Job Summary

The Women’s Centre Manager is responsible for the overall management, operation, and delivery of programs and services at the Yellowknife Women’s Centre, including the Emergency Shelter, Supported Living/single-occupancy units, walk-in and drop-in supports, food and basic-needs assistance, housing stabilization supports, and daytime wellness and personal-development programming.

The position provides leadership and supervision to front-line staff, ensuring ensures programs are delivered in a safe, consistent, trauma-informed, harm-reduction, culturally safe, inclusive, and participant-centred manner. The Manager oversees program planning, development, implementation, evaluation, and reporting, while responding to emerging community needs and identifying opportunities to strengthen services.

The Women’s Centre Manager works closely with the Housing Director and YKWS leadership team to ensure programs align with the Society’s strategic direction, program objectives, funding requirements, legislation, and community needs.

The Women Centre Manager develops and maintains collaborative relationships with government departments, Indigenous organizations, housing providers, health and social-service agencies, mental health and addictions services, community organizations, volunteers, funders, and other service providers. These partnerships are used to improve participants’ access to housing, income, health care, mental health and addictions treatment, cultural supports, basic necessities, and other resources that contribute to long-term stability.

The Manager also provides leadership during complex or crisis situations, supports effective participant programming, promotes a positive team environment, and ensures the Women’s Centre operates in a safe, respectful, and continuity of essential services. The position provide direct participant support when required to maintain service continuity or respond to program needs.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership and Service Delivery

- Oversee the daily operation and delivery of YKWS programs, including emergency shelter, single occupancy units, walk-in and drop-in supports, food and basic-needs assistance, housing stabilization supports, and daytime wellness and personal-development programming.
- Ensure programs are delivered in accordance with YKWS policies, program plans, funding agreements, legislation, and established standards of practice.
- Deliver services that are trauma-informed, culturally safe, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of women and gender-diverse people.
- Provide leadership and guidance in responding to complex participant needs, crisis situations, and emerging issues.
- Ensure participant rights, dignity, confidentiality, safety, and informed choice are respected throughout service delivery.
- Identify service gaps and opportunities for program development and improvement.
- Advocate for participants experiencing barriers to accessing appropriate housing, health, income, mental health, addictions, or community services.
- Develop, implement, and evaluate participant programs and activities that support safety, wellness, personal development, connection, and independence.
- Participate in multidisciplinary case conferences involving health, housing, mental health, addictions, income support, justice, and other community partners when appropriate.
- Facilitate regular participant meetings to gather feedback and support participant involvement in program planning, delivery and evaluation.
- Review participant files and program documentation to ensure services are being delivered in accordance with program requirements.
- Monitor program outcomes, statistics, and participant engagement to support continuous improvement.

Staff Supervision and Leadership

- Provide direct supervision and leadership to YKWS staff to ensure effective and consistent front-line service delivery.
- Participate in recruitment and selection of program staff in collaboration with the HR Director.
- Coordinate staff schedules and leave to maintain appropriate program coverage.




- Provide program-specific orientation, training, coaching, and ongoing support to employees.
- Conduct probationary and annual performance evaluations and provide regular feedback regarding performance, professional development, and service delivery.
- Address performance and conduct concerns and participate in progressive discipline processes in collaboration with the HR Director.
- Approve program staff timesheets and ensure accurate submission of attendance and leave information.
- Foster a supportive and accountable team culture that enables employees to effectively advance YKWS's community-service mandate: to provide safe, consistent, and responsive services to women experiencing homelessness and other social and economic barriers.
- Maintain an appropriate list of relief/on-call staff to support program coverage.

Program Development and Community Partnerships

- Develop and maintain partnerships with community agencies, service providers, volunteers, and other organizations to strengthen services available to participants.
- Coordinate guest speakers, facilitators, community resources, and specialized services to meet participant needs.
- Participate in community outreach and initiatives that promote awareness of YKWC programs and advance the Society’s mandate.
- Research emerging trends, best practices, and community needs affecting women and people experiencing homelessness.
- Identify and recommend new or enhanced programming in response to identified needs.
- Participate in organizational planning and contribute to the development of strategic and annual program priorities.

Program Planning, Evaluation and Reporting

- Develop and maintain annual program work plans aligned with the Society’s strategic plan and funding requirements.
- Regularly review program activities, outcomes, and service delivery to ensure established objectives are being met.
- Complete or oversee required monthly, quarterly, and annual program statistics and narrative reports.
- Prepare program reports and recommendations for funders, management, and the Board of Directors.
- Support funding applications, renewals, and program proposals by providing program information, statistics, outcomes, and recommendations.
- Maintain current program manuals, procedures, forms, and other tools required for effective program delivery.
- Ensure program documentation and records are maintained accurately and confidentially.

Operational and Administrative Support

- Monitor program budgets and expenditures to support effective and responsible delivery of services.
- Ensure program supplies and resources are available to support daily operations and participant programming.
- Ensure the Women’s Centre is clean, organized, safe, and appropriate for participants, staff, volunteers, and visitors.
- Ensure program staff follow YKWS health and safety procedures, emergency protocols, and other applicable workplace requirements.
- Participate in management meetings and contribute to organizational planning, budgeting, policy development, and strategic initiatives.
- Provide direct participant support when required to maintain service continuity or respond to program needs.
- Ensure volunteers supporting YKWC programs receive appropriate orientation, supervision, and guidance in accordance with YKWS policies.

Perform other related duties as assigned by the Housing Director and/or Executive Director.

Core Competencies

- Leadership & Team Development – Provides clear direction, supports staff development, and builds a positive, accountable team environment.
- Program Management – Effectively plans, coordinates, implements, and evaluates programs and services.




- Crisis Management & Decision-Making – Remains calm under pressure, assesses situations effectively, and makes timely, sound decisions.
- Communication & Relationship Building – Communicates clearly and respectfully and develops strong relationships with participants, staff, and community partners.
- Advocacy and Systems Navigation- collaborate with community partners to improve access to housing, income assistance, health care, mental health and addictions services, identification, legal supports, and other essential services.
- Trauma-Informed & Culturally Safe Practice – Demonstrates cultural humility and applies trauma-informed approaches when working with participants and staff.
- Collaboration & Community Engagement – Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with community agencies and service providers to strengthen supports.
- Problem Solving & Adaptability – Identifies challenges, develops practical solutions, and adapts to changing program and community needs.
- Accountability & Professionalism – Demonstrates sound judgment, confidentiality, integrity, and accountability for program and team outcomes.
- Planning & Organization – Effectively manages competing priorities, resources, deadlines, and program requirements.

Qualifications

- Post-secondary education in social work, human services, community development, or a related field, combined with supervisory or management experience in a non-profit or social services workplace. A combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
- Minimum five years of experience providing or managing services for women, people experiencing homelessness, or individuals facing complex social barriers.
- Experience supervising front-line staff and coordinating community-based programs.
- Knowledge of social and economic issues affecting women and people experiencing homelessness, violence, addictions, poverty, and other barriers.
- Knowledge of trauma-informed, culturally safe, and participant-centred approaches to service delivery.
- Understanding of the needs and experiences of First Nations, Inuit/Inuvialuit, and Métis women and communities.
- Solid leadership, supervision, coaching, and team-building skills.
- Ability to manage complex and high-stress situations and provide effective crisis intervention.
- Ability to develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate programs and services.
- Strong communication, interpersonal, conflict resolution, and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to develop and maintain effective community partnerships.
- Strong organizational, prioritization, scheduling, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to prepare program reports, funding applications, work plans, and other program documentation.
- Ability to monitor program budgets and resources.
- Strong computer and documentation skills.
- Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative management team.
- Demonstrated professionalism, integrity, confidentiality, cultural humility, sound judgment, and compassion.
- Advanced case management, supervisory, or leadership training is considered an asset.
- Current CPR and First Aid certification.
- Criminal Record Check, with Vulnerable Sector Check, as required by YKWS.
- Valid Class 5 Drivers Licence required.

Working Conditions

The Women’s Centre Manager works in a busy, active shelter and community service environment and is regularly present throughout the Centre and program areas.

The position requires frequent interaction with participants, staff, volunteers, and community partners and may involve responding to changing priorities, urgent situations, and participant needs.

The role requires the ability to remain calm and make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment, with occasional exposure to stressful or emotionally challenging situations.

The Manager may be required to work outside regular hours when necessary to respond to significant program, staffing, or operational needs.

Pay: $35.00-$45.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Advantages:

- Casual dress
- Flexible schedule
- On-site parking

Work Location: In person

📌 Women's Centre: Emergency Shelter Program Manager (Canada)
🏢 Yellowknife Women's Society
📍 Canada