Manager, Language and Curriculum

Title: Manager, Language and Curriculum
Location: Centre for Immigrant Programs
Position Status: Full-Time
Salary: $65,000 - $75,000 per year 

There is potential inside all of us – we all have it in us to shine.

Every charity exists to help solve a problem – our charity exists to help solve many problems, from childcare shortages, social isolation, mental health issues, access to wellness, and more. Today, our network is spread across 100+ program locations in HRM and the province, meeting the most urgent needs of our communities in mental health supports, accessible childcare, supporting an increasing immigrant population, safe spaces for youth to grow and lead, helping to navigating a precarious labor market, delivering wellness programming for all, and creating community for isolated older adults.

We give people the tools, encouragement, and safe space to discover their inner strength. When they know someone’s in their corner, with unconditional support, they realize they can do more than they thought possible. It’s your support, expertise, and guidance that helps people ignite their full potential and shape our neighborhoods into vibrant and healthy communities.

With us at their side, they can Shine On.

As part of your total compensation:

• Receive a complimentary YMCA membership to our Health & Fitness facilities
• Access to Y at Home, where you can participate in fitness programs from your own home
• Discounts on YMCA childcare and camp programs
• 3 weeks’ vacation entitlement and paid wellness days
• Comprehensive benefits package and pension
• Complimentary wellbeing and counselling services 

About the role:

We are seeking a passionate and experienced Manager to play a pivotal role in advancing and enhancing the impact of our language- and curriculum-based settlement programs and services. The Manager, Language and Curriculum, is a key leadership position that provides guidance and direction to the day-to-day operations of multiple programs and services. This role works closely with specialized settlement and language programs within the YMCA Immigrant Services department and the broader YMCA. The Manager will lead and inspire teams, foster positive and collaborative environments, mentor and develop staff, and collaborate with other YIS leadership team members to help staff reach their full potential. The role also involves program development, implementation and integration, as well as monitoring deliverables and outcomes, report writing, and data collection and analysis. Reporting to the General Manager, this position also engages in community collaboration and ensures services are responsive to emerging client needs.

In this role, you will:

• Recruit, onboard, and manage multiple teams of diverse staff by establishing performance expectations and goals, providing regular feedback, coaching, and performance evaluations.
• Lead in the development and maintenance of a workplace culture that enhances team capacity and employee experience for team members both within Halifax and across the province.
• Provide operations leadership and development, including internal oversight of program activities and compliance with program, department, funder, and YMCA policies and procedures.
• Identify and allocate necessary resources such as staff, materials, and technology to meet program and service delivery goals effectively.
• Participate in the development of an annual budget and operating plan, and manage the service area budget.
• Identify issues and risks as they develop and, with the General Manager, formulate plans to address them.
• Propose, develop, and implement programs, including evaluating and improving existing programs, and ensure their integration within the wider YIS offerings to meet established objectives.
• Collaborate on the development and implementation of a long-term service delivery strategy and new initiatives.
• Implement program monitoring and evaluation processes to assess the effectiveness of programs and services.
• Use data-driven insights to make informed decisions, continuously improve program outcomes, and adapt programs to better meet the needs of clients.
• Identify and monitor changes in client demographics at the service provision level and provide culturally and linguistically appropriate programming, ensuring that services are client-centered.
• Ensure language instruction services and curriculum-based activities comply with contracts and the guidelines of professional regulatory bodies.
• Maintain a working knowledge of immigration patterns, the settlement sector, language acquisition, and diversity-related issues.
• Develop reports on evaluation results, program statistics, and service information for various internal and external reporting requirements.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with relevant stakeholders to enhance support for program, service delivery, and client experience.
• Provide backup support when the General Manager is unavailable or for direct service delivery and activities or events as needed.

Education and skills qualifications:

• A relevant post-secondary degree or diploma with a minimum of 3 years of management or leadership experience in the nonprofit sector or another relevant combination of education and experience.
• TESL certification or equivalent education related to language instruction.
• Experience teaching English as an Additional Language (EAL) to adults, and familiarity with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) curriculum, resources, and Portfolio-Based Language Assessment (PBLA) requirements. Knowledge of Proficiency of English in Nova Scotia (PENS) pedagogy is an asset.
• Experience with the design and development of language programs and a proven ability to manage and deliver programs with successful outcomes.
• Robust understanding of the settlement sector and cultural competency in working with diverse newcomer populations. Lived newcomer experience is a strong asset.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate in-depth knowledge of equity, access, inclusion, and Anti-Racism into all aspects of program and policy development. Knowledge of or experience in Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) is an asset.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, both verbal and written, to effectively convey complex information and build relationships internally and externally.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint applications. Knowledge of data management systems, reporting tools, and performance metrics related to settlement sector program and service delivery is an asset.
• Strong report-writing skills (both narrative and statistical).
• Ability to meet deadlines, make decisions, delegate tasks, and manage changes in a rapidly evolving settlement environment.
• Proven analytical skills with strong attention to detail.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams with a proven ability to support others in fulfilling team goals and objectives through expertise in conflict and crisis management, inclusive leadership, performance evaluation, and problem-solving.
• Ability to be innovative, creative, and conduct research to support and recommend new programming.

Conditions of employment:

• Clear Child Abuse Register Check
• Current and satisfactory Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check (must be dated less than 6 months from hire date)
• Completion of YMCA’s Child Safety & Protection Orientation within first week of employment
• Completion of YMCA Child Safeguarding Training within probationary period
• Valid First Aid and CPR certificate if required for the role

To apply:

Please apply online at https://ymcahfx.ca/workwithus/.

Don’t meet every single requirement?

We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive and barrier-free environment, welcoming applications from all qualified persons. We encourage Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, gender-diverse people, people with diverse abilities, members of ethnic minorities and faith groups, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. We are committed to eliminating barriers and promoting inclusion and strongly encourage applications even if you don’t meet all requirements.

If you require accommodation during the hiring process, please inform us in advance to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation.