Director, Mental Health Crisis Response Education and Applied Training Program

Wilfrid Laurier University•Brantford, ON

3d•CA$85,357 - CA$106,696•Hybrid

About The Position

The Centre for Public Safety and Well-Being (CPSW) is within the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences (FHSS). CPSW offers exciting learning opportunities through professional development programs for people working or aspiring to work in a wide range of industries, including public safety, health, wellness, and well-being. The Mental Health Crisis Response Education and Applied Training Program (MHCR) is housed within CPSW. The MHCR is a hybrid, scenario-based curriculum that offers an evidence-based, standardized training protocol on de-escalation and mental health crisis response for police services, with the objective to further develop de-escalation and communication strategies, mental health awareness, empathy, and cultural safety for police response to citizens in a mental health crisis. As of April 1, 2024, the Ministry of the Solicitor General mandated that all police officers in Ontario complete this training annually in compliance with Ontario Regulation 87/24. MHCR is also mandatory as part of the basic constable training course at the Ontario Police College. As a key member of the MHCR team, reporting to the Senior Administrative Officer (SAO) in the FHSS on the Brantford campus of Wilfrid Laurier University, the primary role of the Director, MHCR is to manage the financial sustainability and strategic growth of the Mental Health Crisis Response Education and Applied Training program (MHCR) by representing the university’s business interests and external relations in the fiscal management and strategic planning for the MHCR’s provincially mandated operations and expansion into other geographic or relevant professional jurisdictions. The Director, MHCR is responsible for the development of MHCR business plans, budget management, goal setting, and implementation of the strategic plans, and supervision of the MHCR staff. Working collaboratively, the Director, MHCR must function with a high degree of integrity, authenticity, neutrality, and flexibility to lead this expanding program and team. The incumbent evaluates project outcomes against progress toward institutional goals and ensures integration with future planning. The role recognizes that change in a university environment demands high levels of tact, diplomacy, sophisticated listening, and creativity. The incumbent provides leadership in a collaborative and consultative manner, and will liaise with the Dean, the MHRC Scientific Director, Intellectual Property authors/collaborators, the Manager of FHSS Continuing Education, MHCR operations team members, and other internal and external stakeholders. The successful candidate will bring a combination of business and financial acumen, strategic understanding, analytical capability, and project management skills to ensure sustainable delivery of the MHCR’s professional development programs. This position is situated on the Brantford Campus.

Requirements

Graduate degree in business or related field
Five years of experience providing project, senior administrative and management support to a senior role.
Awareness and understanding of human resource policies and experience working with operating agreements
Demonstrated ability to lead, support, manage and motivate diverse teams
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to establish and maintain trust and credibility
Excellent communication skills (oral, written, and non-verbal) as well as relationship-building skills
Knowledge of integrated strategic project planning and budgeting, and associated tools for effective reporting, timelines, resource allocation, visualization of process and outcome data, and project evaluation.
Demonstrated ability to be a creative problem-solver and to plan, prioritize and deliver tasks on time in a fast-paced environment
Strong research, analytical, and technological skills
Ability to build business models and future planning
Ability to anticipate the needs and priorities of the MHCR project
Strong project management skills and demonstrated completion of projects with multi-interest holder involvement in a complex environment
Ability to participate effectively in a team-based, information-sharing environment
Acceptance of additional responsibilities and capacity to work under pressure and in a changeable environment
High client service orientation
Ability to consistently exercise independent judgment
In-depth knowledge of the university’s processes

Nice To Haves

Preferably experience working in post-secondary education, the mental health crisis field, law, or law enforcement.

Responsibilities

Main point of contact for relevant university staff, interest holders, and governments or regulatory bodies, including, but not limited to, the Manager of FHSS Continuing Education, Office of Research Services (ORS), Financial Resources, Procurement, Internal and External media contracts, Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP), and the Ministry of the Solicitor General.
Responsible for negotiations, renewals, and revisions on operating agreements with external vendors
Identify project priorities of MHCR and develop short, medium, and long-term goals and business plans
On behalf of Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, sits on a range of committees, including, but not limited to MHCR Steering Committee, OACP Steering Committee, Police Services Committee, Ontario Police College (OPC) Steering Committee, OPC Working Group
Draft agreements and/or memorandums of understanding
Develop and implement protocols and best practices regarding the administration of the MHCR, including, but not limited to reporting, decision making, and consultation timelines.
Liaise with and respect the expertise and responsibilities of the MHCR Scientific Officer and internal and external IP collaborators regarding the academic side of the project, particularly in regards curriculum development and research.
Leads MHCR operations, budget development, business plans;
Provides administrative oversight for fee structure;
Manages finances of MHCR by reconciling projected budgets against actual expenses
Develops and oversees short and long-term financial planning in consultation with MHCR financial support.
Leads and/or assists projects that arise through prioritization of activities in the existing provincial legislation and potential expansion, including direct responsibility for project management, communications, and expediting project-related activities as approved by the Dean;
Conducts required research in support of project objectives;
Owns overall responsibility for business plans, budgeting, resource planning, risk assessment and risk management, meeting facilitation, financial status reporting, presentations, etc.;
Takes initiative to drive project agendas forward and ensure accountability of projects and processes;
Ensures effective communication with project partners and interest holders, within the university and in the external community, as required;
Assists with new project development through research and proposal preparation, as requested by the Dean.
Acts as liaison with internal and external groups on behalf of FHSS and the MHCR program through extensive knowledge of the subject matter and insightful, tactful interactions within and outside the organization;
Works behind the scenes to address issues to prioritize the involvement of the Dean of FHSS and ensure consistent application of policy, practice, and principles, at times speaking on behalf of the university during one-on-one interactions, group meetings, or public events;
Works closely with the Dean of FHSS and the university’s External Relations and legal counsel around strategic communications in response to specific issues;
Works with the SAO to establish procedures for record keeping and monitors processes to ensure security and confidentiality of data; ensures adherence to office policies and procedures as part of an overall effort to set a tone and culture within the MHCR operations team;
Coordinates administrative staff activities to ensure operational efficiency; assigns and monitors administrative responsibilities and tasks among staff; evaluates and manages administrative staff performance;
Recruits and selects administrative office staff; Develops, implements, and coordinates strategies and operational enhancements aimed at ensuring exceptional office functionality;
Engenders trust, teamwork, and high levels of personal motivation among MHCR project members