About Tech Spark AI

Tech Spark AI is a Canadian nonprofit that builds practical AI literacy for educators, youth and entrepreneurs. Our programs turn AI from a buzzword into skills people use in their classrooms and businesses, with a focus on ethical, responsible adoption.

We were recently awarded funding through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) BEP Ecosystem Fund to launch the AI Adoption Accelerator: a 36-month program helping small businesses in southern Ontario (under $1M in annual revenue) adopt AI and automate how they work. The program will run 8 cohorts, serve 400 businesses, graduate 300 completers and deliver 600+ implemented automations, with corporate partners co-investing alongside FedDev Ontario.

The Role The Program Director is the strategic owner of the AI Adoption Accelerator from launch to close-out. You are accountable for the program achieving its funded outcomes: setting direction, managing the funder and partner relationships, protecting quality and keeping the program compliant with FedDev Ontario contribution requirements. You will lead the Program Manager, who runs day-to-day cohort operations, and you will free the Executive Director to focus on organizational growth by owning the Accelerator end to end.

This is both a strategic and a delivery role. You set the strategy, the standards and the targets, and you stay hands-on in delivering the program alongside the Program Manager and facilitators, stepping in wherever the program needs you.

Key Responsibilities

Program strategy

- Set the strategic direction, cohort model and delivery standards for the 8-cohort Accelerator
- Partner with the Chief Curriculum Officer to keep content practical, current and aligned with ethical AI principles
- Review cohort performance after each intake and decide what to change, scale or stop
- Identify risks to targets early and make the call on resourcing, timeline and scope trade-offs

Program delivery

- Build and launch the Accelerator: recruitment, intake, onboarding, curriculum delivery, coaching and graduation for each cohort
- Stay hands-on in delivery, including facilitating or co-facilitating sessions, supporting participants and solving problems as they arise
- Oversee implementation support so participants complete real automations,



not just training
- Set up the systems, tools and processes the program runs on, and refine them with each cohort

Leadership of the Program Manager

- Directly manage and develop the Program Manager, who owns day-to-day cohort operations, participant experience and facilitator scheduling, and work alongside them on delivery
- Set annual and per-cohort goals, hold regular one-on-ones and delegate clearly with room for the Program Manager to own execution
- Approve workplans, delivery calendars and participant-facing materials before launch
- Oversee hiring and contractor decisions for coordinators, facilitators and technical advisors

Funder relationship and compliance

- Support the relationship with FedDev Ontario and corporate funders, including negotiating changes and variations to the agreement
- Own compliance with the contribution agreement: milestones, claims, progress reports and audit readiness, with the Program Manager preparing the inputs
- Partner with the CFO on budget, cash flow forecasts and eligible-cost tracking
- Maintain corporate partner reporting and stewardship, and support partner fundraising asks, including the pending bank co-investment

Partnerships and ecosystem

- Build and manage strategic partnerships with small business associations, chambers, BIAs, community lenders and economic development agencies
- Shape the recruitment strategy to reach 400 eligible businesses, including underrepresented founders
- Represent the Accelerator at funder, government and industry events

Measurement and learning

- Define the outcomes framework and metrics: baseline, completion, automations built, time or cost saved
- Report results to the Executive Director, Board and funders, and use evidence to refine the program and support future funding

Success Measures

Measure

Target over 36 months

Cohorts delivered

8

Small businesses enrolled

400

Program completers

300





Automations implemented

600+

Funder reports and claims

On time, no material findings

Program Manager

Goals set each cohort; retention and development on track

Qualifications

Required

- 10+ years in program leadership, with 5+ years managing program managers or other managers
- Direct experience owning government or foundation-funded programs, including funder relationships, milestone reporting and financial compliance
- Demonstrated strategic thinking: able to set direction, weigh trade-offs and turn funder targets into an executable plan
- Working knowledge of how small businesses adopt technology; practical AI and automation literacy (no-code tools, workflow automation, generative AI)
- Proven record in cohort-based or training programs and outcome measurement
- Strong budget oversight, partnership-building and executive-level communication skills
- Hands-on delivery experience: comfortable facilitating, coaching participants and executing alongside a lean team

Preferred

- Experience with FedDev Ontario or other federal or provincial contribution agreements
- Background in entrepreneurship support, accelerators, workforce development or economic development
- Relationships with southern Ontario small business networks
- Experience with CRM and impact tracking tools
- PMP or equivalent credential; bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Equal Opportunity and How to Apply Tech Spark AI is an equal prospect employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and encourage applications from women, Black, Indigenous and racialized people, newcomers, persons with disabilities and 2SLGBTQ+ people. Accommodations are available at every stage of the hiring process; contact us and we will work with you.

To apply, send a resume and a one-page cover letter describing a program you ran that met funder targets to with the subject line "Program Director, AI Adoption Accelerator." Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until November 30 2026.

Pay: $90,000.00-$100,000.00 per year

Application question(s)

- How many years of Program Directing experience do you have?

Experience:
- Working as a Program Director with Federal Program: 1 year (required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Toronto, ON

📌 Program Director (Toronto)
🏢 Tech Spark AI
📍 Toronto