Director Gathering Place

**Requisition ID**:44261

**Organization**

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and engaging workplace. Working at the City of Vancouver and within the public service can be a rewarding career where you play a key role in ensuring impartial and equitable access to services, upholding ethical governance, and addressing the needs of citizens with integrity and dedication.

**Main Purpose & Function**

The Gathering Place serves a diverse group of people, with a goal of providing a safe welcoming space for everyone including; people experiencing homelessness and mental health, trauma and substance use issues. The Director provides operational and strategic leadership and direction to improve the quality and effectiveness in the delivery of programs and services offered at the Gathering Place. The Director oversees and implements special initiatives related to departmental strategic plan and evolving needs of the Downtown South community to enhance program offerings, patron experience, centre effectiveness and employee engagement.

The position reports to the Managing Director, Social Operations. The position works in conjunction with other Arts, Culture, and Community Service leadership teams, Social Operations Directors, Managers and administrative employees. The position is responsible for directly managing a team of one exempt manager and a large staff of front line CUPE 15 employees.

The Director develops and maintains effective relationships with other city departments including Human Resources, Non-Market Housing, Facilities Management, Corporate Protective Services, Social Policy, Homelessness Services, Street Engineering, the Vancouver Police Department, as well as community services and non-profit agencies, advisory boards, including representatives of local residents, to establish and coordinate a response to emerging and ongoing community concerns.

**Specific Duties & Responsibilities**
- Responsible for the strategic and operational leadership including the planning, development, implementation, evaluation, management and administration of the Gathering Place, to ensure alignment with City of Vancouver goals, strategic plans, public policies, and the mission, vision, and values of the portfolio as well as compliance with policy and regulatory requirements.
- Integrates the City’s leadership and management competencies in their directing of Centre activities and facilitates incorporation of these competencies into the work of staff. Modeling excellence and supporting staff to incorporate value-based decision-making, adaptability, and innovation and initiative into their work.
- Inspires strategic vision in others by identifying, establishing, and communicating clear and meaningful expectations and outcomes.
- Demonstrates leadership using positive reinforcement, strengths-based feedback and coaching to direct team members, stakeholders, and partners. Champions positive working relationships amongst team members as well as externally.
- Facilitates collaboration, cooperation, and coalitions among diverse groups, aimed at improving programs, services and goals.
- Ensures full implementation and compliance with organizational policies, including documentation protocols, incident reporting, occupational health and safety standards, and collective agreement provisions. Monitor and review site practices regularly to ensure alignment with internal audits, safety requirements, and corporate expectations.
- Leads and supports the coordinated response to critical incidents, working closely with the Security Supervisor to ensure timely investigation, accurate reporting, and appropriate follow-up and resolution in alignment with policy and safety protocols.
- Leads staff through organizational change in response to City and departmental priorities and shifting needs in the community.
- Ensures that services are provided in ways that are sensitive and responsive to the broad range of diversity within the patron population including, but not limited to, gender, race, culture, ability, and sexual orientation.
- Addresses patron feedback in a manner that upholds staff credibility, maintains safe boundaries, and fosters a respectful and supportive service environment.
- Partners with Corporate Protective Services, Vancouver Police Department, and Violence Prevention teams t