Job Summary

The Senior Manager, Early-Stage Programs at Invest Ottawa / Bayview Yards is a high-impact leadership role within the heart of Ottawa’s innovation hub. In this 14-month maternity leave term, you will be the strategic architect for the “top of the funnel” in the IO Venture Path, overseeing critical programs like Startup Fundamentals, IO Ignition, and IO Flex. This role requires the “wit” to navigate the complex tech ecosystem and the “grit” to translate high-level strategy into measurable founder success. You aren’t just managing programs; you are cultivating the next generation of global tech giants in sectors like Clean Tech, Digital Health, and Smart Mobility.

Job Details

Employer: Invest Ottawa / Bayview Yards.
Location: Ottawa, ON (Bayview Yards).
- Onsite Requirement: Minimum 10 days per month.
Position Type: Full-time, 14-Month Term (Maternity Leave).
Compensation:
- Corporate Pay Band E: $88,000 – $132,000.
- Hiring Salary Range: $88,000 – $100,000.
Perks: Leadership role in a world-class innovation hub, exposure to high-growth startups, and a culture that prioritizes diversity and inclusion.
Corporate Culture: High-performing, collaborative, and mission-driven toward regional prosperity.

Core Responsibilities

Strategic & Program Leadership

Pipeline Strategy: Lead the direction of Early-Stage Programs to ensure a high-quality pipeline that converts into downstream Venture Path success.
Sector Focus: Oversee specialized programming for priority verticals, including Defence, Smart Mobility, and Clean Tech.
Goal Setting: Collaborate with the Director to establish and adjust quarterly and annual performance targets.

Founder Experience & Ecosystem Engagement

Client Journey: Own the end-to-end founder experience, from seamless onboarding to strategic offboarding.
Relationship Management: Cultivate deep ties with sector stakeholders, ecosystem partners, and the Early-Stage Advisor network.
Brand Ambassadorship: Represent Invest Ottawa at key industry events to strengthen the regional tech brand.

Operations & Team Leadership

Performance Metrics: Own program KPIs and ensure data integrity within the CRM for accurate reporting to leadership.
Team Development: Lead and coach direct reports, fostering a culture of accountability and high performance.
Financial Oversight: Manage program budgets, including forecasting and ensuring compliance with funding requirements.

Candidate Requirements

Leadership Experience: 7+ years in program management, startup operations, or related leadership roles.
Ecosystem Knowledge: A profound understanding of the technology landscape and the unique barriers facing early-stage founders.
Strategic Execution: Proven ability to turn abstract strategy into measurable, data-driven results.
Communication: Strong interpersonal skills to engage effectively with both first-time founders and high-level stakeholders.
Technical Proficiency: Skilled in using CRM systems and performance reporting tools to drive continuous improvement.

Job Description

Do you believe that the right support at the “Ignition” phase can change the trajectory of a company forever? Invest Ottawa is looking for a Senior Manager, Early-Stage Programs to join the Bayview Yards team for a 14-month term. We aren’t just an economic development agency; we are the engine of Ottawa’s knowledge economy. If you have the “grit” to manage a complex portfolio of early-stage startups and the “wit” to identify the operational improvements that will help them scale faster, you are the leader we need.

In this role, you are a “Venture Catalyst.” You understand that the transition from a founder’s idea to a viable business requires a perfect blend of mentorship, resource access, and rigorous process. Your goal is to ensure that the Invest Ottawa “Venture Path” remains a world-class experience that delivers measurable impact to our community. We look for “Integrity-first” leaders who are “obsessively passionate” about innovation—those who can balance the human element of coaching a founder with the data-driven reality of hitting performance KPIs.

Joining Invest Ottawa means joining a team that celebrates difference and thrives on inclusion. We offer a competitive salary and a vibrant, “professional soccer-paced” environment where every day brings a new challenge. We provide a workspace at Bayview Yards that is designed for collaboration and creativity, where your unique background is valued as a critical success factor. If you are a self-motivated leader with a commitment to “Excellence in Innovation,” we invite you to apply and help us build a more prosperous Ottawa.

Invest Ottawa & Bayview Yards | Ottawa, ON

Invest Ottawa is the lead economic development agency for Canada’s capital, and Bayview Yards is its physical manifestation—a massive, one-stop “mash-up” of technical and business resources. Located in a beautifully restored 1940s industrial building, this hub serves as the central “basecamp” for Ottawa’s high-growth technology companies, entrepreneurs, and global firms looking to land in North America.

Company Culture: “The Innovation Playground”

The culture at Invest Ottawa and within the Bayview Yards ecosystem is defined by a “startup energy” blended with high-level economic stewardship.

Collaborative Mash-up: The environment is designed to break down silos. It’s common to see a government official, a tech founder, and a venture capitalist sharing coffee at the onsite café.
Driven by “Moon Shots”: The culture is ambitious, focusing on long-term economic impact and “moon shot” opportunities for the Ottawa community.
High-Stakes Support: Staff are encouraged to be “white-glove” service providers, acting as advisors and advocates for the entrepreneurs they serve.
Commitment to Allyship: Invest Ottawa has a vocal and active commitment to supporting women and Indigenous founders through specialized programs like SheBoot and ElevateIP.

Location: The Heart of the Innovation District

Bayview Yards is located just west of downtown Ottawa, at the nexus of the city’s light rail transit (LRT) system and scenic parklands.

Bayview Yards – Ottawa’s Innovation Hub

Located at 7 Bayview Station Road, Ottawa, ON K1Y 2C5.
Historic Revitalization: The LEED Gold-certified facility features modern industrial architecture with high ceilings, red brick, and massive windows that flood the space with natural light.
Transit Nexus: Located at the meeting point of the O-Train lines, it is roughly 10 minutes from downtown and 25 minutes from the Kanata North tech park.
Area X.O: Beyond Bayview Yards, Invest Ottawa also operates Area X.O, a secure R&D complex in Nepean for testing next-gen smart mobility and autonomous technologies.

Core Business & Innovation Pillars

Associate Benefits: “The Innovation Advantage”

Working for Invest Ottawa or its onsite partners provides a unique “Total Rewards” package that blends public-sector stability with tech-sector perks:

Competitive Salaries: 2026 salary ranges for typical roles include $50,000–$75,000 for Coordinators and $104,000–$156,000 for Director-level positions.
Hybrid Work: Most administrative and management roles utilize a hybrid model, allowing for a balance between home and the “energizing” Bayview environment.
Wellness & Inclusion: Comprehensive benefits including extended health and dental, alongside a dedicated “Director of People, Culture & Inclusion” to oversee workplace well-being.
The “Network” Perk: Employees have direct access to a world-class network of mentors, investors, and CEOs, providing unparalleled professional networking opportunities.
Onsite Amenities: Access to secured bike storage, private showers, free onsite parking, and the popular Bayview Yards Café, which often features local pop-up food vendors.

To apply for this job please visit bayviewyards.org.