55-2026 Clinical Manager, Family and Counselling Programs

Title:

Clinical Manager, Family and Counselling Programs

Reports to:

Associate Executive Director

Team/Program:

Management

Date:

March 31, 2026

Location:

312 Parkdale Avenue, Ottawa, ON

Hours of Work:

35 hours per week (one evening per week and On-

Call coverage as required)

Union/Non-union:

Non-Union Managerial

Overall Purpose/Main Function:

Reporting to the Associate Executive Director and serving as a member of the FSO Leadership Team, the Clinical Manager, Family and Counselling Programs provides operational oversight, program management, and clinical leadership for Family Programs, including Intake and Counselling Services.

The role is responsible for the leadership, coordination, and oversight of key community programs, including the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program, the Supervised Access Program (SAP), and Education and Outreach initiatives such as the Around the Rainbow (ATR) Program. The Clinical Manager ensures the delivery of high-quality, ethical, and effective services through program planning, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement, while overseeing program operations, staff, budgets, and reporting requirements.

The position provides supervision and consultation as appropriate, including clinical support to intake and counselling staff, and contributes to funding proposals and organizational reporting. Working collaboratively with internal teams and community partners, the Clinical Manager ensures programs remain responsive to evolving community needs and aligned with best practices in trauma-informed, family-centred service delivery.

Programs primarily serve families with current or previous involvement in the child protection system and may include complex family dynamics such as high conflict, trauma histories, parenting challenges, separation, and gender-based violence. As such, the role requires a strong understanding of family systems, parenting, child development, and the impacts of trauma and child welfare involvement.

The Clinical Manager also supports the growth and sustainability of programs by identifying opportunities for program expansion, partnerships, and revenue-generating initiatives within a not-for-profit context to strengthen long-term organizational impact.

Major Responsibilities:

Clinical Leadership and Supervision

• Provide clinical supervision and consultation to counselling staff, including individual supervision, case consultation, and peer consultation groups.
• Provide clinical consultation and support to intake staff and other program teams as required.
• Ensure counselling services meet ethical, professional, and legislative standards, including compliance with the Controlled Act of Psychotherapy.
• Monitor clinical practices, client records, and compliance documentation.
• Support staff in integrating trauma-informed, evidence-informed, and family systems approaches in service delivery.
• Review and evaluate clinical requirements of programs and recommend improvements to service delivery.
• Promote evidence-informed counselling practices and ongoing professional learning among staff.
• Provide direct counselling services as required.

Program Planning, Management, and Development

• Lead the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of counselling and family support programs.
• Provide operational leadership and management oversight for ADR, SAP, Education and Outreach programs (including ATR), and Intake and Counselling Services.
• Develop and monitor annual program goals aligned with the organization’s strategic plan.
• Contribute to service planning to ensure programs remain responsive to community needs.
• Identify opportunities for program growth, service expansion, and innovative programming that support community needs and organizational priorities.
• Support the development of revenue-generating opportunities within a not-for-profit context, including fee-for-service initiatives, program expansion, and partnerships.
• Participate in the development of proposals for program continuation, expansion, and new initiatives.
• Plan and develop program activities and procedures with programming teams to achieve service objectives.
• Ensure programs are delivered effectively, efficiently, and in accordance with organizational policies, service standards, and funder requirements.
• Address operational issues and program challenges, escalating matters to senior leadership where appropriate.

Family and Child Protection System Collaboration

• Ensure programs are responsive to the needs of families involved with the child protection system and other complex family situations.
• Support staff in addressing complex family dynamics, parenting concerns, trauma, and high-conflict situations.
• Ensure programming reflects best practices in family systems, parenting support, trauma-informed care, and conflict resolution.
• Collaborate with child protection agencies and other community partners to support coordinated services for families.

Quality Improvement, Data Management, and Evaluation

• Lead the development and implementation of quality improvement processes across counselling and family programs.
• Manage outcome measurement and client satisfaction processes to support program and organizational metrics.
• Ensure appropriate data collection, reporting, and evaluation processes are implemented.
• Compile and analyze statistical data for monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.
• Monitor activity reports and program statistics to assess program performance and service utilization.
• Support accreditation processes and organizational quality standards.
• Ensure compliance with privacy legislation and best practices in records management.

Staff Leadership and Human Resources Management

• Provide managerial oversight of counselling and program staff, including recruitment, supervision, and performance management.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive team environment.
• Provide guidance, coaching, and supervision to staff.
• Clarify performance expectations and conduct regular supervision and evaluation processes.
• Address staff concerns and operational issues to ensure efficient program functioning.
• Ensure human resources practices are consistent with organizational policies and applicable collective agreements.

Financial and Administrative Management

• Monitor program budgets and authorize expenditures in accordance with organizational policies.
• Prepare budget recommendations and costing proposals for programs and initiatives.
• Support financial planning related to program sustainability and service growth.
• Maintain accurate program statistics, documentation, and operational reports.
• Support administrative functions related to program delivery and reporting.

Funding, Reporting, and Community Engagement

• Contribute to funding proposals, grant applications, and funder reporting requirements.
• Compile program data and reports required by funders and organizational leadership.
• Liaise with community partners, stakeholders, and service providers.
• Represent the organization in professional networks, community initiatives, and sector collaborations.
• Support partnerships that strengthen service delivery, community collaboration, and program sustainability.

Additional Responsibilities

• Ensure the efficient functioning of counselling and family programs by monitoring service delivery and maintaining program records.
• Participate in leadership meetings and organizational planning initiatives.
• Represent FSO professionally in all aspects of the position.
• Perform other duties consistent with the purpose of this position as required.

Statement of Qualifications:

Education & Knowledge:

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counselling Psychotherapy, or a related field.
• Registration (or eligibility for registration) with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) or another relevant professional regulatory body.

Experience:

• Minimum 3–5 years of supervisory or program management experience, preferably in a unionized environment.
• Minimum 3 years of direct counselling experience with individuals, couples, children, and/or families.
• Experience working with trauma, mental health concerns, and complex family dynamics.
• Experience supporting families involved with child protection or other high-risk family systems.
• Experience managing staff and supporting multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience administering program budgets and financial monitoring.
• Experience with program evaluation, data collection, and reporting.
• Demonstrated project or program management experience.

Knowledge:

• Strong knowledge of counselling modalities and family systems approaches.
• Knowledge of child development, parenting capacity, and the impacts of trauma and child protection involvement on families.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and emerging developments in psychotherapy and family support.
• Knowledge of the child welfare system, including processes, terminology, and collaboration with child protection agencies.
• Knowledge of psycho-educational approaches to parenting and family support.
• Knowledge of community resources and social service networks supporting families.
• Understanding of diverse families and communities, including culture, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, race, ability, and sexual orientation.
• Knowledge of funding agreements, grant administration, and nonprofit governance practices.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft 365 (including Outlook, Teams, Word, and Excel) and data management systems.

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong leadership and clinical judgement
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational and administrative skills
• Ability to analyze program data and prepare reports
• Experience presenting to community groups and stakeholders
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work under pressure
• Demonstrated discretion and sound decision-making
• Ability to build strong working relationships internally and externally
• Ability to safeguard confidential client and employee information Language:
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Bilingualism in English and French is preferred.

Physical Demands:

• Primarily office-based work with regular computer use.
• Occasional light lifting of office supplies or materials.

Working Conditions:

• Primarily office-based environment.
• Regular interaction with clients, staff, and senior leadership.
• One evening per week, as well as evening and weekend on-call coverage required.
• Occasional travel may be required.

Certification / Licensing

• Registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) or equivalent professional regulatory body.
• Training and experience in both direct clinical practice and supervision is required
• Training in program evaluation or project management is considered an asset.

Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Other duties may be assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

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Approved: Date:

Associate Executive

Director