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Director of Program Design


The mission of the Director of Program Design is to be the driving force behind what makes ViRTUS tick. With a genuine passion for people, leadership, and design, the Director of Program Design leads and supports the Program Team (project management and content design) and provides oversight and cohesion across all aspects of a program. This person is an organizational and leadership development specialist focusing on transformative learning, emotional intelligence, healthy team dynamics, communication, instructional design, adult education, and organizational culture. This is a 13-month contract position.


Areas of Responsibility

Program Team Leadership

  • Lead the Program Team to ensure seamless client experiences
  • Provide ongoing feedback and development opportunities for Program team members
  • Provide coaching and support to resolve complex problems and manage difficulties
  • Connect team members’ day-to-day work to our strategy and purpose
  • Collaborate with the Operations Manager on recruitment for the Program Team
  • Conduct final hiring interviews and make final decisions for Program Team recruitment
  • Seek and recommend learning and professional development opportunities for Program team members
  • Conduct bi-weekly 1:1s and annual reviews for direct reports

    • Program Oversight

  • Allocate designers and design resources for each program
  • Provide guidance to Program Designers and Program Manager regarding engaging and aligning stakeholders (ie. Facilitators, client sponsor) as required
  • Consider program wholistically and foster a systems-thinking approach to all elements of program design and management
  • Manage escalation issues in a timely manner and coach others to find their own solutions whenever appropriate to do so
  • Provide guidance and act as a bridge between all aspects of the Program Design process
  • Act as a Lead Program Designer as needed
  • Collaborate with Business Development and the Director of Learning Strategies to ensure our programs align with our purpose, strategy, and scalability
  • Collaborate with Business Development and the Director of Learning Strategies to ensure integration of new offerings and technologies into our programs
  • Make recommendations to Business Development and the Program Manager during the proposal creation, RFP, and renewal process

    • Core Content Oversight

  • Drive the process to streamline our core content and team development offerings
  • Drive the strategy to integrate new technology and methodologies into current offerings
  • Create and manage the strategy to ensure consistent elevation of our core content
  • Lead our anti-racism and inclusion strategy within our core offerings
  • Recommend and manage assessment partners, vetting and choosing key partners in each area of assessment (EQ, engagement, culture, 360)

    • Efficiency and Innovation

  • Ensure the Program team is structured in the most efficient and effective way
  • Monitor existing program offerings for quality control and guide improvement process
  • Ensure new offerings are rolled out effectively
  • Flag and make strategic decisions to ensure resource allocation, scalability, and a sustainable model of work
  • Create systems and disciplines designed to ensure a high standard of output at scale
  • Remove systemic barriers and bureaucracy to increase the efficiency and impact of work
  • Integrate a test, learn, and iterate culture into everything program-related
  • Audit and innovate our existing offerings by leveraging cutting edge learning techniques and guiding continuous improvement

    • Strategic Contribution

  • Contribute to decisions impacting organizational structure
  • Accountable to make and execute decisions regarding the strategic direction of the organization
  • Accountable for decisions and practices regarding our social and environmental impact
  • Accountable to make decisions impacting the ViRTUS brand and reputation in the market

    • Your Qualifications

    Get in touch with us if you

    • Have 7+ years of instructional design experience
    • Have 3+ years in Leadership Development program design
    • Have 3+ years of leading a team in program design, learning design, talent development, or similar in the corporate sector
    • Program Management experience
    • Consider the bigger picture and help connect the dots between the day to day and larger strategy
    • Have an understanding of and experience applying adult learning principles to design interactive, creative sessions with a focus on experiential learning
    • Are super interested in current trends and innovation in leadership development
    • Are great at putting yourself in someone else’s shoes to understand how learners will experience your design
    • Take a coach approach to leadership
    • Balance candor, curiosity, and coaching in your approach to leadership

    Nice-to-haves

    • Understanding of Organizational Development practices and frameworks
    • A coaching designation
    • Education in adult learning, instructional systems design, educational technology, human performance technology, or leadership and training
    • An entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to think creatively and take calculated risks

    Compensation Package

    • A competitive salary
    • Extended benefits and a health spending account
    • Four weeks of vacation annually, plus a one-week company-wide winter holiday shutdown
    • Four additional half-days on Fridays between June-August
    • Support for professional development
    • Paid volunteer hours
    • Ability to work from home or our co-working space in Vancouver*
    • Note: This is a 13-month fixed term maternity contract

      • *We are primarily remote, with some in-person team and client commitments throughout the year. Travel for work may be required. Applicants must live in and be legally able to work in Canada. Laptop and other remote tools will be provided. Core working hours are Monday through Friday, Pacific Time Zone, with some flexibility of start/end times.


      To apply, complete this form, and submit your resume via email to careers@virtusinc.com. The deadline for applications is end of day on May 28, 2023. Qualified candidates will be contacted on a rolling basis, so early applications are encouraged.


      We celebrate and value all identities and encourage any, and all, applicants to apply! Requests for accommodation are welcomed throughout any stage of our recruitment process, and beyond. For more information, we encourage you to get in touch with us at info@virtusinc.com, and check out our Anti-Racism, Equity and Inclusion statement.



      Interested?
      Email us at careers@virtusinc.com to apply