Program Manager Defence

Telesat; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading satellite communications provider based in Ottawa is seeking a capable Program Manager to support the capture and negotiation phases of a critical government program. The successful candidate will coordinate inputs across internal teams, track contractual obligations, and facilitate interactions with government stakeholders. Candidates should have 5–10 years of program management experience, strong organizational skills, and a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. The role requires office work at Telesat headquarters and may involve off-hours work and occasional travel.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of experience in program management or project coordination.
• Experience supporting government contracts in regulated environments.
• Ability to track complex requirements and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Support program management and contract negotiation for the ESCP program.
• Develop program plans, schedules, and risk registers.
• Coordinate interactions with Government of Canada counterparts.

Skills

Program management

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Team coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or related field

Tools

Project management tools

Job description

Telesat (Nasdaq and TSX: TSAT) is a leading global satellite operator, providing reliable and secure satellite-delivered communications solutions worldwide to broadcast, telecommunications, corporate and government customers for over 55 years. Backed by a legacy of engineering excellence, reliability and industry‑leading customer service, Telesat has grown to be one of the largest and most successful global satellite operators.

Telesat Lightspeed, our revolutionary Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network, scheduled to begin service in 2027, will revolutionize global broadband connectivity for enterprise and Government users by delivering a combination of high capacity, security, resiliency and affordability with ultra‑low latency and fiber‑like speeds. Telesat is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, and has offices and facilities around the world.

The company’s state‑of‑the‑art Satellite fleet consists of 14 GEO satellites, the Canadian payload on ViaSat‑1 and one LEO 3 demonstration satellite. For more information, follow Telesat on X and LinkedIn or visit www.telesat.com

Telesat is seeking a highly capable Program Manager to support the capture, solutions definition and contract‑negotiation phase of the ESCP program, following Telesat’s down‑selection by the Government of Canada.

This role provides day‑to‑day program management and coordination, working within the Sales & Business Development team to track requirements, manage inputs, and ensure all obligations, deliverables, and timelines are clearly defined, owned, and met. Interactions will target internal Telesat stakeholders, the GoC customer and subcontractors.

This is a fast‑paced, hands‑on role well suited to someone who takes strong ownership of their work, is comfortable driving follow‑up across teams, and is motivated by seeing complex efforts move forward. The successful candidate will be results‑oriented, dependable, and proactive, with a clear focus on execution and follow‑through, and an interest in growing their program management skills while contributing to a meaningful national program.

Main Responsibilities

Capture & Contract Support

• Support the capture phase of the ESCP program following down‑selection.
• Coordinate inputs to contract negotiation, including technical, commercial, legal, financial, operational and security elements.
• Track contractual requirements, assumptions, dependencies, and open items throughout negotiations.
• Maintain clear documentation of obligations, deliverables, and timelines.

Program Coordination & Tracking

• Develop and maintain detailed program plans, schedules, action logs, and risk registers.
• Track milestones, deliverables, and dependencies across internal teams.
• Ensure internal teams are aligned on responsibilities and deadlines.
• Flag gaps, risks, or missed inputs early and drive follow‑up.

Government Interface (Program‑Level)

• Support program‑level interactions with Government of Canada counterparts.
• Coordinate meetings, working groups, and information requests.
• Prepare agendas, materials, and follow‑up actions for GoC engagements.
• Ensure commitments made to GoC are documented and tracked.

Internal Coordination

• Act as the central point of coordination between Sales/BD and internal delivery teams.
• Gather inputs from Engineering, Legal, Finance, Security, and Operations as required.
• Support internal reviews, approvals, and governance processes.
• Ensure accurate information flow across teams during capture and early delivery.

Transition to Delivery

• Support the transition from capture into early program execution once the contract is finalized.
• Ensure contractual obligations are clearly handed off to delivery teams.
• Help establish initial delivery tracking and reporting structures.

Education & Experience Required

• 5–10 years of experience in program management, project coordination, or capture support, preferably in government, defence, space, or other regulated environments.
• Experience supporting government or public‑sector contracts, including capture or pre‑award phases.
• Strong organizational and administrative skills, with a high level of attention to detail.
• Experience coordinating across multiple internal teams in a matrixed environment.
• Ability to track complex requirements, deadlines, and dependencies.
• Clear and professional written and verbal communication skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• PMP or equivalent program management certification (asset, not required).
• Eligible to obtain Government of Canada security clearance.

Working Conditions

• Office work at Telesat headquarters in Ottawa, ON
• Off‑hours work occasionally required
• Occasional travel

The successful candidate must be able to work in Canada and obtain a NATO Secret Government clearance.

At Telesat, we take pride in being an equal opportunity employer that values equality in the workplace. We are committed to providing the best candidate experience possible including any required accommodations at every stage of our interview process. All qualified applicants that have been selected for an interview that require accommodations, are advised to inform the Telesat Talent team accordingly. We will work with you to meet your needs. All accommodation information provided will be treated as confidential.