Lead Employment Navigator

Calgary John Howard Society; Calgary; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Calgary John Howard Society in Calgary, AB is seeking a Lead Employment Navigator to build relationships with employers and place high-risk individuals in meaningful roles.

You will guide a small team within the Breakthrough and Employment Hub, educate employers on the model, and support onboarding, accommodations, and ongoing collaboration across community settings.

The role emphasizes flexible, relationship-based approaches and aims to expand a diverse network to promote rapid re-employment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in employer engagement or workforce services.
• Ability to lead and coordinate a small team.
• Strong understanding of labour market dynamics.
• Excellent relationship building and negotiation skills.
• Ability to document and deliver accurate reports.
• Comfortable addressing employer concerns regarding attendance and accommodations.
• Experience working with marginalized populations is an asset.
• Valid driver's license and reliable vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Builds and maintains relationships with employers willing to hire high-risk individuals.
• Leads a team of two Employment Navigators and two Employment Coaches under the Employment Hub Manager.
• Identifies suitable job opportunities and educates employers on the program model.
• Supports onboarding, workplace accommodation, and issue resolution.
• Serves as a bridge between employers, coaches, facilitators and participants to navigate employment challenges.

Skills

Employer engagement

Leadership

Relationship building

Communication

Negotiation

Documentation

Reporting

Driver's license

Job description

The Agency

The Calgary John Howard Society (CJHS) is a charity that reduces crime and makes Calgary communities safer by helping youth and adults make positive changes and move away from criminal behaviour. We do this by addressing the root causes of crime through housing, education, employment programs and support so that individuals have alternatives to breaking the law. CJHS is committed to restorative justice and an organizational environment that recognizes the dignity and worth of each person.

CJHS values diversity and inclusion and welcomes qualified applicants from all walks of life.

The Program

Breakthrough and the Employment Hub are designed to intervene early with individuals who are at high risk of developing or have long-term dependency on Income Support. It is an outreach-based employment program supporting high-risk individuals aged 16+ who have experienced homelessness, housing instability, justice involvement, disrupted education, and limited workforce attachment. The program embeds intensive employment coaching directly into housing settings, community locations, and employer worksites.
Breakthrough and the Employment Hub prioritize early paid engagement, individualized coaching, and long-term retention support, recognizing that employment pathways for high-risk individuals are often non-linear and require flexible, relationship-based approaches.

The Position

• The Lead Employment Navigator role builds and maintains relationships with employers willing to hire and support high-risk individuals.
• This position works collaboratively with the Breakthrough and Employment Hub teams and will lead a team of two Employment Navigators and two Employment Coaches, reporting to the Employment Hub Manager.
• This position identifies suitable job opportunities, educates employers on the program model, and supports onboarding, workplace accommodation, and issue resolution.
• This role serves as a bridge between employers, Employment Coaches, Employment Facilitators and participants, helping employers navigate challenges related to employment while promoting positive outcomes for both individuals and workplaces.
• Job loss is normalized as part of development, and the role is key in maintaining a diverse employer network to support rapid re-employment when needed.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in employer engagement, job development, or workforce services.
• Leadership skills an asset
• Strong understanding of labour market dynamics and entry-level employment pathways.
• Excellent relationship building, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Skilled in maintaining documentation and delivering accurate, timely reports.
• Ability to address employer concerns related to attendance, performance, and accommodations.
• Experience working with marginalized populations is an asset.
• Comfortable working collaboratively in community and outreach-based settings.
• Valid drivers license and reliable vehicle are required.

Your past does not define your future.

A criminal record will not disqualify you from employment with us; we evaluate each application individually.