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.

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, protected, 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

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.

📌 Director of Shelters and Housing (Winnipeg)
🏢 Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Centre
📍 Winnipeg