Director of Shelters and Housing

Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Centre; Toronto; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Centre (CONC) seeks a Director of Shelters & Housing to provide strategic leadership for emergency shelters, transitional housing, and related services across Toronto. You will manage a team of managers, ensure compliance, and coordinate with government partners to align programs with funding requirements.

The role requires 10+ years in social services leadership, experience in unionized settings, and a commitment to equity, trauma-informed care, and community

Qualifications

• University degree in Social Work, Planning, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Master’s degree is considered an asset.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and direction for shelter and housing programs across multiple sites.
• Oversee daily operations through a team of managers and supervisors, ensuring services are safe, accessible, and responsive to client needs.
• Ensure compliance with legislation, standards, and regulatory requirements including Toronto Shelter Standards and privacy obligations.
• Lead labour relations in a unionized environment and participate in Labour Management Committee meetings.
• Develop, monitor, and manage program budgets with forecasting and variance monitoring.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with HR, Finance, and Operations to support service delivery.
• Support Executive Director in advancing organizational strategy for shelter and housing services.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

People management

Homelessness knowledge

Trauma-informed

Equity & inclusion

System navigation

Decision making

Microsoft Office

Education

University degree in Social Work

Master’s degree (MSW/MBA/MPA) asset

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Centre (CONC) is a multi-service community organization supporting individuals and families through shelter, housing, food security, and community-based programs across Toronto. Our work is rooted in dignity, respect, and a commitment to meeting people where they are. We strive to create a workplace where staff feel supported, valued, and able to contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Shelters & Housing provides strategic and operational leadership for CONC’s shelter and housing programs, including emergency shelters, transitional housing, and related services.

The Director is accountable for ensuring high-quality, safe, and compliant service delivery across multiple sites, while leading a team of managers and supervisors in a complex, unionized environment. This role balances system-level strategy with strong operational oversight and is responsible for aligning programs with organizational priorities, funding requirements, and regulatory standards.

The Director plays a key role in navigating relationships with government partners, particularly the City of Toronto, and in advancing CONC’s housing vision through effective leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and system engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Program Oversight and Operational Leadership

• Provide overall leadership and direction for shelter and housing programs, ensuring consistent, high-quality service delivery across all sites
• Oversee daily operations through a team of managers and supervisors, ensuring services are safe, accessible, and responsive to client needs
• Ensure compliance with all applicable legislation, standards, and requirements, including Toronto Shelter Standards, health and safety legislation, and privacy obligations
• Oversee incident management, risk mitigation, and quality assurance processes across programs
• Provide leadership during critical incidents, operational escalations, and emergency situations

Staff Leadership and Labour Relations

• Lead, support, and develop program leadership staff, including recruitment, hiring, coaching, performance management, and succession planning
• Set clear expectations for accountability, consistency, and professional standards across teams
• Provide leadership in labour relations, including participation in Labour Management Committee meetings, grievance management, and collective agreement interpretation
• Support managers in navigating employee relations issues within a unionized environment
• Foster a respectful, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture aligned with CONC values

Financial and Operational Accountability

• Develop, manage, and monitor program budgets, ensuring alignment with funding requirements and organizational priorities
• Provide financial oversight including forecasting, variance monitoring, and resource allocation
• Ensure effective and responsible use of resources across programs

Strategic Planning and Program Development

• Support the Executive Director in advancing organizational strategy related to shelter and housing services
• Develop and implement program strategies that respond to evolving community needs and system priorities
• Provide strategic oversight of program design and service delivery models, including partnerships and service enhancements
• Begin to establish and monitor program performance indicators to support continuous improvement

Funding, Grants, and Reporting

• Provide strategic oversight of all funding, grant development, and reporting activities for shelter and housing programs
• Supervise and support the Fundraising and Resource Development Manager, ensuring alignment between funding strategies and program priorities
• Identify and prioritize funding opportunities in collaboration with the Executive Director
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with key funders, including government partners, ensuring alignment with funding agreements and expectations
• Review and approve major funding submissions and reports, ensuring accuracy, quality, and alignment with organizational strategy
• Ensure all reporting requirements are met in a timely and coordinated manner

Community Engagement and Stakeholder Relations

• Act as a primary liaison with funders, including the City of Toronto, ensuring alignment with funding agreements and system expectations
• Build and maintain strong relationships with community partners, government representatives, and sector networks, including participation in the Toronto shelter system
• Advocate for resources, policies, and system improvements to support individuals experiencing homelessness
• Ensure programs are equitable, inclusive, and responsive to diverse community needs

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with internal departments including HR, Finance, and Operations to support effective service delivery
• Work in partnership with the Director of Operations regarding facilities, site infrastructure, and operational needs

Qualifications and Experience

Education

• University degree in Social Work, Planning, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field
• A Master’s degree (e.g., MSW, MBA, MPA) is considered an asset

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience in social services, housing, or related sectors
• Experience overseeing multi-site operations in complex, high-demand environments
• Demonstrated experience in shelter and housing program operations, including government-funded programs
• Experience working in a unionized environment, including labour relations and collective agreement interpretation
• Experience working with diverse communities across intersecting social identities

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong leadership, communication, and people management skills
• Solid understanding of homelessness, substance use, mental health, and community development
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, standards, and regulatory requirements in the shelter and housing sector
• Understanding of trauma-informed, harm reduction, and equity-based approaches to service delivery
• Ability to navigate complex systems, including government and funder environments
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills in high-pressure situations
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other relevant systems

This posting is intended to fill a current vacancy.

CONC may use technology to support elements of the recruitment process.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Equity and Accommodation

CONC is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace. We encourage applications from individuals who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, including those from equity-deserving groups.

Accommodation is available upon request throughout the recruitment process.