Senior Manager of Housing and Shelters

Who We Are

Since 1968, Victoria Cool Aid Society has been committed to providing essential housing, healthcare, emergency shelter, and support services to some of the most vulnerable members of our community. Today, our organization includes nearly 400 employees working across 16 supportive, affordable, and assisted living housing sites, three emergency shelters, downtown health and dental clinics, and a broad range of community support and outreach programs. Our work is complex, meaningful, and constantly evolving. We embrace innovation, collaboration, continuous learning, and creative problem-solving to support both our clients and the dedicated employees who serve them.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director, Housing and Shelters, the Senior Manager provides leadership and direction to the housing and shelter managers in support of the day-to-day operations in line with the Society’s policies and procedures. The senior manager collaborates with the Director on strategic planning, implementation of action plans, and overall assessment of assigned program areas. This senior role upholds the organization's values and integrates housing and shelter programming with other Cool Aid programs.

This position is responsible for providing support, mentorship and direction to a team of Housing and Shelter Managers, managing staff culture, development, and performance. The Manager will champion client-centered services, fostering diversity and inclusion with a deep understanding of anti-colonial and anti-racist practices.

Position’s Primary Objectives

Provide program direction

• Support the Managers in providing effective day-to-day operations in line with the Society’s policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Develop action plans for the program(s), in accordance with the Society’s strategic objectives. Formulate effective and progressive strategies to meet current and future program needs.
• Take a proactive approach in identifying and resolving issues before they escalate. Manage crises successfully and monitor the effectiveness of implemented solutions.
• Work with Managers and Human and Strategic Resources staff to ensure effective hiring practices that are accessible, and inclusive.
• Facilitate cross-practice standards and procedures where required.
• Work with Director on internal processes for evaluating strategic progress and defining measurable goals and objectives.
• Implement other strategic and program related initiatives and projects.

Support Managers and staff

• Build the capacity of program managers and staff teams to effectively deliver on program goals and service delivery.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate short- and long-term performance development and mentorship plans where expectations are communicated, feedback is given regularly, and everyone can reach their full potential.
• Work collaboratively with managers on performance management and collective agreement/local issues implementation.
• Ensure that staff safety and wellness is prioritized and operationalized throughout the housing and shelter program portfolios. In collaboration with OHS Manager review health and safety practices and ensure risk and compliance standards are met.
• Work with the Managers and Director on initiatives to support and increase frontline wellbeing.
• Promote staff recognition and appreciation efforts, and plans/coordinates efforts to engage and motivate program staff.
• Foster collaborative relationships.
• Foster strong and mutually beneficial relationships with senior leadership and staff to address communication gaps and bottlenecks.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships outside of the Society. Participate in agency profile raising/public events. Represent the Society at external events, such as networking events and conferences.

General

• In consultation with the Director and Director of Indigenous Relations and Program support the implementation of the Anti-Racism Strategy and support the ongoing work of creating more inclusive programs through foundational changes to policies and practices.
• Work collaboratively with Director and Managers to develop strategic initiatives to address key capacity challenges.
• Anticipate change, and design/implement strategies to increase the Society’s business readiness (i.e., its ability to adapt and meet future business needs). Make evidence-based decisions for the program(s) that further the agency’s mission and values.
• Remain up to date on the trends and knowledge related to the program(s). Provide advice to the Director and other leaders on program/staffing issues arising and implications across the agency. Take a leadership role within the Directors’ group; uses subject-matter expertise to guide individual and group decision making.
• Prepare program reports, and other formal documents, ensuring they are complete, comprehensive and accurate. Maintains a current awareness of developments in fields relevant to assigned responsibilities.
• Participate in the Critical Incident On Call Rotation.

Qualifications (minimum Education and Experience requirements)

• A master’s degree or equivalent training and experience in Social Work, Business Management or Leadership Management with an emphasis on not-for-profit community-based organizations.
• Five (5)+ years’ experience of direct program management experience in the housing and shelter sector, including program planning and evaluation, administrative and financial management, personnel management, case management, psycho-social rehabilitation, critical incident intervention, and conflict resolution.

Requirement

• Successful completion of the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General Criminal Record Check.

Job Information

• Salary: $101,462.40.
• Work Location: various Cool Aid sites.
• Work Schedule: Monday to Friday (4-day workweek available).
• Shift Times: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.With some flexibility for weekends and evenings as needed.
• Weekly Hours: 40 hours per week.
• Union: Exempt.
• Benefits: We offer a comprehensive package that includes the Municipal Pension Plan, paid time off, and long-term disability coverage; 100% employer-paid extended health and dental benefits, including coverage for eligible dependents; access to telemedicine services through Sparrow; and our Employee Assistance Program, provided by Greenshield. Health.
• Job Type: Full-time, Temporary.