Director of Programs

One New Full-time Position

Salary: $150,000

Are you an experienced leader with a passion for program development, service excellence, and community impact? Do you have a proven track record of managing programs, leading teams, and fostering collaborative partnerships? If you are looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Indigenous people within a strengths-based, culturally responsive environment, we invite you to bring your expertise and vision to our team as Director of Programs.

Organization Description

Thunderbird Partnership Foundation is a national non-profit organization serving First Nations in mental wellness. Our mandate is set by three frameworks:

1. Honouring Our Strengths: A Renewed Framework to Address Substance Use Issues Among First Nations People in Canada
2. Indigenous Wellness Framework
3. First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum

Our core stakeholders are First Nations communities and the network of First Nations adult and youth treatment centres. To support the mandate, Thunderbird has two office locations, one based in a First Nations community in southwestern Ontario, and the other in the city of London, Ontario. This position is a hybrid work position.

Your Opportunity

• The Director of Programs is responsible for providing strategic leadership, oversight, and management of Thunderbird Partnership Foundation’s program development, implementation, evaluation, and service delivery functions.
• This role provides 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.
• You will work on a team with others who are also dedicated to work that has real value and meaning in the lives of others.
• You will apply experience, skills, talents, and passion for the benefit of others while learning from the expertise of a wellness focused team.
• You will enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that this opportunity is much more than just a job.

As the Thunderbird Partnership Foundation Director of Programs, you will

• provide strategic leadership and direction to the Policy and Partnership, Mental Wellness Coordination, Youth Program, and Research teams, ensuring alignment with Thunderbird Partnership Foundation’s mission, values, and organizational priorities.
• foster a collaborative, inclusive, culturally safe, and high-performance workplace culture that promotes accountability, innovation, relationship-building, and continuous improvement.
• lead, mentor, and develop managers and staff by setting clear expectations, providing regular coaching, and supporting professional growth and succession planning.
• ensure program compliance with all applicable federal, provincial, territorial, and governance requirements, funding agreements, reporting obligations, and regulatory standards.
• work collaboratively with the CEO to develop long-term strategic direction for the organizational projects and translate strategic priorities into operational implementation plans.
• lead the development, implementation, and regular review of program policies, procedures, frameworks, and service standards to ensure alignment with Thunderbird Partnership Foundation’s strategic objectives.
• collaborate with Indigenous communities, partners, stakeholders, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and service providers to shape, strengthen, and support culturally grounded program delivery.
• provide strategic leadership and oversight for Thunderbird Partnership Foundation’s research function, including implementation of organizational research plans, research priorities, and community-based research initiatives.
• oversee 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.
• provide strategic oversight for the planning, implementation, coordination, monitoring, and evaluation of organizational programs and services.
• lead the development and continuous improvement of culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and evidence-informed programs and initiatives.
• establish program goals, objectives, service standards, and performance indicators to monitor effectiveness, quality, and community impact.
• build and maintain respectful, collaborative, and culturally grounded relationships with Indigenous communities, organizations, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, partners, funders, and stakeholders.
• ensure compliance with all legal, statutory, ethical, and regulatory requirements related to program operations, funding agreements, reporting obligations, and service delivery.
• oversee program risk management processes, including participant safety, program quality assurance, privacy, confidentiality, and operational accountability.
• support and monitor the organization’s use of digital tools, data systems, and reporting technologies to enhance program effectiveness, communication, evaluation, and decision-making.
• establish and maintain effective administrative structures, reporting systems, records management practices, and service delivery processes that support organizational priorities, funding requirements, and operational excellence.

You bring

• a 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.

Additionally, all employees of Thunderbird Partnership Foundation must adhere to a strict confidentiality policy and will be required to sign an Oath of Confidentiality and observe the Code of Ethics Policy.

Thunderbird Partnership Foundation (NNAPF)
22361 Austin Line

Bothwell, ON N0P 1C0

211 Adelaide St S,

London, ON N5Z 3K7

Closing date: Open until filled.

We value the importance of diversity and dignity in the workplace and are committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes and work environments.

If you require accommodation during the recruitment and selection process, please let us know. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those candidates who are selected for an interview will be contacted.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not used in our screening process.

To request a full job description, please contact: Christine Correa [email protected]