Programs Manager

We are thrilled to post for this one year contract (possibility to renew) position for a Programs Manager. If you are interested, have the experience and qualifications, please apply. Please circulate this posting among your networks.

Deadline to apply is March 7, 2025 at 5:00 PM ET.

PROGRAMS MANAGER
Type: 0.8 full time equivalent (4 days per week), one year contract, with possibility to renew
Start Date: April 2025
Reports to: Director of Programs & Development
Hiring Salary: $70,000 - $80,000 prorated to 0.8 FTE ($56,000 - $64,000)

THE ORGANIZATION
The Disability Screen Office is a national, bilingual, disability-led not-for-profit organization whose mission is to develop opportunities for disabled creatives and advocate for a more accessible Canadian screen industry. Through our partnerships and programs, we’re setting a new national standard for inclusive screen-based storytelling.

The DSO is thrilled to invite applications for the role of Programs Manager. The selected candidate will support the organization in bringing crucial accessibility resources to the Canadian screen industry through their role in administering several of the DSO’s key initiatives.

THE POSITION
Are you passionate about advancing accessibility, inclusivity and diversity in the Canadian screen industry? Are you a proven project manager with the ability to take a project from conception through to completion? If so, we invite you to consider joining our team, a leading organization dedicated to building an accessible and inclusive Canadian screen industry where disabled creatives thrive.

As the Programs Manager, you will work closely with our staff to drive the ongoing implementation of all of our strategic programs, including those that are forthcoming. Additionally, this role will support the ongoing operations and growth of the DSO Programs department.

The DSO’s programs are designed to address the challenges faced by disabled creatives in the Canadian screen industry. We’re conducting research, gathering data across the sector, providing resources to break down systemic barriers, and offering clear guidance on making accessibility an integral part of industry practices and procedures. Together, we’re building an inclusive and accessible culture where disabled creatives can fully participate, contribute, and thrive alongside their peers.

If you are ready to make a significant impact on the intersection of disability and the Canadian screen sector, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity. Join us in our mission to reshape the narrative and create a more authentic, accessible, and inclusive experience for all.

WHAT YOU’LL DO: KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work closely with the Director of Programs & Development and the Executive Director to operationalize the DSO’s programs and initiatives in accordance with our multi-year strategic plan.
• Under the direction of the Director of Programs & Development, manage the ongoing implementation of several key organizational programs, including but not limited to our Mapping Representation research project, Industry Resource Hub and the Screen Festival Accessibility Program.
• Work closely with the Director of Programs & Development to create timelines for, design, and launch at minimum two new programs (the Accessibility & Disability Training Series and our Production Accessibility Role Initiative), with potential for further portfolio growth.
• Maintain program budgets and work with the Director of Programs & Development to implement and track expenses for project activities.
• Provide support for additional community and industry programs, partnerships, and collaborations, including but not limited to delegations, mentorship programs, town halls, and additional public-facing events and initiatives.
• Manage and work closely with project advisory groups, committees and consultants, including sourcing members for advisory groups, committees, and consultants.
• Communicate with creatives, talent, partners, contractors, service providers, vendors, venues, etc. around the planning, logistics, general needs of programs.
• Coordinate travel, per diem and accommodations for program advisory committees, participants, etc.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR: QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Recent experience planning and delivering high-profile programs or campaigns.
• A strong commitment to the DSO’s mission and vision and a deep understanding of the diversity, needs and challenges of persons with disabilities in the Canadian screen industry and beyond.
• Strong time management, organizational and multi-tasking skills; able to set priorities and meet deadlines as well as work independently and with minimal supervision.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate internally and externally, and cultivate strong relationships with community partners and colleagues alike.
• Significant experience working in film, television, performing arts, or a related cultural environment.
• Experience in using conventional and new digital media.
• Proficiency in Google Suite, as well as experience working with accounting and information management systems.
• Proficiency with Monday project management software would be considered an asset.
• Ability to work in both of Canada’s official languages (English and French) would be considered an asset.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Canadian residency and eligible to work in Canada.

ESSENTIAL INFO: LOCATION OF WORK, SALARY AND BENEFITS
Salary: A competitive annual salary of $70,000 - $80,000 prorated to 0.8 FTE ($56,000 - $64,000)
Location of work: The DSO presently operates in a virtual office environment and applicants for this role can be based anywhere in Canada and work from home. This could change as the DSO evolves.
Vacation: 12 days of vacation per year.
Expense coverage: Internet expenses and business-related travel expenses.

HOW WE HIRE (HIRING PROCESS)

We will adhere to the following process that consistently assesses all applications. We will not accept additional calls, meetings, expressions of interest, or conversations to ensure that our hiring process is equitable, inclusive and bias-free.

Apply: Submit your resume and cover letter by email to hr@dso-orphe.ca . Please ensure that your cover letter outlines how you would be a great candidate to assume this role with the DSO.

Application review: The hiring committee, composed of the Director of Programs & Development, Operations Manager, and Executive Director will review applications and advance candidates to the initial call phase. Candidates who are not moving forward in the process will receive an email informing them of this decision by March 17, 2025.

Phone screening: the preliminary step in our hiring process to assess the suitability of candidates for this position. They will be conducted over the phone and serve as an initial evaluation before inviting candidates for an in-person interview.

Interviews: Candidates who advance to this stage will first meet with the Director of Programs & Development and the Operations Manager for the first round of virtual interviews assessing core competencies for the role. There will be a second panel interview with the Executive Director and the Director of Programs & Development, and the second interview will include questions about the candidate’s experience related to the competency being assessed, scenario-based questions, and case studies, as applicable. Information on the interviews, including format and what will be assessed in each interview, will be shared with the candidates in the interview invitation.

Reference checks: The top candidates will be contacted to provide the names and contact details for 3 references who can speak to their experience, qualifications, and competencies for the role.

Hiring decision: The hiring committee will review the application, interview assessments from the hiring committee, and reference checks before extending a final offer to the candidate.

HOW TO APPLY
To apply, please send your resume and a cover letter outlining the qualifications and experience you would bring to the position to hr@dso-orphe.ca .

We are an equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and accessibility. We encourage applications from members of all underrepresented groups including women and members of other underrepresented/marginalized gender communities, Indigenous peoples, racialized communities, people with disabilities, LGBTQ2+ communities, and/or people with intersectional identities. Given the DSO has a mandate to create more access and inclusion for people with disabilities across the Canadian screen industry, we particularly encourage applications from people with disabilities, so please let us know if you identify as a person with a disability on your application.

Please submit your application, including cover letter and resume, on or before March 7, 2025, at 5:00 PM ET (Toronto time). All applicants will receive a response to their application by March 17, 2025 informing them if they will be moving on to the next steps of the process.

ACCESSIBILITY & ACCOMMODATIONS
The DSO is committed to removing accessibility barriers and creating a screen industry in Canada that is equitable, accessible and inclusive to persons with disabilities and this begins by ensuring that our hiring practices are equitable, accessible and inclusive.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations in the hiring process and in the role. As such, please let us know if you have accessibility needs or require accommodations to fully and meaningfully participate in the hiring process as outlined. If so, please reach out to hr@dso-orphe.ca .

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Thank you for reading our job posting and considering this role as a next step in your career. We know the time that it takes to prepare and submit an application and we thank you for your interest in the DSO and this incredible leadership role.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Hourly Wage, Salary or Salary Range:

$70,000 - $80,000 prorated to 0.8 FTE ($56,000 - $64,000)

The Disability Screen Office (DSO) is a national, disability-led, not-for-profit organization that develops opportunities for disabled creatives and advocates for a more accessible Canadian screen industry. Our vision is an accessible and inclusive Canadian screen industry where disabled creatives thrive.