PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT OFFICER (Indigenous)

City of Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 77,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Toronto seeks a full-time Program Developer at Fort York to lead Indigenous-focused cultural initiatives. The role centers Indigenous experiences in program design, requiring strong collaboration with museum staff, partners, and communities.

Responsibilities include developing strategies, overseeing budgets, coordinating suppliers, and creating promotional content for cultural events. The successful candidate will engage diverse communities and drive equity through programming.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in event/program management or related field.
• Public program development experience.
• Experience monitoring budgets and coordinating suppliers/consultants.
• Lived Indigenous experience (First Nation, Inuit, or Metis).
• Experience developing Indigenous-focused programs or events.
• Competence with MS Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Research, plan, develop, implement and evaluate program development strategies for city culture events.
• Develop materials including brochures, newsletters, media releases and web content.
• Coordinate funding sponsorships and partnerships for programs.
• Monitor budgets and cost control for projects.
• Liaise with museum staff and external suppliers/consultants.
• Build community networks and relationships with partners and sponsors.
• Communicate effectively with diverse audiences and stakeholders.

Skills

Public program development

Budget monitoring

Supplier coordination

Indigenous experience

Communication & presentation

MS Office Suite

Education

Post-secondary education in related field

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

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• Job ID: 66356
• J ob Category: Economic Development, Arts & Culture
• Division & Section: Economic Development & Culture, EDC Museum & Heritage Services
• Work Location: Fort York National Historic Site, 250 Fort York Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 3K9
• Job Type & Duration:1 Full-Time, Permanent Vacancy
• Hourly Rate and Wage Grade: $42.28 - $46.31 per hour
• Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week
• Affiliation: L79 Full-time
• Number of Positions Open: 1
• Posting Period: 15-Oct-2026 to 29-Oct-2026

Grounded in a commitment to Indigenous Reconciliation, and equity-based frameworks, this role centers lived Indigenous experience as essential to applying an equitable lens to our program design and delivery. The successful candidate will help ensure our cultural initiatives reflect the priorities, histories, and needs of communities in a way that is respectful, empowering, and authentic.

Job Functions

• Researches, plans, develops, implements and evaluates program development strategies and concepts to enhance the image of Toronto Culture properties, events and policy initiatives and to expand participation in city cultural events and programs.
• Writes, researches and develops strategies for program development, audience development, merchandising, customer service as well as print design for promotional and collateral materials.
• Composes speeches, develops presentations and other correspondence.
• Develops strategies for and secures sponsor participation for events and programs.
• Writes and/or co-ordinates the research, writing, production and distribution of brochures, newsletters, media releases, flyers, key reports, web site content and other products.
• Monitors and evaluates the impact of program development programs. Recommends changes to strategy, plans and budgets.
• Monitors project expenditures and ensures cost control.
• Liaises with museum staff.
• Develops relationships for cost sharing and collaborates with business, media and community partners on programs.
• Maintains a network of contacts within the community, media, target audience groups, museum and heritage field, partners and sponsors.
• Contacts suppliers, tenders jobs, coordinates outside consultants, advertising agencies, printers, designers and suppliers ensuring adherence to agreed upon quality.
• Liaises with other units and divisions.

Key Qualifications

Your application must describe your qualifications as they relate to:

• Post-secondary education in a discipline pertinent to the job function (i.e. event/program management, public outreach) with broad experience in public special events programming, or an approved combination of education and experience
• Considerable experience in public program development with ability to recommend efficient solutions.
• Experience in monitoring project budgets and co-ordinating suppliers and consultants.
• Lived experience as a member of a First Nation, Inuit, or Metis community.
• Experience developing and implementing Indigenous-focused programs, initiatives, exhibitions, events or community engagement strategies.
• Considerable experience in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  

You must also have:

• Ability to take ownerships of a project as well as being a strong team player in fulfilling the section and division's goals.
• Ability to successfully engage in creative and strategic thinking.
• Ability to develop and monitor budgets and liaison with suppliers and consultants.
• Ability to solve problems, take initiative and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work simultaneously on a wide range of tasks with competing/tight deadlines while delivering expected outcomes and consistent creative quality.
• Ability to communicate complex messages succinctly, clearly and in manner which is understandable and engaging to a wide range of individuals.
• Ability to foster and maintain positive collaborative working relationships.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as required to support operational requirements.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Excellent oral communication and presentation skills with the ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships with other staff, community groups, agencies, corporations and businesses in relation to Culture programs and their promotional requirements.
• Knowledge of social media platforms, photography, printing and graphic design processes with the ability to evaluate creative excellence in these areas.
• Knowledge of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Occupational Health & Safety Act and other regulations/legislation that apply to job duties.
• Flexibility to thrive in a fast paced and creative environment.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City's commitment to employment equity .