Manager of Employment and Partnerships

Blue Door Support Services • Aurora, ON

10d • CA$70,000 - CA$80,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Manager of Employment leads the employment arm of Blue Door’s Construct program, ensuring strong labour market attachment outcomes for program participants and graduates. Construct operates as an employment-focused social enterprise supporting individuals facing barriers to employment by connecting them to training, job placements, and long-term career pathways in the skilled trades and construction sector. The Manager of Employment is responsible for developing and maintaining employer partnerships, securing and expanding employment opportunities, supporting participants’ transition into work, and ensuring long-term employment retention and success beyond program completion. This role provides hands-on leadership to the employment team, ensures accountability to funders through robust data tracking and reporting, and drives the achievement of program KPIs. The Manager of Employment plays a critical role in positioning Construct as a trusted workforce partner to employers, unions, and industry stakeholders.

Requirements

• Post-secondary education in Social Work, Community Services, Employment Services, or a related field (or equivalent work experience).
• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in employment programs, training delivery, or social enterprise management.
• Proven leadership and team management experience, especially in community-based or social impact programs.
• Strong knowledge of employment barriers faced by marginalized populations.
• Demonstrated ability to build effective partnerships with employers, funders, and community organizations.
• Exceptional organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Experience working with CRM or case management software; strong proficiency in MS Office and data tracking tools.
• Flexibility to travel across York, Peel, and Durham regions as needed.
• Ability to work independently and within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong ability to problem solve in conflict and/or crisis situations.
• Knowledge, understanding and promotion of anti-oppressive practices.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• CPR and First Aid Certified.
• Clear Vulnerable Sector Screening police check required.
• Valid Driver’s license, reliable vehicle and insurance to travel for work.

Nice To Haves

• Crisis prevention training would be an asset.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain effective relationships with employers, contractors, unions, and other key stakeholders.
• Represent Construct at employment, workforce development, and skilled trades tables, committees, and sector networks.
• Coordinate with external partners to identify, secure, and grow employment opportunities aligned with participant readiness, skills, and interests.
• Ensure the employment pathway is fully integrated from intake through graduation and post-program follow-up.
• Develop new employment streams and maintain a robust roster of placement opportunities for program graduates.
• Facilitate and oversee hiring events throughout the year, including small-scale targeted recruitment and large-scale sector events.
• Provide hands-on leadership, coaching, and support to the team, and foster a positive, inclusive, and accountable team culture.
• Oversee the Construct Alumni and Mentorship Initiative, fostering connection post-program graduation
• Lead 3, 6, 9, and 12-month follow-ups with participants to support retention, career progression, and long-term success.
• Respond to employment-related challenges, working with employers and participants to resolve issues and sustain placements.
• Respond promptly and effectively to participant issues, ensuring timely conflict resolution and participant well-being.
• Use CRM tools to manage employer interactions, participant employment outcomes, and program performance.
• Ensure proper completion all required participant documentation, outcomes reporting, and funder deliverables. Ensure reporting is accurate, timely, and aligned with contractual obligations.
• Ensure KPIs and program deliverables are clearly tracked, monitored, and achieved.
• Use data insights to inform continuous improvement, funding reports, and strategic decision-making.
• Maintain professionalism in the workplace.
• Working cooperatively alongside and supporting all Blue Door team members and departments.
• Adherence to the mission, vision, policies and procedures of the agency.
• Able and willing to promote harm reduction practices in accordance with core standards.
• Attend internal staff meetings and staff training as required.
• Maintain the confidentiality of all client and agency information.
• Utilizes effective conflict resolution skills in accordance with (Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training.
• Fosters positive and appropriate relationships with clients, colleagues, community partners and volunteers.
• Provides referrals and follow-up as necessary.
• Meets with Director on a regular basis and participates in completion of annual performance evaluation.
• All employees are responsible for carrying out work in a way that does not adversely affect their own health and safety and that of others.
• All employees shall learn and understand health and safety policies and procedures and will comply with them.

Benefits

• Blue Door is committed to the development of a staff and leadership team that reflects the incredible diversity of the communities we serve. We promote the principles of intersectional anti-racism and anti-oppression and adhere to the tenets of the Ontario Human Rights Code. We both welcome and encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to access and equity, including Indigenous, Black and racialized people, members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, people with disabilities, and people with lived experience of homelessness.
• In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and Blue Doors AODA Policy, accommodation will be provided in all parts of the hiring process. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance.
• Portions of the recruitment process may include the use of approved Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to support administrative efficiency and candidate screening.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Associate degree