Manager, Recreational Programs

Fonction publique de l'Ontario; Toronto; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Ontario Science Centre is seeking a dynamic leader to oversee the Recreational Programs portfolio and drive engaging science experiences for children and families. You will manage a team, plan and evaluate programs, and seek revenue opportunities while ensuring exceptional customer service.

You will foster an inclusive workplace and collaborate with departments to align programs with organizational values. This role requires a proactive manager who can balance program delivery with financial

Qualifications

• Be willing to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Check.
• Be certified in Standard First Aid and CPR Level C before your start date and maintain it during employment.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, mentor, and supervise staff including performance management and acting as duty manager.
• Plan, develop, deliver, and evaluate science programs (camps, birthday parties, Kids Night Out) for children, families, and recreational groups.
• Identify opportunities to increase revenue through new programs and maximizing existing programs and resources.
• Oversee administrative operations, financial tracking, budget monitoring, and program performance.
• Promote excellent customer service and foster an inclusive, equitable, and accessible workplace.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Customer service

Team coaching

Diversity & inclusion

Job description

Apply By:Friday, August 28, 2026 11:59 pm EDT

Learning and Engagement / Recreational Programs

Spark curiosity through science programming
Join the Ontario Science Centre where you will oversee a portfolio of engaging science programs, support and lead a team, and identify opportunities for revenue growth.

About the job

Leading the Recreational Programs team, you will:

• plan, develop, deliver, and evaluate science programs, including camps, birthday parties and Kids Night Out, for children, families, and recreational groups
• find opportunities to increase revenue through new programs and maximizing existing programs and resources
• oversee administrative operations, financial tracking, budget monitoring, and program performance
• promote excellent customer service in all areas of the organization
• foster a team environment that reflects the organization's values and supports a diverse, inclusive, equitable, and accessible workplace

To learn more about the role, team and ask any questions you may have, send an email to the hiring manager at [e-mail].

Join our online open house

Learn more about the role, team and ask any questions you have during our online open house! Email [e-mail] to register and join us at 4:00pm on August 20, 2026. If you can't make it, don't worry — we'll send everyone who registered a link to the recording after the event.

What you bring to the team

Mandatory requirements

You must:

• be willing to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Check (required for top candidates)
• be certified in Standard First Aid and CPR Level C before your start date and maintain it during employment

Management and leadership skills

You can:

• lead, coach, mentor, and supervise staff, including performance management and acting as duty manager
• build working relationships and foster an inclusive work environment for employees and other groups
• demonstrate knowledge of human resources practices, including labour relations in a unionized environment
• manage department budget and monitor financial performance

Program knowledge and delivery

You can:

• apply knowledge of science and technology to create engaging programs that are scientifically accurate and meet participant needs
• encourage innovation and creative thinking to develop and promote new revenue-generating programs, and make adjustments to programs as needed
• manage all aspects of programming, including format consideration, staffing, budgeting, resourcing, and evaluation
• demonstrate knowledge of child development and the requirements for supporting children and youth participants safely

Communication and stakeholder relations skills

You can:

• communicate with staff, volunteers, children, and parents/caregivers, while resolving concerns and using judgement to escalat e issues when needed
• demonstrate experience in relationship management, consultation, negotiation and issues management
• present ideas and recommendations clearly and professionally to support program goals and organizational priorities

Don't meet every qualification?

If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!

How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please contact us.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:

• diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
• accessibility
• Anti-Racism Policy

What we offer

The Ontario Public Service is one of Ontario's largest employers. Employees work for a wide range of ministries, with offices in more than 70 cities across the province. We offer:

• a career that can grow across ministries and job functions
• flexible learning and developmental opportunities, including education and mentorship programs
• a comprehensive compensation and benefits package
• base salary that aligns to market trends with performance-based pay and scheduled salary progression
• tailored work arrangements, including opportunities like flex hours, self-funded leave and more
• modern, friendly and accessible physical work environment

Additional information:

• 1 English Temporary, duration up to 18 months, 777 Bay St, Toronto, Toronto Region, Vulnerable Sector Check
• About security checks:
  A criminal or other federal offence record does not automatically disqualify you from the position. We consider each situation based on the position's responsibilities.
  If a check is needed and you’ve lived outside of Canada in the past 5 years for 6 or more months in a row, or if you are not a Canadian resident, you'll need to provide an out-of-country police clearance certificate from the country you lived in.
  Employment screening checks are only reviewed and evaluated by the Transition and Security Office, which also maintains them and keeps them strictly confidential.

Language requirements and assessment:
All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.