Director Of Shelters And Housing

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, safe, 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 sitesOversee daily operations through a team of managers and supervisors, ensuring services are safe, accessible, and responsive to client needsEnsure compliance with all applicable legislation, standards, and requirements, including Toronto Shelter Standards, health and safety legislation, and privacy obligationsOversee incident management, risk mitigation, and quality assurance processes across programsProvide leadership during critical incidents, operational escalations, and emergency situationsStaff Leadership and Labour Relations
Lead, support, and develop program leadership staff, including recruitment, hiring, coaching, performance management, and succession planningSet clear expectations for accountability, consistency, and professional standards across teamsProvide leadership in labour relations, including participation in Labour Management Committee meetings, grievance management, and collective agreement interpretationSupport managers in navigating employee relations issues within a unionized environmentFoster a respectful, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture aligned with CONC valuesFinancial and Operational Accountability
Develop, manage, and monitor program budgets, ensuring alignment with funding requirements and organizational prioritiesProvide financial oversight including forecasting, variance monitoring, and resource allocationEnsure effective and responsible use of resources across programsStrategic Planning and Program Development
Support the Executive Director in advancing organizational strategy related to shelter and housing servicesDevelop and implement program strategies that respond to evolving community needs and system prioritiesProvide strategic oversight of program design and service delivery models, including partnerships and service enhancementsBegin to establish and monitor program performance indicators to support continuous improvementFunding, Grants, and Reporting
Provide strategic oversight of all funding, grant development, and reporting activities for shelter and housing programsSupervise and support the Fundraising and Resource Development Manager, ensuring alignment between funding strategies and program prioritiesIdentify and prioritize funding opportunities in collaboration with the Executive DirectorMaintain and strengthen relationships with key funders, including government partners, ensuring alignment with funding agreements and expectationsReview and approve major funding submissions and reports, ensuring accuracy, quality, and alignment with organizational strategyEnsure all reporting requirements are met in a timely and coordinated mannerCommunity Engagement and Stakeholder Relations
Act as a primary liaison with funders, including the City of Toronto, ensuring alignment with funding agreements and system expectationsBuild and maintain strong relationships with community partners, government representatives, and sector networks, including participation in the Toronto shelter systemAdvocate for resources, policies, and system improvements to support individuals experiencing homelessnessEnsure programs are equitable, inclusive, and responsive to diverse community needsCross-Functional Collaboration
Collaborate closely with internal departments including HR, Finance, and Operations to support effective service deliveryWork in partnership with the Director of Operations regarding facilities, site infrastructure, and operational needsQualifications and Experience
Education
University degree in Social Work, Planning, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related fieldA Master’s degree (e.G., MSW, MBA, MPA) is considered an assetExperience
Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience in social services, housing, or related sectorsExperience overseeing multi-site operations in complex, high-demand environmentsDemonstrated experience in shelter and housing program operations, including government-funded programsExperience working in a unionized environment, including labour relations and collective agreement interpretationExperience working with diverse communities across intersecting social identitiesKnowledge and Skills
Strong leadership, communication, and people management skillsSolid understanding of homelessness, substance use, mental health, and community developmentKnowledge of relevant legislation, standards, and regulatory requirements in the shelter and housing sectorUnderstanding of trauma-informed, harm reduction, and equity-based approaches to service deliveryAbility to navigate complex systems, including government and funder environmentsStrong problem-solving and decision-making skills in high-pressure situationsProficiency in Microsoft Office and other relevant systemsThis 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.
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