Program Manager, Employee Wellness

City of Ottawa / Ville d’Ottawa; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 113,000 - 144,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Program Manager for Employee Wellness to lead initiatives that promote a healthy workplace culture. This role involves designing and implementing wellness programs, managing relationships across departments, and ensuring compliance with best practices. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in human resources and project management, coupled with a passion for fostering a supportive environment. Join a forward-thinking organization committed to diversity and inclusion, where your contributions will significantly impact employee well-being and organizational success.

Benefits

Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

Professional Development Opportunities

Health and Wellness Programs

Flexible Work Hours

Qualifications

• 8+ years in employee wellness and health management.
• Experience in managing human and financial resources.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and implementation of employee wellness programs.
• Manage vendor contracts and relationships effectively.

Skills

Employee Wellness Program Design

Project Management

Human Resources Management

Communication Skills

Analytical Skills

Education

4-year University Degree

Master of Social Work

Tools

MS Office

SAP

PeopleSoft

Job description

Join to apply for the Program Manager, Employee Wellness role at City of Ottawa / Ville d’Ottawa

Join to apply for the Program Manager, Employee Wellness role at City of Ottawa / Ville d’Ottawa

Requisition ID: 17275

Department: Finance and Corporate Services Dept.

Service: Human Resources Services

Branch: Employee Wellness Branch

Employment Type: 1 Full-time Permanent

Work Hours: 35.00/hours per week

Affiliation: MPE

Salary Information: $113,700.86- $143,798.20 annually (2025 rates of pay)

Location: 100 Constellation, Nepean

City: Ottawa, ON

Job Category: Administrative and Support Services

Application Close: 08/05/2025

Candidates are encouraged to self-identify as a member of one or more employment equity designated groups through the questions in the online application process.

The City of Ottawa promotes the principles of diversity and inclusion and adheres to the tenets of the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code. We are committed to an equitable, strategic and inclusive hiring process and support a workforce that reflects the diverse population of Ottawa.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the position, the following are considered assets:

• Member of Indigenous, Black or other racialized community, persons with disabilities, women or other equity-deserving groups
• Experience working with diverse communities and intersecting social identities, such as race, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, class and religion facing systemic and structural barriers
• Knowledge of community demographics and their needs, systemic challenges and strengths
• Demonstrated understanding of the value of equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace
• Ability to apply an equity, diversity and inclusion lens to all work, including interactions and internal decision-making processes
• Ability to communicate in a language other than French or English
  
  
  
  

Job Summary

The Employee Wellness Unit develops the corporate Employee Wellness strategy and framework for the City to support safe, healthy behaviors and encourage employees to proactively manage their well-being. The unit’s mission will be to act in alignment with the City’s values, create, and foster a psychologically safe workplace culture, adapt to the diverse intersectional needs of the employee population, and evolve into a trauma-informed organization.

You lead a team of professional staff in the Employee Wellness Unit, providing expertise in the planning, design, implementation, communications and evaluation of employee wellness programs, as well as, planning and managing projects. You are responsible for building and maintaining strong working relationships with staff and management in HR, Labour Relations, and Finance, and for representing the corporation at collective bargaining on matters related to employee wellness programs.

Your primary responsibilities include:

• Leading the design, planning, implementation, communications, and evaluation of employee wellness programs, including the various phases of integrated benefit product launches or updates, with the objective of being market competitive, cost effective and internally equitable.
• Ensuring programs are designed within consideration of needs, cost-efficiency, competitive positioning, emerging industry trends and innovations, governance and best practices.
• Leading internal and external audit activities associated with employee wellness programs, policies and procedures.
• Establishing and maintaining various relationships with internal(such as Legal Services, Labour Relations, Finance, etc.) and external service providers to ensure programs meet business needs and compliance requirements, to effectively manage risk, and to ensure quality service.
• Managing vendor contracts and relationships with various consultants, third party administrators and service providers in matters related to annual renewals/reviews and new contracts, to ensure optimum efficiency and quality of service delivery, and to ensure compliance with contract terms and conditions.
• Overseeing the development and delivery of communication material to enhance employee understanding of employee wellness programs as well as the design and maintenance of online information
  
  
  
  

You are also responsible for managing the unit’s human (including contracted services) and financial resources, and partner relationships.

Education And Experience

Completion of 4 year university degree in Psychology, Sociology, HR Management, Business Administration, Public Administration or other related field. Masters of Social Work preferred.

Minimum of 8 years of related experience in employee wellness, occupational health and safety, including a minimum of 4 years in the management of human and financial resources.

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENCES

Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) is desirable.

Registered Social Worker in the Province of Ontario or equivalent certification is desirable.

KNOWLEDGE

• Methods, techniques and practices relative to benefits and wellness program design and governance
• Benefit plan underwriting and cost containment measures
• Legislation, policies, regulations, guidelines and operational procedures relevant to the operational area
• Contract document preparation, the tendering process and supervision of field services
• Supervisory experience and motivational techniques. Working knowledge of human resource best practices, trends and development
• Financial management practices and budget processes
• Industry trends and developments
• Business administration concepts, theories, principles and methodologies
• Computer applications, including MS Office, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SAP, PeopleSoft, Access, and other corporate standard software
• Must possess the training, experience and knowledge to organize the work and its performance
• Legislation, regulations, policies, standards and guidelines relevant to the work
• Must be familiar with applicable health and safety legislation, have knowledge of any potential or actual danger to health or safety in the work place, and have knowledge of appropriate actions to be taken in order to ensure the health and safety of staff in accordance with applicable legislation and municipal policies and procedures
  
  
  
  

Competencies, Skills And Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to write/draft clear, concise correspondence, reports, policies, resources, grant proposals, and recommendations, including evaluations and summaries of research and analysis to guide program development, strategic planning, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to demonstrate human relations, communications, facilitation, presentation, and collaboration skills to maintain effective working relations with parties involved; facilitate discussions, leveraging diversity and differences; deliver training; and present information and promote programs and initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to enact research and analytical skills to identify needs and develop, plan, maintain, and evaluate programs and projects that support psychological and physical health of an organization.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and collaborate with internal and external partners, including on delivering specialized wellbeing training and education.
• Ability to demonstrate project management skills to develop scope, plans, and requirements, including communications and resources. Ability to turn plans into action, see projects through to completion, and achieve program goals.
  
  
  
  

Core Behaviours

Core behaviours define the City's expectations of the behaviours employees should demonstrate in performing their work. They are reflective of the City's culture and values and guide all our present and future activities. Every employee is encouraged to learn, embody, and demonstrate these core behaviours.

Review the Core Behaviours .

Leadership Competencies

The City has defined key competencies that leaders are expected to embody and demonstrate to successfully move the organization towards achieving its strategic objectives and create an organizational culture that supports and empowers employees to excel, grow and reach their full potential. These leadership competencies and associated behaviours are expected to be demonstrated by leaders at all levels of the organization.

Review the Leadership Competencies .

What You Need To Know

• Language Requirement: English oral, reading, writing
• Experience and formal training combined with demonstrated performance and ability may substitute for stipulated academic requirements.
• Please save a copy of the job poster. Once the closing date has passed, it will no longer be available.
  
  
  
  

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for this position. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

The City of Ottawa provides accommodation during all parts of the hiring process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. If contacted to proceed to the selection process, please advise us if you require any accommodation.

Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request. Please contact the HR Service Centre (email: [e-mail]) at 613-580-2424, extension 47411 HR Service Centre at 613-580-2424, extension 47411.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Project Management and Information Technology

• Industries

  Government Administration

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