We’re on a mission to help the world’s professionals lead more fulfilling careers - from their first job, to their last. We’ve created a better way to help people launch and grow successful and rewarding careers and we reimagine career success for millions of everyday people, we're establishing a new team of agile thinkers to raise awareness of the problems encountered by today's workforce.

Lighthouse Labs (LHL), a subsidiary of Uvaro, is seeking a strategic and adaptable Partnerships and Proposals Specialist (a.k.a. Workforce Development Specialist) to help drive the organization’s funding initiatives and support its mission to deliver transformative education, training, and professional development services. This role is critical in identifying and securing funding opportunities through federal, provincial, and regional grants, RFPs, and strategic partnerships across Canada.

The ideal candidate will collaborate closely with the B2G (Business to Government) Team to research, develop, and submit compelling applications and proposals. They will build and maintain prospecting lists of potential partner organizations and conduct meetings to explore opportunities for collaboration. Additionally, the Workforce Development Specialist will evaluate existing initiatives, contribute innovative program concepts, and demonstrate a high degree of collaboration, open-mindedness, and receptiveness to feedback.

Success in this role requires the ability to adapt and pivot quickly in a dynamic environment, maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, and effectively communicate value in skills training, mentorship, and employment initiatives. The Workforce Development Specialist will play a vital role in enhancing the organization’s impact and contributing to the growth and sustainability of its programs.

In this role you’ll:

• Research and identify federal, provincial, and regional requests for proposals (RFPs), grants, and other funding opportunities within Canada for education, training, and professional development services.
• Build and maintain prospecting lists of potential partner organizations (nonprofits, industry, academia, government) for collaborative project proposals and submissions.
• Conduct meetings with potential partners to learn about their offerings, experience delivering funded projects, and explore opportunities for collaboration.
• Position, research, and complete grant applications and proposals that are compelling and present the value of programming that can be provided.
• Effectively and efficiently communicate with various target audiences and key stakeholders, including under-represented groups (women in tech, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ etc).
• Evaluate the effectiveness of current initiatives and programs while developing and delivering new concepts that build on their successes.
• Determine proposal concepts by identifying and clarifying opportunities and needs.
• Collaborate with team members and subject matter experts throughout the business to determine strategic approaches, including persuasive content development.
• Demonstrate open-mindedness, receptiveness to feedback, and adaptability by quickly pivoting strategies and proposal approaches as needed.
• Gather proposal information by identifying sources of information, coordinating submissions and collections, and identifying and communicating risks associated with proposals.
• Create high-quality and customized responses to requests for proposals and proofread content, ensuring accuracy and integrity of all proposal documentation.
• Meet proposal deadlines by establishing priorities and schedules for information gathering, writing, review, and obtaining approvals through coordination with key providers and project managers.
• Maintain quality results by using standardized templates, adhering to proposal writing standards (readability, consistency, tone), and maintaining proposal support databases.
• Perform administrative tasks including recording and filing meeting notes, updating and maintaining the grant repository, shared drives, and funding/proposal pipelines.
• Utilize software tools including Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Meet, Docs, Sheets etc), HubSpot CRM, ClickUp, and Slack to manage communications, projects, and documentation.

What we’re looking for:

Don’t worry if you don’t meet all the qualifications listed below - we are particularly interested in someone who adapts quickly to change and can learn on the go. If you don’t meet every criteria, but are excited about the challenge, please reach out - we’d love to talk to you!

• Experience developing successful submissions (where outcome is grant and contribution agreement or vendor contract) in a business-to-government or non-profit to government environment preferred.
• Proven track record of winning submissions across a diverse range of organizational sizes, regional levels, and industries.
• Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills in English (Bilingualism considered an asset).
• Previous experience working with government agencies at the municipal, provincial and federal levels is an asset.
• Skilled in building strong relationships and forging partnerships.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Collaborative team member who is supportive, open-minded, and ready to assist colleagues as needed.
• Degree, diploma, or certificate in English, Journalism, Communications or Business considered an asset.
• Strong aptitude for learning and utilizing various software and tech tools - experience with the Google Suite, Slack, ClickUp, HubSpot CRM, or similar tools considered an asset.

What We’re Offering

• The unique opportunity to directly impact the rapidly growing challenges of Workforce Development.

• Competitive compensation, health benefits, and equity.
• Flex work schedule and Flex vacation policy.
• A remote-first work environment, and the opportunity to work with a close-knit, international team.
• The opportunity to get in early at a promising startup in the emerging field of tech-enabled education and career development.
• A dedicated team with a values-driven culture and proven history of investing in individual growth and career development.

If this opportunity excites you, and you believe you’re the right fit, we want to hear from you!

We understand the value of having a diverse, inclusive team, and that’s why we believe in providing equal opportunity regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics, disability, and conviction. Please let us know if you require accommodation during the recruitment process.