Director, Integrated Mental Health, Housing and Substance Use Health Services

Career Opportunity

Position Title: Director, Integrated Mental Health, Housing and Substance Use Health Services

Classification: Program Director

Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time 1.0 FTE

Direction: Integrated Mental Health, Housing and Substance Use Health Services

Location: 55 Eccle Street, Ottawa, Ontario

Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer

Compensation: $102,957.40 – $121,157.40 plus a comprehensive compensation package that includes time-off entitlements, health benefits, life insurance, and participation in the HOOPP pension plan.

Deadline to apply: August 28, 2026, by 5:00pm

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About Us

Somerset West Community Health Centre (SWCHC) is a non-profit, community-governed organization that serves more than 15,000 clients annually. Established in 1978, SWCHC provides a broad range of health and social services, including primary care, health promotion, community development, mental health and harm reduction. We are deeply connected to the communities we serve and committed to removing barriers to care.

We are committed to advancing equity in our organizational structures, decisions and services. We work within anti-racist and anti-oppressive frameworks and continue to strengthen our accountability to Indigenous, Black, racialized, newcomer, 2SLGBTQ+ and other communities that experience barriers to health and social services.

The opportunity

We are seeking an accomplished senior leader to guide a diverse and interconnected portfolio of services supporting people experiencing challenges related to mental health, substance use, homelessness and access to care.

The portfolio includes the Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub, the Peer Outreach Team, and Mental Health and Counselling Services. Together, these programs provide a continuum of community-based support - from early engagement, outreach and counselling to intensive treatment, housing assistance, recovery services and ongoing care.

The HART Hub brings together health care, substance use treatment and recovery services, mental health support, housing assistance, outreach, basic needs and systems navigation. The Peer Outreach Team builds trusted relationships with people who may be disconnected from traditional systems of care, while the Mental Health and Counselling Team provides accessible, trauma-informed and culturally responsive services to clients and communities.

The Director will lead through an established management structure that includes three operational managers and seven supervisory roles. This enables the Director to focus on strategic direction, leadership development, quality and safety, financial stewardship, partnership accountability and system influence.

The portfolio is entering an important period of maturity. The incoming Director will strengthen service quality and operational performance, support a skilled and resilient workforce, deepen relationships with community and system partners, and demonstrate the collective impact of the portfolio to funders, government and the communities SWCHC serves.

Why this role matter

This is a significant leadership opportunity for someone who can connect strategy with execution and who understands how mental health, substance use health, outreach, housing and community-based care must work together to create meaningful and lasting outcomes

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What we are looking for

You are a seasoned and credible leader who is comfortable operating in complexity. You bring strategic perspective while remaining attentive to the operational details that determine whether services are safe, reliable and effective.

You are comfortable supporting front-line leaders, working through operational risks, reviewing financial information, negotiating with partners and advising a CEO on system-level strategy.

You are calm under pressure, willing to make difficult decisions and able to communicate clearly when circumstances are uncertain. You build strong relationships while holding yourself accountable

Education and experience

A master's degree in health administration, public health, social work, nursing, business administration or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and senior leadership experience.

Approximately 10 years of progressive leadership experience, including significant experience at the senior management or director level, with accountability for complex programs, people, budgets and organizational risk.

Demonstrated success leading large, multidisciplinary teams in complex or high-pressure service environments.

Experience overseeing 24/7 community health or similarly complex operations is strongly preferred.

Strong experience with financial management, multi-million-dollar budgets, contracts, funding agreements and resource planning.

Demonstrated knowledge of quality improvement, risk management, incident response, occupational health and safety, and service-accountability structures.

Experience developing and managing partnerships involving multiple organizations with differing mandates and accountabilities.

Experience working with government, funders, health-system partners, housing providers and community organizations.

Experience providing clear and timely advice to executive leaders, boards or governance bodies.

A strong understanding of homelessness, supportive housing, mental health, substance use health, harm reduction, treatment and recovery-oriented care.

Demonstrated experience applying equity, anti-racism, anti-oppression and cultural-safety principles in organizational and service-delivery settings.

Experience working meaningfully with people with lived and living expertise.

Knowledge of Ottawa's health, housing, homelessness and community-service systems would be an asset.

Additional requirements

Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings or weekends, as needed.

This position is primarily on-site, with flexibility in accordance with operational needs and organizational policies

Bilingualism in English and French, or proficiency in other languages commonly spoken by clients, is an asset.

• We recognize that strong candidates may bring different combinations of experience. If this opportunity reflects your
• leadership background and the impact you want to make, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every listed
• qualification.

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Key Responsibilities

As the Director of Integrated Mental Health, Housing and Substance Use Health Services , you will be accountable for the following:

Strategic and System Leadership

Provide clear strategic direction for the portfolio.

Translate organizational and funder priorities into practical operating plans, accountabilities and measurable outcomes.

Identify emerging community needs, service gaps, policy developments and opportunities for system improvement.

Contribute informed analysis and recommendations to the CEO, Senior LeadershipTeam and Board.

Represent SWCHC in senior-level discussions with government, funders, health-system leaders, housing partners and community organizations.

Help position the portfolio for long-term sustainability, future investment and appropriate growth.

People and Culture Leadership

Lead, coach and support managers responsible for delivering services across the portfolio.

Build a workplace culture grounded in respect, collaboration, psychological safety, accountability and learning.

Support workforce planning, succession planning, leadership development and employee well-being.

Navigate conflict and difficult decisions with fairness, composure and sound judgment.

Promote effective collaboration between SWCHC employees and staff from partner organizati