Director, Employment

Job Number: 3776Job Type: Full-TimeVacancy Reason: BackfillLocation: 150 Main St - 150 MainJob Category: Health Care and Social AssistanceNumber of Positions: 1Department: Employment and Income SupportDivision: Community ServicesHours of Work: 35Union: Management/Management SupportGrade: Management/Management Support Grade 12Salary Range: $162,052.80 - $202,566.00 annuallyPosting Date: December 18, 2025 at 12:00amClosing Date: January 7, 2026 at 11:59pm About Us The Region of Waterloo is a thriving, diverse community committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations. Waterloo Region is part of the Dish with One Spoon wampum, a treaty guiding our commitment to: Taking only what we need Leaving some for others Keeping the dish clean This agreement underpins our vision, mission, and core value, and reinforces our dedication to meaningful reconciliation and equity. Waterloo Region is home to over 674,000 residents and expected to grow to nearly one million by 2051. Guided by our Strategic Plan, “Growing with Care,” we prioritize homes for all, climate‑aligned growth, equitable services and opportunities and a resilient and future‑ready organization. Our mission is to provide essential services that enhance the quality of life for all residents, while our core value emphasizes caring for people and the land we share. Join us and be part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in our community. Lead with purpose. Champion dignity, opportunity, and stability At the Region of Waterloo, our Employment & Income Supports Division plays a critical role in helping people build pathways toward greater stability, wellbeing, and economic security. We believe that accessing income support and employment services should be grounded in respect, partnership, and dignity, reflecting our Community Services philosophy: People First. Relationships Matter. We are seeking a Director of Employment & Income Supports to lead this essential division with compassion, strategic insight, and strong systems leadership. This role is ideal for a leader who understands the complexity of social assistance systems, can navigate legislative and political environments, and is deeply committed to equity and community wellbeing. Departmental Leadership and Impact As a senior leader within Community Services, and as the Region’s designated Ontario Works Administrator, you will guide the planning, delivery, and continuous improvement of employment services, income supports, and related programs across Waterloo Region. You will lead a large, complex division operating within a provincial legislative framework, while working collaboratively across Community Services and with external partners to ensure services are integrated, responsive, and people‑centred. Working closely with the Commissioner and divisional peers, you will help shape strategy, respond to emerging needs, and steward system change that improves outcomes for residents. You will also bring curiosity and openness — taking time to learn what is working well today, listening to staff and community partners, and helping guide the next evolution of Employment & Income Supports in a changing and increasingly complex social and economic landscape. What You’ll Lead Division leadership & operations: Provide strategic and operational leadership for all Employment & Income Supports programs, services, and resources, ensuring effective service delivery and stewardship of public funds. People leadership: Lead, support, and develop managers and staff; foster strong relationships with unions; and promote healthy, safe, and supportive workplaces. Legislative stewardship: Fulfill the role of Ontario Works Administrator, ensuring compliance with the Ontario Works Act, ODSP Act, Employment Ontario requirements, and related legislation and directives. Service integration: Strengthen connections with Housing & Homelessness, Children’s Services, Seniors’ Services, and external partners to support integrated, whole‑person and whole‑family pathways. Partnerships & advocacy: Build and maintain strong relationships with provincial Ministries, municipalities, post‑secondary institutions, research bodies, and community agencies to coordinate services and advocate for system improvements. Modernization & innovation: Guide program and service modernization, including digital tools, automation, and evolving service delivery models. Compliance & accountability: Oversee internal appeals processes, risk management, and quality assurance, providing guidance on complex cases and policy interpretation. Financial stewardship : Manage the division’s operating budget (approximately $120M), including submissions to Council and Ministries, ensuring accountability and effective resource allocation. Who You Are Ideally, you are a leader with experience in employment services, social assistance, or related human services and is willing to engage in this opportunity with a leader who brings relevant experience in a different sector. You know how to combine technical expertise with empathy, strong judgment, and the ability to lead through complexity and change. A degree in social sciences or a related field, with significant progressive leadership experience. Strong knowledge of Ontario Works, ODSP, Employment Ontario, and related legislation, policy frameworks, and accountability requirements. Demonstrated ability to lead large, complex service systems within unionized environments. Excellent communication, facilitation, and negotiation skills, with the ability to build trust across staff, unions, Council, Ministries, and community partners. Strong analytical and strategic planning skills, including experience using data to inform decisions and improve outcomes. Political acuity and comfort navigating public accountability, stakeholder expectations, and evolving provincial directions. A demonstrated commitment to reconciliation, equity, diversity, and inclusion, including experience applying anti‑racist, anti‑oppressive, and decolonizing approaches to service design and delivery. Ability to work flexible hours, participate in on‑call rotations, and travel within and beyond Waterloo Region. Our Service Philosophy: People First. Relationships Matter. Everything we do in Community Services is grounded in people and relationships. We: Create trusting relationships through transparent and open communication. Cultivate belonging through equity, inclusivity, and meaningful connections. Support health and wellbeing for everyone. Foster opportunities for learning, development, and practice. Recognize individual and collective strengths and contributions. As Director, you will bring this philosophy to life through servant leadership, collaborative problem‑solving, and a deep respect for the people and communities we serve. Region of Waterloo is committed to building a workforce through fair, equitable, and accessible hiring practices that allow us to hire qualified staff who reflect the diversity of the community we serve and to promote a respectful, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We invite all interested individuals to apply and actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equity, including, but not limited to: First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, and all other Indigenous peoples; members of groups that commonly experience discrimination due to race, ancestry, colour, religion and/or spiritual beliefs, or place of origin; persons with visible and/or invisible (physical and/or mental) disabilities; persons who identify as women; and persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions For questions or to request accommodations during your recruitment, onboarding or employment, please contact , or by calling our Service First Contact Centre at phone number (519) 575‑4400. Please note: candidates will be provided an update on their application. 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