At Karis Disability Services what you do matters. Since 1965, our team has come alongside people with developmental disabilities, and their families, to celebrate each person’s unique gifts as we promote communities where everybody belongs. Driven by our values which are firmly rooted in the Christian faith, together we serve more than 1,500 people each year across Ontario and Saskatchewan, supporting them wholistically - body, mind, soul and spirit. Believing each person is made in the image of God, we welcome everybody to find the personalized supports they need to thrive. Beyond Canada, our global work impacts over 300,000 people across 70 communities in six countries. Learn more about Karis Disability Services at www.karis.org.
Do you thrive on bringing people, priorities, and plans together? As a Strategic Projects Specialist, you’ll play a key role in turning your project management expertise into meaningful change. You’ll work alongside leaders, teams, departments, districts, and self-advocates to bring structure to complex initiatives, strengthen project practices, and help bring strategic initiatives into action.
Permanent, Full-Time
Strategic Projects Specialist
40 hours/week
Waterloo, Ontario
The Strategic Projects Specialist provides project management support, and coordination to organizational strategic projects. The role supports Strategic Project leads in designing, setting up and advising on project plans and resource management to meet project objectives in accordance with Karis Disability Services’ strategic outcomes, Values, Vision and Mission. The role participates in research, execution, evaluation and follow-up of projects and initiatives relating to strategic priorities, informing and supporting implementation of good practices and approaches relating to projects and change management.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Project Management Support
- Further the work of Strategic Initiatives team by developing, updating, and executing project management approaches, tools, and processes that align with strategic project KPIs.
- Research, test, recommend and set up project planning and tracking tools for strategic project management use.
- Equip and support Strategic Project leads to monitor and update progress towards strategic targets.
- Work closely with Strategic Project leads to prepare and maintain project documentation templates and processes that clearly communicate project purpose and overview, project plans and progress.
- Complete project tasks and activities as requested and assigned by Strategic Initiatives leadership.
- Conduct research and gather information pertaining to project management of strategic projects.
- Execute project evaluation to assess project management processes, as well as progress towards strategic outcomes by gathering and analyzing data and preparing reports.
- Schedule project meetings, prepare agendas, attend meetings, take notes, and track action items as directed by Manager of Strategic Initiatives.
- Close projects as appropriate, including consolidating pertinent reports and data, and archiving all documentation.
Department and District Collaboration
- Provide orientation to project team leads and members on project tools and reporting cycles.
- Provide reminders and advice on completion of project tasks and deliverables to the project team.
- Create, maintain and promote a unified project management rationale that honours different project management methodologies across the organization and provides guidance on good practices for project management.
- Provide support for self-advocates to engage with strategic project activities and assist self-advocates with communication and technology use as needed. As part of your application, please include the words "Community Matters" in your cover letter or application questionnaire
Continuous Improvement and Change Management
- Provide project management support and approaches that are consistent with the strategic outcomes and core values.
- Assist in designing change management strategies that facilitate timely stakeholder engagement consistent with our strategic direction and core values.
- Equip project teams on the use of project management approaches, tools, processes and practices.
- Research and test project tools and processes and make recommendations on best-fit and improvement to processes and practices.
- Collaborate with Digital Technology and Innovation department to support making project management systems effective for department and district teams.
Requirements:
- 2 years of previous related work experience (project management)
- College Diploma in a related field of study; Business Administration or Project Management preferred
- Project Management skills
- Initiative and determination to meet project targets and initiate project tasks and see them to completion
- Strong collaboration, teamwork, and interpersonal skills
- Judgment and decision making in completing projects
- Strong organizational, time management, and analytical problem-solving skills
- Communication skills, including written and verbal
- Strong computer skills, including use of Project Management software and MS Teams.
- Excellent knowledge of the Developmental Services Sector as well as principles and issues relating to Person-Directed Planning and supported decision-making.
- Research skills, including literature reviews, developing questionnaires, and statistical knowledge.
- Knowledge of business strategy and change management.
Why Should You Apply?
- Live out our shared values, help others, and find purpose in your work every day.
- Receive competitive wages.
- Comprehensive Benefits Package, 2 weeks of vacation and an Employee and Family Assistance Plan.
- Grow your leadership with mentorship, training, career development, and tuition reimbursement.
- Collaboration and Teamwork - Working together on a team, we tackle challenges, share insights, and support one another in fostering a thriving workplace culture.
Application Deadline: 4:00 pm on October 13th, 2026
Apply with a cover letter and résumé by 4:00 pm on October 13th to the attention of the Manager of Strategic Initiatives via the Apply Now feature.
Start Date: November 2nd, 2026
Hourly/Salary Range: $30.07- $33.97
At Karis Disability Services we strive to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. We remain dedicated to meeting all provincial human rights, accessibility, and employment standards. We seek to provide accessibility through all stages of the hiring process for all applicants with disabilities, consistent with our Accessibility Policies and the AODA. Please let us know if you require accommodation, and we will work with you to meet your accessibility needs.
