Who Can Apply?:
Internal (DCC Employees) and External (General Public)
Salary Range: $109,219 - $141,984
Employment Status: Continuing
Flexible Work Option
Hybrid (2 days/week)
Term Length
Security Level: Secret
Language Requirement: Bilingual Mandatory
Closing Date: 09/08/2026
Country: Canada
Program Leader, National Services Region (Ottawa, ON)
If you’re an experienced leader who thrives in complex project environments, builds strong relationships, and delivers results through high-performing teams, we’d like to meet you.
Defence Construction Canada (DCC) is a trusted Government of Canada partner, delivering infrastructure and environmental services in support of Canada’s defence and security priorities.
With the creation of our National Services Region, based in Ottawa, we are building a strong leadership team to support large, complex, and high-impact projects across the country. We are currently staffing multiple Program Leader opportunities to support this growing mandate.
Thinking about a move? We’ll help make it happen; relocation support is available to set you up for success in Ottawa.
Why Ottawa? Canada’s capital offers a unique blend of meaningful public service work, a strong professional community, and an exceptional quality of life.
What You’ll Do As a Program Leader, you will lead a team delivering services to Client-Partners on large, complex, and high-risk programs. You will oversee project operations, manage key relationships, and ensure quality, collaboration, and performance across all activities.
Key Responsibilities Lead the development coordination and delivery of services, including cross-service line integration
Manage operations of large and complex projects or programs across multiple service lines
Follow best practices for agile program delivery and use complex program schedules, forecasting tools and risk frameworks
Manage and build strong relationships with stakeholders and Client-Partner teams in several regions
Develop and manage service level arrangements, contracts, budgets, and schedules
Perform quality control, carry out site visits, and ensure compliance with standards
Oversee contractors and consultants
Lead, coach, mentor, and manage team performance
Support national objectives and business development opportunities
What You Bring University degree in construction, engineering, architecture, environmental services, or a related field
Minimum six years of relevant experience
Strong leadership and team management skills
Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities
Experience in construction, engineering, or infrastructure environments
WHERE YOU’LL WORK This role is based in Ottawa within the National Services Region. DCC has a hybrid work model, with some required in-person presence.
WORKING CONDITIONS Typical office environment with occasional travel
Some work on active construction sites; safety equipment may be required
NSR PROJETS YOU WILL WORK ON AMMUNITION INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM
DCC is coordinating the planning and delivery of renovations or recapitalization of more than 120 buildings, including ammunition warehouses, maintenance facilities, and assembly facilities, in more than 20 locations across Canada. The program will feature 20 to 40 new builds.
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
DCC is coordinating the planning and development of numerous projects at bases and wings across Canada, including new accommodations for Canadian Armed Forces members, recapitalized and new firehalls and new healthcare facilities.
NORAD MODERNIZATION INFRASTRUCTURE
DCC is coordinating the planning and delivery of long-term projects to support NORAD and the Canadian Armed Forces. This includes upgrading facilities at key northern sites and infrastructure at Canadian Armed Forces bases and wings across Canada. Examples include aircraft hangars, ammunition warehouses, maintenance facilities, operations centres, training centres, and airfields.
What You’ll Receive In Return 100% employer-paid health and dental benefits
Public service pension
Flexible hybrid work model
Generous leave provisions
Wellness and mental health programs
Additional Information This position is designated bilingual (English and French essential). While priority will be given to candidates who meet this requirement, applications are encouraged from those developing their bilingual capacity.
To begin a career with Defence Construction Canada (DCC), you must be a Canadian Citizen or a permanent resident of Canada. As a condition of employment with DCC, a minimum reliability security status clearance is required and some roles may require secret security status clearance.
DCC is responsible for the Personnel Security Clearance process. Typically to be eligible for a "Reliability" clearance, you must have five years of verifiable background information and to be eligible for a "Secret" clearance, you must have 10 years of verifiable background information. The process usually involves reference inquiries, verification of qualifications, criminal records checks, and credit checks (as required) and may require fingerprints.
For more information about obtaining a security clearance,
please review the Standard on Security Screening.
Required The appropriate security clearance is a condition of employment and it is the candidate’s or employee’s responsibility to ensure, they are able to obtain and maintain their required security level clearance to begin or continue their employment with DCC. Failure to obtain or maintain, the appropriate level of security clearance means either the candidate or employee will not receive a job offer, the conditional offer will be rendered null and void or their employment will be terminated with cause. A thorough security clearance process will be applied to all candidates or employees considered for an appointment; this process includes inquiries, verifications and assessments regarding matters such as, but not limited to:
criminal record checks reference checks previous employment open source checks credit/financial status
DCC's Code of Business Conduct (Code) is a condition of employment. It serves to enhance public confidence in the integrity of DCC Employees and provides clarity to Employees on a number of issues, including real or perceived conflicts of interest. Before applying to this (or any) position at DCC, candidates shall familiarize themselves with the Code, because current employees are required to certify that they have read, understood, and agreed to observe the Code upon commencing work at DCC.
Employees are further required to review their obligations under the Code and notify the President's Office of any changes in their circumstances at the earliest possible opportunity, and to complete the Annual Update once a year.
Be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace!
Roles at DCC will require security at various levels including Reliability, Secret, Top Secret and for Canadian Eyes Only (proof of Citizenship required). While we welcome applications to our roles who are not Canadian citizens who are eligible to work in Canada and have at least 5 years of verifiable background information, selection will depend on the specific role’s requirements.
At DCC, we are committed to ensuring everyone has a voice and can be their authentic selves in our workplace. We actively encourage applications from all, including but not limited to, women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities and members of the LGBTQ2+ community.
DCC’s goal is to provide barrier-free access to employment opportunities and workspaces for employees and candidates. If you require an accommodation for the recruitment/interview process (including alternate formats of materials, accessible meeting rooms or other accommodations), please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs. Should you require accommodation, please email
[email protected] .
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