Program Manager

Are you looking for a role where you can lead complex, high‑impact programs across a diverse portfolio? Can you see yourself providing end‑to‑end oversight of projects spanning federal nuclear Science & Technology (S&T), laboratory‑directed research, and commercial work? Do you want to work in an environment where you will be responsible for balancing scope, schedule, budget, and performance while managing risks and opportunities? If you answered yes, then this may be the opportunity for you—apply today!

What will you be doing!

• Serving 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.
• Engaging with organizations external to the Directorate.
• Representing CNL and the Directorate, particularly as they relate to the Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) FNST Work Plan, LDST Work Plan, and Commercial projects.
• Partnering with line management on program contributors, and Business Development, developing proposals and work plans that address commercial and government sponsor needs.
• Working 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 for their respective purview.
• Supporting and working with S&T HoDs and Program Managers to assure the mission’s Resource Planning Needs are fully defined, understood, and maintained on a regular basis (includes staffing, supply chain, support services, and facility planning).
• Managing the program of effort for Directorate support to the Portfolio of work.
• Negotiating scope, schedule, budget and performance requirements with the sponsor and CNL line (execution) organizations.
• Overseeing the execution of funded program elements, ensuring that deliverables meet customer requirements and address priorities.
• Fulfilling sponsor reporting requirements.
• Using independent judgment and coordinating with Portfolio, Project Leads, Technical Leads, and Project Controls to identify potential portfolio and project risks, developing risk mitigation strategies, recommending risk acceptance/avoidance, and, when required, developing recovery plans for all aspects of the assigned programs.
• Other duties as assigned by your manager.
  

What we are looking for:

• Education
  • Position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Science or Engineering from an accredited institution. An advanced degree is preferred.
  • A PMP certificate from the Project Management Institute (PMI) is required, and a PgMP certificate from PMI is preferred.
• Experience
  • 12 years of directly related project management and technical experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
  • Experience with and knowledge of nuclear tools, techniques, and procedures.
  • Demonstrated experience interacting effectively with all levels of internal and/or external personnel; building trust, gaining consensus, and resolving conflicts.
  • Demonstrated experience developing and nurturing effective internal and/or external customer relationships.
  • Demonstrated experience working with Canadian Government programs.
  • Demonstrated experience in leading the execution of R&D Projects, resource planning and allocation, risk management, EVMS performance, cost and schedule management, and strategic planning.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Demonstrated ability to absorb information and become knowledgeable in unfamiliar technical areas and environments.
  • Skilled in technical, financial, and human management skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to successfully manage a program and provide direction to a project team without direct line management.
  • Demonstrated ability to work with and be knowledgeable of CNL and the 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 7 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.

Why CNL?

Does the idea of working with a dynamic team across Canada to advance nuclear science and technology for a clean and secure world excite you? At CNL, we’re reinventing ourselves to be industry leaders—pioneering solutions to the problems that matter most.

From building the next generation of clean nuclear and hydrogen energy technologies, to developing targeted cancer treatments, to continuing our global leadership in environmental remediation—we are driven by impact, innovation, and purpose.

What We Offer: A Total Rewards Package

We believe in taking care of our people. Here’s what you can expect as part of our team:

• 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 pension plan or a defined-contribution pension plan, depending on your employee group, to support your long‑term financial security

Do Our Priorities Resonate with You?

• Delivering clean energy for today and tomorrow
• Restoring and protecting the environment
• Contributing to the health of Canadians

If so, you’ll feel right at home at CNL!

Location: Hybrid

Located in the heart of the Ottawa Valley, our Chalk River site offers a beautiful natural setting with forests, lakes, and wildlife right at your doorstep. Surrounding communities such as Deep River, Petawawa, and Pembroke provide access to excellent recreation and a great quality of life.

Please note: This is a hybrid position, with a combination of remote work and onsite presence at our Chalk River Laboratory, Ontario.

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

At CNL, we are committed to fostering an environment that promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion. We celebrate and welcome employees, stakeholders, and partners of all backgrounds and identities. Click here to read all about it!

We are proud to uphold a workplace culture grounded in our Core Values:

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

These values drive our employment practices and ensure meaningful career development opportunities and accommodations for all employees.

CNL is an equal opportunity employer. If you require accommodation during any phase of the hiring process, please let us know via [email protected]. 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 recognizes and affirms all First Nations, Métis communities and Inuit in this land we now know as Canada. We acknowledge, respect and seek to better understand Indigenous history, rights and title on the lands where we work and develop projects. We honour and respect the importance of the relationship between Indigenous peoples and their lands, waters and territories.

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