Director, Corporate Services (Family Day Care Services)


POSITION PROFILE

Client Organization: Family Day Care Services
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Location: Toronto, Ontario

THE ORGANIZATION

Dedicated to the care and education of children since 1851, Family Day Care Services (Family Day) has a long history of serving children and families throughout the GTA. Today, Family Day is a nonprofit/unionized registered charity with a current complement of approximately 700 employees including a casual pool of employees, relationships with approximately 210 independent contractors in its licensed home child care program, and revenue of approximately $40 million. Family Day offers families safe and nurturing early learning and child care opportunities that reflect their values and needs through a number of programs and services:
 
Child Care/Early Learning: Family Day’s Early Learning and Family Centres offer care for children from birth to 12 years of age. Programs use “How Does Learning Happen?” Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years, along with the HighScope curriculum, which concentrates on “active participatory learning.” The central belief of HighScope is that children construct their own learning by “doing” and by working with objects, people and ideas with a knowledgeable educator. Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECE) and Assistant Teachers receive ongoing training in this evidence-based curriculum.

Extended Day/School Age Programs: Family Day’s Extended Day programs are for children aged four to six in Full Day Kindergarten and are delivered in partnership with school boards. School Age programs are designed for children aged six to 12 years of age and provide a safe and stimulating before- and after-school experience offered in both child care centres and licensed home child care programs.

Licensed Home Child Care: Family Day’s licensed Home Child Care Program is child care in a “family style” setting with flexible hours, family groupings and the opportunity for siblings to be in child care together. Family Day contracts with caregivers who provide child care for children from infancy to 12 years of age, with a maximum of six child care children (no more than three children under two years of age). Family Day is a licensed child care agency under the Child Care and Early Years Act 2014 (CCEYA).​

Summer Camp: Family Day’s summer camp is an enriching, rewarding and fun experience for children 4 to 12 years of age. Family Day works with educators and program consultants to create a comprehensive and fun summer calendar for all camp programs.

EarlyON Child and Family Centres: Family Day’s five EarlyON Child and Family Centres are welcoming, supportive and accessible places where children (birth to six years of age) and their parents, grandparents and caregivers can play and learn together. Parents/caregivers can participate in a variety of activities with their children, get information about programs and services available to them, and get information and advice from qualified EarlyON professionals.

Family Support Programs: These additional programs also focus on providing activities, learning opportunities, information, and special services to parents, grandparents and caregivers and their children, including Every Child Belongs Resources for Early Learning and Child Care Programs, and Homework Plus.


Our Vision: A society where all children achieve their potential

Our Mission: Leading innovation in early learning, child care and family support services

Our Approach: Family Day uses evidence-based approaches in all of our services to ensure quality programs based on sound knowledge. The HighScope approach is utilized in child care programs, and in licensed home child care the providers are supported through “I Care for Kids, I Care for Quality.” The family-centred approach runs through all programs at Family Day.

THE ROLE

The Director of Corporate Services provides leadership and strategic direction in a newly created role designed to provide a consolidated and streamlined approach to all administrative functions: Financial Operations, Human Resources, IT and Administration as well as Communications and Marketing. The Director of Corporate Services reports and is accountable to the CEO and is responsible for the provision of accurate reporting of the agency budget. The position is also responsible for the accurate reporting of data to ensure the CEO’s reports are accurately delivered to funders and the Board of Directors. The Director, Corporate Services also provides leadership and direction to ensure the organization is in compliance with all statutory, regulatory and reporting requirements (systems overview and risk assessment) through the day-to-day operation of its administrative functions. In addition, this role is responsible for leadership, oversight and direction and provides high-level, strategic advice to the CEO.

The Director supports Management to carry out their duties as required/appropriate and fosters and champions effective practices across all of the organization to direct the achievement of the organization’s strategic plan.

The Director of Corporate Services is a strategic thinker who provides timely and responsive Corporate Services that are rooted in promising practices, utilize technology effectively and ensure the efficient use of resources. The Director, Corporate Services collaborates and takes advantage of synergies between and amongst all departments in order to advance the integration of work across the agency as much as possible. The Director of Corporate Services will be responsible for providing sound assessment to identify the creation of opportunities for growth and development throughout the organization. The position will provide oversight and direction to facilitate opportunities within the strategic plan.

Key priorities include:

  • Assume accountability for the financial affairs of the organization and be responsible for the financial statements, plans and processes and all accounting practices.
  • Build trust with teams, managers, partners and the Board.
  • Develop a capacity and strategic roadmap across the organization’s corporate services to leverage current strength and capacity.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with Audit partners and work to develop and optimize board reporting.
  • Provide direction to the Human Resources Manager to optimize organizations recruitment/retention and total rewards strategy.
  • With its emphasis on innovation and collaboration, support the CEO with respect to the operational implementation and evolution of the current strategic plan.
  • Support a senior team in sound decision making in the best interest of the core business of the organization.
Working with children and families is rewarding, meaningful and impactful work. For the new Director of Corporate Services, this is a wonderful opportunity to join a long-standing, highly regarded, influentialorganization with a history of leadership and effective advocacy (for children/families as well as front-line staff) and with a positive profile among sector partners and governments. Working with passionate and dedicated staff, a model culture, a committed Board, and an appetite for innovation, the incoming Director, Corporate Services will help further Family Day’s momentum, building upon its capacities and strengths.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

Whether from child care/early learning or a broader, related not-for-profit sector, the ideal candidate brings the requisite leadership capability, financial and human resources management experience, and passion and commitment to help lead Family Day in the communication and implementation of strategy and plans to achieve the organization’s mission and goals. While it is understood that a candidate may not possess all of the competencies noted below, it is expected that over time, the candidate will demonstrate most if not all of these aspects:
  • Minimum 10 years successful progressive leadership experience and experience managing teams
  • University degree in a related field is required; a graduate degree in a related field is preferred
  • A professional designation in one or more of the Corporate Services areas is required; a professional designation in Finance (CA, CGA, CMA, CPA) is preferred. Equivalencies may be considered on an exceptional basis
  • Experience in the not-for-profit/charity sector, preferably at the senior management level, is required, ideally within a community, social services or health care field
  • Experience with multi-site licensed child care operations is an asset
  • Knowledge of not-for-profit/charity governance
  • Demonstrated leadership of multi-disciplinary teams
  • Experience and/or expertise in some or all of the following: government, (provincial/municipalities) and stakeholder relations, strategic planning and execution, high-level decision support, systems change, change management, corporate performance measures, risk management strategies, investment strategies, financial planning and analytics, budgets from different funding streams, human resource management and promising practices, information technology systems, third party contract management, knowledge of lease and capital opportunities, staff supervision and performance management
  • Experience in unionized workplace/ labour relations and negotiating collective bargaining agreements
  • Demonstrates the values and commitment of equity, diversity and social inclusion, embraces anti-oppression principles, and is respectful of others’ views
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity and social inclusion
  • Knowledgeable about all relevant legislation such as ESA, Human Rights, AODA, Occupational Health and Safety Act, and CRA
  • Ability to multi-task and set priorities - comfortable with evolving/changing priorities
  • Self-directed, proactive professional who can manage complexity
  • Strong computer skills - high level of comfort with the use of technology and identification /introduction of emerging technologies
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills
  • Strategic thinker
  • Superior presentation skills to represent the agency with external contacts, and present financial details and reports to the Board of Directors
  • Knowledge of Human Resources/Payroll Information systems (Dayforce preferred)

CONTACT INFORMATION

Should you have any questions regarding this important and meaningful opportunity, or wish to forward a cover letter and current resume for consideration, please contact:

Lead Partner: Collin MacLeod​
Phone number: 416-928-4534
Email: collin.macleod@lhhknightsbridge.com

Research Consultant: Erica Tsui​
Phone number: 416-928-4554
Email: erica.tsui@lhhknightsbridge.com
About Lee Hecht Harrison Knightsbridge
Lee Hecht Harrison Knightsbridge helps companies simplify the complexity associated with transforming their leadership and workforce so they can accelerate results, with less risk. As leaders in Talent and Leadership Development, Career Solutions and Executive, Interim and Mid-Level Search, we assist organizations in finding new talent, and helping their employees navigate change, become better leaders, develop better careers, and transition into new jobs. We have the local expertise, global infrastructure, and industry leading technology and analytics required to simplify the complexity associated with executing critical talent and workforce initiatives, reducing brand and operational risk. Teams across Canada and around the world leverage our proven programs and global experience to deliver tailored solutions to clients that align talent with the needs of their business. For more information visit www.lhhknightsbridge.com