About

Reception House is a non-profit, community-based organization that delivers quality settlement, integration and support services to refugees and newcomers in Waterloo Region. Since 1987, Reception House has assisted thousands of refugees rebuild their lives in Canada through specialized programs and services designed to help them become established in their new communities.

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a full-time permanent Employment Manager to lead our Employment Team. The Employment Manager is a dynamic and strategic leader with the goal of developing and implementing a full-scale employment model for refugees and newcomers. This role will be responsible for designing and overseeing a comprehensive employment program, securing project funding, and managing partnerships with employers and community stakeholders. The Employment Manager will participate in the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), contributing to organizational-wide growth, success and workplace culture.

What youll do:

• Design, implement, and scale a comprehensive employment model grounded in the success of the Working Together initiative.
• Develop detailed work plans with clear timelines, performance indicators, and deliverables aligned with organizational goals.
• Identify grant opportunities aligned with department goals and write tailored grant applications to secure funding for Employment program.
• Manage existing grants throughout the grant period by maintaining donor and funder relationships, ensuring grant compliance and financial expectations, providing reports and updates on progress.
• Oversee the employment team providing direction, supervision, and strategic guidance to ensure effective implementation and alignment with various program and grant goals.
• Cultivate partnerships with inclusive employers and industry leaders to identify job opportunities aligned with client skills and aspirations.
• Organize and lead employer engagement activities such as roundtables, site visits, and networking events.
• Attend employment-related events to connect with employers, promote the program and create awareness about the benefits of hiring newcomers.
• Maintain strong relationships with employer partners to support ongoing collaboration and job development.
• Develop and implement systems and materials for pre-employment training, job matching, onboarding, and retention support services, facilitating these aspects when needed.
• Ensure the integration of wraparound supports to address employment barriers, concerns and sustain long-term job retention (goal of minimum one year).
• Collect labour market information for clients regarding job openings, entry and skill requirements and other occupational information.
• Develop and implement an on-going evaluation process to monitor client outcomes and adapt services based on data, feedback, and evolving needs.
• Develop and manage the Employment program budget, creating budget reports when needed.
• Track and analyze program metrics to demonstrate impact and support continuous improvement.
• Additional applicable duties as required.

What youll need:

• Completion of an accredited post secondary degree or diploma program in social service work, community development or equivalent education and experience in social services, non-profit sector, or international human service fields.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in employment services, workforce development, or related fields.
• Minimum 2 years experience in a leadership role is preferred.
• Proven experience in program development, employer engagement, and team leadership.
• Knowledge of employment funding sources and experience with fundraising or grant writing is required.
• Proven ability to design and implement employment programs, with experience in strength-based and outcomes-based programs.
• Strong understanding of refugee and newcomer employment barriers and solutions.
• Knowledge of the Waterloo Region labour market, employment legislation and labour laws, employment pathways and employment-related resources is an asset.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Intermediate-advanced computers skills, including proficient use of MS office 365, and digital platforms for data entry and reporting, and navigating databases.
• Excellent communication, partnership-building, and project management skills.
• Skilled in assessing client employment needs and developing individualized action plans.
• Capable of creating and delivering presentations, training materials, and employer-facing documents.
• Ability to organize, train and delegate work tasks, evaluate and coach someone elses performance.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for client interaction and employer engagement.
• A high level of self-awareness that is sensitive to cultural and life experiences including trauma and harm.
• Comfortable speaking and presenting in front of others.

Working conditions:

• Valid Ontario drivers license and access to a reliable vehicle required.
• Ability to travel within Waterloo Region regularly.
• Comfortable working in both office settings and community locations (e.g., employer sites, community centers).
• Heightened risk of exposure to communicable diseases, vicarious trauma and high-stress environment.
• Extended periods of time spent sitting, working on computer using mouse and keyboard.
• Must be physically able to move freely throughout buildings and travel within community with reasonable accommodations as required.

Pay Range:

• $70,000 - $75,000 per year

Benefits:

At Reception House, we truly value our employees and the incredible work that they do. Some benefits we provide include;

• Generous vacation policy
• RRSP match program
• Flexible benefits plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Staff appreciation events
• Wellness initiatives
• Professional development opportunities

Reception House Waterloo Region will accommodate candidates partaking in the recruitment process upon request. If you require a disability-related accommodation during this process, please inform us of yourrequirements.