POSITION TITLE: Director, Employment & Training Programs
PROGRAM: Employment Ontario
COMPANY: Skills for Change
LOCATION: 791 St. Clair Ave West, Toronto ON
REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer
CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent (Executive)
HOURS: 35 hours per week (Monday- Friday, with occasional evening and/or weekend hours)
START DATE: Open until filled
APPLICATION DEADLINE: July 12, 2021
GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITY:
Skills for Change offers a range of resources, supports and service components to respond to employment needs of individuals and the skilled labor needs of employers, and to help individuals on a path to higher skill training and employment. The Director Employment & Training Programs is part of the executive team and plays a critical role in (Skills for Change (SfC). Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the Director has primary responsibility for current program management and new program development. The Director is also responsible for relationship building and networking within a variety of stakeholders to enhance SfC’s competitive position.
PROGRAM NATURE AND SCOPE:
This role will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight to Employment Ontario Employment Services, Skills Building & Training Projects and Programs located in GTA-Hamilton Area. They will also be responsible for the portfolio growth and development of new initiatives to assist in the integration of newcomer professionals and other members of the broader community into the Canadian labour market. The Director is responsible for the implementation, management, supervision and evaluation of SfC’s programs in accordance with standards set out by the organization and relevant funders. As a member of the executive team, the Director Employment & Training Programs participates in strategic planning and budgeting initiatives in addition to problem solving.
A principal objective for the first year in the role is planning for the transition to new Employment Ontario model while working to expand partnerships, improve staff training processes, program management capabilities among program managers, to support SfC’s strategic goals related to quality service provision, accountability and impact.
Candidates for the Director Employment & Training Programs role must have substantial experience in the Employment and Settlement Sector, an insightful grasp of evolving requirements for labour marketing engagement of Immigrants & Refugees; a passionate about innovation, highly independent leadership skills and strong organizational capabilities.
The Ideal Candidate has:
◉ Strong project management skills managing complex, multi-faceted projects resulting in measurable successes and program growth.
◉ Developed and implemented quality programs and demonstrated excellence in organizational and program management with the ability to achieve strategic objectives and manage a budgets.
◉ Strong program development experience with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders including advisory groups, coalitions, forums, associations, foundations, corporate sponsors, and practitioner groups.
◉ Demonstrated integrity, positive attitude, and a passion for SfC’s mission and commitment to working collaboratively with a
management team of senior professionals.
◉ The ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people in a fast based, project-oriented environment.
◉ Experience having worked with a high-performance, collaborative, constructive peer group with labour management experience.
◉ Solid judgment and strong leadership skills with the ability to handle a variety of constituencies, manage multiple tasks simultaneously and thrive in a complex environment with multiple priorities.
◉ Experience developing and managing budgets with knowledge and understanding of financial management and reporting.
SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Program Management
◉ Responsible for the implementation, management, supervision and evaluation of all activities of the programs under leadership.
◉ Responsible for the supervision and management of the data management software(s).
◉ Compile, maintain and report on the monthly, quarterly and annual program statistics.
◉ Analyze trends in programs, identifying issues and developing and recommending solutions to the CEO.
◉ Implement, manage, supervise and evaluate all activities related to programs.
◉ Develop, implement and evaluate recruitment strategies to expand the number of volunteers to support the program.
New Program Development
◉ Working with the leadership team and other staff, the incumbent is responsible for developing and tracking opportunities for new program development appropriate to SfC’s capabilities and objectives as defined in SfC’s Strategy, Work Plans and other relevant documents.
◉ Leads the development, writing and timely delivery of proposals to public and private funding organizations, based on emerging opportunities throughout each fiscal year.
◉ Responsible for ensuring the quality and content of proposals that are fully responsive to funders’ requirements and are competitive with other organizations.
◉ Annual program development planning process, including reporting on the past year’s outcomes and accomplishments and future initiatives, and setting criteria for undertaking new directions and approaches consistent with SfC’s Strategic Plan and competitive advantages.
◉ Staying abreast of current and future program directions and funding prospects of various funders.
◉ Ensuring that SfC is aware of all appropriate current and upcoming solicitations and/or market opportunities that affect program development strategies, and ensuring that SfC remains poised to respond to appropriate opportunities that fit our mission and capabilities.
◉ Working collaboratively with the development and program management teams in generating new opportunities to build upon, broaden and diversify World Learning’s funding base.
◉ Establish linkages and provide senior leadership with relevant community partners to develop innovative ideas to meet current and evolving client needs.
Budget & Administration
◉ Participate in overall agency budget planning and projections and monitor multiple program budgets.
◉ Responsible for the development of unit and program business plans.
◉ Prepare program specific budgets and financial reports.
◉ Participate in senior management meetings and general staff meetings.
◉ Manage special projects as required.
◉ Manage internal CRM system.
Human Resources Management
◉ Direct, plan and coordinate the work of the program staff including supervision and evaluation, training and team building.
◉ Organize and attend weekly program meetings to maintain effective communication.
◉ Ensure adequate and qualified staff to carry out the program activities.
◉ In consultation with Human Resources and CEO, responsible for the selection, hiring, coaching, and discipline of the program managers.
◉ Share on a regular basis with the program team, professional development and training opportunities, Ministry updates and releases.
◉ Ensure that staff remains motivated and engaged in ongoing learning and skills enhancement opportunities to better serve the needs of clients.
◉ Ensure that staff relations and work conditions promote a barrier-free, non-discriminatory environment which is consistent with the agency’s anti-racism, anti-discrimination/harassment policies.
◉ Develop and implement policies and procedures governing the operation of the agency’s Employment Ontario sites.
ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Program Management
◉ Responsible for the implementation, management, supervision and evaluation of all activities of the programs under leadership.
◉ Responsible for the supervision and management of the data management software(s).
◉ Compile, maintain and report on the monthly, quarterly and annual program statistics.
◉ Analyze trends in programs, identifying issues and developing and recommending solutions to the CEO.
◉ Implement, manage, supervise and evaluate all activities related to programs.
◉ Develop, implement and evaluate recruitment strategies to expand the number of volunteers to support the program.
Local Community
◉ Represent SfC in community activities and in organizations dealing with issues of concern to the agency and clients.
◉ Maintain appropriate relationships with all major constituencies of SfC (e.g. local service providers, funders, regulatory bodies, Boards of Education).
QUALIFICATIONS:
The Director, Programs and Services will be thoroughly committed to SfC’s strategy and mission. All candidates should have demonstrated leadership, coaching, and relationship management experience and strong demonstrated success managing funder relationships. All Candidates must have experience in non-profit program management across employment, settlement, youth or other related programs for multiple sites.
◉ Post secondary-degree, with at least 10 years of management experience in the not-for-profit sector.
◉ Mandatory clear vulnerable sector check
◉ This role requires travel on occasion.
Other qualifications include:
- Program Leadership and Management: This individual will have taken a hands-on approach in leading a variety of initiatives while supervising an Associate Director and various managerial staff. The ideal candidate will have a track record of effectively leading a performance-based and outcome-based program and staff. S/he will have developed and operationalized strategies that have taken a program or organization to the next stage of growth.
- Team Building and Development: The successful candidate will have recruited, managed, and developed a strong team of staff, program/project managers, and program development professionals. This individual will serve as a “player/coach” to motivate and mentor his/her team.
- Exceptional Communication and Influencing Skills: As a voice/advocate of SfC, the Director will have strong written and verbal communication skills. The incumbent will be a persuasive, credible, and polished communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills. This individual must work collaboratively with internal
- Proposal writing: Extensive experience writing large, complex proposals for various funders, various foundations and other government ministries at provincial, federal and municipal levels.
PLEASE SEND YOUR APPLICATION TO: hr@skillsforchange.org
Skills for Change provides learning and training opportunities for immigrants, refugees and equity seeking groups to access and fully participate in the workplace and wider community to persons with disabilities to newcomers to Canada (including refugees) to Indigenous peoples to members of a visible minority to children or youth to seniors to the LGBTQ2 community.
Skills for Change offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in each stage of the hiring process. If you are contacted regarding a job opportunity, please advise if you require accommodation. This document is available in alternate format on request.
We thank all applicants for their interest in this position, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.