Manager of Community Relations

Homes First Society; Ontario; On-site; CAD 83,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Manager of Community Relations to enhance community engagement and promote awareness of their mission. This role involves developing outreach strategies, fostering partnerships, and acting as a liaison with community stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in community relations, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to social justice principles. Join a dedicated team focused on breaking the cycle of homelessness and making a meaningful impact in the community. If you are passionate about advocacy and community building, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in relevant fields required.
• Experience in community relations and public affairs is essential.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement outreach strategies to engage the community.
• Act as a liaison between the organization and community stakeholders.
• Support fundraising initiatives and grant writing efforts.

Skills

Community Engagement

Public Speaking

Crisis Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Conflict Resolution

Interpersonal Skills

Decision Making

Organizational Skills

Communication Skills

Project Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications

Bachelor's degree in Social Work

Bachelor's degree in Public Relations

Tools

Information System Tools

Job description

Mission Statement: Homes First Society develops and provides affordable, stable housing and support services to break the cycle of homelessness for people with the fewest housing options.

Position type: Full-time, Permanent

Reports to: Director of Development and Homelessness Initiatives or Designate

Hours of Work: Monday – Friday, 9am - 5pm

Start date: March 31, 2025, or ASAP

Salary: $83,000 (annual)

The Manager of Community Relations is responsible for developing and executing strategies that enhance community engagement, promoting awareness of our mission, and fostering partnerships that strengthen our impact. The successful candidate in this role will accomplish Homes First Society objectives by assisting with the day-to-day aspects of community relations and outreach. In addition, the successful candidate in this role will adhere to the mission statement, policies, and procedures at Homes First Society.

Job Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement community outreach strategies to engage local residents, businesses, and organizations in support of our programs.
• Act as the primary liaison between the organization and community stakeholders, including neighborhood associations, city officials, and advocacy groups. This includes representing the organization on Community Liaison Committees (CLCs), public events, forums, and media engagements.
• Address community concerns and inquiries in a timely manner regarding shelter operations, supportive housing, and related services.
• Work closely with leadership to craft messaging that aligns with the organization’s values and goals.
• Identify and cultivate partnerships with local businesses, service providers, and other non-profit organizations to enhance program delivery and community building.
• Assist the fundraising team with community-driven initiatives, donor engagement, and sponsorship opportunities.
• Support grant writing efforts by providing community impact data and success stories.
• Monitor municipal, provincial, and federal policies related to homelessness and housing, providing strategic recommendations to leadership.
• Proactively update community contacts and partnerships through asset mapping and outreach.
• Engage in advocacy efforts that align with the organization’s mission, working alongside government representatives and sector partners.
• Work closely with shelter managers, program staff, caseworkers, and service partners to ensure community integration and effective communication strategies.
• Prepare and submit reports by required dates.
• Maintain both external and internal confidentiality.
• Attend regular team meetings and subsequently provide support related to decision making/case planning.
• Orient team members as needed.
• May be required to work outside of regular hours.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Social Work, Public Relations, or a related field.
• Experience in community relations, public affairs, or a similar role within a non-profit or social service organization.
• Strong understanding of homelessness, mental health, and housing policy in Toronto.
• Proven track record in stakeholder engagement, crisis management, and public speaking.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with fundraising, donor relations, or grant writing is an asset.
• Familiarity with facilitating trainings/groups.
• Ability to be self-directed, work independently and manage a varied workload.
• Demonstrated interpersonal, decision making, conflict management, critical thinking, and organizational skills.
• Highly developed understanding of and ability to communicate appropriate professional boundaries.
• Extensive experience with conflict resolution and well-developed de-escalation skills.
• Commitment to social justice principles and an understanding of the intersection of gender, race, sexuality, and class.
• Ability to develop and execute plans to achieve functional goals.
• Computer literacy, including the ability to access and use a variety of information system tools.
• Certificate of Completion of Homelessness Learning Hub’s Harm Reduction for the Homelessness Sector considered an asset.

Working in an environment where there may be smoke is required.

The successful applicant must provide a criminal record check that is satisfactory to Homes First Society.

Accommodation

Homes First is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Covid-19 Vaccination Policy

Please note, all candidates offered a position with Homes First from September 8, 2021 onward must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of their vaccination status as a condition of employment. Please note Homes First will comply with its human rights obligations and accommodate employees who are legally entitled to accommodation.