Job Title:Program Officer
Location:Calgary, Alberta (Hybrid)
Organization:The Palix Foundation
Reports to:Director of Operations
Position Type:Full-time

About the Palix Foundation

The Palix Foundation is a private philanthropic organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities across Alberta and beyond. The Foundation's flagship initiative, the Alberta Family Wellness Initiative (AFWI) aligns science, policy, and practice in the area of brain development to support the foundations of all health. The AFWI partnered with the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child at Harvard University and the FrameWorks Institute to develop the Brain Story and Resilience Scale, which translates complex science into an accessible, engaging story-form.

Position Summary

As the Program Officer, you will work with the Patron and Director of Operations to support, develop, and manage programs of the Palix Foundations Alberta Family Wellness Initiative. This role ensures there is a highly reputable collection of programs available to mobilize transformative system shifts driven by the application of science at the individual, organization, and community levels across the health, education, child services, and justice sectors.

Responsibilities

The Program Officers responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Program Management:

• Manage and support the planning, delivery, and monitoring of assigned programs and initiatives aligned with the Foundations mission and goals
• Identify emerging opportunities and partnerships that advance the Foundations priorities
• Work collaboratively with the Foundations leadership, science, and communication teams to execute initiatives
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timelines, budgets, and deliverables are met
• Create and execute program marketing strategies
• Ensure program operations are consistent with regulatory guidelines, industry best practices, and internal processes

Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with community organizations, government bodies, academic institutions, system leaders, and other stakeholders
• Support partners in integrating knowledge and evidence into policy and practice
• Represent the Foundation at meetings, events, and collaborative tables

Platform Management:

• Manage content and user experience across the Foundations digital platforms, including its Content Management System (CMS, ensuring timely updates, security, and functionality
• Oversee the Foundations Learning Management System (LMS), supporting content updates, user access, reporting, ongoing maintenance, and technical concerns
• Act as a liaison between internal teams and external developers or tech support partners

Knowledge Mobilization & Communication:

• Support the translation of scientific knowledge (Brain Story science) into practical tools, resources, and strategies through program delivery
• Develop presentations, reports, and other communication materials for internal and external audiences
• Contribute to learning sessions, workshops, and stakeholder gatherings

Evaluation & Impact:

• Monitor program outcomes and support continuous improvement
• Contribute to data collection, analysis, and reporting
• Contribute to tracking progress and gathering feedback to support continuous learning and improvement

Other Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong facilitation and presentation abilities
• Proven relationship-building and interpersonal skills
• Highly motivated and an exceptional self-starter
• Proactive, with the ability to anticipate the needs of the team and upcoming work
• Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and timelines effectively
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment
• Skilled in managing digital tools that support engagement, learning, and knowledge mobilization
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially PowerPoint and Excel) and the Google Workspace platform (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive, etc.)
• Collaborative team member who works effectively across teams and functions
• Maintain a low profile and ensure confidentiality

Qualifications

• Bachelors or Masters degree in a relevant field (e.g., public health, education, science, public policy, or related discipline)
• 35 years of experience in program management, community and stakeholder engagement, or knowledge translation
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex programs and manage stakeholder relationships effectively
• Experience working across sectors (e.g., health, education, justice, community services) is an asset
• Knowledge in neuroscience is considered an advantage
• Brain Story Certification Course certification
• Experience managing or working closely with CMS platforms (e.g., WordPress, Silverstripe) and LMS platforms (e.g., Absorb, Thinkific)

Working Conditions

• Based in Calgary with a hybrid work model (combination of in-office and remote work).
• Occasional travel is required
• Some flexibility in working hours may be needed for meetings or events outside of standard business hours