Program Manager - Community Safety Navigator Program

ABOUT MISSION POSSIBLE

Mission Possible is a non-profit organization and social enterprise located in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. We support individuals challenged by homelessness, poverty, addiction, mental illness, and other barriers to employment to achieve a renewed sense of dignity and purpose through meaningful work. Through our Employment Readiness Program and our social enterprises, we equip our program participants with the skills, confidence, and support they need to rejoin the workforce and rebuild a self-sustaining livelihood for themselves.
Tenacious. Empowering. Supportive. Humble. Compassionate. These are Mission Possible’s core values, and we’re looking for someone who also holds these values to join our incredible team as our Program Manager - Community Safety Navigator Program.

ABOUT THE JOB

Position type: Three year contract, 32 hours/week, on-site with some hybrid flexibility

Start Date: May 2026 (Flexible start date can be discussed)

Compensation: $30 per/hour

Key Benefits:

• 6% Vacation Pay
• 100% coverage of extended health benefits
• Access to Employee and Family Assistance Program
• Paid leadership coaching training and other professional development opportunities

Position Overview:

Mission Possible is seeking a Program Manager to lead an innovative three year initiative (May 2026-March 2029). This program addresses systemic under-employment for individuals with lived experience of poverty, homelessness, substance use, and mental health challenges in Vancouver and Surrey. The Program Manager will oversee the delivery of customized employment training, and community internship placements, with the aim of supporting participants to transition successfully into long-term stable employment.

Working Conditions:

The Program Manager will report to the Director of Programs, and will work closely with the Employment Readiness Program Team and other Mission Possible staff. They will interact with community partners, volunteers, and program participants. Most work will take place in the Mission Possible office. Some off-site work may occur, including connecting with internship placement providers in the community.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Lead the program through all phases: participant recruitment, intake, pre-employment training, community internship placements, and customized job search support
• Oversee program implementation and ongoing operations to ensure quality of experience for participants and key stakeholders
• Supervise the program assistant with weekly 1-1 meetings and support as needed
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with organizations, service providers, and employers in diverse sectors to secure community internship placements for participants
• Facilitate workshops and educational sessions to ensure internship providers are equipped to provide a supportive and inclusive environment to participants
• Oversee program budget and monthly reporting to ensure that program financials remain on track for the duration of the program
• Coordinate the delivery of comprehensive training including Basic Security Training (BST), trauma-informed practice, Mental Health First Aid, and de-escalation training for participants
• Monitor participant progress through case management software and conduct regular site visits to placement providers
• Oversee program evaluation activities, including pre/post-program assessments, focus groups, and participants’ longer-term labor market engagement
• Provide quarterly reports that provide timely updates on program spending, progress, and key learnings
• Conduct debriefing sessions with participants as needed
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Programs

ABOUT YOU:

Our ideal candidate has:

• A proven track record in program management, ideally within the non-profit or employment services sector
• Experience working in a frontline role with individuals experiencing poverty, homelessness, mental health challenges, substance use, or other barriers to employment
• Leadership or supervisory experience
• Strong ability to engage diverse stakeholders, including employers, HR teams, and individuals with lived experience
• Creative problem-solving skills

Education and Experience

• Diploma or post-secondary degree in a related field (e.g. social work, sociology, psychology, community economic development) is an asset
• Proven experience managing programs or projects
• Experience delivering social services in a low-barrier setting is considered an asset
• De-escalation training and experience is considered an asset
• Class 5 Driver’s License is an asset
• Or the equivalent combination of related skills and experience
• Group facilitation experience is an asset

Requirements:

• Legally allowed to work in BC
• This role requires the completion of a vulnerable sector police background check that demonstrates no offenses that are relevant to the role, given the vulnerable populations that Mission Possible serves. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify an individual from employment in this role. If you are considering applying and have any questions about this requirement and how it relates to your own lived experience, please reach out to us directly at careers@mission-possible.ca.

How To Apply:

If you feel you're a good fit for this role, please send your cover letter and resume to careers@mission-possible.ca with "Application for Program Manager" as the subject line. While we appreciate all interested candidates, only those selected for the next stage will be contacted. We will be interviewing candidates on a rolling basis until we find the right fit, so we encourage you to get your application in as soon as possible.
We value, support, and thrive in a diverse and inclusive workplace. Those with diverse abilities are encouraged to apply. Please note that our ideal candidate includes those who may not possess all of the qualities listed above, but have a strong motivation to gain the skills and experience needed for this position.
Thank you for your interest!