DIRECTOR REFUGEE RESPONSE

• Job ID: 55567
• Job Category: Community & Social Services
• Division & Section: Toronto Shelter & Support Services, Refugee Response
• Work Location: METRO HALL
• Job Type & Duration: Full-time, Permanent
• Salary: $162,467-$215,307
• Shift Information: Mon-Fri per week
• Affiliation: Non-Union
• Number of Positions Open: 1
• Posting Period: 05-MAY-2025 to 26-MAY-2025

As the Director, Refugee Response, you will provide leadership for the City of Toronto’s Shelter & Support Services’ strategy to support refugee claimants and asylum seekers. This role is responsible for building and overseeing a responsive and sustainable refugee shelter system—while advancing key partnerships, intergovernmental advocacy, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality programs and services. You will also work collaboratively across divisions to ensure a cohesive and aligned refugee response throughout the City. Guided by a deep understanding of immigration policy, political dynamics, and community needs, you’ll drive innovation and impact at a city-wide level.

You’ll provide leadership in the areas of:

Strategic Leadership & Visioning

• Lead the development and implementation of a long-term strategy for the City’s refugee response, aligned with corporate priorities and grounded in policy expertise and evidence.
• Set clear direction for a responsive refugee shelter system, balancing short-term crisis response with sustainable system-building.
• Drive the City's strategic preparedness for large-scale refugee arrivals, ensuring adaptability, continuity, and inter-divisional coordination.
   

Political Acuity & Intergovernmental Collaboration

• Provide strategic advice to the General Manager, senior leadership, and City Council on refugee policy, emerging trends, and challenges.
• Represent the City in high-level negotiations and partnerships with federal and provincial governments, advocating for sustainable funding and policy alignment.
• Navigate complex political environments with tact, anticipating impacts of legislative or policy shifts on Toronto’s refugee services.
   

Program Oversight & System Management

• Oversee service system management for refugee claimants in the homelessness sector, ensuring program quality, accountability, and innovation in response models. Lead the design and delivery of new service models, shelter operations, and stabilization supports that are trauma-informed and culturally appropriate.
• Establish KPIs and outcome metrics to evaluate the impact of programs and partnerships, and lead iterative improvements.

Community & Sector Partnership Building

• Build and maintain trust-based partnerships with organizations serving refugee and newcomer communities.

• Lead collaborative program design and delivery efforts, ensuring community and service user voices are central to planning and decision-making.
• Coordinate city-wide efforts to address service gaps through joint initiatives and co-funded models.
   

People Leadership & Team Empowerment

• Lead and coach a multidisciplinary team, fostering a culture of trust, collaboration, and innovation.
• Promote inclusive leadership and cultural practices that reflect the communities served.
   

Financial & Resource Management

• Develop, manage, and monitor a significant budget, ensuring alignment with service goals, funding agreements, and corporate financial practices.
• Oversee funding proposals, agreements, and reporting for multiple funding partners across all levels of government.
• Apply sound risk management and strategic financial analysis to guide resourcing decisions and operational scaling.
   

What you bring to the role:

1. Extensive expertise in immigration and refugee policy, with a strong understanding of federal and provincial legislation, service systems, and community impacts.
2. Considerable experience leading complex, high-impact programs or service systems, particularly within a municipal, nonprofit, or government setting.
3. Extensive experience managing large budgets, including forecasting, grant management and co-funding, and reporting.
4. Experience leading diverse, multidisciplinary teams with a focus on equity, collaboration, and innovation.
5. Demonstrated success in building and managing intergovernmental relationships, navigating political environments, and influencing policy or funding outcomes.
6. Ability to work with and create reports/presentations for City Council, elected officials, or high-profile stakeholders, with strong political acuity and strategic judgment.
7. Strong track record of collaborating with community organizations, particularly those serving refugee and newcomer populations.
8. Deep understanding of trauma-informed, culturally appropriate service delivery, and a demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and reconciliation in both practice and leadership.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity.

Accommodation

The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request. Learn more about the City’s Hiring Policies and Accommodation Process.