Program Manager | DIANA COVE Dartmouth, NS COVE is a global technology partner advancing high-impact solutions from seabed to space. COVE transforms innovation into market-ready technologies through testing, commercialization support, market expertise and access to critical infrastructure. Leveraging its networks and mission-driven platform, COVE connects investors, innovators, industry, and the research community to drive cutting-edge capabilities for commercial and defence applications. Based in Canada and operating internationally, COVE supports the full lifecycle of maritime and multi-domain technologies – from research and development to manufacturing, integration, and export – linking Canadian innovation to global markets. COVE has built a globally recognized innovation platform, with an ecosystem of more than 700 organizations spanning startups, multinational firms, researchers, Indigenous partners, and public sector collaborators. Through its programs, facilities, and partnerships, COVE enables real-world testing and validation, strengthens supply chains, and accelerates technology adoption in complex operating environments. With strong connections across the North Atlantic, the United States, and the Arctic, and as part of international networks including NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA), COVE plays a key role in advancing technologies that support economic growth, environmental sustainability, and global security. As COVE experiences rapid expansion, it is actively seeking to expand its team to further bolster its transformational influence as a global technology partner in advancing high-impact solutions. COVE recognizes that its journey toward this goal hinges on the strength of its team – a group of individuals who collaborate, innovate, and continually strive for excellence. Join COVE as it embarks on this exciting journey of discovery and advancement. The Opportunity Reporting to the Director, Market Acceleration, the Program Manager | DIANA is responsible for the strategic planning, execution, performance, and continuous evolution of COVE's accelerator portfolio, including the NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) and other global technology commercialization initiatives. The role ensures COVE delivers world-class accelerator programming that strengthens Canada's innovation ecosystem, accelerates the commercialization of dual-use technologies, supports the growth of high-potential companies, and achieves the objectives of funding partners and strategic stakeholders. What You'll Do: The role is responsible for delivering world-class accelerator experiences while coordinating activities across regional teams, accelerator sites, test centres, mentors, investors, defence end users, government partners, and internal teams. This position requires a highly organized and collaborative leader who excels at managing complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives, building trusted relationships, and helping high-potential dual-use technology companies accelerate commercialization, defence and civilian market adoption, investment readiness, and international growth.

Accelerator Program Management Lead the planning, delivery, continuous improvement and evaluation of COVE’s accelerator programs, including NATO DIANA and other strategic innovation initiatives. Act as the trusted point of contact for participating companies while representing COVE across the NATO DIANA ecosystem. Develop, adapt, and execute accelerator programming, ensuring best-in-class delivery and meaningful impact for the companies participating. Develop annual program plans, implementation schedules, resource requirements, and delivery frameworks. Build and strengthen strategic relationships with NATO DIANA headquarters, accelerator sites, test centres, defence stakeholders, investors, mentors, and innovation partners to deliver a world-class accelerator experience. Lead the end-to-end delivery of accelerator programming, including managing the recruitment of experts, evaluators, mentors, and speakers alongside the COVE team. Collect and analyze key performance metrics from the programs, including deliverables to NATO DIANA, to measure success and implement adaptations for future iterations. Participant Success and Commercialization Understand the entrepreneur, know the founder journey, recognize their needs, and champion their successes. Lead onboarding and orientation of company cohorts. Connect companies with mentors, investors, industry partners, government supports, and testing opportunities. Monitor company progress against milestones. Coordinate regular check-ins. Support commercialization and defence market readiness. Partnership & Ecosystem Development Develop and maintain strategic relationships across industry, end users, government, academia, investors, NATO DIANA headquarters and regional teams, and innovation ecosystem partners. Strengthen the Canadian dual-use community by organizing engagement opportunities to meet and support the selected cohort of startups. Identify networks, resources, and opportunities to promote the growth and scale of the cohort of startups Other Accountabilities Develop and manage program budgets, monitoring expenditures and forecasts. Ensure compliance with COVE’s policies and procedures, including human resources, safety, and operational standards. Take on additional responsibilities as required to support the success and growth of COVE’s programs and strategic initiatives. Note: Travel is required nationally and internationally.

What You Bring: Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Science, Public Policy, Defence Studies, or equivalent experience. Minimum 5-7 years’ experience managing complex innovation, defence, or commercialization programs. Eligibility to obtain and maintain a Government of Canada security clearance is required. Knowledge of the Canadian defence ecosystem & acquisition practices. Experience within defence and/or dual-use technology sectors. Familiarity with NATO, DND, CAF, and/or allied defence organizations. Experience supporting technology startups or scale-ups. Understanding of innovation ecosystems and commercialization pathways. Experience in accelerator operations, recruitment, and supporting small businesses. Demonstrated business acumen, leadership, people management, strategic thinking, and sound judgment. Ability to speak confidently in settings ranging from large group events to meetings with senior government, industry, and start-up leaders. Demonstrated experience managing multiple projects simultaneously. Experience working with government and industry stakeholders. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong facilitation and relationship management abilities. Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite, including advanced skills in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Additional Assets: Experience developing Statements of Work, project plans, RFIs, evaluation frameworks, or government funded project documentation in technical and systems domains. Previous accelerator management experience. Knowledge of the dual use innovation ecosystem. Ability to speak a second language.

Working at COVE At our core, we are a team driven by our passion for empowering marine tech innovators, serving as unwavering advocates for every visionary who walks through our doors. Integrity, creativity, and diversity are not just values to us - they are the bedrock of our identity. We thrive within an integrated team environment, where collective efforts culminate in tangible results. Embracing diversity in our workforce is paramount for fostering genuine collaboration and fulfilling the impactful responsibilities we hold within our community. We cultivate a workplace culture that celebrates individual differences, ensuring that each person's unique talents and strengths are fully recognized, appreciated, and utilized. Operating within a hybrid and flexible work environment allows us to optimize the collective potential of our highly collaborative team, enabling us to achieve the best possible outcomes. Benefits: Opportunity to learn and make an impact by working for a dynamic, growing company on meaningful projects that find solutions to real-life problems. Comprehensive paid time off including vacation, personal sick time, and additional days for family illness or medical appointments. Hybrid work model with flexibility to work remotely 1 day/week. Team wide bonding activities and casual work environment. Tech focused office location, convenient via transit and bike paths. Employee wellbeing including full medical & dental benefits and a health spending account. Group RRSP matching program & Income Insurance Plans. Maternity & parental leave top-up allowance Learning and growth opportunities. Employee referral program. Competitive salary. Talent Pool As part of our ongoing recruitment efforts, we continually identify candidates who demonstrate the skills, experience, and potential to contribute to our organization. By submitting your application, you will be considered for current and future opportunities that match your qualifications and interests.

Should your profile align with our current or future needs, a member of our recruitment team may reach out to you to discuss potential opportunities and to further assess your fit for specific roles within our organization.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At COVE, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role, but your past experience does not align with every single qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

We are committed to ensuring accommodations are made available to persons with disabilities during the recruitment, assessment and selection processes and will provide reasonable accommodation upon request.

We offer an excellent working environment where life balance is valued. Our people and their commitment to quality work is what drives our success. You can find out more information about COVE at www.coveocean.com. Salary for this position will be commensurate with experience, note that relocation costs are not supported.

To be considered for this position, please apply online by clicking “Apply”. The deadline for submission is July 16, 2026 at 5pm (Atlantic). We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.