Manager, Client and Project Portfolio Management

Discover the possible

Anything is possible at the NRC, named in 2026 one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, Top Employer in the National Capital Region and Forbes Canada’s Best Employers!

As Canada’s largest research and innovation organization, our world-renowned research pushes the boundaries of science and engineering to make the impossible, possible. Every day we explore new ideas through innovative research and help companies discover possibilities that impact Canada’s future and the world.

At the NRC, you’ll also discover new possibilities. Our supportive workplace fosters a culture of creativity, welcoming fresh perspectives and innovation at all levels. We value teamwork. You’ll collaborate across multiple fields and with the brightest minds to find creative solutions. Most importantly, you’ll discover what’s possible within you as you grow, make valuable contributions and progress in your professional journey. From ground-breaking discoveries to a life-changing career, discover your possible at the NRC.

The role

We are looking for a Manager, Client and Project Portfolio Management to support our Chief Information Officer Branch. The Manager, Client and Project Portfolio Management would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity.

As Manager, you will play a key leadership role in shaping and delivering NRC’s IT project portfolio. You will oversee the planning, prioritization, and delivery of IT project portfolio, ensuring initiatives align with organizational goals and generate meaningful business value. Working collaboratively with senior leaders, business partners, and technical experts, you will guide portfolio decisions, optimize resources, strengthen project governance, and help deliver technology solutions that support NRC’s research, business, and operational success.

Key Activities:

•    Lead the development and management of the enterprise IT project portfolio;
•    Establish portfolio prioritization processes aligned with strategic objectives;
•    Monitor portfolio performance, risks, dependencies, and benefit realization;
•    Advise senior leadership on investment decisions, capacity, and portfolio health;
•    Lead the project management office and establish project management standards, methodologies, templates, and project governance;
•    Oversee project intake and prioritization;
•    Participate in procurement planning, and contract management;
•    Lead a multi-disciplinary team, fostering a collaborative, accountable, and high performing team culture;
•    Manage dashboards, portfolio reporting, ensuring regularly reporting on project status, resource utilization, risks, timelines and finances;
•    Oversee portfolio financial planning, forecasting, and budget monitoring;
•    Build trusted relationships with executives, business leaders, and IT teams. 

Screening criteria

Applicants must demonstrate within the content of their application that they meet the following screening criteria in order to be given further consideration as candidates:

Education

Bachelor degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology or Information Systems or Business administration, or another specialty relevant to this position.

A diploma from a recognized college or post-secondary institute in an IT related field combined with extensive experience (at least 5 years) in a Project Management field may be considered. 

Candidates should have a Project Manager Professional (PMP) certification.

Additional certification in project management specialties, such as the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) designation, is considered an asset.

For information on certificates and diplomas issued abroad, please see Degree equivalency

Experience

• 7 to 10 years of progressive experience in project, program, and/or portfolio management;
• 3 to 5 years of leadership experience managing project managers, professional staff or multidisciplinary teams;
• Significant* experience leading complex project and program initiatives involving multidisciplinary teams, internal and external stakeholders, and accountability for delivery and results;
• Significant* experience overseeing and delivering projects, programs, and/or portfolios using a range of project management methodologies, tools, governance frameworks, and best practices;
• Experience in the management of human and financial resources;
• Experience in a federal government environment or public sector is an asset. 

** Significant experience is a minimum of 5 years experience

Condition of employment

Reliability Status

For a Reliability Status, verification of background information over a period of 5 years is required.

Language requirements

Bilingual Imperative CBC/CBC 

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

Assessment criteria

Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

Technical competencies

• Superior or Expert*** knowledge of project management methodologies, portfolio reporting, project and risk management principles;
• Advanced** knowledge and ability to apply best practices in Business Relationship Management in a large, complex organization;
• Advanced** knowledge of and ability to apply project and portfolio management methodologies principles, techniques and related tools, such as those associated with recognized certifications such as PMP, Prince2, and Scrum;
• Advanced** knowledge of governance and stakeholder management, preferably in a government organization;
• Solid* knowledge of all IT functions involved in an IT organizations (e.g security, architecture, infrastructure/operations, database, planning, applications development etc.);
• Knowledge of principles, techniques and practices of strategic and business analysis, planning and risk management in order to manage the research, development and implementation of department operational and strategic IT project plans;
• Excellent vendor management and negotiation skills and techniques in the conduct of consultations and negotiations with clients, contractors, suppliers and senior management.

*Solid – a solid working level knowledge is required. The level of knowledge is used by fully qualified individuals to solve day-to-day problems and address normal issues.

**Advanced – in-depth knowledge (detailed and focused) &/or broad (extensive) knowledge of the subject area.  The knowledge is used to solve new problems and/or issues.

*** Superior or Expert – this knowledge is called upon where examination, investigation and analysis involve the creation and testing of innovative concepts, hypotheses and/or theories.  Problems areas are obscure and may be a mixture of problems in unrelated areas requiring abstract reasoning or theoretical premises.

Behavioural competencies

Competency Profile(s)

For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profile(s): Management Services

View all competency profiles

Compensation

From $120,611 to $145,622 per annum. 

In addition, the incumbent who meets the language requirements will  receive the Bilingualism Bonus of $800 per year.

NRC employees enjoy a wide-range of competitive benefits including a robust pension plan, comprehensive health and dental coverage, disability and life insurance, office closure at the end of December, and additional supports to enhance your well-being throughout your career and beyond.

Notes

• In 2026, the NRC was chosen as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, a National Capital Region Top Employer and Forbes Canada’s Best Employer.
• Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC's directives.
• A pre-qualified list may be established for similar positions for a one-year period.
• Preference will be given to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada. Please include citizenship information in your application.
• The incumbent must adhere to safe workplace practices at all times.
• We thank all those who apply, however only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.