Drop-In Centre Manager

WISH Drop-In Centre Society; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

WISH Drop-In Centre Society seeks a dedicated Manager to ensure the smooth operations of their Drop-In Centre in Vancouver, which serves women and marginalized genders involved in street-based sex work. This management role includes oversight of budgetary operations, program delivery, and advocacy, promoting an inclusive environment while addressing the evolving needs of the community.

Qualifications

• At least 3–5 years of experience in program management.
• Strong alignment with WISH’s values of anti-oppression.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practices.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of the Drop-In Centre.
• Lead and manage approximately 10 staff members.
• Advocate for the rights of sex workers.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Conflict Resolution

Organizational Skills

Advocacy

Education

Experience in program management

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

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Based in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, WISH is the largest sex worker support organization in Canada. For more than thirty-five years, WISH has offered a safe place of respite for women involved in street-based sex work. WISH Drop-in Centre Society is an organization and space for women and people of marginalized genders, including TwoSpirit, trans, and non-binary.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Senior Manager of Direct Services and Director of Programs, you will ensure the safe, welcoming, and sustainable operations of the Drop-In Centre. You are responsible for leading, managing, and supporting Drop-In staff with an inclusive and collaborative management style. You will design, implement, and maintain necessary systems, policies and procedures. You will be responsible for managing resources, budgets, and facilities while providing accessible support and services to women and gender-diverse folks engaged in Vancouver’s street-based sex work. The Manager is also responsible for some Human Resources functions and for all administrative tasks of the program. As well, you will be an active and engaged member of the WISH leadership team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Leadership & Operations:

• Oversee the daily operation of the Drop-In Centre, ensuring a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space for participants.

• Provide leadership and support to staff and volunteers working in the Drop-In Centre.

• Ensure programs and services meet the evolving needs of sex workers, including basic needs, harm reduction, crisis intervention, and peer support.

• Maintain strong communication and coordination with other WISH departments and partner organizations.

• Managing the approved Drop-in budget; participating in quarterly budgetary reviews in collaboration with the Director of Programs and the Senior Manager of Direct Services. Tracking Drop-in expenses by maintaining up-to-date petty cash and expense reports.

• Oversees planned or purchased equipment, appliances, supplies and services for the Drop-in Centre.

• In collaboration with the Kitchen Manager, ensures timely and efficient meal delivery to Drop-in participants.

• Work in conjunction with the Development Team to secure donations and sponsorships for the Drop-In Centre.

• Collaborate with the Workplace & Facilities Manager to ensure maintenance of equipment, furniture, and facilities of the Drop-In space as well as procurement of supplies and physical donations.

Staff Management & Supervision:

• Recruit, train, supervise, and support Drop-In Centre staff, ensuring alignment with trauma-informed and anti-oppressive practices.

• Facilitate ongoing training related to sex work, harm reduction, de-escalation, and cultural safety.

• Conduct regular performance evaluations and team-building activities.

• Manage the operations of the Drop-In program, and a team of approximately 10 unionized Drop-In frontline staff.

• Establish and proactively maintain healthy, collaborative, constructive, and supportive working relationships with all Drop-In staff, volunteers, community partners, contractors and participants.

• Develop, plan, organize, direct, and implement activities and programs out of the Drop-in Centre.

• Provide on-site support, and/or follow-up with staff, volunteers and participants by debriefing and problem-solving in the Drop-in centre during opening hours.

• Actively participate in the recruitment, orientation, training, retention, evaluations and performance management of Drop-In program staff, alongside WISH’s People and Culture Manager.

• Develop the monthly schedule, approve vacations, track seniority, employment status and employee accruals in collaboration with HR.

• Being available for on-call duty at all hours to respond to any emergencies that impact the program, including but not limited to operational emergencies, staffing shortages, safety concerns and critical incidents.

• Complete all administrative payroll tasks for the program including processing timesheets, responding to payroll inquiries and processing needed payouts in a timely manner.

• Ensuring all employee files are accurate and up-to-date, including employee contact information, training deadlines, accommodations, leaves of absence, transfers and promotions, etc.

Strategic Planning & Advocacy Alignment:

• Work collaboratively with the Director of Programs to support the strategic growth and direction of the Drop-In Centre.

• Ensure all programs reflect a strong understanding of the current legal, social, and political context of sex work in Canada.

• Advocate for the rights and dignity of sex workers, both within the organization and through external networks and partnerships.

• Compile, analyze, and submit statistics and reports related to Drop-In services, for internal program development/assessment purposes and to relevant funders.

• Research and provide staff with information regarding relevant and appropriate community services and supports for participants. Procure learning and training opportunities regarding community resources for frontline staff.

• Provide relevant and appropriate advocacy and support to participants who access WISH while maintaining Drop-In policies and Code of Conduct as it pertains to ban recommendations and re - integration.

• Receive and process submissions of participant complaints; when appropriate, triage concerns and conflicts and produce an action plan to resolve complaints.

• Liaise with, and develop partnerships with relevant stakeholders, funders, policy makers and vendors.

Community Engagement & Relationship Building:

• Foster meaningful relationships with participants, recognizing the leadership and expertise of sex workers.

• Develop and maintain partnerships with community organizations, health services, and other stakeholders.

• Represent WISH at relevant community meetings, advocacy tables, and sector events.

• Prepare and hold monthly DI Program Coordinator meetings; gather updates, produce meeting minutes and create program delivery plans for the month.

• Prepare and chair regular monthly Drop-In staff meetings; represent the Drop-In at regular and ad hoc planning/programming meetings.

Administration & Facilities:

• Maintain a strong understanding of the Community Social Services Collective Agreement to ensure compliance. Maintain a proactive approach to adhering to non-negotiable provisions and deadlines in the Collective Agreement.

• Maintain a strong and positive working relationship with CUPE local 1936, including worker representatives and leadership.

• Keep up-to-date with the Labour Management Committee and JOSH meetings; ensure follow-up to any actions resulting from the above meetings.

• In collaboration with the Facilities and Operations Manager, ensure the proper administration of safety protocols and guidelines, including inspections, training and policy implementation.

• In collaboration with Facilities and Operations manager, maintain and administer a repairs and maintenance schedule.

• Review and amend Drop-in Centre policies on an annual basis or as needed and in collaboration with program staff and managers.

• Develop and monitor program budgets in collaboration with finance staff.

• Track and report on program outcomes, including data collection, evaluation, and funder reporting.

• Maintain accurate records and uphold confidentiality and ethical practices.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

Required:

• Deep understanding of the sex work landscape in BC and Canada, including relevant legal frameworks (e.g., PCEPA) and human rights issues.

• Demonstrated commitment to sex work advocacy, including the decriminalization of sex work.

• Strong alignment with WISH’s values of harm reduction, non-judgment, and anti-oppression.

• At least 3–5 years of experience in program management, preferably in a community or social service setting.

• Experience working directly with sex workers or other marginalized communities.

• Proven leadership skills and experience managing diverse teams.

• Knowledge of trauma-informed, peer-led, and participant-centred practices.

• Excellent communication, organizational, and conflict resolution skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, and comfort using client management or data tracking systems.

• Strong understanding and knowledge of systemic barriers and oppression rooted in colonization, racism, transphobia, classism, misogyny, moralism, ableism and how they impact sex workers.

• A strong feminist analysis of violence against women and gender-diverse individuals with an understanding of power and its intersection with gender, race, culture, class, ability, religion, sexuality, ethnicity, and age.

• Knowledge of the Downtown Eastside supports and services, proven ability to navigate the social welfare, public health, and justice systems, particularly in the areas of poverty reduction, housing, emergency medical care, detox and addictions services, and counselling.

• An understanding of the inherent issues that WISH participants face on a daily basis.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently while maintaining inclusive and collaborative relationships with the rest of the WISH team.

• Experience working in a unionized environment.

Assets:

• Lived experience in sex work.

• First Aid and Naloxone training.

• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, including strong computer literacy in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, Sharepoint, Outlook, etc.) and internal communications tools such as Slack are essential.

Working Conditions:

• This position is primarily based on-site at the Drop-In Centre.

• Flexible availability, including some evenings or weekends, may be required.

• The Drop-In Centre environment can be high-pressure, with exposure to emotional and mental health crises.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Management and Manufacturing

• Industries

  Non-profit Organizations

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