Programs Manager – Family & Community Services

Full-Time | Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society | Kelowna, BC

Reports to: Executive Director

Compensation: Annual salary of $69,160–$76,440 per year, depending on experience; 4 weeks paid vacation; extended  benefits; employer-paid pension plan.

Expected hours: 37.5 hours  per week, Mon-Fri

Work Location: In person, KFS Head Office, 442 Leon Ave

Nature of Position

The Programs Manager provides strategic, operational leadership across a portfolio of child, youth, and family programs at the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society. This role ensures programs are delivered in alignment with Indigenous values, community needs, funding requirements, and organizational priorities. The Manager supports a team of Team Leads and front-line staff, fostering a collaborative, trauma‑informed, and culturally safe environment for staff and participants.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership

• Lead planning, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of child, youth, and family programs.
• Ensure programs reflect Indigenous worldviews, cultural safety, and the Friendship Centre Movement’s mandate to serve urban Indigenous peoples.
• Monitor program performance, outcomes, and participant experience; implement improvements as needed.

People Leadership

• Supervise staff, providing coaching, mentorship, and performance support.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and workforce planning in collaboration with the Executive Director and Human Resources department.
• Ensure programs are appropriately staffed; provide after hours support and arrange for coverage as needed.
• Address staff concerns, conflict, and performance issues in a fair and culturally safe manner.

Financial and Administrative Management

• Oversee program budgets, expenditures, and financial reporting in partnership with the Finance department and Executive Director.
• Ensure accurate documentation, data collection, and reporting systems.
• Support grant writing, proposal development, and funding renewals.
• Monitor compliance with funding agreements and reporting timelines.

Community Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with fellow service providers, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, partner agencies, and funders.
• Represent the Society at community tables, working groups, and sector networks.
• Advocate for the needs of urban Indigenous children, youth, and families.

Organizational Leadership

• Contribute to organizational planning, policy development, and strategic initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with the Executive Director on program priorities and risk management.
• Work with the Human Resources and Finance departments to ensure integrated, efficient, and compliant operations.
• Uphold and model the Society’s mission, values, and commitment to cultural safety, and community wellness.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Post‑secondary education in Human Services, Social Work, Child and Youth Care, Indigenous Studies, or a related field; equivalent experience considered.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in community-based or Indigenous-serving programs, with at least 3 years in a supervisory or management role.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams in trauma‑informed, culturally safe environments.
• Experience working with the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) and the Ministry of Education and Child Care is an asset.

Knowledge & Skills

• Demonstrated understanding of Indigenous cultures, history, and the impacts of colonization on urban Indigenous families.
• Strong skills in program planning, evaluation, budgeting, and reporting.
• Experience sourcing, securing, and stewarding program funding (e.g., grants, proposals, funding renewals) is an asset.

Requirements

• Satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Criminal Record Check
• Valid BC driver’s license, access to a vehicle, and satisfactory driver’s abstract.