Director, Mental Health Services

Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Employment Status: Full-Time Permanent
Bargaining Unit Status: Excluded
Hourly Wage/Salary: $107,244.80 - $128,918.40
Language requirements: English is essential, French is an asset
Competition Number: 25-055
Closing Date: May 10th, 2025
Posting stage: Internal and external

Job Summary:

Founded in 1960, the Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa (YSB) is one of the largest and most comprehensive non-profit agencies in Ottawa and a registered charity. It provides mental health services, employment programs, emergency shelter, community, health and housing services, and justice programs to youth in the Ottawa area, serving between 2,500 and 3,000 at-risk individuals aged 12+ and their families every month. YSB employs 350 caring professionals in a unionized environment in over 26 locations across Ottawa.

As a member of the senior management team, the Director of Mental Health Services assists in the strategic and operational planning and vision of the YSB. The Director oversees all programs and services within YSB's Mental Health Department. This position provides overall leadership, develops short and long-term plans for the department, and aligns staffing resources and operations to those plans, in accordance with the YSB's mandate, vision and strategic plan. The Director will also provide leadership in agency-wide projects that will advance YSB's strategic priorities.

Principal Duties:

• Establishes and communicates the department's operational plan in alignment with YSB's strategic priorities
• Ensures the successful outcome of all Mental Health Services programs as well as directs and oversees the operations of the department
• Supports the Assistant Directors and Program Coordinators in developing interventions to meet the changing needs of our client population
• Supervises the work plan of the Assistant Directors and coordinators
• Oversees the implementation of and adherence to all departmental quality assurance standards and measures
• Manages departmental budgets in accordance with negotiated contracts and allocated resources
• Represents YSB and participates in sector-wide planning initiatives, and establishes or maintains partnerships with other service providers to enhance access to services
• Ensures all reporting requirements for funding, grants and agency priorities are met
• Maintains positive working relationships with funders and community partners
• Maintains on-going and collaborative working relationships with internal departments; People and Culture, Quality Assurance Quality Improvement, Finance, Information Systems and Technology, Lead Agency, Foundations and Communications
• Ensures compliance with agency polices, collective agreements and relevant legislative requirements
• Participates in the on-call rotation

Job Specifications/Qualifications:

(The qualifications are appended to the job description and are not intended to be part of the job description)

• Master's degree in Social Work, Counselling or equivalent or a combination of education, training and experience
• Minimum 8 years experience in administration in a managerial role
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Sector
• Experience working within a values-based organization
• Experience working within context of broad program changes including the use of data and information to inform program development
• Experience in building and managing stakeholder relationships
• Demonstrated ability in leadership and strategic thinking
• Demonstrated ability in fiscal and human resource management within a unionized environment
• Knowledge of 24/7 residential treatment facilities would be considered an asset

Competencies

• Leadership - Ability to lead a department, act as coach, mentor and positive role model
• Communication - excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Interpersonal - Strong people skills
• Thinking skills - ability to analyze complex problems from several angles and think creatively to consider implications and alternative solutions
• Flexibility - able to adapt behaviours in response to changing circumstances while still pursuing goals
• Self-confidence - demonstrated ability to manage within a changing milieu with multiple and varied responsibilities

Attributes

• Passion for youth and alignment with the mission of YSB
• Commitment to employee development and continuous quality improvement
• Ability to manage conflict
• Considers, values and respects opinions of key stakeholders including youth
• Ability to actively participate in setting organizational strategic directions
• Demonstrated commitment to principles of equity
• Strong commitment to collaboration
• Oral and written fluency in English is essential. Oral and written fluency in French will be considered a strong asset.

Disclaimer:

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.

A vulnerable sector police reference check is required by the successful candidate prior to hiring

What we offer:

• An opportunity to join a vibrant team and be part of truly meaningful and rewarding work;
• 20 days of annual vacation, 40 hours management compensation + 1 personal day;
• 100% YSB-paid group health benefits;
• Pension plan from Day 1;
• A team where you get to be yourself everyday and where you have the freedom to innovate.

Join us!

If you think this vacancy is a good fit, we would love to hear from you. Please visit the career section of our website to submit your resume and one-page cover letter. Don't just tell us what we want to hear, tell us your story and why you would make a great addition to our team.

We know applying to a job takes time and thank all candidates for their interest. While we are not able to get back to every candidate, we will ensure shortlisted applicants are aware of their status and will do our best to provide feedback if that can be helpful.

At YSB, we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of our community. We encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, racialized people, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ community and/or people with intersectional identities. Reasonable accommodation will be made available for applicants who require the same, whether on the basis of disability, creed or otherwise, throughout the hiring process, kindly make your needs known in advance. Applicants should know that YSB is similarly committed to providing reasonable accommodation of such needs in the workplace, up to the point of undue hardship. The selected candidate will be required to follow all mandatory Covid 19 safety protocols.