Job Description: Associate Director of Housing
Title: Associate Director of Housing
Reports To: Director of Housing & Life Stabilization
Position: Full-time Leadership Position, 35 hours/wk.
Summary
Under the direction of the Director of Housing & Life Stabilization, the Associate Director of Housing provides senior operational and people leadership across the Housing portfolio. As a key member of the Housing Leadership Team, this position translates departmental strategy into effective operations, builds leadership capacity, strengthens service quality, and ensures programs achieve organizational, contractual, and funder expectations.
The Associate Director has primary leadership responsibility for the Hope Crossing Community, future YWCA STE housing developments, and directly supervises the Resident Services Manager, Youth Housing-Based Case Managers, and Adult Housing-Based Case Managers. The position is accountable for integrated service delivery, resident experience, program performance, staff development, risk management, financial stewardship, and continuous quality improvement.
Working in close partnership with the Director of Housing & Life Stabilization, the Associate Director supports organizational growth, provides clinical support to case managers, leads complex operational initiatives, contributes to policy and program development, and acts as the Director's designate when assigned. The role requires a confident, collaborative leader who can make sound decisions, manage competing priorities, and foster a healthy, accountable, and inclusive workplace culture.
Core Competencies
· Leadership and Strategic Thinking
· Client and Resident Focus
· Decision-Making and Sound Judgment
· Financial and Budget Management
· Problem-Solving and Conflict Resolution
· Adaptability and Change Leadership
· Mediation, Negotiation and Diplomacy
· Continuous Learning and Innovation
· Staff Leadership, Coaching and Mentoring
· Communication and Collaboration
· Planning, Organization and Project Management
· Quality Improvement and Results Orientation
· Accountability, Ethics and Integrity
· Risk Management
· Equity, Inclusion and Cultural Humility
Key ResponsibilitiesSenior Operational Leadership
· Provide senior operational leadership across the Housing portfolio, ensuring programs are aligned with organizational strategy, service standards, legislative obligations, funding agreements, and best practices.
· Translate strategic priorities established by the Director of Housing & Life Stabilization into clear operational plans, measurable objectives, and accountable results.
· Lead and support staff with organizational growth and service improvements across the housing portfolio.
· Monitor key performance indicators, occupancy, resident outcomes, program quality, risk, staffing capacity, and operational effectiveness.
· Identify emerging issues and trends, assess their impact, and provide timely recommendations to the Director.
· Act as the designate for the Director of Housing & Life Stabilization when assigned, providing continuity of leadership, decision-making, and representation.
Hope Crossing Community Leadership
· Provide high-level operational and service leadership for the Hope Crossing Community, ensuring a safe, welcoming, inclusive, and resident-centred environment.
· Oversee the delivery of integrated supportive housing services that promote housing stability, life stabilization, community belonging, and long-term resident success.
· Establish annual priorities, service standards, and performance expectations for Hope Crossing operations and resident services.
· Oversee resident engagement, community development, programming, crisis response, conflict resolution, occupancy processes, and coordinated service planning.
· Collaborate with property management, maintenance leadership, community partners, and internal departments to ensure effective site operations and timely resolution of concerns.
· Use resident feedback, program data, incident trends, and service outcomes to guide continuous improvement and strategic operational decisions.
People Leadership and Supervision
· Directly supervise, coach, mentor, provide clinical support, and evaluate the Manager of Resident Services, Youth Housing-Based Case Managers, and Adult Housing-Based Case Managers.
· Provide clear direction, establish performance expectations, and ensure consistent accountability across designated teams.
· Lead recruitment, onboarding, probationary reviews, performance management, professional development, succession planning, and employee recognition for assigned staff.
· Build leadership capacity within the housing portfolio and support managers and staff to navigate complex resident, operational, and team matters.
· Facilitate regular leadership and team meetings to strengthen communication, collaboration, shared accountability, and cross-program integration.
· Promote psychological safety, employee wellness, equity, inclusion, respectful communication, and a healthy workplace culture.
Program Quality, Compliance and Risk
· Ensure programs are delivered using trauma-informed, strengths-based, Housing First, harm reduction, equity-informed, and resident-centred approaches.
· Ensure compliance with organizational policies, funder requirements, contracts, legislation, privacy obligations, accreditation standards, and health and safety requirements.
· Lead quality assurance, program evaluation, incident review, risk assessment, and corrective action processes within assigned areas.
· Oversee the consistent use of documentation, case management standards, data systems, statistical reporting, and outcome measurement.
· Support emergency response, critical incident management, business continuity, and on-call leadership within the designated rotation.
· Develop and implement policies, procedures, tools, and service standards that strengthen consistency and quality across programs.
Financial and Project Management
· Support the Director in the development, implementation, and monitoring of departmental and program budgets.
· Manage project and operational budgets, including budget development, forecasting, expenditure monitoring, variance analysis, financial reporting, cost control, and fiscal accountability.
· Ensure projects and initiatives are delivered within approved scope, timelines, budgets, and funding requirements.
· Review financial information, identify risks or variances, and implement timely corrective actions in collaboration with the Director and Finance team.
· Promote responsible stewardship of organizational resources while maintaining high-quality service delivery.
· Support funding applications, grant administration, funder reports, and contractual deliverables as assigned.
Strategic Program and Organizational Development
· Be the lead in Trauma Informed Care within the department.
· Support a Housing First modality framework or approach to deliver housing and support services.
· Collaborate with the Director to develop, implement, and evaluate strategic initiatives that strengthen housing stability and organizational impact.
· Support operational planning for new housing developments, program expansions, pilot projects, and service enhancements.
· Contribute to department planning and policy development.
· Research and recommend evidence-informed practices, service models, and operational innovations.
· Participate in the development of funding proposals and business cases that support program sustainability and growth.
· Prepare briefing notes, reports, correspondence, presentations, and recommendations for senior leadership, funders, and other stakeholders.
Community Leadership and Partnerships
· Build and maintain strategic relationships with housing providers, social service organizations, health providers, and community stakeholders.
· Represent YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin on committees, networks, planning tables, and community initiatives as delegated by the Director.
· Promote coordinated, collaborative service delivery that improves outcomes for youth, adults, and families experiencing housing instability or homelessness.
· Act as a professional ambassador for the YWCA mission, values, programs, and strategic priorities.
· Maintain effective communication with residents, staff, community partners, funders, and the public.
· Perform other leadership duties as required to support the effective operation and advancement of the organization.
Qualifications and Requirements
Education and Experience
· Post-secondary degree or diploma in Social Work, Social Service Work, Human Services, Community Development, Public Administration, or a related field.
· Minimum of three to five years of progressive experience in direct staff supervision, including performance management, coaching, mentoring, conflict resolution, and leadership development.
· Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams in a complex human services, housing, or community-based environment.
· Demonstrated experience managing project and operational budgets, including budget planning, forecasting, expenditure monitoring, variance analysis, financial reporting, and ensuring fiscal accountability.
· Minimum of three to five years of experience working with people experiencing vulnerability, housing instability, homelessness, mental health challenges, substance use, violence, or other complex barriers is preferred.
· Experience overseeing supportive housing, homelessness prevention, youth services, adult services, or community-based programs is strongly preferred.
· Experience managing government- or funder-supported programs, contractual deliverables, and outcome reporting is an asset.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
· Advanced leadership, coaching, delegation, and team development skills.
· Proven ability to lead through growth, change, complexity, and competing priorities.
· Strong financial literacy and the ability to interpret budgets, forecasts, variance reports, and project financial information.
· Excellent project management, planning, implementation, and evaluation skills.
· Highly effective verbal, written, presentation, negotiation, mediation, and conflict-resolution skills.
· Sound independent judgment, discretion, integrity, confidentiality, and accountability.
· Ability to interpret, communicate, implement, and enforce organizational policies and procedures.
· Knowledge of trauma-informed practice, Housing First, harm reduction, resident-centred service delivery, and supportive housing operations.
· Knowledge of relevant legislation and standards, including occupational health and safety, accessibility, human rights, privacy, and housing-related requirements.
· Ability to analyze data, identify trends, assess risk, and make evidence-informed recommendations.
· Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and relevant case management or data systems.
· Knowledge of HIFIS, Coordinated Access, and By-Names List processes is considered an asset.
· Ability to work sensitively, diplomatically, and professionally with diverse individuals, teams, and community partners.
Working Conditions· Valid driver’s licence, access to reliable transportation, and the ability to travel throughout St. Thomas, Elgin County, and surrounding communities.· Primary hours are Monday through Friday during daytime hours, with flexibility required to respond to operational needs.· Participation in an on-call leadership rotation may be required.· Occasional evening, weekend, and overtime hours may be required.· Work is performed across office, residential, community, and approved remote settings.· Frequent interaction with residents, vulnerable youth and adults, employees, senior leadership, community partners, funders, service providers, and the public.· Ability to respond calmly and effectively during emergencies, critical incidents, conflict, and high-pressure situations.· Manual dexterity and visual attention are required for regular use of computers and office equipment.
Why This Position Matters
This leadership position plays an important role in advancing the YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin’s mission to support housing stability, dignity, safety, and belonging for youth, adults, and families in our community. The Associate Director of Housing helps turn vision into daily practice by strengthening teams, supporting residents, improving systems, and ensuring housing programs are responsive, accountable, and rooted in compassion.
As the housing portfolio grows, this role provides the steady leadership needed to support complex operations, respond to emerging needs, and create welcoming communities where residents can move toward stability and connection.
Commitment to Equity
YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin is committed to equity, inclusion, and social justice. We encourage applications from women, Indigenous peoples, racialized individuals, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ individuals, and others who reflect the diversity of our community.
This is a new position.
Pay: $30.00-$35.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Extended health care
- Paid time off
- Vision care
Work Location: In person
