Manager, Programs

Neighbour to Neighbour; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 61,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

3 weeks vacation

3 personal days

2 float days per year

Job summary

Neighbour to Neighbour is seeking a Manager, Programs to oversee a diverse portfolio of food, garden, and education-based programs. You will lead strategic program delivery, manage budgets, and build partnerships to expand impact in Hamilton and surrounding communities.

The role emphasizes equity, trauma-informed practice, and collaboration across staff and volunteers, with opportunities to innovate and grow organizational reach.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive nonprofit program leadership experience.
• 3+ years of direct people leadership, supervision, coaching, and staff development.
• Post-secondary education in a relevant field.

Responsibilities

• Lead the team in defining and aligning all program tasks with strategic goals.
• Oversee planning, delivery, and evaluation of programs across sites.
• Manage day-to-day logistics including scheduling and space utilization.
• Coordinate property management at 310 Limeridge Rd. for kitchen and garden spaces.
• Foster equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racist practices.
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, training, mentoring, and performance evaluations.
• Ensure compliance with policies and privacy standards.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Team-building

Emotional intelligence

Cultural competency

Budgeting

Fundraising

Strategic thinking

Education

Post-secondary education in Social Work, Community Development, Education, or a related discipline

Job description

Reports to: Director of Programs and Operations

Compensation: Starting from $68,000 per year

Employment Type: Permanent Full Time

3 weeksvacation, 3 personal days & 2 float days per year

Position Summary

For 40 years Neighbour to Neighbour has worked to address the poverty and food insecurity head on. We understand that food is more than just nourishment; it’s a way to spark learning, build confidence, and create belonging.

As the Manager, Programs, you’ll oversee a diverse portfolio of food, garden and education-based programs. From food skills and gardening to literacy and math programming, you'll ensure programs are responsive to community needs and aligned with our vision for growth.

You will listen deeply, plan strategically, and organize resources effectively to deliver programs that matter. The Manager, Programs thrives on responsibility and accountability, leads with clarity and collaboration, and embraces innovation. You will manage budgets, track outcomes, and seize opportunities to expand our reach through creative approaches to funding and development. You’ll inspire staff and volunteers, foster partnerships, and create spaces where learning and connection flourish.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Program Leadership

• Lead the team in defining, executing, and aligning all departmental tasks with the organization’s high-level strategic goals.
• Oversee the comprehensive planning, operational delivery, and continuous evaluation of programs across all sites to ensure consistent quality and impact.
• Manage day-to-day logistics including scheduling, resource allocation, and optimized space utilization.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for property management at 310 Limeridge Rd. regarding maintenance, equipment, and the shared use of our commercial kitchen and garden spaces.
• Foster a collaborative, goal-oriented work environment rooted in equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging, and strict anti-oppressive/anti-racist practices.
• Manage full-cycle recruitment, onboarding, training, mentoring, and performance evaluations for program staff.
• Support your team in the effective recruitment, training, scheduling, and supervision of volunteers andstudents.
• Ensure absolute departmental compliance with organizational policies, procedures, and strict privacy and confidentiality standards.
• Establish a robust culture of evaluation by tracking key metrics, analyzing participant attendance, and generating outcome reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Continuously refine and redesign service delivery models by creating opportunities to test innovative ideas.
• Develop and maintain mechanisms to genuinely listen to, evaluate, and integrate community and volunteer feedback.

Financial, Grant & Revenue Management

• Develop and monitor departmental budgets, ensuring highly responsible resource utilization.
• Provide leadership for revenue generation, collaborating with the team to achieve funding targets.
• Lead proposal development, write compelling grant applications, and fulfill strict donor reporting requirements.

Partnership & Community Network Development

• Build and steward relationships with donors, schools, nonprofit partners, and social service agencies to advance collaborative projects.
• Represent the organization warmly and professionally at external meetings and community events.
• Advocate fiercely for participants, ensuring that all services are delivered through a respectful, trauma-informed, and culturally safe framework.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Post-secondary education in Social Work, Community Development, Education, or a related discipline, combined with relevant practical, hand-on, and lived experience.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in nonprofit program leadership, community development, or social services.
• 3+ years of direct people leadership experience, including supervision, coaching, performance management, and staff development.

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong leadership, mentoring, and team-building skills.
• High emotional intelligence, cultural competency, and the ability to maintain professional boundaries. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strategic thinker with excellent organizational and leadership abilities.
• Understanding of food insecurity, poverty, and systemic barriers.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Strong budgeting, planning, fundraising and reporting skills.

Physical Requirements

• This position involves a combination of desk work, community engagement, and on-site program delivery which can be physically demanding.
• Some lifting (up to 30 lbs.), occasional driving, and evening/weekend flexibility.

Terms and Conditions

• Operations at our Community Food Centre often extend into the evening and require staff to regularly run programming outside of the 9 – 5 hours of the workday.
• Criminal background check and confidentiality agreement required.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle.
• CPR/First Aid and Safe Food Handling certifications are assets.

Neighbour to Neighbour is an equal opportunity employer. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for next steps will be contacted.

Neighbour to Neighbour Centre is committed to employment equity and encourages applicants from equity seeking and deserving groups. We are dedicated to providing an atmosphere free from barriers in order to embody and best demonstrate equity, inclusivity, and diversity. We celebrate and welcome the diversity of all employees.

If you require accommodation during the application and recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at 905-574-1334 Ext 209 as soon as possible.