Regional Program Coordinator, Letters Sounds and Words™ Program, Ontario East
Strong Start® is a Canadian charity changing children’s lives through literacy. For over 25 years, we’ve been helping young learners build the skills and confidence they need to become lifelong readers. Our programs are grounded in research, aligned with curricula, and delivered through powerful community partnerships with schools, educators, community hubs, families, and thousands of trained volunteers.
If you are an energetic, well-organized self-starter with a passion for early literacy and enjoy meeting new people, this opportunity could be for you. Strong Start is a registered charity that provides a unique, volunteer-delivered, community–based reading assistance program to children in the early grades of elementary school. In the role of Regional Program Coordinator for the Letters, Sounds and Words™ program you will coordinate the delivery and support the implementation and expansion of our well-established Letters, Sounds and Words program within the communities and schools in our Ontario East Region (including Addington, Frontenac, Hastings, Kawartha Lakes, Lennox, Northumberland, Ottawa, Peterborough, Prince Edward, Renfrew).
Your responsibilities in this role include program coordination, fund development, and public relations. To be successful you will be able to develop a variety of relationships. You will liaise with school board decision-makers, support program leaders within the schools, connect with school staff, and engage community philanthropists and donors. You will thrive with multiple priorities and enjoy public speaking and working from home. Strong written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail are required. A background in primary education, early literacy and language, marketing or public relations would be an asset. Preference will be given to former leaders from within the education community who bring an established professional network and profile and are local to this region. You will report to the Director of Program and training will be provided. Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 including Word, Excel, Outlook, Copilot and Teams is required. Ease with virtual meeting platforms such as Zoom, would be an asset.
This is a permanent, part-time role working approximately 20-25 hours per week with some additional work required on evenings and weekends as well as periodically on special assignments. You must have a reliable car and the ability to safely lift and move materials weighing up to 30 lbs. This posting is for an existing vacancy in a new role supporting expansion in a new region.
Remuneration: $25 per hour plus payroll benefits, mileage as well as group insurance and retirement benefits. There will be times you will work from different locations including but not limited to:
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schools and community organizations to deliver and observe Volunteer Coach Training Sessions;
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schools, businesses, community centres and other local locations in the Ontario East Region for fundraising and public relations activities, and any other special events.
Key Responsibilities
Program Delivery, Support and Accountability (65%)
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In collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team, develop partnerships with School Boards for the implementation of the program;
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Manage the process of starting the program in new sites;
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Follow up with Site Coordinators, and provide site support through emails, phone/virtual calls, and visits if needed;
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Support schools in recruiting volunteers;
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Provide input on content for E-Newsletters & memos to sites as required;
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With the Director of Program, create local content for program-related communications to Site Coordinators and sites throughout the year;
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Assist with the recruitment and support of new local Volunteer Coach Trainers;
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Assist with the planning of, and participate in, Training-Team Meetings;
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Maintain and keep current a file of stories from parents, volunteers, Site Co ordinators, teachers, administrators, etc., reflecting the impact of the program;
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Maintain and keep current a file of stories that appear in media;
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Maintain accurate Program Partner contact information and manage/monitor data in Strong Start’s database (SiTE SOURCE™) to assure accuracy;
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Review and assist in the analysis of the Assessment Results and Volunteer hours;
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Support the Operations Team with certain aspects of Program Kit refurbishment and materials management including follow-up with sites on consumable orders, and ensuring Program Partners are prepared to receive/return Program Kits, materials and gifts,
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Assist the Director of Program and Chief Operating Officer in identifying and accomplishing revisions that may be needed to manuals, policies and procedures;
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As a valued member of the Strong Start Letters, Sounds and Words program Team, participate in special projects, assist program expansion and support emerging regions as required.
Community Engagement and Public Relations: (25%)
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Provide updates for the fundraising database;
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Develop promotional opportunities as part of the fundraising efforts that will raise awareness of Strong Start in the Ontario East Region using methods and materials consistent with Strong Start's established branding policies and with the knowledge, coordination and support of the National Program Deployment Centre;
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Carry out speaking engagements to promote Strong Start’s programs and inform diverse audiences about the importance of early literacy;
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Collaborate with the Director of Development & Communications and with the support of the Development Officer, to develop a local donor base of organizations, corporations and philanthropists;
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Working within the established Fund Development framework, and with the knowledge, support and coordination of the National Program Deployment Centre, secure revenue to support Strong Start programming in the Ontario East Region through grant applications, meetings with potential donors and presentations to giving groups. Be responsible for all regional funder obligations as it relates to impact reports and recognition expectations. Manage and enhance relationships with existing donors in the Ontario East Region;
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Represent Strong Start as a member of local Literacy Groups and the Chambers of Commerce, as well as, other collective impact tables, approved by the Chief Executive Officer;
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With support from the Development & Communications department, prepare stakeholder engagement materials including presentations, social media posts and website messaging.
General (10%)
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Attend and actively participate in team meetings;
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Learn and adopt the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System®) model;
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Complete ongoing training e.g., health & safety, cyber security;
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Complete and submit timesheets.
Qualifications/Skills/Requirements/Attributes:
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Undergraduate Degree in English, Psychology, or Literacy Studies;
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Elementary School Administrator or Curriculum Coordinator an asset;
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Experienced Elementary School Teacher, Primary an asset;
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Knowledge of early child development and early literacy development;
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Proven leadership skills and experience;
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Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills;
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Outgoing and congenial by nature, comfortable meeting with and presenting to both small and large groups of people;
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Ability to develop a variety of relationships;
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Ability to think on your feet;
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Must be detail-oriented, self-motivated, and well organized;
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Experience with and thrives working in team environment;
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Demonstrate proficient skills with standard software applications, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Teams, Office 365, & Windows;
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Ability to perform community research as well as access subject-matter research to support our cause and our expansion as well as strengthen our case for support;
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Desire to remain current and continue to develop expertise in the field of early literacy;
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In support of the Strategic Goals and direction of Strong Start, support innovation, continuous improvement and optimizing of new opportunities;
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Ability to embrace change and work at a high level of excellence in an organization that is growing and evolving;
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Enjoys a workplace culture that inspires high performance, productivity and fun;
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A reliable car is essential as some day-travel is part of the role;
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Must be able to safely lift 30 lbs.;
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A home office is required. There will be travel required in the Ontario East region and occasional travel required for special purpose meetings and events at the National Program Deployment Centre in Waterloo. Working from home with permission is subject to our Work-From-Home Policy.
Training and Orientation
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Training and Orientation will be supported by the Director of Program, the Chief Operating Officer, Director of Development & Communications and the Chief Executive Officer;
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Training in all areas for which you are responsible, along with dedicated onboarding time to experience these responsibilities, will be provided.
Strong Start is committed to an inclusive selection process to attract candidates representing the diversity of the children and families we serve. Strong Start is an equal opportunity employer and accommodations are available during all phases of the recruitment process. We ask that any applicants requiring accommodations make their needs known in advance.
Strong Start is committed to protecting the privacy of the personal information of its employees, volunteers, members, children, parents/guardians, donors, partners and other stakeholders, by following responsible information handling practices in keeping with privacy laws. Please read our Privacy Notice here.
Please click on the “Apply” button below to submit your application online including resume and cover letter. We thank you in advance for your interest. Only those invited for an interview will be contacted. To learn more about the Letters, Sounds and Words program, we invite you to visit our program page on our website.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, July 31, 2026, 4:00p.m. EST or until a suitable candidate is found.
Strong Start uses AI‑enabled features within ADP Workforce Now to assist with initial résumé screening by comparing application information to job‑related criteria. Candidates may choose to opt out of this AI‑supported review. All applications are ultimately reviewed by Strong Start staff, and hiring decisions are made by people. While Strong Start uses Microsoft 365 tools, including Copilot, in our workplace, these tools are not used in recruitment decision‑making. Candidate screening, assessment, and selection are conducted by people.
