Director of Harm Reduction

Who You Are…

• Are you someone who believes in harm reduction and wants to support the work being done for people who use drugs?
• Are you skilled at training and delivering a comprehensive safety program to both colleagues and community partners?
• Are you dedicated to a client-centred and relational approach to your leadership?
• Are you someone who enjoys working in a team environment?
• Are you passionate about leading efforts to overcoming the stigma and discrimination related to substance use and HIV/AIDS/HCV by promoting understanding and inclusion in your community?

If so, we may have an opportunity for you…

What You Will Do…

In this role, you will report to the Executive Director and be responsible for the day-to-day management, operation and annual service delivery planning of the Harm Reduction Department of RHAC in order to support people who use substances and/or who are at risk for, impacted by HIV/AIDS/HCV. Currently, the Harm Reduction Department is split into two programs, Counterpoint Needle Syringe Program and Carepoint Consumption and Treatment Services, comprising of approximately 40 staff members who primarily operate out of a new state-of-the-art harm reduction facility, which is open 365 days a year, 12 hours a day. This department also supports approximately 30 satellite distribution sites and outreach into Oxford, Elgin and Middlesex counties.

This senior leadership role

• Guides and ensures effective and appropriate daily operations in the provision of all Harm Reduction programs and services, including the operations of Counterpoint and Carepoint.
• Provides senior-level operational support to Managers of Counterpoint and Carepoint in daily operations, new program development, on call rotations and partnership engagement.
• Effectively motivates people to ensure high performance, teamwork, and collaborative relationships within an interdisciplinary framework that includes medical staff, harm reduction workers, peers and other social services workers.
• Directs departmental operations within available budget and resources while providing variance reporting accordingly.
• Developing, implementing and evaluating strategies, programs and projects that meet participant needs and the obligations of applicable funders while assuring quality, safe, responsive and effective participant service.
• Participates in management and Board committees, task forces and working groups (internal and external) to advance harm reduction understanding and application within communities.
• Participate on Director’s team, contributing to the planning and implementation of strategic and operational goals of RHAC .
• Identify and research emerging issues in injection drug use, harm reduction and HIV/HCV prevention to inform program development and delivery.

What You Will Bring…

• Post secondary degree or diploma in health, social services and/or related field, or a combination of relevant education, work experience and lived or living experience
• At least five years of relevant management/leadership experience in a staff supervisory and management capacity, preferably in a harm reduction or social services setting
• Advanced knowledge and skills related to applying the following to service delivery: Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV/AIDS, Anti Racism/Anti Oppression, Sex Positivity, Holistic Health and Civil Society
• Advanced knowledge and skills related to working with marginalized populations, in particular working from a harm reduction lens with those who use substances; are living with, at risk of or impacted by HIV/HCV; and may also be experiencing challenges related to mental health and homelessness
• Program development, management and service delivery knowledge and skills
• Management, supervisory and organizational skills, including experience coaching those with lived/living experience within a healthcare setting.
• Interpersonal knowledge and skills, including oral and written communication skills including crisis intervention knowledge and skills such as conflict resolution, non-violent conflict intervention, bystander training and other forms of de-escalation training.
• Knowledge of relevant employment legislation, including occupational health and safety, employment standards, accessibility, and human rights
• Social services knowledge and skills, including availability of community resources
• Computer software and presentation skills, including both in-person and remote contexts
• Safe sharps handling and disposal knowledge and skills, considered an asset
• First Aid/CPR and Naloxone training - preferred
• A satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC).

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that members of equity-seeking communities are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At RHAC we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles with us.

What We Offer…

• A supportive and inspiring workplace that has the courage to do what is right.
• A comprehensive group benefits package, including health, dental, vision, EAP, etc. as well as retirement benefits.
• Three weeks of paid vacation annually.
• Fifteen wellness days annually.

Who We Are…

Regional HIV/AIDS Connection (RHAC) is a volunteer driven, non-profit, community-based organization serving London and the six surrounding counties – Perth, Huron, Lambton, Elgin, Middlesex and Oxford. We are community inspired and dedicated to positively impacting the lives of individuals and diverse communities living with, at-risk for or affected by HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C. Our philosophy includes adherence to The Ontario Accord/GIPA (Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV/AIDS), anti-racism/anti-oppression, sex positivity, principles of harm reduction, holistic health and civil society.

RHAC recognizes that a diverse workforce is critical to realizing our vision and accomplishing our mission. Accordingly, we strive to attract, develop, and retain highly-talented employees from diverse backgrounds to meaningfully engage, empower and support the priority communities we connect with and serve. We strongly encourage people living with HIV/HCV, members of African, Caribbean, Black and other racialized communities, members of First Nations, Inuit or Métis communities, members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, people living with disability/disabilities, people living with chronic illnesses, members of diverse faith communities, and people with diverse lived/living experiences (including, but not limited to: with substance use, addiction, sex work, and/or incarceration) to apply. We welcome and encourage you to introduce yourself, your story and your lived/living experiences to your level of comfort in your cover letter.

RHAC is committed to and adheres to the principles of the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Employment Standards, the Pay Equity Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act and all other applicable legislation. We are committed to integration and to removing barriers to accessibility in the workplace. Additionally, we support and encourage applicants on the basis of any of the protected grounds under the Human Rights Code including but not limited to age, gender identity, race, ethnicity, disability, or sexual orientation. RHAC acknowledges that equitable access to employment is an agent in social change.

Applications Instructions

• Please provide a resume and cover letter indicating your interest in this role, including where you saw this posting. Please submit your application online through our Indeed job posting at https://ca.indeed.com/job/director-harm-reduction-1e9d452df4005d18
• The application deadline is March 6, 2026 at 9:00 am.

We appreciate all submissions. Due to the volume of applications, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. We use Artificial Intelligence in our screening process. No phone calls please.

RHAC is dedicated to maintaining the health and safety of all our staff. Our infection prevention and control strategies include the preference that all staff have received two valid doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.