Program Manager, Employment Services

Job Title: Program Manager, Employment Services 

Organization: John Howard Society  

Location: In Person, Victoria, BC 

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent  

Work hours: 40 hours, Mon - Fri, 8 am to 4:30 pm  

Salary: $30.87- $35.00 per hour 

Benefits: Employee Engagement Activities, Organization Events, Dental care, Disability insurance, Employee assistance program, Extended health care, Life insurance, Paid time off, RRSP match 

Who We Are:  

John Howard Society of Victoria is a fast paced growing, dynamic and innovative social service organization that strives to create safe, healthy, and inclusive communities for all. Our goal is to help individuals achieve greater independence by providing support with housing, life-skills, education, employment, and community-based services.  

At John Howard Society of Victoria we come from various backgrounds and share a common goal of wanting to make things better in our community, for our community. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that adapts to your needs. 

Our Vision, Mission, Goals, and Values:  

• Our Vision: A safe, healthy, and inclusive community for all 

• Our Mission: We contribute to a safer, stronger and more sustainable communities by supporting people to achieve greater independence 

• Our Goals: Service Excellence, Organizational Sustainability, Capacity 

• Our Values: Dignity, Advocacy, Empowerment, Collaboration, Accountability, Resiliency 

What We Offer: 

• Competitive Benefits: Enjoy paid vacation, sick and personal time, health and dental plans, long-term disability, critical illness and RRSP 

• Supportive Environment: Our Employee Assistance Program and professional development opportunities are designed to help you succeed both personally and professionally. We invest in our employees' growth through training programs, workshops, and mentorship opportunities. 

• Engaging Culture: Be part of a friendly team that values your input! With numerous employee engagements, you can make your voice heard and contribute to meaningful change for our clients and our community. 

• Employee Engagement: We often organize team and social gatherings to strengthen relationships and foster camaraderie to create a supportive network among colleagues. 

• Impactful Work: Employees at JHS Victoria are driven by a shared mission to make a positive difference in the community. Engaging in meaningful work enhances job satisfaction and connects team members to a greater purpose. 

About the Program:  

Employment program supports persons with self-identified disabilities who are experiencing barriers to employment. The objective of the program is to prepare participants to acquire new skills and enhance existing skills, so they find long term success in finding and keeping good jobs and contributing to healthy, inclusive society. Participants receive the skills and support to help in preparing for, finding, and keep good jobs or becoming self-employed, or advancing in their careers, or taking on new or greater responsibilities. 

Position Summary:  

The Position reports to Sr. Program Manager 

We are looking for Program Manager of Employment Services to lead the design, implementation, and continuous quality improvement of inclusive employment programs that support participants in achieving meaningful and sustainable employment outcomes in a fast paced and dynamic environment. This role provides operational leadership to ensure programs are delivered effectively, meet contractual deliverables, and achieve measurable results for participants.  

The manager is responsible for driving program performance by monitoring targets, analyzing program data, and implementing strategies that improve employment placement outcomes and service quality. They ensure strong compliance with funder requirements, organizational policies, and reporting standards while maintaining oversight of day-to-day program operations. Working closely with staff, the manager sets clear performance expectations, provides coaching and support to strengthen service delivery, and ensures services are delivered in a structured, accountable, and results-focused manner.  

The role also involves strengthening community partnerships, supporting employer engagement, and overseeing the recruitment and onboarding of program staff. The position is in-person with no opportunities to work remotely.  

What You'll Be Doing: 

Program Development (30%) 

• Designing and maintaining effective and inclusive employment programs that support participants in achieving meaningful and sustainable employment outcomes. 

• Supporting the overall strategic direction of the programs and organization while ensuring alignment with funder contracts, program deliverables, and performance targets. 

• Collaborating with other employees’ members, especially regarding potential referrals and coordinated service delivery across programs. 

• Identifying and developing related program opportunities available to individuals in the community that strengthen employment pathways and program outcomes. 

• Implementing and promulgating policies and procedures, including developing appropriate manuals, brochures, and handbooks. 

• Responsible for the implementation and execution of the strategic plan for the Society, focusing on management-level oversight and coordination to ensure alignment with organizational goals and objectives. 

Outcome Management and Reporting (20%) 

• Collaborate with the employment team to develop and implement strategies that improve program performance and employment outcomes. 

• Participate in meetings and workshops to review program performance and identify improvements. 

• Collect and analyze data related to program outcomes, including participant demographics, employment rates, and retention statistics. 

• Develop and manage databases to track program metrics and key performance indicators to ensure compliance with funder guidelines. 

• Complete corrective action plans to achieve desired outcomes efficiently. 

• Monitor program performance against contractual targets and identify opportunities to strengthen employment placement outcomes. 

Program Management (20%) 

• Ensuring full compliance with funder's guidelines, including agreed-upon goals, contract deliverables, success measurement steps, and timelines. 

• Ensuring contract deliverables are met and monitored as per the contract requirement.  

• Reporting monthly, quarterly, semi-annually and annual program reporting to funders and organizational leadership. 

• Ensuring the program and documentation remain compliant with CARF standards, funder requirements, and organizational policies. 

• Providing operational oversight to ensure program services are delivered effectively, consistently, and in alignment with contractual obligations. 

Community Engagement, Outreach & Partnership Development (10%) 

• Maintaining effective working relationships with related community services, government stakeholders, and agencies. 

• Being knowledgeable about related agencies for effective client referrals and support, particularly those within the respective communities. 

• Overseeing processes to support the recruitment and welcoming of new members and community partners. 

• Building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholder groups, including members, community partners, and volunteers to strengthen employment opportunities and referrals. 

• Developing and maintaining engagement activities. 

Job Development & Employer Partnerships (10%) 

• Develop and lead employer engagement strategies to create sustainable employment opportunities for program participants by assessing the employer needs and gaps.  

• Identify labour market trends and employer needs to align program participants with in-demand employment opportunities.. 

• Promote employment programs to employers, including the benefits of hiring program participants and accessing available supports such as wage subsidies. 

• Support the development of hiring initiatives such as employer information sessions, hiring events, and job fairs to expand employment opportunities for participants. 

People Management (10%) 

• Providing support and guidance to the team while establishing clear expectations for service delivery and program outcomes. 

• Hiring, supervising, evaluating, transferring, and terminating employees and/or contractors as necessary in accordance with relevant agreements and policies. 

• Providing oversight and direction to employees in accordance with organization policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreements. 

• Coaching, mentoring, performance management, and developing team members to ensure services are delivered in a structured, accountable, and outcome-focused manner. 

Perform other duties and projects as required and not limited to the responsibilities as mentioned. 

*The assigned percentage of job responsibilities may vary based on organizational and operational priorities. 

What We’re Looking For:  

Must have Qualifications: 

• A bachelor's degree and/or professional designation, with a minimum of 5 years of applicable or relevant transferable work experience. 

• Extensive experience and expertise in the Community Living, Mental Health, Youth Programs or Criminal Justice System. 

• Strong experience in development and managing the day-to-day aspects of community-based programs, including case planning, behavior modification techniques, and psychosocial rehabilitative techniques. 

• Proficient in verbal and written English at a professional level, with excellent communication and interpersonal abilities. 

• High proficiency in MS Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, SharePoint).  

• Valid Class 5 Driver’s License and access to a reliable vehicle.  

• Criminal Record Check.  

• Emergency First Aid certification is an asset.  

• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information effectively and possess strong integrity. 

Skills and Competencies: 

• Exceptional organizational skills with attention to detail and leadership skills. 

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. 

• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities. 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to build relationships with diverse stakeholders. 

• Ability to collaborate and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders. 

• Proven track record of successful funding experience in a nonprofit or similar setting. 

• Strong knowledge of funding techniques and strategies, with demonstrated experience in building corporate sponsorship programs. 

• Proficiency in grant and report writing with proven success in drafting and submitting complex proposals that include clear, compelling narrative and data-driven content, program/project budgets and other required documentation. 

• Excellent project management skills to meet goals and deadlines while working with various internal and external stakeholders. 

Who You Are:  

Are you a dynamic operations leader ready to make an impact? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about operational excellence! 

Here’s what describes you best: 

• You are proactive. You take initiative and anticipate operational challenges before they arise. 

• You are detail-oriented. You pay close attention to details to ensure compliance and accuracy in all aspects of operations. 

• You are a strong communicator. You convey complex information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences. 

• You are an analytical thinker. You possess strong problem-solving skills and can analyze data to drive informed decision-making. 

• You are adaptable. You thrive in a fast-paced environment and can adjust to changing priorities and demands. 

• You are a collaborative team player. You work well with cross-functional teams, fostering cooperation and unity to achieve common goals. 

• You are innovative. You are open to new ideas and approaches that enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness. 

• You are mentorship-oriented. You enjoy coaching and developing team members to reach their full potential. 

• You demonstrate integrity and accountability. You uphold high ethical standards and take responsibility for your actions and decisions. 

• You are resilient. You maintain composure under pressure and remain focused on achieving objectives even in challenging circumstances. 

• You are goal-oriented. You are driven by achieving operational excellence and alignment with organizational goals. 

• You are systems savvy. You are comfortable with technology and databases, with a willingness to learn new systems and processes. 

Creating Safe, Healthy and Inclusive Communities at JHS Victoria: 

At John Howard Society of Victoria, we proudly embrace the rich diversity of the communities we serve, and we’re excited to invite applicants from all backgrounds to join our team!  We understand that everyone’s journey is different, and we are committed to providing the support needed to ensure equal opportunities for success throughout the hiring process. John Howard Society of Victoria will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please email hr@jhsvic.ca if you have a need for any accommodation. We’re here to help! 

Ready to Make a Positive Impact? 

If you’re passionate about making a positive impact in people’s lives and meet the qualifications for this role, we’d love to hear from you!  

Please submit your application through our portal. Submission deadline is March 19, 2026, and we’ll be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. So don’t wait—apply today and take the next step in your journey with us!