Executive Director

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – POSITION PROFILE

Winnipeg Children’s Access Agency (WCAA)

About the Winnipeg Children’s Access Agency

The Winnipeg Children’s Access Agency (WCAA) is a nonprofit charitable organization providing supervised parenting time and exchange services for families experiencing interpersonal conflict, family breakdown, and family violence. Services are delivered in a safe, trauma-informed, culturally grounded, child-centred environment that supports meaningful, developmentally appropriate contact between children and their families.

WCAA operates seven days per week, including evenings and weekends, and serves families referred by courts, legal counsel, Manitoba Resolution Services, community agencies, and self-referrals. The agency is governed by a community Board of Directors and funded primarily through a Contribution Agreement with Manitoba Justice, supplemented by family fees and grants.

WCAA is entering a new phase of organizational renewal, guided by a new Strategic Plan that emphasizes trauma-informed practice, cultural safety, reconciliation, community connection, facility modernization, and a continuum-of-care approach to supervised parenting time.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director (ED) provides strategic, operational, financial, cultural, and relational leadership for WCAA. The ED ensures that services are trauma-informed, culturally safe, child-centred, and aligned with provincial expectations, sector best practices, and WCAA’s mission, mandate, and values.

The ED leads a diverse workforce of staff, volunteers, and students; oversees a large, aging facility; manages a complex multi-funding environment; and serves as the primary spokesperson and relationship-builder with government, courts, community partners, and funders.

The ED must bring calm, clarity, and sound judgment to a safety-critical environment and support staff working in emotionally demanding contexts.

Key Responsibilities

1. Leadership & Organizational Direction

• Lead the execution of the Strategic Plan, ensuring alignment across programs, operations, and governance.
• Model and embed trauma- and violence-informed practice across the organization.
• Integrate Indigenous frameworks, cultural humility, and reconciliation into policy, practice, and partnerships.
• Maintain and modernize policies; ensure staff understanding and compliance.
• Identify and mitigate risks related to safety, operations, finances, and reputation.
• Ensure compliance with legislation, funder requirements, and sector standards.
• Maintain secure, confidential handling of client, staff, and financial records.

2. Financial Management & Sustainability

• Develop and manage the annual budget; monitor expenditures and projections.
• Ensure compliance and reporting for approved grants.
• Work with the Treasurer and Finance Committee on financial reporting and audit preparation.
• Strengthen internal financial controls and ensure transparent, accurate reporting.
• Lead revenue diversification efforts, including grants, partnerships, and fundraising.

3. Program Oversight, Evaluation & Research Partnerships

• Ensure programs are trauma-informed, culturally safe, child-centred, and aligned with provincial expectations.
• Lead planning for expanded service options (video visits, longer visits, supported/therapeutic visits, parenting courses).
• STRIVE oversight: Maintain, in collaboration with the Research Committee, partnership with the University of Washington; ensure fidelity to the model.
• Benchmark project leadership: Oversee evaluation activities and data integrity.
• Ensure compliance with data sovereignty requirements.
• Use service delivery data and client feedback to inform program improvements.

4. Human Resources, Workforce Development & Culture

• Supervise and support staff, volunteers, and students.
• Recruit, onboard, and train new staff and volunteers.
• Maintain a safe, respectful, and collaborative workplace.
• Provide regular performance feedback and support professional development.
• Lead trauma-informed supervision and workload support.
• Address staff concerns, conflict, and burnout with sensitivity and clarity.
• Ensure compliance with HR policies, employment standards, and safety protocols.

5. Facility, Safety & Operational Management

• Lead planning for staged renovations and trauma-informed design improvements.
• Oversee maintenance, repairs, and safety of a large, aging facility.
• Ensure compliance with safety protocols, emergency procedures, and security systems.
• Support Site Managers and staff in responding to safety incidents and critical incidents.
• Lead digital modernization planning (intake, scheduling, documentation, data systems).
• Strengthen operational systems, scheduling processes, and documentation standards.

6. Board Relations & Governance Support

• Provide timely, accurate reports to the Board on operations, finances, risks, and strategic priorities.
• Support effective governance and maintain strong communication with the Board Chair.
• Identify emerging issues requiring Board attention.
• Support Board committees (Finance, Research, Governance, Communications).
• Participate in Board training and policy development cycles.

7. External Relations, Advocacy & Community Partnerships

• Maintain strong relationships with Manitoba Justice and Family Resolution Service.
• Build partnerships with Indigenous organizations, newcomer agencies, family-violence services, and community groups.
• Lead WCAA’s presence in the community through presentations, outreach, and sector engagement.
• Serve as spokesperson and ambassador for WCAA.
• Advocate for the needs of children and families accessing supervised parenting services.

Qualifications

Education

Postsecondary education in social work, law, public administration, child development, domestic violence, or a related field.

Experience

• Leadership experience in a nonprofit or community-based organization.
• Experience in domestic/interpersonal violence, child development, trauma-informed practice, or family justice.
• Experience managing multi-funded programs and grant portfolios.
• Experience supervising staff and volunteers in a trauma-exposed environment.
• Experience with financial management, budgeting, and audits.
• Experience with facility management and operational oversight is an asset.
• Experience working with Indigenous communities and culturally diverse populations.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking
• Informed decision-making
• Cultural humility
• Operational discipline
• Relationship-building
• Ethical judgment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to lead with empathy, clarity, and accountability

Hours & Work Environment

The ED works 40 hours per week (1.0 FTE) and is expected to be onsite regularly, including availability during evenings and weekends when required to support operations or respond to urgent matters.

Compensation

Annual salary of $75,000–$85,000, based on experience and qualifications, plus employer pension plan with equal 7.5% employee and employer contributions.

How to apply

If this opportunity sounds like a great fit for you, we would love to hear from you! Please submit your resume and cover letter, outlining your interest in the role and the skills you bring at: hiring@wcaa.ca