Program Operations Specialist

In your role as the Program Operations Specialist at The North West Company (TNWC); You will be responsible for coordinating, implementing, and evaluating programs and initiatives across the 128 communities served by the organization. This role focuses on developing and delivering youth-based programming that promotes physical, social, educational, and health-based well-being. Working closely with the Managing Director of the Healthy Horizons Foundation, you will build and maintain strong relationships with community partners across northern Canada to support effective program delivery and advance the objectives of the Foundation and TNWC.

Joining TNWC gives you the opportunity for growth and development throughout the company, a competitive salary and benefits package, and to be part of a dynamic and diverse culture.

TNWC is a leading retailer to under-served rural communities and urban neighborhood markets in the following regions: Northern Canada, Western Canada, rural Alaska, the South Pacific islands, and the Caribbean. Our stores offer a broad range of products and services with an emphasis on food. Our value offer is to be the best local shopping choice for everyday household and local lifestyle needs. Check out northwest.ca for more information.

Your Role:

• Collaborate with the Healthy Horizons Foundation Managing Director to plan, coordinate, and deliver Northy Club programming for youth in northern Indigenous communities across Canada.
• Build and maintain relationships with community leaders, returning host sites, community partners, lead facilitators, third-party organizations, and volunteers to support program implementation and promote ongoing engagement.
• Coordinate the onboarding, training, and ongoing support of contract facilitators and Store Managers involved in Northy Club programming, ensuring monthly reporting requirements are met.
• Plan and deliver annual training sessions and quarterly meetings for Northy Club contractors, and provide training and information sessions to community organizations, businesses, and other groups to promote program opportunities.
• Coordinate program logistics, including the preparation of sessional program plans, procurement and shipment of materials and equipment, and inventory management to ensure program needs are met.
• Monitor programming sites to ensure quality and consistency, provide ongoing support to facilitators, identify potential risks, and work with partners to implement solutions.
• Collaborate with community partners and contract facilitators to track and evaluate program outcomes, maintain program statistics, and assist with the preparation of annual reports.
• Develop and maintain program resources, including standard operating procedures, templates, manuals, guides, and supporting materials that align with program goals, desired outcomes, and deliverables.
• Work with the internal Marketing team to develop and distribute program communications and promotional materials.
• Support the planning and implementation of Northy Club launch parties and other program-related activities.
• Prepare and submit monthly invoices for contract facilitators.
• Ensure program activities comply with partnership guidelines, agreements, and all relevant policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Assist communities and organizations with grant applications, including applications for Qualified Donee Status through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), and support funding applications and follow-up reports for funders as required.
• Coordinate grant disbursements to eligible organizations and communities across Canada and monitor awarded grants to ensure deliverables, timelines, and financial requirements are met.
• Conduct quarterly check-ins with grant recipients to monitor program delivery, track progress, and support compliance with grant requirements.
• Maintain accurate grant databases and tracking systems for proposals, awards, disbursements, submission dates, and reporting deadlines, and collaborate with the Healthy Horizons Foundation Managing Director to develop, maintain, and update supporting documentation.
• Build relationships with communities and organizations to promote grant opportunities and increase engagement, working with the internal Marketing team to develop and distribute related communications materials.
• Support the planning and delivery of annual events, including Winter Partners Gathering (WPG), internal and community giving campaigns, and community booths, in collaboration with internal North West teams.
• Assist with fundraising initiatives and track campaign performance, including revenue, daily sales, and annual campaign results.
• Develop and coordinate HHF event plans and schedules, resolve logistical challenges during live events, and ensure smooth event execution.
• Recruit, train, and supervise event support staff to ensure effective event delivery.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Minimum of three years of experience in community-based recreation programming, including program development, planning, implementation, community outreach, needs assessments, and evaluation.
• A degree or certificate in Recreation Management and Community Development, Therapeutic Recreation, or a related discipline; alternatively, a bachelor’s degree in business, non-profit management, social sciences, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working with children and youth in program settings, with an understanding of the needs of youth in remote northern communities.
• Experience recruiting, training, coordinating, mentoring, and evaluating volunteers, seasonal instructors, or contract facilitators.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with community partners, stakeholders, donors, and diverse groups, with strong community-building and capacity-building skills to support sustainable local programming.
• Experience with public speaking, presentations, and facilitating training sessions or information sessions.
• Strong administrative skills, including budget tracking, grant administration and reporting, database management, inventory control, and program documentation.
• Excellent organizational, time management, problem-solving, and communication skills, with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines while communicating effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a collaborative team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and online collaboration platforms, including Microsoft Teams.
• Experience working with Indigenous communities or delivering Indigenous-focused programs is considered an asset.
• A valid driver's license and the ability to travel throughout Canada, including remote northern communities, for up to one week per month.
• Ability to provide a satisfactory Criminal Record Check, including a Vulnerable Sector Search, and a Child Abuse Registry Check.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends to support programming and events.
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds.
• Travel up to 60 days per year (1 week per month)

Location: Gibraltar House, 77 Main Street, Winnipeg, MB
Reports to: Managing Director, Healthy Horizons

We create a collaborative and constructive culture by:

Being Enterprising • Committing to our Customer • Working with Passion • Leading and Developing Others • Demonstrating Respect and Inclusivity • Building Trust

The North West Company is committed to inclusion and diversity and encourages applications from all candidates including but not limited to: all religions and ethnicities, LGBTQ2s+, BIPOC, and persons with disabilities.

A competitive salary is being offered along with opportunities to learn, develop and advance throughout the organization. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

This is an active job opening for a position that is currently available and we are actively seeking to fill.

For Internal Employees Only:

Internal employees are required to apply within 5 working days of the position being posted. Applications received after this period may still be considered. This opportunity adheres to the corporate job posting guidelines.