Manager Children’s Services Community Strategy

**Division**:
Children's Services

**Important Notices & Amendments**:
As an employer of choice, Niagara Region offers competitive salaries and benefits, a defined benefit pension plan, a corporate wellness centre, access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), mentorship and training programs, employee recognition programs, and more. In addition, the Region recognizes the value of having flexible work arrangements including hybrid work arrangements to support better work-life balance for our employees. Where operational needs align, and while ensuring business requirements and customer service expectations are achieved, employees may have an opportunity to work within a hybrid model, combining working from home and working in the office.

**About Us**:
Serving a diverse urban and rural population of more than 475,000, Niagara Region is focused on building a strong and prosperous Niagara. Working collaboratively with 12 local area municipalities and numerous community partners, the Region delivers a range of high quality programs and services to support and advance the well-being of individuals, families and communities within its boundaries. Nestled between the great lakes of Erie and Ontario, the Niagara peninsula features some of Canada’s most fertile agricultural land, the majesty of Niagara Falls and communities that are rich in both history and recreational and cultural opportunities. Niagara boasts dynamic modern cities, Canada’s most developed wine industry, a temperate climate, extraordinary theatre, and some of Ontario’s most breathtaking countryside. An international destination with easy access to its binational U.S. neighbour New York State, Niagara attracts over 14 million visitors annually, as well as a steady stream of new residents and businesses.

**Job Summary**:
Reporting to the Director, Children’s Services, the Manager Community Strategy provides leadership and strategic direction and is responsible for the successful planning and implementation of a number of strategies related to the early years and child care system (licensed child care system, provincially funded early years system, EarlyON Child and Family Centres, Special Needs Resources ) and other local initiatives across Niagara region to advance the strategic planning of the early years and child care system.

Education
- Post-secondary degree in Public Administration, Business Administration or Social Sciences
- Certificate or education courses in continuous quality improvement, community development, strategic planning, project management and program evaluation.

**Knowledge**:

- Over 5 years’ experience within a human/social services work environment
- Over 5 years’ experience managing staff in a non-union and unionized environment
- At least 3 years’ experience in strategic planning and program evaluation.
- Over 3 years’ experience working with federal or provincial funding agreements, purchasing and contract management.
- Progressive experience within a Human Services environment with experience in policy, program planning and evaluation.
- Ability to lead and develop projects, manage multiple projects concurrently, determine objectives and program goals, and risk mitigation strategies.
- Strong report writing, research, risk analysis, analytical and project management skills to meet program objectives and work to tight deadlines.
- Highly developed analytical and business planning skills with a proven track record for long-term visioning.
- Experience with GIS Mapping and PowerBI or other data visualization tools is an asset

**Responsibilities**:
**_ Provides strategic leadership in planning of the early years and child care sector, including engaging community partners in identifying and creating opportunities for the sector. (40% of time)._**:

- Review and assess the impact of services and programs through the development and measurement of key performance indicators and recommend best practices to support the growth and management of the system
- Manage the development of a local system plan that aligns with provincial direction, Regional priorities, including strategies for growth and expansion of early years and child care services
- Lead public engagement initiatives aimed to share information and decisions with community agencies/organizations and planning tables to support local planning activities, build capacity, awareness and understanding of service system changes ensuring transparency and inclusivity.
- Lead systems transformation and program evaluations and identify strategies for service integration, service efficiencies and incorporation of innovative techniques into service delivery and measurement
- Accountable for capital budgets and expansion projects, including establishing appropriate policies, procedures for budget management, policies and procedures

**_Builds and sustains a network of community partners, representation groups and manages stakeholder relationship