Director of Programs

Role Overview

• providing strategic leadership, oversight, and management of Thunderbird Partnership Foundation’s program development, implementation, evaluation, and service delivery functions.
• providing direct leadership and oversight to the Policy & Partnership, Mental Wellness Coordination, Youth Programs, and Research teams, ensuring integrated approaches to program delivery, stakeholder engagement, policy development, research activities, and organizational priorities in alignment with the frameworks and values of the organization.
• fostering a collaborative, inclusive, culturally safe, and high-performance workplace culture that promotes accountability, innovation, relationship-building, and continuous improvement.
• leading, mentoring, and developing managers and staff by setting clear expectations, providing regular coaching, and supporting professional growth and succession planning.
• ensuring program compliance with all applicable federal, provincial, territorial, and governance requirements, funding agreements, reporting obligations, and regulatory standards.
• collaborating with the CEO to develop long-term strategic direction for the organizational projects and translating strategic priorities into operational implementation plans.
• leading the development, implementation, and regular review of program policies, procedures, frameworks, and service standards to ensure alignment with Thunderbird Partnership Foundation’s strategic objectives.
• collaborating with Indigenous communities, partners, stakeholders, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and service providers to shape, strengthen, and support culturally grounded program delivery.
• providing strategic leadership and oversight for Thunderbird Partnership Foundation’s research function, including implementation of organizational research plans, research priorities, and community-based research initiatives.
• overseeing the Research Managers’ leadership of the research team in planning, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating research projects, assessment tools, surveys, data collection activities, analytics, and reporting processes.
• establishing program goals, objectives, service standards, and performance indicators to monitor effectiveness, quality, and community impact.
• building and maintaining respectful, collaborative, and culturally grounded relationships with Indigenous communities, organizations, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, partners, funders, and stakeholders.
• ensuring compliance with all legal, statutory, ethical, and regulatory requirements related to program operations, funding agreements, reporting obligations, and service delivery.
• overseeing program risk management processes, including participant safety, program quality assurance, privacy, confidentiality, and operational accountability.
• supporting and monitoring the organization’s use of digital tools, data systems, and reporting technologies to enhance program effectiveness, communication, evaluation, and decision-making.
• establishing and maintaining effective administrative structures, reporting systems, records management practices, and service delivery processes that support organizational priorities, funding requirements, and operational excellence.

Requirements

• master's degree in a relevant health and social services discipline, or business AND four (4) years’ work experience in a leadership role, preferably in a First Nations specific setting OR a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Indigenous studies, social/health sciences AND at least ten (10) years progressive leadership experience in a senior management role preferably in the social/health field in a First Nations organization.
• experience in program development/coordination.
• excellent writing skills in English and the ability to communicate clearly.
• hands on experience with MS Office.
• proficiency in using Zoom and other platforms as required for hosting online meetings and events.
• experience working with First Nations, or an Indigenous organization.
• fluency in a First Nations language (this is considered an asset).
• knowledge of First Nations culture and customs including natural healing.
• excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written).
• the ability to work collaboratively with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• the ability to be flexible and adaptable to change, and to function autonomously with minimal supervision.
• a high level of professionalism and the ability to always maintain confidentiality.
• a strong work ethic and commitment to quality.
• the ability to network and build strong working relationships.
• organizational, time-management and multitask skills with the ability to work on multiple assignments in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment.
• demonstrated success in working collaboratively with staff, volunteers, board members and stakeholders.
• public speaking and presentation skills along with community engagement and networking capabilities.
• the ability to travel and access worksites not accessible by public transit.