Director, Youth and Homelessness Strategy

Youth Link believes in the potential of every youth. We are dedicated to providing them with the support, guidance and opportunities they need to make positive life choices. We provide youth with brief and ongoing counselling, in-home wraparound support, shelter, housing, educational support, and safe drop-in spaces. Youth Link works towards equitable outcomes for youth in our community and, as such, is committed to equity-based hiring practices.

We welcome applications from candidates who reflect the communities we serve, particularly candidates from Black communities, Indigenous communities, and racialized people, persons with disabilities, members of diverse gender identities and people with lived experiences. We are seeking candidates who demonstrably operate and practice from an equity and trauma-informed lens. We encourage applications from passionate professionals who will help us dismantle systemic barriers and will embrace working outside of Euro‑centric practices.

Health & dental coverage for you and your family with 100% premium cost paid by employer.

* Annual vacation with pay at 1.66 working days for each calendar month to a maximum of 20 working days per year.

* 5 ‘authorized absence’ days for family illness or emergency circumstances that prohibit employees from reporting to work.

* 3 paid agency days every calendar year after 3 calendar months’ service.

Maternity / parental /adoption leave top-up payments (to top‑up Canadian government unemployment benefit payments)

100% premium cost for long‑term disability coverage paid by employee.

Eligibility to participate in pension plan after 2 years of continuous service with generous matching contribution from employer.

(Permanent, Full‑time, 35 hours/week)

(Non‑Bargaining Unit Position)

The Director of Housing and Youth Homelessness Strategy, in collaboration with the senior leadership team, is responsible for setting the strategic direction for Youth Link’s Shelter and Housing portfolio. Reporting to the Executive Director, and as part of the senior leadership team, this role provides executive leadership to the team in Youth Link’s shelter and housing portfolio in service of the mission.

As an executive leader at Youth Link, this position requires the highest level of character and strong judgement to navigate complex organizational situations.

Internally, the Director will be a “hands‑on” leader and change agent, ensuring the highest caliber of trauma‑informed, client‑centered care grounded in the principles of Housing First for Youth within Youth Link’s emergency shelter and transitional housing programs. The position is responsible for managing all functions within the Shelter and Transitional Housing program, including workforce planning, recruitment, supervision and training of the program managers and team members.

The Director will ensure the provision of high‑quality, trauma‑informed, youth‑centered and culturally responsive services, handling client and facilities issues and crises, and ensuring all safety policies and procedures are in place and well monitored.

Externally, the Director works with the City of Toronto, Home Depot Canada Foundation, and other funders to ensure shelter standards and funding targets are consistently achieved.

As a driver of system‑level change, the Director partners with other senior level service providers to advocate for programs and initiatives to ensure any experience of homelessness for Scarborough’s youth is rare, brief and non‑recurring.

The Director is responsible for seeking and securing funding opportunities, securing Youth Link’s ability to launch an innovative programme that positions Youth Link as a leader in preventing and resolving youth homelessness.

Based in Scarborough, this position must be deeply competent in, and committed to, promoting equity and Black excellence in everything Youth Link does.

• Develop and implement a youth housing and homelessness strategy aligned with the organization’s mission and strategic plan.
• Monitor trends in youth homelessness, housing policy, and best…