Director, Supportive Housing and Substance Use Health

Position Title: Director, Supportive Housing and Substance Use Health

Classification: Program Director

Job Type: Regular, Full Time Employee (35 hrs/week)

Department: Family & Community Health and Harm Reduction.

Pay Band: $100, 846 - $118, 736 annually

Benefits: Excellent benefits package including Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)

Reporting to: Executive Director

Application Deadline: January 24, 2025

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About us:

We are Somerset West Community Health Centre (SWCHC), a non-profit, community-governed organization that serves over 18,000 clients annually. Established in 1978, SWCHC provides a wide range of health care services such as primary health care, health promotion, community development, mental health, and harm reduction. We are deeply connected to the communities we serve and committed to removing barriers to accessing services for people who experience vulnerabilities because of their age, income, ability, sexual orientation or gender identity, and language or culture.

SWCHC strives to ensure that our team reflects the communities we serve. We work within an anti-racist, anti-oppressive framework that acknowledges the existence and impacts of systemic racism and seeks to ensure that systems are fair and equitable for everyone.

Job Summary:

The Program Director will lead the development, implementation, and oversight of the HART (Homeless Addictions and Recovery Treatment) Hub, a 24/7 community-centered initiative designed to provide comprehensive, trauma-informed health, housing, and social supports for individuals facing complex challenges related to substance use, homelessness, and mental health. This role involves strategic leadership, partnership development, program operations, and resource management to ensure high-quality, culturally responsive care. The Program Director will work collaboratively with a wide range of partners, including health and housing providers, to drive innovation and ensure services align with anti-oppression and equity principles. They will also play a key role in monitoring program outcomes, managing community and partner relations, and fostering a compassionate, persone-centered approach.

As a member of the senior leadership team, the Program Director contributes to fostering an organizational culture aligned with SWCHC's vision and values. The leader is a role model that ensures transparent decision-making, accountability, and effective communication across the organization and within the community. They lead and support strategic initiatives, and act as an executive sponsor for their development while contributing to interdisciplinary collaboration and organizational planning efforts.

The role involves building strong partnerships with funders and community organizations, managing funding requests, and ensuring financial sustainability. Additionally, the Program Director stays informed on community needs and system developments to inform strategic direction and support SWCHC's operational success.

Job Requirements:

Education and Experience:

• Master's degree in public health, social work, health administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum 7-10 years of leadership experience in community health, housing, mental health, addictions, or social services.
• Demonstrated successful experience in program development, implementation, and evaluation, particularly in addressing complex needs (e.g., substance use, homelessness, and mental health).

Leadership and Management:

• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in a high-pressure, client-centered environment.
• Strong experience in budget management, resource allocation, and program sustainability planning.
• Experience working collaboratively with government agencies, funders, health and social service partners, and community organizations.

Partnership and Engagement:

• Strong capacity to build and maintain partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including healthcare providers, housing organizations, and community leaders.
• Proven experience in advocacy and representing program initiatives to key stakeholders and funders.

Knowledge and Skills:

• In-depth understanding of trauma-informed, harm reduction, and culturally responsive care principles.
• Strong knowledge of equity, anti-racism, and anti-oppression frameworks and their application in service delivery.
• Exceptional oral, written and persuasive communication and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to foster collaboration and consensus.
• Ability to navigate complex systems, including public health, housing, and municipal services.

Operational and Strategic Planning:

• Strong strategic planning skills, with experience developing long-term service models for populations that experience marginalization.
• Proficiency in program performance monitoring and reporting on outcome metrics.
• Capacity to identify risks and implement risk management strategies to ensure quality and safety.

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to work flexible hours, including some evenings or weekends, as needed.
• Familiarity with the Ottawa context and the social determinants impacting vulnerable populations is an asset.
• Bilingualism (English/French) or proficiency in other languages commonly spoken by clients (an asset).

Leadership Competencies

Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

Demonstrates commitment to equity, cultural competence, advocacy, collaborative leadership, emotional intelligence, intercultural communication, data literacy, and continuous learning to create a workplace that values diversity, promotes inclusion and fosters belonging.

Service Excellence

Is committed to being a leader in health care by offering the best possible services to clients based on identified best practices and client needs. Puts the client at the heart of all efforts and delivery. Seeks understanding of and delivers to the client's needs.

Organizational Awareness

Understands the complex environment in which SWCHC operates, including the health care sector environment, the political climate and the relationships of teams and individuals within our center.

Managing Change

Recognizes, initiates and/or manages change initiatives which focus on enhancing our service delivery and contribute to the current and future success of our center.

Accountability

Understands areas of responsibility and activities that need to be undertaken to meet goals. Accepts full responsibility for self and contribution as a team member. Displays a strong commitment to organizational success and inspires others to commit to goals; delivers on commitments to maintain the clients' trust and foster client loyalty.

Developing Self and Others

Recognizes the importance of ongoing development and lifelong learning in self and others. Actively coaches and mentors employees and others. Is open, approachable and willing to provide support, advice and guidance to others.

Somerset West Community Health Centre is an equal opportunity employer who values the diversity of individuals in our programs and services.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of Indigenous, Black and racialized communities, Two-Spirit, nonbinary, LGBTQ+ people; people with disabilities; and members of other equity deserving communities. Applicants are encouraged to share accessibility needs in the application process, and every attempt will be made to accommodate them.

Due to the high volume of applicants, we can neither confirm receipt of nor respond to inquiries regarding your application. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.