Program Director

Ellipsis; Montreal (administrative region); On-site; CAD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Ellipsis is seeking a Program Director in Montreal to lead one of its core youth programs, driving strategy, coordination, and high-quality service delivery while upholding program standards.

You will supervise a diverse team, coordinate placements and care, ensure documentation and compliance, and partner with families, schools, and authorities to support youth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field.
• Meets state licensing requirements under the appropriate chapter.
• At least 2+ years of related experience in child welfare services.
• At least 2+ years of direct leadership experience.
• Demonstrated leadership with ability to build high-performing teams.
• Clear criminal and child abuse background checks and driving record.

Responsibilities

• Translate leadership's program strategy into policies and practices.
• Coordinate youth placements including intake and discharge decisions.
• Oversee Service Plans and collaborate with the Program Team and families.
• Ensure timely report writing, file management, and compliance with auditing requirements.
• Organize program activities (recreation, education, work details).
• Develop crisis and behavior management training with the COO.
• Monitor performance and coach staff; conduct annual performance reviews.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Interpersonal communication

Independent work

Time management

Decision making

Emotional stability

Professionalism

Training and coaching

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field

Licensing requirements met (Chapter 109 or 114)

Tools

Microsoft Windows & Office

Job description

Responsible for the management, coordination, and leadership of one of Ellipsis’s core programs. Provides the leadership, coordination, and role modeling needed to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of services to youth, while maintaining program standards.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Strategy

• Works to understand leadership’s goals around program strategy and determines how these goals translate into program policies and practices
• Makes daily decisions in support of the program strategy for the organization
• Communicates program-related updates or changes to leaders and/or direct care staff with instructions about how to incorporate this into program and licensing standards, policies, and procedures
• Proactively supports Youth Care Workers and other care professionals to ensure their actions reflect Ellipsis’s organizational strategy and priorities

Youth Placement and Discharge

• Coordinates youth placements, including intake and discharge decisions
• Approves all probations and decisions to discharge, both scheduled and unscheduled

Youth Care and Assessment

• Ensures the implementation of the Service Plan for each youth through regular collaboration with the Program Team *
• Monitors and oversees communication to all individuals associated with a youth, including families, counselors, therapists, direct care staff, school personnel, the Department of Human Services, Juvenile Court staff, and any others involved in the youth’s support system
• Oversees required paperwork, including timely report writing, file management, outcomes measures, and any other documentation to ensure Ellipsis is in compliance with all auditing requirements

Program Activities

• Assists the Program Team * in organizing all program activities; these may include, but are not limited to recreation, education, and work details

Crisis Intervention

• Collaborates with the COO to develop crisis and behavior management techniques that are helpful to the youth and Ellipsis staff; ensures that these techniques are shared through proper training and coaching
• Acts as a resource to help in solving an immediate crisis or problem
• Reviews and responds to all significant incidents
• Is subject to 24-hour emergency call and on occasion will return to Ellipsis facilities to handle emergency situations

Program Environment

• Ensures that custodial and maintenance needs which cannot be managed by program staff are escalated to the Chief Operating Officer for resolution
• Orders supplies, including food, clothing, or other items
• Ensures that all program facilities and supplies are clean and orderly

Employee Development

• Manages performance of the leaders and individual contributors within the assigned Program Team*
• Works with team members to establish performance goals and hold them accountable for their performance, including annual performance management, ongoing development, and corrective action where needed
• Monitors staff’s interaction with youth and other team members, coaching them to improve job performance through evaluation, role modeling, and training

Performs other duties as assigned

• Program Team consist of Supervisors, Therapists, Caseworkers, Youth Care Workers, HHS, JCS, families and others involved in supporting the youth.

Required Qualifications And Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field, such as sociology, psychology, human services, or other degrees, or equivalent work experience
• Meets state licensing requirements under the appropriate chapter according to the program (Chapter 109 or Chapter 114)
• At least 2+ years of related experience in child welfare services
• At least 2+ years of direct leadership experience
• Demonstrated performance as a leader, including the ability to build and motivate high-performing teams through good judgement, common sense, and the capacity for growth
• Evidence of emotional stability and maturity, with demonstrated capability of working with and establishing relationships with youth who have program behaviors or emotional difficulties
• Critical thinker and problem solver who demonstrates decision-making and time-management skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Able to work independently, with minimal oversight, and with high ethical standards
• Able to deal tactfully with youth, family members, visitors, government agency representatives and the general public
• Able to provide positive role modeling for residents in areas of communication, decision-making, and problem solving
• Willing to make decisions based on what’s best for kids and families
• Willing to participate in all scheduled meetings, trainings and supervision sessions as requested
• Basic computer skills including experience working in Microsoft Windows and Office products
• Clear criminal and child abuse background checks
• Acceptable driving record

Preferred Qualifications And Skills

• Proven experience leading a child welfare program is preferred
• Understanding of the Juvenile Court System and the Department of Human Services system
• Experience working with children and families in a community-based program preferred
• Knowledge in the field of child services helpful. Knowledge or prior experience working with high-risk youth, especially with youth who have experienced abuse, neglect, homelessness, or other traumatic experiences preferred