Program Manager Jobs in Halifax, NS (NOW HIRING)

Program Manager

COVE

Dartmouth, NS

COVE is a global technology partner advancing high-impact solutions from seabed to space. COVE transforms innovation into market-ready technologies through testing, commercialization support, market expertise and access to critical infrastructure. Leveraging its networks and mission-driven platform, COVE connects investors, innovators, industry, and the research community to drive cutting-edge capabilities for commercial and defence applications.

Based in Canada and operating internationally, COVE supports the full lifecycle of maritime and multi-domain technologies - from research and development to manufacturing, integration, and export - linking Canadian innovation to global markets. COVE has built a globally recognized innovation platform, with an ecosystem of more than 700 organizations spanning startups, multinational firms, researchers, Indigenous partners, and public sector collaborators.

Through its programs, facilities, and partnerships, COVE enables real-world testing and validation, strengthens supply chains, and accelerates technology adoption in complex operating environments. With strong connections across the North Atlantic, the United States, and the Arctic, and as part of international networks including NATO's Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA), COVE plays a key role in advancing technologies that support economic growth, environmental sustainability, and global security.

As COVE experiences rapid expansion, it is actively seeking to expand its team to further bolster its transformational influence as a global technology partner in advancing high-impact solutions. COVE recognizes that its journey toward this goal hinges on the strength of its team - a group of individuals who collaborate, innovate, and continually strive for excellence. Join COVE as it embarks on this exciting journey of discovery and advancement.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Program Director | Test & Validate, the Program Manager plays a key role in the planning, development, and performance of a complex portfolio of innovative and strategic initiatives. Working collaboratively with stakeholders, work package leads, scientific teams, delivery teams and industry partners, the Program Manager translates emerging opportunities, operational requirements and strategic priorities into structured project plans and executable work packages.

The Program Manager serves as a central coordination point across internal and external partners, fostering collaboration, enabling informed decision making, and supporting the successful delivery of innovation programs that advance organizational and stakeholder objectives.

What You'll Do:

The Program Manager is responsible for developing statements for work, project proposals and project agreements, budgets, schedules, and performance frameworks that support successful program delivery. The role advances project opportunities from concept through to implementation, ensuring alignment of scope, resources, risks, financials, and expected outcomes.

• Lead the definition, planning, coordination and scoping of strategic projects and innovation initiatives in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, including Work Package Leads, scientific teams, industry, and ecosystem partners.
• Translate operational requirements, concepts, and technical objectives into well-defined proposals, statements of work, project scopes, schedules, budgets, evaluation frameworks, and delivery plans in collaboration with partners.
• Develop proposal summaries, project documentation, briefing materials and supporting materials required to advance opportunities into approved projects and formal agreements.
• Manage project and program planning activities, execution, and reporting activities to ensure alignment of scope, resources, schedules, budgets, risks, dependencies and performance objectives across multiple initiatives.
• Support the development and execution of program governance processes, reporting frameworks, and decision support materials for senior leadership.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration between COVE teams, industry partners, academic institutions, stakeholders, and other ecosystem participants to achieve program outcomes.
• Monitor project progress, identify risks and issues, and work with stakeholders to implement mitigation strategies and maintain delivery commitments.
• Support the development and management of partner relationships, contributing to opportunity development, project execution, and long-term collaboration.
• Prepare and deliver project, program, and portfolio-level reporting, including performance metrics, financial status updates, and key milestones
• Represent COVE in meetings, workshops, and industry engagement activities related to innovation, technology development, projects and broader defence innovation initiatives.
• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts by identifying opportunities to enhance program management practices, processes, and tools.

What You Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Management, Engineering science or a marine related field
• 5-7 years experience in a similar role or related discipline; an equivalent combination or education and experience will also be considered.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a Government of Canada security clearance is required.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating effectively with partners and teams to translate operational requirements, concepts, and technical objectives into well-defined major taskings, statements of work, project scopes, schedules, budgets, evaluation frameworks, and delivery plans.
• Demonstrated experience successfully scoping, planning, developing and executing multiple ongoing strategic initiatives in complex and multi-stakeholder environments.
• Strong understanding of the Canadian defence and innovation sectors
  and related stakeholders.
• Experience in developing and maintaining strong working relationships,
• Excellent client-facing communication skills, and comfortable presenting to a diverse group of stakeholders, including senior executives.
• Highly motivated, analytical, logical thinker with a very strong attention to detail and the ability to meet multiple and/or unexpected deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong initiative, good judgment, a strong work ethic, and demonstrated ability to recognize risk and proactively mitigate.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present complex information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong organizational and coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams while supporting program planning, project delivery, and operational execution.
• Strong digital skills, proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Word, Excel and PowerPoint and strong technical skills with the ability to learn new processes and systems quickly.

Additional Assets:

• Experience developing Statements of Work, project plans, RFIs, evaluation frameworks, or government funded project documentation in technical and systems domains.
• Experience working with Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC), the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), or related defence and security organizations.
• Knowledge of defence innovation, dual use technologies, or maritime security and surveillance programs.
• Direct experience working in the marine technology or marine sector.
• Experience handling controlled or classified information.

Working at COVE

At our core, we are a team driven by our passion for empowering marine tech innovators, serving as unwavering advocates for every visionary who walks through our doors. Integrity, creativity, and diversity are not just values to us - they are the bedrock of our identity. We thrive within an integrated team environment, where collective efforts culminate in tangible results. Embracing diversity in our workforce is paramount for fostering genuine collaboration and fulfilling the impactful responsibilities we hold within our community. We cultivate a workplace culture that celebrates individual differences, ensuring that each person's unique talents and strengths are fully recognized, appreciated, and utilized. Operating within a hybrid and flexible work environment allows us to optimize the collective potential of our highly collaborative team, enabling us to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Benefits:

• Opportunity to learn and make an impact by working for a dynamic, growing company on meaningful projects that find solutions to real-life problems.
• Comprehensive paid time off including vacation, personal sick time, and additional days for family illness or medical appointments.
• Hybrid work model with flexibility to work remotely 1 day/week.
• Team wide bonding activities and casual work environment.
• Tech focused office location, convenient via transit and bike paths.
• Employee wellbeing including full medical & dental benefits and a health spending account.
• Group RRSP matching program & Income Insurance Plans.
• Maternity & parental leave top-up allowance
• Learning and growth opportunities.
• Employee referral program.
• Competitive salary.

Talent Pool

As part of our ongoing recruitment efforts, we continually identify candidates who demonstrate the skills, experience, and potential to contribute to our organization. By submitting your application, you will be considered for current and future opportunities that match your qualifications and interests.

Should your profile align with our current or future needs, a member of our recruitment team may reach out to you to discuss potential opportunities and to further assess your fit for specific roles within our organization.

Don't meet every single requirement? At COVE, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role, but your past experience does not align with every single qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

We are committed to ensuring accommodations are made available to persons with disabilities during the recruitment, assessment and selection processes and will provide reasonable accommodation upon request.

We offer an excellent working environment where life balance is valued. Our people and their commitment to quality work is what drives our success. You can find out more information about COVE at www.coveocean.com. Salary for this position will be commensurate with experience, note that relocation costs are not supported.

To be considered for this position, please apply online by clicking "Apply". The deadline for submission is July 3, 2026 at 5pm (Atlantic). We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.