MANAGER HOMELESSNESS INITIATIVES

Job ID: 64094

Job Category:

Division & Section: Toronto Shelter & Support Services, Homelessness Init & Prevention Svcs

Job Type & Duration: Full-time, 3 Temporary (12 month) vacancies

Salary Range: $126,000.00 - $176,140.00 annually, TM0387, wage grade 8

Hiring Zone: $138,623.00 - $150,296.00 annually

Shift Information:  Monday - Friday, 35 hours/week (no hybrid option available. Holidays, evenings, weekends and overnights may be required)

Affiliation: Non-Union

Number of Positions Open:  3

Posting Period: 17-Jun-2026 to 02-Jul-2026

Work Locations: 

• Scarborough Women’s Shelter Portfolio (including Kingston Residence)
• Scarborough Progress Centre Portfolio (including Traveller’s Hostel)
• Robertson House Portfolio (including Scarborough Village Residence)

Who is our ideal candidate?

You are an experienced operational and strategic people leader with a deep understanding of issues surrounding homelessness and in the delivery of services to people who are vulnerable. You possess strong leaderships and communication skills with a proven track record of working effectively with staff at all levels of the organization, stakeholders including elected officials, advocates and the public, coupled with knowledge of systemic oppression and the barriers faced by people living in extreme poverty. You are a champion of equitable access to programs and services and adopt an intersectional and integrated approach to diversity, equity, inclusion and reconciliation including, trauma informed, harm reduction, and housing first approaches.

You are an experienced People leader with a proven record of cultivating healthy workplace cultures and driving employee engagement in a unionized environment, and as such, you have demonstrated experience motivating and coaching large operational teams, as well as cultivating partnerships with community organizations, service providers and government agencies.

As a leader you are experienced in leading and motivating a diverse workforce by ensuring effective teamwork, providing resolution to controversial labour relations issues, ensuring high standards of work quality and organizational performance, continuous learning and encouraging innovation in others.

Job Description:

Reporting to the Project Director and/or Director of Homelessness Initiatives and Prevention Services (HIPS), Toronto Shelter and Support Services, the Manager Homelessness Initiativesis responsible for the management and operations of  City operated shelter site(s) and/or other emergency programs. They will lead the transformation of service delivery in alignment with the Division's Homelessness Solutions Service Plan and strategic directions, as well as direct and implements change management initiatives for the development of new shelter programs.

Major Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the day-to-day oversight and management of a City operated shelter site(s) and/or other emergency program, sets expectations for service delivery and monitors facilities maintenance, dietary/food services and client case management.
• Using a Housing First approach, oversees the delivery of client services, and ensures that operating systems and procedures meets the City’s Shelter Standards and Quality Assurance Initiatives and ensures systems are in place to receive input from clients, staff and stakeholders regarding program and services.
• Leads the development and implementation of programs and policies within the Division's Homelessness Solutions Service Plan to enhance Housing First focused services that are data-informed and tailored to the needs of people experiencing homelessness. Contributes to the multi-year service planning process for the Division by identifying emerging issues and factors impacting service programs and costs. 
• Ensures program and service delivery models are supported by data systems, performance measures and benchmarks are standardized across sites and programs.
• Within the Division's strategic directions, leads in strategic and operational planning and implementation, and change management initiatives that may be large scale and transformational utilizing effective management strategies and action planning to facilitate service delivery improvements.
• Manages, motivates and trains staff, ensuring effective teamwork, high standards of work quality and organizational performance, continuous learning and encourages innovation in others.
• Manages the day to day operation of all assigned staff including the scheduling, assigning and reviewing of work. Monitors and evaluates staff performance, approves salary increments and directs and/or undertakes disciplinary action when necessary. Authorizes and controls vacation and overtime requests.
• Contributes to the development of  standard operating procedures and policies related to program delivery, performance measures, human resources, labour relations, finance and administration in accordance with Corporate and/or Divisional Guidelines.
• Develops, recommends and administers the annual budget for the site(s) and ensures that expenditures are controlled and maintained within approved budget limitations.
• Ensures that the site(s) meet Corporate standards in relation to Occupational Health and Safety.
• Manages occupational health and safety and labour relation issues and investigations related to City staff working in HIPS; ensure compliance with City policies and procedures, collective agreements, and Provincial legislation in collaboration with People & Equity Division.
• Ensures the ongoing effectiveness of a comprehensive workplace violence program throughout the City-operated Shelter Portfolio.
• Ensures that all programs and services are being carried out using best practices, and support client goals.
• Implement performance indicators and assess housing outcomes achieved including the number of people housed and the average length of stay by clients to ensure appropriate program delivery and accountability and to measure program effectiveness.
• Liaises with community groups regarding issues relevant to homelessness, shelter and client integration into community including participating in or leading planning groups, advisory or interests committees. 
• Respond to, and resolve, complaints from community agencies, elected officials, advocates, the public and media.
• Oversees the site(s), including ensuring that facilities are maintained in an excellent state of repair according to established regulations and standards, and work as part of a collaborative management team to develop capital budgets as required.
• Collaborate with Public Health regarding effective communicable diseases strategies and responses to infectious diseases outbreaks.
• Manages alternate programs/sites as assigned by the Assistant Director and/or Director and act on their behalf as required during scheduled absences.

Key Qualifications:

1. Post-secondary education in a relevant professional discipline, i.e. Public or Business Administration, Social Services or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
2. Extensive experience managing staff, promoting and fostering teamwork, conducting performance appraisals, handling labour relations matters and resolving conflicts in an emergency shelter or housing or human service related sector that deals with homeless and vulnerable populations.
3. Extensive experience related to strategic and operational planning and implementation, change management that includes leading large scale transformational change initiatives utilizing effective management strategies and action planning to facilitate service delivery improvements.
4. Considerable experience in the development and management of operating budgets.
5. Demonstrated experience in program development and evaluation.
6. Knowledge of collective agreements, the Human Rights Code, Worker’s Safety and Insurance Board and Occupational Health & Safety Act, and Employment Standards Act is required.
7. Knowledge and ability to apply an equity lens to policies, programs and strategies, and assesses the impact of proposed changes on equity-seeking communities including Indigenous, Black, racialized, newcomer, LGBTQ2S+ and low-income city residents.
8. Proven ability to work effectively with a broad range of stakeholders including community groups, government and political representatives, and the general public.
9. Demonstrated political acumen, judgement and insight.
10. Experience managing complex projects and initiatives from inception through to completion.
11. Demonstrated superior verbal and written communication skills.

A Vulnerable Sector Police Reference Check will be required as a condition of employment. For more information on Shelter Services, please visit our website at https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/housing-shelter/homeless-help/about-torontos-shelter-system/  

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity.

Accommodation

The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request. Learn more about the City’s Hiring Policies and Accommodation Process.