Employment Program Lead -GROW Program

Employment Program Lead -GROW Program

Looking for a role where you can lead people, improve programs, and make a measurable impact?

Join Landscape Ontario and help shape workforce development initiatives that connect people with meaningful careers across the province.

Why You'll Love This Role

• Lead a province-wide workforce development initiative
• Make a measurable impact on Ontario's skilled workforce
• Hybrid work environment
• Supportive leadership team
• Opportunity to improve and shape programs
• Beautiful modern office
• Competitive salary and benefits
• Room to innovate and take ownership

About You

You are an organized, results-focused leader who knows how to turn program goals into clear plans, coordinated action, and measurable results. You are skilled at balancing multiple priorities, tracking progress against targets, and keeping teams aligned in a fast-paced environment.

You are a strong communicator and collaborative leader who works closely with staff and leadership, builds trust, and creates clarity around priorities, responsibilities, and next steps. You use data and sound judgment to identify risks early, solve problems, and keep work moving forward.

You are also a fast learner who can quickly understand new programs, systems, funding requirements, and service environments. You bring curiosity, adaptability, and a strong commitment to continuous improvement.

What You’ll Be Doing

You will lead the day-to-day delivery of the GROW New Entrant program for job seekers, coordinating activities and helping ensure program goals, participant outcomes, and funding commitments are achieved.

Working closely with Workforce Development leadership and GROW staff, you will translate program plans into coordinated operational activities, monitor progress against KPIs and milestones, support staff, identify risks and gaps, and help keep delivery on track. You will play a key role in connecting day-to-day operations with broader program priorities and ensuring the team has the clarity, information, and support needed to succeed.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

• Program Strategy, Planning and Delivery:
• • Translate program goals, funding commitments, and departmental priorities into clear operational strategies, work plans, milestones, and responsibilities.
  • Lead day-to-day delivery GROW New Entrant stream while maintaining a forward-looking view of program priorities, risks, resource needs, and upcoming milestones.
  • Anticipate operational challenges and evolving program and industry needs, assess impacts across service streams, and adjust plans to keep delivery on track.
  • Manage competing demands in a fast-paced environment, using sound judgment to make timely decisions and focus resources where they will have the greatest impact.

• Performance and Target Tracking:
• • Monitor KPIs, participant progress, milestones, and service delivery targets, maintaining clear visibility into overall program performance.
  • Analyze performance trends, identify gaps or emerging risks early, and work with staff and leadership to develop practical action plans.
  • Use program data and operational insights to inform priorities, resource decisions, and recommendations to Workforce Development leadership.

• Team Leadership and Coordination:
• • Provide day-to-day guidance and support to GROW New Entrant staff, ensuring clear priorities, accountability, and effective collaboration across service streams.
  • Maintain strong communication between GROW New Entrant staff and Workforce Development leadership, ensuring key decisions, risks, and changing priorities are understood and acted on.
  • Foster a collaborative, respectful, and results-focused team environment while supporting staff through changing priorities and operational challenges.
  • Lead weekly team meetings that foster engagement, accountability, and an understanding of each person's contribution to organizational success.

• Quality and Continuous Improvement:
• • Evaluate how program activities and participant outcomes contribute to broader GROW goals and funding commitments.
  • Identify opportunities to strengthen service delivery, improve coordination, and increase program effectiveness based on data, staff feedback, and delivery insights.
  • Recommend practical and innovative improvements that respond to current challenges while supporting longer-term program sustainability and growth.
  • Support program evaluation, reporting, and implementation of approved improvements.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in program operations, project management, service delivery, business operations, workforce development, or a related environment.
• Strong planning and execution skills, with the ability to translate program goals into clear work plans, timelines, priorities, and accountable next steps.
• Proven experience monitoring KPIs, targets, milestones, and performance data, identifying gaps early, and driving follow-up action is required.
• Demonstrated leadership experience supporting teams, coordinating work across functions, and maintaining accountability for results.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work closely and effectively with staff, departmental leadership, and stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams and changing demands without losing sight of key outcomes.
• Sound judgment and problem-solving skills, with a proactive approach to identifying risks, removing barriers, and keeping delivery on track.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly learn new programs, sectors, systems, and operational requirements.
• Strong technical proficiency with spreadsheets, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, project management tools, databases, and digital collaboration platforms.
• Ability to work collaboratively, take ownership, and follow through on commitments with minimal direction.
• Experience with government-funded programs, workforce development, employment services, training, or education is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of the Landscape and Horticulture industry is considered an asset.
• Valid driver’s licence and flexibility to travel within Ontario as needed.

About this position

• Full-time, fixed-term position through June 29, 2027, with the possibility of renewal (7th year running!).
• Salary: $75,000 - $85,000 per year (prorated)
• Includes vacation and personal time off, and health benefits.
• Reports to the Manager and Director of Workforce Development and works closely with Workforce Development leadership.
• Hybrid work environment with flexibility; based out of our office in Milton, ON.
• Some evening or weekend work may be required based on program activities and events.
• Occasional travel within Ontario is required.
• A beautifully renovated modern office space.
• A supportive, collaborative team environment.

About Landscape Ontario

Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association is a provincial trade association representing approximately 2,500 members across the landscape horticulture sector. A not-for-profit, volunteer-driven organization, we are dedicated to advancing the profession through leadership, education and collaboration. Landscape Ontario members design, build and maintain outdoor spaces that support healthy communities, environmental resilience and economic growth across Ontario. We are committed to building an inclusive and collaborative organization where everyone feels welcomed and valued, regardless of gender, race, nationality, orientation or ability.

Equal Opportunity & Accessibility

Landscape Ontario is committed to creating an inclusive, accessible and welcoming workplace. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences and abilities.

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), accommodations are available throughout the recruitment and selection process. Applicants requiring accommodation are encouraged to advise us at any stage so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Landscape Ontario complies with Ontario’s employment legislation regarding the use of artificial intelligence in recruitment. Artificial intelligence (AI) is not used to screen, assess or select applicants for this position.