As a Manager - Curriculum Development with the Department of National Defence, you will lead the design, development, and implementation of training and educational programs that support the professional development of military and civilian personnel. You will oversee curriculum projects from conception through delivery, ensuring educational content meets organizational learning objectives and aligns with defence priorities. Your role involves managing teams of instructional designers, subject matter experts, and educational specialists while maintaining quality standards across multiple training initiatives.
Your responsibilities include directing the strategic planning and assessment of curriculum needs, supervising the development of learning materials and instructional resources, and ensuring programs meet established educational standards and competency requirements. You will collaborate with stakeholders across DND and the Canadian Armed Forces to understand training requirements, manage project timelines and budgets, and evaluate program effectiveness. Working in a dynamic environment, you will adapt curricula to incorporate new technologies, pedagogical approaches, and evolving defence capabilities.
This position offers the opportunity to shape how military and civilian personnel develop critical competencies throughout their careers. You will work in a professional setting that values continuous learning, innovation in educational delivery, and evidence-based program development. The role combines strategic thinking with hands-on project management, requiring strong leadership, communication, and analytical skills.
Key Responsibilities
Plan and manage the delivery of curriculum development services and programs, Supervise and develop staff within the curriculum development team, Monitor performance metrics and report on results, Develop and implement operational plans and procedures, Manage stakeholder relationships and ensure service quality
Post-secondary education in the relevant field; supervisory and operational management experience
Training
To succeed in this role, you typically need a bachelor's degree in education, instructional design, curriculum development, or a related field such as adult learning, organizational development, or educational technology. Many successful candidates hold master's degrees in education, instructional design, or business administration.
While not always mandatory, professional certifications in instructional design (such as those offered by IDOL or similar organizations), project management (PMP, CAPM), or adult education can strengthen your qualifications. Experience with learning management systems, instructional design software, and educational assessment tools is valuable.
DND encourages ongoing professional development through access to training in advanced instructional design methodologies, defence-specific learning frameworks, project management, and people leadership. You may pursue additional certifications in specialized areas such as military education, competency-based learning design, or digital learning innovation. Professional memberships in organizations like the Canadian Society for Training and Development (CSTD) or the Association for Talent Development (ATD) are supported.
Entry Plans
You can enter this management role through several pathways within the federal Public Service. Most candidates apply through external or internal competitions advertised on the Government of Canada Jobs website (jobs.gc.ca). These competitions are open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents and typically require demonstrated curriculum development and supervisory experience.
If you are already working as a Curriculum Development specialist or in a related instructional design role within the Public Service, you may be eligible to apply for internal competitions or participate in promotion processes within your department. Lateral moves from other education and training roles in government are possible if you can demonstrate relevant curriculum development experience and management capability.
Some candidates enter management positions through the Public Service Resourcing Group (PSRG) or other centralized staffing processes that identify high-potential employees for leadership roles. Networking with DND recruitment teams and staying informed about position opportunities through departmental job alerts increases your chances of finding suitable openings. Having relevant education credentials and progressive experience in curriculum design, instructional development, or related training fields strengthens your competitiveness in the selection process.
Part-Time Options
Part-time opportunities for this management role are limited, as the position typically requires consistent presence for team leadership, stakeholder engagement, and strategic decision-making. However, DND is committed to supporting work-life balance and may accommodate flexible arrangements on a case-by-case basis, subject to operational requirements and departmental approval.
Remote and hybrid work options have become more common for curriculum development managers, particularly for tasks such as curriculum design, document preparation, virtual team meetings, and stakeholder consultations. Many DND locations support telework arrangements for managers, though some in-person time may be required for team meetings, training delivery oversight, and face-to-face collaboration with colleagues and military personnel.
Flexible schedules, compressed work weeks, and job-sharing arrangements may be discussed with your manager and human resources advisor. DND encourages employees to explore flexible work options that align with operational needs. Eligibility and specific arrangements depend on your position, location, and the needs of your curriculum development team.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
