Join Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter team as their new Program Manager

Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter has hired Evenings & Weekends Consulting to conduct the recruitment process for their new Manager of Programs and Client Services.  For more information about this opportunity, please contact Laëtitia Eyssartel, Co-Managing Director at Evenings & Weekends Consulting, by email at or apply by clicking on ‘Apply Now’.

About Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter

Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter was opened in 1983 by a group of community members who saw a need for a safe place for women and children fleeing violence and abuse.

Since then we have embraced and  broadened our mandate to welcome Two-Spirit, Trans, Non-binary and gender diverse people fleeing violence and abuse.

Our Mission: Ernestine’s is a non-profit organization that provides advocacy, crisis intervention and shelter to Women, Two-Spirit, Trans, Non-binary and Gender Diverse individuals and their children experiencing violence. Our services are evidence-informed and driven by values of inclusion, anti-racism, anti-oppression and respect. We seek to transform lives beyond violence.

Our Values: Compassion, Respect, Autonomy, Equity and Liberation

To learn more about us: https://www.ernestines.ca/

About the Manager, Programs & Client Services role

This role is a great opportunity for a collaborative, strategic thinker and excellent communicator, who is passionate about advocating for adults and children experiencing violence, including Women and Two-Spirit, Trans, Non-binary and Gender Diverse individuals, youth and children experiencing violence.

In this role, you will support  the service delivery team, and drive the development of programs and services provided by Ernestine’s. You will build and maintain relationships with relevant and allied organizations, grassroots groups and community partners, and advance Ernestine’s advocacy priorities. You will use your prior experience and knowledge in planning, developing and implementing gender-based violence programs to work with the team in monitoring and evaluating program activities and enhancing current services, program offering, and internal policies. 

This position reports to the Director, Programs and Operations. 

Responsibilities (include, but are not limited to):

Program Management

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of programs that meet the emerging needs for Women and Two-Spirit, Trans, Non-binary and Gender Diverse individuals, youth and children experiencing violence 

• Establish program and quality standards that meet or exceed regulations and/or guidelines for shelter support, case management, skills exchange, housing & legal and outreach and child and youth programs

• Monitor and assess program effectiveness, providing ongoing evaluation reports

• Collaborate with staff and external agencies/partners to further enhance service delivery

• Monitor local and provincial political and policy responses to better respond and develop strategies for advancing common issues, especially related to housing insecurity

Financial & People Operations

• Provide support and mentorship to the service delivery team (3 staff)

• Conduct annual performance evaluation and work with staff to identify relevant training and capacity building opportunities to support their professional and skill development

• Oversee and monitor assigned program budget of $2 million, and identify measures to mitigate risks as needed in collaboration with the Director, Programs and Operations 

• Work with the Director, Programs and Operations to identify fundraising strategies and opportunities to support the service delivery and advocacy work, and write funding applications as required

Advocacy & Community Relations

• Build and nurture relationships with partners and community members, including government agencies, community partners, funders, and advocacy groups to support advancing Ernestine’s’ mission and strategic priorities

• Act as the representative for Ernestine’s at relevant coalitions, networks, forums,  and other events

• Draft and publish various advocacy related communications including: action alerts, letters to elected officials, op-eds, etc. 

Leadership

• Work with the Ernestine’s team to operationalize organizational strategic priorities and values

• Support internal staff committees such as anti-racism-anti-oppression committee (ARAO), harm reduction, 2SLGBTQ+ committee, etc.

Job Requirements:

• Prior experience leading programs related to gender based violence services, crisis intervention, supportive counselling, shelter services, and/or community development

• Demonstrated knowledge of the impact of systemic oppression on women, Two Spirit, Trans and non-binary and gender diverse adults and children, including sexism, racism, poverty, homophobia, transphobia, and ableism. 

• Knowledge and application of equity framework, trauma-informed, anti-oppressive approaches in the way programs and services are designed and delivered

• In-depth knowledge and experience working alongside equity-deserving communities and designing low barriers services/programs 

• A strong commitment to advancing justice, equity, accessibility and inclusion both internally and in the way programs, advocacy campaigns and other activities are designed and led

• Proven experience developing and implementing successful advocacy campaigns in the nonprofit context and an ability to to connect with a wide range of audiences to grow advocacy impact 

• A strong ability to navigate conversations with a wide range of audiences, always demonstrating tact and empathy

• Experience leading, supporting, and motivating a small staff team

• A strong ability to facilitate, deliver presentations, and write compelling content for a variety of mediums and contexts (blog, newsletter, press release, etc.)

• A self-starter, proactive, and results-driven individual, with the ability to manage and prioritize their time efficiently

• Expert knowledge of W.I.S.H., MS Office, and Outlook or equivalent

Critical Commitments 

• The legal authority to work in Canada

• An ability to be on call every 6 weeks for a 2 week period

Salary range: $80,000 based on a 5 day work week (35 hours per week) 

Benefits: Extended health benefits, a matching RRSP/TFSA plan and access to dedicated professional development funds

Location: Physical office located in Etobicoke. While some of our work can be done remotely, the successful candidate is expected to work in Toronto several times a week.

Vacation and other paid time off: 4 weeks of paid vacation at start, and 105 hours of sick/wellness time per year

Term: Full-time permanent

Posting Details

The posting will be open until the position has been filled. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. 

We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities, and others from equity-deserving communities. As part of this invitation, we recognize that there remains work for our entire sector to do as to commit to fostering the conditions for folks from equity-deserving communities to feel supported and valued in our work together. This is work that we feel must continue to be prioritized, both by Ernertine’s and the sector at large. 

If you don’t tick all the requirements outlined above but are deeply excited by this role, we would still love to hear from you. 

If you require any accommodations for the job application process, do not hesitate to contact .

The Selection & Interview Process 

• Please submit your application through our portal here: https://careers.risepeople.com/evenings-and-weekends-consulting/en/11789_manager,-programs-and-client-services-at-ernestine's-women's-shelter You will be asked to submit the following:

  • Your Resume

  • A  letter of interest, which should include:

    • What connects you and motivates you to join the organization

    • The relevant experience and/or skills that you feel you can
      contribute to Ernestine’s

    • Your understanding and commitment to advocating for women, Two-Sprit, trans, non-binary and gender diverse individuals, youth and children experiencing gender based violence

• Candidates will be pre-screened by Evenings & Weekends Consulting, which may include scheduling a short introductory call with prospective candidates. Candidates who meet the job requirements will be presented to Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter hiring committee for consideration.

• Successful candidates will be invited to join a virtual first round of interviews. A second round of interviews may be held if necessary.

• Preparing for an interview takes time and labour, so candidates who interview with Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter will be compensated by Evenings & Weekends Consulting at a fixed rate of $100 per interview. Questions will be provided ahead of time, so candidates are able to prepare for the interview as they see fit.

• Note: Evenings & Weekends Consulting and Ernestine’s may only be able to meet with applicants selected to move forward in the hiring process, but Evenings & Weekends Consulting will provide an update on the outcome of the process to all applicants.