Manager, Talent Development

bdo; Toronto; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

BDO Canada is seeking a Talent Development Program Manager for a 12-month maternity backfill within the Talent Development team that supports national initiatives. You will lead design, delivery, and evolution of leadership development programs and work closely with stakeholders across the firm to deliver an exceptional learning experience.

This hands-on role involves mentoring a Coordinator, facilitating sessions, translating strategy into action, and measuring impact with data.

Qualifications

• Experience leading talent development programs and leadership development initiatives.
• Strong collaboration with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Hands-on role with delivery, facilitation, and program management.
• Experience mentoring a coordinator and managing vendor relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, delivery, and improvement of talent development programs, including leadership initiatives.
• Translate strategy into high-quality program experiences and execution.
• Identify opportunities to evolve and scale existing programming.
• Partner with Senior Manager, Talent Programs on priorities and alignment.
• Manage program plans, timelines, stakeholders, and vendor relationships.
• Establish measures for impact using data and feedback.

Skills

Leadership development

Program management

Facilitation

Stakeholder engagement

People leadership

Job description

Putting people first, every day

BDO is a firm built on a foundation of positive relationships with our people and our clients. Each day, our professionals provide exceptional service, helping clients with advice and insight they can trust. In turn, we offer an award-winning environment that fosters a people-first culture with a high priority on your personal and professional growth.

Your Opportunity

This is a 12-month maternity leave backfill within the Talent Development team that supports BDO Canada nationally. A focus on the delivery and continued evolution of the firm's talent development programming, including leadership development. Reporting to the Senior Manager, Talent Programs, this individual will lead specific programs and initiatives within the broader portfolio, ensuring high-quality execution and partnering closely with colleagues and stakeholders across the firm to deliver an exceptional learning experience.

The successful candidate will be an experienced facilitator and strong collaborator who brings practical leadership development and program management experience. They will be comfortable translating broader Talent Development strategy into action, identifying opportunities to strengthen existing programs, and working across teams to move initiatives forward.

This is a hands‑on role. The Manager will lead and develop one Coordinator while remaining actively involved in facilitation, program delivery, stakeholder partnership, and day‑to‑day execution. It is an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys being close to the work while building their program leadership and people leadership experience.

Program Leadership

• Lead the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of assigned talent development programs, including leadership development initiatives, within the broader national Talent Development portfolio.
• Translate broader Talent Development priorities and strategy into high-quality program experiences and execution.
• Identify and recommend opportunities to strengthen, evolve, and scale existing programming based on business needs, participant feedback, and emerging practices.
• Partner closely with the Senior Manager, Talent Programs on program priorities, enhancements, and alignment across the broader portfolio.
• Manage program plans, timelines, stakeholders, and vendor relationships for assigned initiatives.
• Establish and maintain appropriate measures for assigned programs, using data and feedback to demonstrate impact and inform continuous improvement.

Facilitation & Learning Experience

• Serve as a lead facilitator for talent and leadership development programs, workshops, and cohort-based initiatives.
• Deliver engaging, practical learning experiences for audiences at varying levels across the firm, including senior leaders.
• Demonstrate strong facilitation practice and adapt approach based on audience, context, and learning objectives.
• Contribute facilitation expertise to program design, ensuring learning concepts are translated into practical, relevant experiences that participants can apply in their roles.
• Support and enable others involved in program delivery by sharing facilitation practices, tools, and feedback.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Partnership

• Build strong, trusted relationships with colleagues, business leaders, subject matter experts, and partners across the firm.
• Collaborate across Talent Development and with broader People & Culture teams to ensure programs are coordinated, relevant, and aligned to business needs.
• Work effectively across a national, distributed organization, bringing together diverse perspectives and building alignment around shared outcomes.
• Listen to stakeholder and participant feedback and translate insights into practical program improvements.
• Demonstrate a client-focused mindset through responsive communication, thoughtful partnership, and consistent follow-through.

People Leadership

• Lead and develop one Coordinator, Talent Development, including goal setting, coaching, feedback, development, and performance management.
• Provide clear direction and priorities while creating opportunities for the Coordinator to build capability and take greater ownership.
• Model BDO leadership standards through day‑to‑day leadership, collaboration, and decision making.

How do we define success for your role?

You demonstrate BDO's core values through all aspects of your work: Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration

You understand your clients' industry, challenges, and opportunities; clients describe you as positive, professional, collaborative, and someone who delivers high-quality work

You identify, recommend, and are focused on effective service delivery to your clients

You share in an inclusive and engaging work environment that develops, retains, and attracts talent

You actively participate in the adoption of digital tools and strategies to drive an innovative workplace

You grow your expertise through learning and professional development

Your experience an