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Program Manager – Community Village


Position Type: Full-Time, 40 hours per week
Schedule: Flexible hours to support a 24/7 operation
Reports To: Director of Housing & Community Services

The Opportunity

At Ka Ni Kanichihk, we believe that everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, connected, and supported. Our work is grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing, being, doing, and relating, recognizing the importance of culture, community, relationships, and self-determination.

We are seeking a compassionate, experienced, and community-minded Manager to lead the daily operations of our Community Village. The Community Village provides a low-barrier, culturally grounded environment for relatives experiencing homelessness, housing instability, and other complex life circumstances. Our approach recognizes that every relative brings their own strengths, experiences, and aspirations and deserves to be met with dignity, kindness, and without judgment.

As the Manager, you will play an important leadership role in creating a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment for both relatives and staff. You will oversee the Village’s 24/7 operations, guide and mentor a multidisciplinary team, strengthen community partnerships, and ensure that our services reflect the values of harm reduction, trauma-informed care, cultural safety, and respect.

This opportunity is for someone who leads with both heart and accountability, understands the complexities of frontline community work, and can balance compassionate service delivery with strong operational leadership.

What You Will Be Doing

  • Provide daily leadership, supervision, coaching, and support to Team Leads, Heart Helpers, Peace Keepers, Knowledge Keepers, Navigators, Meal Prep Cooks, and other team members.
  • Create a positive and respectful workplace culture grounded in teamwork, accountability, lateral kindness, and shared responsibility.
  • Support recruitment, onboarding, staff training, performance development, and employee wellness.
  • Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Community Village, ensuring safe and consistent services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Coordinate staffing schedules, shift coverage, operational planning, and daily communication across teams.
  • Maintain appropriate standards for site cleanliness, security, maintenance, food services, supplies, and overall facility operations.
  • Ensure staff understand and follow organizational policies, health and safety practices, emergency procedures, and documentation requirements.
  • Lead responses to critical incidents, support de-escalation, and coordinate appropriate follow-up and staff debriefing.
  • Monitor operational budgets, resources, purchasing, and expenditures to support effective and responsible service delivery.
  • Champion harm reduction approaches that recognize individual choice, dignity, autonomy, and safety.
  • Support staff in responding to complex situations involving substance use, mental wellness, trauma, housing insecurity, and other barriers.
  • Ensure opportunities for Indigenous cultural teachings, ceremony, and connection are supported in collaboration with Elders and Knowledge Keepers.
  • Build and maintain meaningful relationships with Indigenous organizations, housing providers, healthcare services, outreach teams, and community partners.
  • Collaborate with internal programs and external service providers to strengthen coordinated supports for relatives.
  • Maintain accurate operational records, incident reports, service statistics, and program documentation.
  • Prepare reports, monitor program outcomes, and identify opportunities to strengthen services.
  • Listen to feedback from relatives, staff, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community partners to guide continuous improvement.

Who You Are & What You Bring

  • Post-secondary education in social services, human services, Indigenous studies, community development, management, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education, professional experience, and lived experience will be considered.
  • Minimum 2–4 years of supervisory or management experience, preferably within housing, shelter services, outreach, harm reduction, or community-based programming.
  • Experience leading, coaching, and supporting multidisciplinary frontline teams in complex and fast-paced environments.
  • Strong understanding of homelessness, housing instability, trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and the systemic barriers affecting Indigenous communities.
  • Demonstrated ability to make thoughtful decisions, manage operational priorities, and respond calmly during emergencies or challenging situations.
  • Strong communication, conflict-resolution, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills.
  • Experience managing schedules, staffing requirements, budgets, workplace safety, and program reporting.
  • Knowledge of Indigenous cultures, community connections, and culturally grounded approaches to wellness.
  • Ability to work flexible hours and respond to operational needs within a 24/7 environment.
  • Willingness to obtain or maintain required First Aid/CPR, naloxone response training, and applicable background checks.
  • Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed
  • Clear Criminal Record Check, Vulnerable Sector Check, and Child Abuse Registry Check (within last 6 months)
  • Valid Driver’s License and access to reliable vehicle

We are Proud to Offer:

  • Comprehensive Benefits including Health and Dental
  • Long-Term Disability & Life Insurance
  • Employer Contributed RRSP; up to 5% match
  • Employee and Family Assistance Program with Consult + and Telus Health
  • Cultural Ways of Being; Mino Pimatisiwin Lodge, Knowledge Keepers and Kookums, medicine picking, sweats, ceremony, smudging on-site
  • 12 Personal Days, in addition to Vacation Days
  • Work-life balance and casual dress
  • Training and Development opportunities
  • Social Planning Committee that facilitates employee appreciation and wellness events

To Apply:

Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter and resume, detailing how you meet the requirements of this posting, and salary expectations.

Ka Ni Kanichihk remains committed to achieving employment equity; candidates are strongly encouraged to self-declare in their cover letter if they are of Indigenous ancestry.

Please forward your cover letter and resume to:

People and Culture Coordinator

Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc.

455 McDermot

Winnipeg, MB R3A 0B5

Email: careers@kanikanichihk.ca

Ka Ni Kanichihk thanks all applicants, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted