Director of Wellbriety, Transitional Housing and Protective Care Services

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak•Thompson, MB

90d•Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Wellbriety, Transitional Housing and Protective Care Services provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and program development for Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak's (MKO) continuum of housing, wellness, and protective care services. The Director is responsible for the overall management and performance of the MKO Wellbriety Centre, Transitional Housing Program, and Protective Care Unit operating under Manitoba's Protective Detention and Care of Intoxicated Persons Act. The Director ensures that services are delivered in a safe, culturally grounded, trauma-informed, and person-centered manner while supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use, acute intoxication, mental health challenges, and housing instability. As a senior leader, the Director provides strategic direction, financial stewardship, human resource leadership, program development, and community engagement while ensuring compliance with legislation, accreditation standards, funding agreements, and organizational policies. The Director champions Indigenous-led approaches to healing and wellness by integrating traditional knowledge, cultural teachings, harm reduction, and Housing First principles to support individuals on their journey toward recovery, housing stability, and self-determination.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Indigenous Studies, Nursing, Health Administration, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
Minimum of seven years of progressive leadership experience in housing, homelessness, addictions, health care, social services, or community services.
Minimum of five years of senior management experience leading multidisciplinary teams.
Experience managing twenty-four-hour operations.
Experience overseeing multiple programs and complex budgets.
Experience working with Indigenous communities and organizations.
Experience in strategic planning, policy development, and organizational leadership.
Demonstrated knowledge of: Indigenous cultures, histories, traditions, and contemporary issues.
Demonstrated knowledge of: Housing First principles.
Demonstrated knowledge of: Harm reduction philosophy.
Demonstrated knowledge of: Trauma-informed and healing-centred practices.
Demonstrated knowledge of: Mental health and addictions.
Demonstrated knowledge of: Homelessness systems and housing supports.
Demonstrated knowledge of: Crisis intervention and de-escalation.
Demonstrated knowledge of: Case management and integrated service delivery.
Demonstrated knowledge of: Program evaluation and quality improvement.
Demonstrated knowledge of: Risk management and emergency response.
Working knowledge of: The Protective Detention and Care of Intoxicated Persons Act (Manitoba).
Working knowledge of: The Residential Tenancies Act.
Working knowledge of: Personal Health Information Act (PHIA).
Working knowledge of: Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).
Working knowledge of: Workplace Safety and Health legislation.
Working knowledge of: Manitoba Human Rights Code.
Working knowledge of: Employments Standards Code.
The position requires regular interaction with individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use disorders, mental illness, acute intoxication, trauma, and other complex social and health challenges.
Availability for executive on-call responsibilities.
Occasional evening and weekend work.
Travel throughout Manitoba.
Attendance at community meetings, ceremonies, conferences, and organizational events
Valid Manitoba Class 5 Driver's Licence.
Access to reliable transportation.
CPR and First Aid certification (or ability to obtain).
Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) or equivalent certification (or ability to obtain).
Must be able to provide a satisfactory and current Criminal Record Check (including vulnerable sector check), Child Abuse Registry Check, and Adult Abuse Registry Check.

Nice To Haves

A master's degree in a related field is considered an asset.
An equivalent combination of education, leadership experience, and demonstrated competencies may be considered.
Experience working in a unionized environment is considered an asset.

Responsibilities

Provide visionary leadership and operational oversight for the Wellbriety Centre, Transitional Housing Program, and Protective Care Unit.
Develop and implement strategic, operational, and business plans aligned with MKO's Strategic Plan and the priorities established by the MKO Chiefs in Assembly.
Foster innovation and continuous quality improvement across all services.
Establish measurable goals, objectives, and performance indicators.
Lead the development of new programs and service enhancements that address the evolving needs of Northern First Nations.
Promote collaboration across MKO departments to ensure integrated, client-centred service delivery.
Ensure safe, effective, and efficient twenty-four-hour operations.
Develop and implement operational policies and procedures.
Monitor occupancy, admissions, referrals, and program utilization.
Ensure facilities are safe, secure, and well maintained.
Manage emergency preparedness and business continuity planning.
Oversee quality assurance and continuous improvement initiatives.
Ensure all services reflect Indigenous values, cultural safety, and trauma-informed care.
Ensure compliance with Manitoba's Protective Detention and Care of Intoxicated Persons Act and associated regulations.
Develop admission, monitoring, observation, discharge, transportation, and documentation protocols.
Ensure clients receive safe, respectful, and compassionate care while under protective detention.
Collaborate with police services, paramedics, hospitals, physicians, emergency responders, and community agencies.
Ensure appropriate medical referrals and transitions to detoxification, addictions treatment, mental health services, or housing supports.
Monitor incident reporting, quality assurance, and legislative compliance.
Promote the dignity, safety, and human rights of all individuals receiving services.
Provide leadership for emergency shelter and transitional housing services.
Promote Housing First and harm reduction approaches.
Ensure comprehensive intake, assessment, case planning, and discharge processes.
Support the development of individualized wellness and housing plans.
Build partnerships that improve access to permanent housing and wraparound supports.
Monitor client outcomes and service effectiveness.
Support culturally grounded programming that incorporates Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Traditional Healers, ceremonies, and land-based healing opportunities.
Develop and administer annual operating and capital budgets.
Monitor expenditures and ensure fiscal accountability.
Prepare financial forecasts, variance analyses, and funding reports.
Ensure compliance with funding agreements and organizational financial policies.
Identify funding opportunities and participate in proposal development.
Ensure responsible stewardship of organizational resources.
Recruit, supervise, mentor, and evaluate managers, supervisors, and frontline staff.
Promote a healthy, respectful, and culturally safe workplace.
Ensure appropriate staffing for twenty-four-hour operations.
Support employee development, succession planning, and leadership growth.
Address employee relations issues in collaboration with Human Resources.
Promote workplace safety and employee wellness.
Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with a variety of stake holders including First Nations represented by MKO, community and public health organizations and intergovernmental funders.
Represent MKO at local, regional, provincial, and national meetings related to homelessness, housing, wellness, addictions, and Indigenous health.
Prepare reports for the Executive Director, Executive Council, Board Committees, Chiefs in Assembly, and funding agencies.
Monitor program outcomes and key performance indicators.
Ensure legislative compliance and organizational accountability.
Lead policy development and program evaluation.
Support accreditation, audits, and quality assurance initiatives.
Ensure effective risk management practices across all services.
All staff at MKO may be given other duties as assigned that enable MKO to fulfill the mandate and responsibility to its member communities.