Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Centre (CONC) is a multi-service community organization supporting individuals and families through shelter, housing, food security, and community-based programs across Toronto. Our work is rooted in dignity, respect, and a commitment to meeting people where they are. We strive to create a workplace where staff feel supported, valued, and able to contribute meaningfully to their communities.
If this opportunity aligns with your experience and interest in community-based work, we encourage you to apply.
Position Overview
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Shelters & Housing provides strategic and operational leadership for CONC’s shelter and housing programs, including emergency shelters, transitional housing, and related services.
The Director is accountable for ensuring high-quality, safe, and compliant service delivery across multiple sites, while leading a team of managers and supervisors in a complex, unionized environment. This role balances system-level strategy with strong operational oversight and is responsible for aligning programs with organizational priorities, funding requirements, and regulatory standards.
The Director plays a key role in navigating relationships with government partners, particularly the City of Toronto, and in advancing CONC’s housing vision through effective leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and system engagement.
Key Responsibilities
Program Oversight and Operational Leadership
- Provide overall leadership and direction for shelter and housing programs, ensuring consistent, high-quality service delivery across all sites
- Oversee daily operations through a team of managers and supervisors, ensuring services are safe, accessible, and responsive to client needs
- Ensure compliance with all applicable legislation, standards, and requirements, including Toronto Shelter Standards, health and safety legislation, and privacy obligations
- Oversee incident management, risk mitigation, and quality assurance processes across programs
- Provide leadership during critical incidents, operational escalations, and emergency situations
Staff Leadership and Labour Relations
- Lead, support, and develop program leadership staff, including recruitment, hiring, coaching, performance management, and succession planning
- Set clear expectations for accountability, consistency, and professional standards across teams
- Provide leadership in labour relations, including participation in Labour Management Committee meetings, grievance management, and collective agreement interpretation
- Support managers in navigating employee relations issues within a unionized environment
- Foster a respectful, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture aligned with CONC values
Financial and Operational Accountability
- Develop, manage, and monitor program budgets, ensuring alignment with funding requirements and organizational priorities
- Provide financial oversight including forecasting, variance monitoring, and resource allocation
- Ensure effective and responsible use of resources across programs
Strategic Planning and Program Development
- Support the Executive Director in advancing organizational strategy related to shelter and housing services
- Develop and implement program strategies that respond to evolving community needs and system priorities
- Provide strategic oversight of program design and service delivery models, including partnerships and service enhancements
- Begin to establish and monitor program performance indicators to support continuous improvement
Funding, Grants, and Reporting
- Provide strategic oversight of all funding, grant development, and reporting activities for shelter and housing programs
- Supervise and support the Fundraising and Resource Development Manager, ensuring alignment between funding strategies and program priorities
- Identify and prioritize funding opportunities in collaboration with the Executive Director
- Maintain and strengthen relationships with key funders, including government partners, ensuring alignment with funding agreements and expectations
- Review and approve major funding submissions and reports, ensuring accuracy, quality, and alignment with organizational strategy
- Ensure all reporting requirements are met in a timely and coordinated manner
Community Engagement and Stakeholder Relations
- Act as a primary liaison with funders, including the City of Toronto, ensuring alignment with funding agreements and system expectations
- Build and maintain strong relationships with community partners, government representatives, and sector networks, including participation in the Toronto shelter system
- Advocate for resources, policies, and system improvements to support individuals experiencing homelessness
- Ensure programs are equitable, inclusive, and responsive to diverse community needs
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Collaborate closely with internal departments including HR, Finance, and Operations to support effective service delivery
- Work in partnership with the Director of Operations regarding facilities, site infrastructure, and operational needs
Qualifications and Experience
Education
- University degree in Social Work, Planning, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field
- A Master’s degree (e.g., MSW, MBA, MPA) is considered an asset
Experience
- Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience in social services, housing, or related sectors
- Experience overseeing multi-site operations in complex, high-demand environments
- Demonstrated experience in shelter and housing program operations, including government-funded programs
- Experience working in a unionized environment, including labour relations and collective agreement interpretation
- Experience working with diverse communities across intersecting social identities
Knowledge and Skills
- Strong leadership, communication, and people management skills
- Solid understanding of homelessness, substance use, mental health, and community development
- Knowledge of relevant legislation, standards, and regulatory requirements in the shelter and housing sector
- Understanding of trauma-informed, harm reduction, and equity-based approaches to service delivery
- Ability to navigate complex systems, including government and funder environments
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills in high-pressure situations
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other relevant systems
Additional Information
This posting is intended to fill a current vacancy.
CONC may use technology to support elements of the recruitment process.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Equity and Accommodation
CONC is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace. We encourage applications from individuals who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, including those from equity-deserving groups.
Accommodation is available upon request throughout the recruitment process.
