Reporting to the Director, Early Learning and Child Care System Management, the Manager provides strategic leadership to a multidisciplinary team responsible for the planning, development, funding, oversight, quality assurance, integration, and continuous improvement of the licensed child care and early years system across Simcoe County, including the Cities of Barrie and Orillia. The Manager is accountable for supporting a responsive, sustainable, and high-quality early learning and child care system that reflects community needs, provincial priorities, and legislative requirements.
The Manager leads the development and implementation of the local Child Care and Early Years Service Plan and provides oversight of provincially funded programs and services, including Child Care Funding, Fee Subsidy, Special Needs Resourcing, EarlyON Child and Family Centres, and Indigenous-led Early Learning and Child Care programs. The role is responsible for advancing system capacity, workforce development, service integration, and long-term sector sustainability.
Working collaboratively with service providers, community organizations, school boards, health partners, government ministries, and other stakeholders, the Manager fosters strategic partnerships, supports evidence-informed decision-making, and promotes coordinated service planning to improve outcomes for children, families, and communities. The Manager also contributes to divisional and corporate priorities by identifying opportunities for innovation, cross-divisional collaboration, and continuous improvement.
1. Leadership & Organizational Management
- Provide strategic leadership, direction, coaching, and support to a multidisciplinary team responsible for child care and early years system planning, service delivery, quality assurance, and capacity building.
- Establish priorities, allocate resources, and promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and service excellence.
- Support workforce development through recruitment, retention, succession planning, performance management, and employee relations activities.
- Contribute to divisional goals and objectives and assume responsibility for departmental operations in the absence of the Director.
2. Strategic System Planning & Service Development
- Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of the local Child Care and Early Years Service Plan, ensuring services respond to community needs and provincial priorities.
- Provide leadership for child care and early years system integration, stabilization, capacity building, sustainability, and long-term growth.
- Develop business plans, operational plans, performance measures, and multi-year growth strategies to support effective service delivery and system outcomes.
- Identify and lead opportunities for service innovation, integration, and cross-divisional collaboration.
3. Program Oversight & Service System Management
- Provide oversight and accountability for the planning, implementation, performance, and continuous improvement of child care and early years programs and services, including EarlyON Child and Family Centres, Fee Subsidy, Special Needs Resourcing, and Indigenous-led services.
- Ensure programs and services are accessible, inclusive, high quality, community-responsive, and aligned with legislative and policy requirements.
- Monitor service outcomes, emerging trends, and community needs, and recommend strategic responses to support effective system management.
4. Financial Stewardship & Contract Accountability
- Provide strategic oversight of service contracts, funding agreements, and accountability frameworks supporting the child care and early years system.
- Lead financial planning, budget development, forecasting, resource allocation, and funding sustainability strategies for the service area.
- Ensure compliance with provincial funding requirements, contractual obligations, financial controls, and reporting expectations.
5. Partnerships, Community Engagement & Government Relations
- Build and maintain effective relationships with service providers, parents, caregivers, Indigenous partners, educational institutions, community agencies, government ministries, and sector organizations.
- Lead stakeholder engagement, consultation, and community planning processes to support system development and community consensus.
- Represent the department on corporate, community, sector, and government committees, working groups, and initiatives.
- Liaise with municipal, provincial, and federal partners regarding policy, legislation, funding, and service delivery matters.
6. Governance, Quality & Corporate Accountability
- Provide leadership for quality assurance, policy development, program evaluation, risk management, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Ensure organizational compliance with applicable legislation, regulations, provincial guidelines, County policies, privacy requirements, and health and safety standards.
- Prepare and oversee reports, recommendations, briefing materials, and presentations for senior management, County Council, provincial ministries, and community planning bodies.
- Maintain appropriate safeguards for privacy, confidentiality, accountability, and public trust.
Has knowledge of and demonstrated ability in our leadership competencies:
- Acts with the Customer in Mind
- Continuously Seeks to Improve Work Processes
- Degree in Social Sciences, Health, or Public Administration. This job may be considered for educational equivalency in accordance with County Policy.
- Registered with the College of Early Childhood Educators would be considered an asset.
- Highly developed analytical and business planning skills with a proven track record for long-term visioning and big picture thinking.
- Highly effective leadership, facilitation, communication, presentation, interpersonal and organizational skills.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively manage a multi-disciplinary team in a results-oriented environment.
- Current and detailed understanding of the policy environment and government operations.
- Knowledge of management theory, organizational behaviour, and program effectiveness.
- Computer proficiency in Word, Excel, Internet, and Database applications.
- A working knowledge of the Ontario Child Care Management System (OCCMS) would be considered an asset.
- A high-level understanding of the purpose/function of other divisional departments including Ontario Works, Social Housing, and Community Services.
- Proven ability to contribute meaningfully to the strategic and business planning processes and direction of the organization.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, facilitation skills, and presentation skills. Highly developed interpersonal skills with ability to interact effectively at all organizational levels.
- Sound knowledge of Early Years Services and Programs, relevant legislation such as Child Care and Early Years Act, Ministry of Education funding guidelines, contractual obligations and applicable policies.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the Health and Safety Act and applicable regulations as it relates to the position.
- Valid G class drivers license and access to reliable vehicle.
- Criminal reference check with vulnerable sector clearance.
- A minimum of six (6) years’ experience in the Municipal / Provincial / public sector in progressively responsible positions in the areas of social services administration/ community development, and project management in human services or other related areas, including two (2) years’ experience as a Manager in Human Services / Social Services sector or similar position is preferred.
- Experience in leading and implementing change and demonstrated competencies in community development in a collaborative multidisciplinary arena.
- Knowledge of, and demonstrated ability in the following competencies including but not limited to: customer service, excellent verbal and strong written communication skills, team work, coaching, initiative/self-management, accountability, and flexibility and adaptability.
- Experience in the supervision of staff and the administration of employment policies and collective agreements.
- Experience and demonstrated competency in systems planning, capacity building, as well as developing and assessing measurable outcomes.
- Visual and mental effort required when preparing reports, service plans, and when reviewing provincial documents, etc.
- Regular office environment with a requirement to travel within Simcoe County and surrounding area.
- Ability to work outside of regular business hours as required.
- Ability to work remotely if required.
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