Strategic Program Lead, New Note Issuance (Ottawa (Downtown), ON, CA)

Strategic Program Lead, New Note Issuance

Take a central role

The Bank of Canada has a vision to be a leading central bank—dynamic, engaged and trusted—committed to a better Canada. No other employer in the country offers you the unique opportunity to work at the very center of Canada’s economy, in an organization with significant impact on the economic and financial well-being of all Canadians. You will be challenged, energized and motivated to excel in our environment. 

Building on the principles that have always guided us – excellence, integrity and respect – we strive to be forward-looking and innovative, to welcome people with diverse perspectives and talents, and to earn trust by living up to our commitments and by clearly explaining the intent of our policies and actions.  

With our defined-benefit pension plan, benefits, and high flexibility for work life balance - find out more about why we are annually ranked as one of Canada's top employers:  Working Here - Bank of Canada

Find out more about the next steps in our Recruitment process. 

In addition to the position being staffed, this competition may be used to fill similar opportunities (Regular or Term) that become available at the same job grade. If you’re interested in this type of role, we encourage you to apply.

About the role 
As Strategic Program Lead, New Note Issuance, you will play a pivotal role in shaping Canada's next generation of bank notes. Reporting to the Deputy Managing Director, Currency, you will lead the end-to-end delivery of the Bank's new note issuance program, providing strategic advice and oversight for initiatives related to the $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 bank notes. 

Working within a complex, multi-year environment involving multiple suppliers, specialized partners and diverse stakeholders, you will provide overall program leadership across the note issuance lifecycle, helping to guide strategic decisions and drive alignment between program objectives and delivery outcomes to support the successful delivery of a high-profile national program.

This role currently has no direct reports but offers significant opportunity to influence outcomes through matrix leadership, cross-functional collaboration and engagement with external suppliers and partners. 

What you will do 
In this role, you will provide senior advisory support and program oversight for the Bank’s new note issuance agenda, working closely with senior leaders, internal subject matter experts and external suppliers to assess strategic implications, priorities, risks, trade-offs and key decision points. You will support informed decision-making and help advance successful program outcomes across multiple note initiatives.

More specifically, you will:

• apply rigorous program management practices to oversee multiple note initiatives concurrently, ensuring alignment from strategy through delivery. 
• establish and oversee governance frameworks that support effective decision-making, issue resolution and program accountability. 
• prepare executive briefings, recommendations and analysis for senior leadership on strategic considerations, supplier dynamics, program risks and major decisions. 
• build and maintain trusted relationships with internal stakeholders, subject matter experts, peer leaders and external suppliers to drive alignment and advance program objectives. 
• assess supplier capabilities, constraints, capacity and delivery risks, providing insight into commercial realities and potential impacts on program outcomes.
• evaluate strategic, operational, reputational and delivery risks and develop risk-informed options and recommendations for senior leaders. 
• analyze trade-offs involving security, quality, cost, timing, operational readiness and supplier performance to support program objectives and delivery outcomes. 
• integrate perspectives from technical experts, operational teams and suppliers to develop cohesive recommendations for senior leadership. 
• oversee the development of executive reporting and performance insights, ensuring key assumptions, risks, constraints and decision points are clearly communicated and supported by evidence.
•  identify emerging issues, dependencies and constraints that may affect delivery readiness and implement strategies to mitigate risks and maintain momentum. 

What you need to succeed 
You have experience operating in complex, high-impact environments involving senior leaders, external partners and multiple competing priorities. You are skilled at influencing and aligning diverse stakeholders within a matrixed environment and bring a collaborative leadership style that fosters effective partnerships across internal teams, governance bodies and external organizations.

You combine strong business acumen and sound judgment with exceptional executive communication skills, enabling you to translate complex issues into clear, actionable recommendations. You have a proven ability to solve complex and ambiguous problems, navigate uncertainty, and support informed decision-making in environments characterized by changing priorities, multiple stakeholders and significant delivery risk.

Nice to have 

• Experience in banknote design, development or secure manufacturing environments. 
• Familiarity with currency systems and banknote issuance processes. 
• Experience working with international suppliers or specialized vendors. 
• Experience within a central bank, public sector organization or similarly complex institutional environment. 
• Professional designation, certification or equivalent experience related to strategy, governance, risk management, operations, supply chain management, procurement or complex program delivery. 

Your education and experience 
This position requires a university degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Project Management, or a related field, combined with a minimum of 15 years of progressive experience supporting complex, high impact work in a senior advisory, governance, risk, operations, supply chain, product, or program environment. 

You have demonstrated experience influencing senior stakeholders and providing clear credible advice on complex risks, trade-offs, and decisions. You also have experience working with external suppliers or partners, including assessing commercial drivers, capacity, capability, constraints, and deliver risk.  

Innovative Mindset
We value candidates who demonstrate adaptability, curiosity, and a willingness to learn new technologies, including AI and digital tools. We seek individuals who can think critically about data, question existing processes, and find ways to simplify our work while embracing change and new ways of doing things. 

Language requirement
The Bank’s work environment is conducive to the use of both of Canada’s official languages - English and French.  The position language requirement is Level 5 (Fully Functional).  If a qualified candidate who meets the language requirement of the position is not found, a qualified candidate who does not meet the language requirement may be considered. Training may be provided to help reach the required level.  Both bilingual and unilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. 

What you need to know

• Priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents
• Security level required: Be eligible to obtain Secret 
• Relocation assistance may be provided, if required
• Please save a copy of the job poster. Once the closing date has passed, it will no longer be available.
• The official title for this position is “Program Manager, New Note Issuance ” 

Hybrid Work Model
The Bank offers work arrangements that provide employees with flexibility, enable high-performing teams, and support an excellent workplace culture. Most employees can telework from home for a portion of each month as part of the Bank’s hybrid work model, and they are expected on site at the Bank location a minimum of 12 days per month to help build connections between colleagues. You must live in Canada, and within reasonable commuting distance of the office. 

What you can expect from us
This is a great opportunity to join a leading organization and be part of a high-performing team. We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet your needs at every stage of your life and career. For more information on key benefits please visit A great deal to consider. 

• Salaries are based on qualifications and experience and typically range from $208,020 to $244,730 (job grade 21)
• The Bank offers an incentive for successfully meeting expectations at  7 to 10% of your base salary. The Bank offers additional performance pay (5%) for those who exceed expectations. Exceptional performers who far exceed expectations may be eligible for higher performance pay.
• Flexible and comprehensive benefits so you can choose the level of health, dental disability and life and/or accident insurance coverage that meets your needs
• Extra vacation days (up to five each year) that you can purchase to add to your vacation entitlement
• Indexed, defined-benefit pension

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