3 weeks paid vacation to start ~ Comprehensive employer-paid benefits after the qualifying period, including Extended Health, Dental, Long-Term Disability, Group Life and AD&D; ~ Eligibility to join the YMCA of Niagara pension plan after one year of service ~ Meaningful work with the prospect to influence and grow social impact across the Niagara Region Full time: 40 hours per week Occasional early mornings, evening & weekend hours. At the YMCA of Niagara, you’ll be part of a purpose-led organization with a clear focus on community well-being. Our work is powered by relationships and grounded in inclusion.

With a presence in over 125 program sites, we continue to expand what well‑being can look like, creating welcoming spaces where more people can participate and feel they belong.

The General

Manager, Social Impact provides strategic leadership for YMCA of Niagara’s Social Impact portfolio, advancing the Association’s commitment to building potential, strengthening communities, and creating opportunities for people to thrive. The portfolio develops and delivers responsive programs and initiatives that strengthen well‑being, social connection, life stability and participation in community life.

The General

Manager is accountable for identifying opportunities where the YMCA can create meaningful community impact and leading the development, planning and execution of sustainable, funded and measurable programs and services in response to those opportunities. Working collaboratively across the Association and with community partners, the General Manager strengthens connections between programs, services and resources to reduce barriers, create pathways to greater opportunity, and advance more coordinated responses to community priorities. Through diverse funding streams and effective stewardship of YMCA resources, the portfolio will continue to evolve in response to YMCA strategic priorities, community conditions and opportunities for investment.

Given the senior nature of the position, the scope of responsibility is broad and will evolve in response to organizational priorities, community needs, funding opportunities and emerging service requirements.

Strategic

Leadership & Community Impact Translate YMCA of Niagara’s strategic priorities into a focused Community Impact strategy and portfolio. Identify opportunities where YMCA of Niagara is positioned to create meaningful and measurable community impact. Use community trends, evidence, participant experience, program performance and partner knowledge to inform program development and investment decisions.

Lead the development, planning, implementation and evolution of programs and services that strengthen well‑being, social connection, life stability and access to opportunity.

Ensure Community

Impact initiatives complement other YMCA service areas and create pathways to further opportunity. Proactively identify and pursue government, foundation, philanthropic, corporate and other funding opportunities aligned with the Community Impact mandate and YMCA strategic priorities. Lead the development of funding applications, proposals, service models and implementation plans,



leveraging the expertise and support of the Philanthropy team and other Association resources.

Assess opportunities for strategic alignment, impact, operational feasibility, financial sustainability and organizational risk. Maintain an active pipeline of funding and program development opportunities to support the growth and evolution of the portfolio.

Operational

Excellence & Performance Provide leadership and oversight to Community Impact programs, leaders and teams. Ensure programs achieve contractual obligations, service targets, financial parameters, quality standards and participant outcomes. Maintain rigorous oversight of performance and identify operational, financial or contractual risks early, taking timely corrective action.

Ensure compliance with YMCA policies, funding agreements, legislative requirements and applicable standards. Maintain effective quality assurance, evaluation and reporting practices that support continuous improvement and funder accountability.

Community

Partnerships & Collective Impact Build strategic partnerships that strengthen collective responses to community challenges. Create intentional pathways between Community Impact initiatives and other YMCA and community programs and services. Leverage partnerships to evolve service models, strengthen investment and increase collective community impact.

Represent YMCA of Niagara on relevant community planning tables, advisory committees, sector networks and collaborative initiatives. Develop and maintain strong relationships with municipal, regional, provincial and federal governments, foundations, funders, educational institutions, public agencies and community organizations. Monitor government priorities, policy directions, funding trends and emerging opportunities relevant to the Community Impact mandate.

Build confidence in YMCA of Niagara through strong relationships, accountability and demonstrated performance. Represent the YMCA of Niagara in funding, service‑planning and partnership discussions as assigned.

Financial

Management & Stewardship Develop and manage divisional budgets, forecasts and financial plans. Monitor financial performance and address variances and risks promptly. Build and mobilize highly competent teams capable of rapidly establishing and delivering programs within defined funding and performance requirements.

Establish clear expectations and hold leaders accountable for performance and results. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, urgency and continuous improvement. Support succession planning, leadership development and workforce planning.

Strategic Leadership

Translates organizational priorities into focused portfolio direction and measurable action.

Community





Impact & Program Development Identifies opportunities for meaningful impact and develops responsive programs and service models. Execution & Mobilization Moves effectively from opportunity to implementation within demanding timelines.

Results

Orientation & Performance Management Establishes clear expectations, monitors performance and takes timely action to achieve results.

Partnership

Development & Collaboration Builds trusted relationships and leverages collective expertise and resources to strengthen community outcomes.

Financial Management

Demonstrates sound financial judgment, budget management and accountability within complex funding environments. Innovation & Change Leadership Leads effectively through ambiguity, growth, program start‑up and changing community and funding environments. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Values and promotes diverse perspectives and inclusive practices that strengthen YMCA teams, programs and communities.

Appreciate and desire to generously serve all Achieve planned results through personal initiative with the Association’s guidelines and policies Model commitment to service excellence and quality Adhere to the YMCA Child Protection Policies and Procedures Education and Training Requirements Degree or Diploma Post‑secondary education in Social Sciences, Human Services, Community Development, Public Administration, Education, Business or a related discipline. Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience in community services, human services, social services, education, community development, public administration o rrelated sectors, with demonstrated responsibility for people, programs, funding and organizational results. Demonstrated success identifying, securing and stewarding government, foundation, philanthropic and other program funding.

Demonstrated experience developing successful funding proposals, service models and implementation plans.

Experience leading a dynamic portfolio where programs are introduced, expanded, redesigned, transitioned or concluded in response to funding, performance, communitypriorities and emerging opportunities. Demonstrated success building collaborative relationships with governments, funders,educational institutions, community organizations and other stakeholders. Strong understanding of community development, program evaluation, outcomemeasurement and evidence-informed service planning.

Strong analytical, financial, strategic planning and decision-making abilities. Excellent verbal, written, presentation, negotiation and relationship-management skills. Solid knowledge of relevant business technologies and information systems.

Work is performed in office, community, government, partner, and YMCA locations throughout the Niagara Region. Regular travel throughout the Niagara Region is required. Hours will include evenings and weekends.

Out-of-town travel may be required from time to time. Accessibility accommodations and materials in alternate formats for individuals with disabilities can be arranged upon request. For more information on other opportunities at the YMCA of Niagara, please visit: ymcaofniagara.

📌 General Manager Social Impact (St. Catharines)
🏢 YMCA of Niagara
📍 St. Catharines