Director Gathering Place

Requisition ID: 44261 

Organization

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and engaging workplace.  Working at the City of Vancouver and within the public service can be a rewarding career where you play a key role in ensuring impartial and equitable access to services, upholding ethical governance, and addressing the needs of citizens with integrity and dedication.

Main Purpose & Function

The Gathering Place serves a diverse group of people, with a goal of providing a safe welcoming space for everyone including; people experiencing homelessness and mental health, trauma and substance use issues.   The Director provides operational and strategic leadership and direction to improve the quality and effectiveness in the delivery of programs and services offered at the Gathering Place.  The Director oversees and implements special initiatives related to departmental strategic plan and evolving needs of the Downtown South community to enhance program offerings, patron experience, centre effectiveness and employee engagement.  

The position reports to the Managing Director, Social Operations.  The position works in conjunction with other Arts, Culture, and Community Service leadership teams, Social Operations Directors, Managers and administrative employees.  The position is responsible for directly managing a team of one exempt manager and a large staff of front line CUPE 15 employees. 

The Director develops and maintains effective relationships with other city departments including Human Resources, Non-Market Housing, Facilities Management, Corporate Protective Services, Social Policy, Homelessness Services, Street Engineering, the Vancouver Police Department, as well as community services and non-profit agencies, advisory boards, including representatives of local residents, to establish and coordinate a response to emerging and ongoing community concerns. 

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Responsible for the strategic and operational leadership including the planning, development, implementation, evaluation, management and administration of the Gathering Place, to ensure alignment with City of Vancouver goals, strategic plans, public policies, and the mission, vision, and values of the portfolio as well as compliance with policy and regulatory requirements. 
• Integrates the City’s leadership and management competencies in their directing of Centre activities and facilitates incorporation of these competencies into the work of staff.  Modeling excellence and supporting staff to incorporate value-based decision-making, adaptability, and innovation and initiative into their work.
• Inspires strategic vision in others by identifying, establishing, and communicating clear and meaningful expectations and outcomes. 
• Demonstrates leadership using positive reinforcement, strengths-based feedback and coaching to direct team members, stakeholders, and partners. Champions positive working relationships amongst team members as well as externally. 
• Facilitates collaboration, cooperation, and coalitions among diverse groups, aimed at improving programs, services and goals.
• Ensures full implementation and compliance with organizational policies, including documentation protocols, incident reporting, occupational health and safety standards, and collective agreement provisions. Monitor and review site practices regularly to ensure alignment with internal audits, safety requirements, and corporate expectations.
• Leads and supports the coordinated response to critical incidents, working closely with the Security Supervisor to ensure timely investigation, accurate reporting, and appropriate follow-up and resolution in alignment with policy and safety protocols.
• Oversees the consistent application of safety and security protocols and ensure regular reviews and staff training are in place.
• Leads staff through organizational change in response to City and departmental priorities and shifting needs in the community.
• Ensures that services are provided in ways that are sensitive and responsive to the broad range of diversity within the patron population including, but not limited to, gender, race, culture, ability, and sexual orientation.
• Addresses patron feedback in a manner that upholds staff credibility, maintains safe boundaries, and fosters a respectful and supportive service environment.
• Partners with Corporate Protective Services, Vancouver Police Department, and Violence Prevention teams to develop, monitor, and adapt site-specific safety plans and expectations for patrons and staff.
• Proactively mitigates risks related to patron escalation and staff exposure through clear role clarity, timely leadership intervention, and policy-based decision-making.
• Ensures Centre operations and services are compliant with all policy and regulatory requirements, including WorkSafeBC, OHS, corporate policy, etc.
• Conducts and is accountable for the recruitment and retention process; including hiring, performance planning and development, delegating work assignments as well as management of employee morale, complaints and leading in labour relation matters (discipline & grievances) as appropriate and in accordance with the collective agreement.
• Identifies staffing needs to ensure services are provided safely, effectively and appropriately.
• Promotes a healthy, inclusive, and psychologically safe workplace by proactively identifying and addressing team dynamics and behaviours that may undermine collaboration, equity, or organizational culture.
• Collaborates with Human Resources and union partners to proactively address and resolve staff relations issues.
• Fosters an environment of fairness and respect by modeling inclusive practices and applying organizational standards consistently across service areas and stakeholder interactions.
• Works with the Managing Director, Finance, Operations Directors and others as identified, to plan and oversee the departmental finances, Capital Planning process across the three centres.
• Responsible for the effective financial management of allocated resources including preparing the annual budget, approving and monitoring expenditure, and ensuring that appropriate procedures are implemented to track financial transactions. 
• Negotiates BC Housing contracts and submits funding requests for shelter and other funded services.
• Ensures the Centre is compliant with all reporting requirements set out by the City, BC Housing and other funders. 
• Works collaboratively with the Downtown South Gathering Place Community Centre Association board to establish and implement short and long-range goals and objectives for programs and services.
• Represents the Gathering Place and the City in a professional manner that demonstrates the values of the City, Department and Centre. 
• Develops an annual work plan with timelines. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Post-secondary degree, preferably at a Masters level in Community Development, Education, Business Administration, Public Administration, Social Work, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 8 years experience in the social services sector in progressively senior roles, including at least 5 years experience in senior administration of a non-profit or public organization; or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of management of a community-based organization; including human resource management in a unionized environment, financial management, administration management and program management.
• Extensive knowledge of and demonstrated experience of community development principles is essential; experience working with a diverse community including vulnerable populations including; seniors, Indigenous groups, newcomers, LGBTQ2+, and those who experience barriers to social and economic participation in community; knowledge of and demonstrated commitment to anti-racism and de-colonization work.
• Strong follow-through and accountability on assigned strategic and operational priorities from senior leadership.
• Ability to work with and gain trust with a broad constituency, e.g. leaders in non-profit and business communities, members of advocacy groups.
• Excellent communications skills, verbal and written.  Listens well and encourages open exchange of information and ideas using appropriate communication methods. 
• Ability to Lead through change and navigate complexity with integrity, transparency, and adaptability.
• Problem solving skills; including ability to engage others in developing creative, conflict neutral approaches to resolving issues. 
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive, complex and confidential situations. 
• Strong leadership and organizational development skills; broad knowledge and experience in place based strategies, community development initiatives and programs/services that promote arts, education and culture, food security, social justice, and inclusion. 

• Excellent organizational and time-management skills, advanced ability to meet multiple, tight deadlines, and prioritize workload.
• Strong team player, with the ability to work well independently, and shows strong initiative and enthusiasm. 
• Vulnerable Sector police record check.

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work a hybrid work week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite.  At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

Business Unit/Department: Arts, Culture and Community Services (1200) 

Affiliation: Exempt 

Employment Type: Regular Full Time 

Position Start Date: October, 2025 

Salary Information: Pay Grade RNG-111: $125,619 to $165,280 per annum

Application Close: October 2, 2025

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion. 

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In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx. 5-10 minutes. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a summary of skills and experience related to the position.