programs Department.

Note: This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required by the incumbent. The incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.

Skill & Experience

This role requires an experienced program manager with some knowledge of Ontario’s first responder sector, leadership skills, general knowledge of mental health promotion and psychological health and safety principles.

• University degree (BA, BSc.), college diploma, or equivalent related work experience.
• Graduate degree (MSW, MA, MHA) preferred.
• Experience in program development and implementation, specifically in the human services sector, is required.
• Bilingualism (FR/EN) is a strong asset.
• Experience in training and facilitation for an adult audience is a strong asset.
• Experience within the mental health or healthcare field is a strong asset.
• Highly developed networking skills, excellent written and verbal communication skills, project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Certification or training in suicide intervention (ASIST), Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) an asset.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and CRM software.
• G Class driver’s license required.

Behavioural Competencies

• Self-starter/Initiative
• Teamwork/Collaboration
• Leadership
• Interpersonal Communication
• Problem solving/Troubleshooting
• Organization/Administration
• Time Management
• Adaptability
• Creativity
• Organizational Commitment

Salary

Hiring Rate: This position pays between $84,815.88 and $87,340.94 per annum, based on a 35-hour work week.

The salary grid for this role ranges between $84,815.88 at Step 1 and $95,379.87 at Step 5. The initial salary offered for this position is anticipated to fall between Step 1 and Step 2 of the salary grid as posted above as the hiring rate.

The successful candidate will be eligible for a comprehensive benefits package that includes pension through HOOPP, life, health, and dental insurance, exclusive paid time-off and opportunities for professional development.

Working Conditions

This is a temporary special funded contract position working standard office hours (currently 35 hours/week). This position is based in Toronto, Ontario (180 Dundas Street West). We are currently operating within a hybrid model, with colleagues working from the office 3 days/week and from home 2 days/week. Travel may be required, possibly requiring overnight stays. Given the nature of training and stakeholders we work with, some weekend work may also be required.

This position is also a desk job with extended periods of sitting, reading, telephone interaction, and working at the computer. Attendance at various meetings throughout the workday/workweek will be required; meetings may occur on short notice, depending on the circumstances.

This position is within the OPSEU Bargaining Unit.

As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will be required to submit proof of full COVID-19 vaccination.

The Canadian Mental Health Association celebrates the value of a diverse workforce that brings professional and lived experience and expertise from a wide variety of backgrounds and life circumstances. Whatever your background, if you feel you meet the requirements of this role then we want to hear from you.

Workplace and candidate accommodation is available at all stages of the recruitment and selection process upon request. To request accommodation, please contact us at accessibility@ontario.cmha.ca.

We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to screen, assess or select applicants at any stage of the hiring process. All applications will be reviewed and evaluated by our Human Resources team and hiring managers.

Deadline to apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume online via BambooHR by end of day Monday, August 31, 2026. We sincerely thank all applicants for their interest.