Program Manager

Are you looking for a role where you can lead complex, high‑impact programs across a diverse portfolio? Do you want to provide end‑to‑end oversight of projects spanning federal nuclear science and technology, laboratory‑directed research, and commercial work while balancing scope, schedule, budget, and performance?

What you will be doing

• Serve as Program Manager for Directorate support to the Federal Nuclear Science & Technology (FNST) Work Plan, the Lab Directed Science & Technology (LDST) Work Plan, and commercial work within the Directorate.
• Engage with organizations external to the Directorate.
• Represent CNL and the Directorate in relation to the Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) FNST Work Plan, LDST Work Plan, and commercial projects.
• Partner with line management on program contributors, and Business Development, developing proposals and work plans that address commercial and government sponsor needs.
• Work with other S&T Heads of Directorate (HoD) and Program Managers to integrate overall goals and strategy across S&T into a cohesive plan of work.
• Support and work with S&T HoDs and Program Managers to assure the mission’s resource‑planning needs are fully defined, understood, and maintained regularly (staffing, supply chain, support services, and facility planning).
• Manage the program of effort for Directorate support to the portfolio of work.
• Negotiate scope, schedule, budget and performance requirements with the sponsor and CNL line organizations.
• Oversee the execution of funded program elements, ensuring deliverables meet customer requirements and address priorities.
• Fulfil sponsor reporting requirements.
• Use independent judgment and coordinate with Portfolio, Project Leads, Technical Leads, and Project Controls to identify potential portfolio and project risks, develop risk‑mitigation strategies, and recommend risk acceptance or avoidance, including recovery plans.
• Other duties as assigned by your manager.

What we are looking for

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Science or Engineering from an accredited institution. An advanced degree is preferred.
• PMP certificate from the Project Management Institute (PMI) is required; PgMP certificate is preferred.

Experience

• 12 years of directly related project management and technical experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with and knowledge of nuclear tools, techniques, and procedures.
• Demonstrated experience interacting effectively with all levels of internal and external personnel, building trust, gaining consensus, and resolving conflicts.
• Demonstrated experience developing and nurturing effective internal or external customer relationships.
• Demonstrated experience working with Canadian Government programs.
• Demonstrated experience in leading R&D projects, resource planning and allocation, risk management, EVMS performance, cost and schedule management, and strategic planning.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to absorb information and become knowledgeable in unfamiliar technical areas and environments.
• Skilled in technical, financial, and human management skills.
• Ability to manage a program and provide direction to a project team without direct line management.
• Knowledge of CNL and Canadian Federal stakeholders with an interest in innovative nuclear technologies.
• Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills.
• Excellent negotiating skills.
• General knowledge of the Federal Nuclear S&T Program and the Laboratory Directed S&T Program is an asset.
• General knowledge of commercial nuclear technologies.

Security Clearance Eligibility Required

• Level 2 Secret requires a minimum of seven years of verifiable history in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and/or the United Kingdom. CNL implements security screening in accordance with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat’s “Standard on Security Screening” and the “Policy on Government Security.”

Working Conditions

• Working schedule: Five (5) days per week, seven and a half (7.5) hours per day for a thirty‑seven and a half (37.5) hour work week.

Benefits

• Paid time off: vacation, sick, personal, and floater days.
• Benefits effective Day One – no waiting period.
• Tuition support to help you keep learning and growing.
• A defined‑benefit or defined‑contribution pension plan, depending on the employee group.

Location

Hybrid position: combination of remote work and onsite presence at our Chalk River Laboratory, Ontario.

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

CNL is an equal opportunity employer. If you require accommodation during any phase of the hiring process, please let us know via All requests will be handled with confidentiality.

CNL operates on sites located on the traditional lands, waterways, and ceded and unceded territories of Indigenous peoples. CNL acknowledges and respects the importance of the relationship between Indigenous peoples and their lands, waters, and territories.

Core Values

• Respect
• Teamwork
• Accountability
• Safety
• Integrity
• Excellence

#J-18808-Ljbffr