Project Manager - #94934

Friends of Ruby

Friends of Ruby is dedicated to the journey and well-being of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, aged 16-29 through mental health services, social services, and housing. Friends of Ruby offers Youth Mental Health services, a Youth Drop-In Centre, and a Transitional Home. The Centre provides access to barrier-free counselling and therapeutic groups, case management and a drop-in space with hot meals, community, and comprehensive programming.

Position Summary

As a key member of the Strategic Initiatives (SI) team, the Project Manager will play a pivotal role in advancing Friends of Ruby’s (FoR’s) mission to support 2SLGBTQIA+ youth with their journey and well-being by providing mental health services, social services, and housing. Reporting to the Director of Strategic Initiatives, the Project Manager will help deliver FoR’s comprehensive service delivery and community engagement strategy by collaborating with diverse stakeholders. The Project Manager will be responsible for delivering and evaluating the programs and initiatives that facilitate seamless connections with stakeholders of FoR.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Work collaboratively with the SI team to deliver FoR's mission and community engagement strategy to advance the design, adoption, and impact of FoR’s growing organizational infrastructure, programs, and services.
• Lead and oversee all aspects of the change management process for each strategic project, including program planning, recruitment, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, ensuring its successful execution and alignment with FoR’s objectives and key results (goals).

Program Planning and Initiation

• Work closely with the Mental Health and Youth Services team, Fund Development & Communications team, Housing team and the People and Culture team to develop and monitor effective strategies for each program and project.
• Work collaboratively to design, monitor, and refine essential program deliverables and templates (e.g., project charters, implementation plans, procurement reports, and final reports), ensuring that they define measurable outcomes that support project and program success.
• In collaboration with FoR’s leadership team develop organizational performance plans, scorecards, and quality assurance activities.
• Able to demonstrate flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to pivot with changing priorities at the discretion of leader.

Program Execution

• Support the development and delivery of a learning series to share practical strategies and resources on how to navigate implementation science and change management best practices to support organizations in building their capacity and readiness to introduce, test, adopt, and execute quality improvement initiatives.

• Provide strategic guidance and coaching support to program participants throughout the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation phases of their projects, proactively identifying potential risks and offering solutions to mitigate these challenges.

Program Evaluation and Reporting

• Work collaboratively with Research and Evaluation Coordinator in the evaluation of the program and individual projects, including developing and launching an evaluation plan, conducting data analysis, preparing evaluation reports, and using the data to make ongoing refinements and improvements to the program.
• Generate, analyze and present data reports to organizational stakeholders.

Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management

• Actively identify and engage key stakeholders within Friends of Ruby.
• Serve as a liaison between the management team and direct service employees, cultivating a "Trusted Advisor" relationship to facilitate the brokering of relevant objectives that meet FoR’s organizational needs. This includes developing a deep understanding of organizational pain points and providing strategic guidance to support activities such as stakeholder mapping and engagement, needs assessment, solution selection, implementation, evaluation, adoption, and procurement.
• Take initiative, work in a dynamic team, and adapt to an evolving and fast-paced environment.
• Perform cross-functional and other duties as assigned and /or required

Qualifications include but are not limited to:

• University degree in a health-related discipline.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience working in Project Management.
• Possesses a strong understanding of the mental health sector and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Project Management and Organizational Skills

• Proficiency in coordinating and monitoring project activities to ensure effective execution, from initiation to final deliverables, while effectively mitigating risks.
• Ability to create and maintain detailed work plans, timelines, and schedules, and proactively identify and manage resource needs to achieve success.
• Advances skills in Microsoft 365 (excel, word, PowerPoint)

Analytical Skills

• Ability to analyze, synthesize, and operationalize key action items from key stakeholders. This includes assessing barriers to adoption, identifying effective implementation strategies, and developing comprehensive implementation and monitoring plans.
• Strong attention to detail in designing, adapting, and refining implementation plans and associated materials

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships with diverse stakeholder groups. This includes setting clear goals and expectations, problem-solving, consensus-building, and fostering ongoing engagement activities.

• Ability to facilitate stakeholder dialogues, learning series, communities of practice, and knowledge exchange events and/or training workshops.
• Ability to gather, synthesize, and present accurate information and tailor messages for diverse audiences, including the public, clinicians, participants, organizational leaders, and sector partners.

Additional Requirements

• Satisfactory clearance of a Background Check

• Must be qualified to legally work in Canada
• Willing to work from our two locations in downtown Toronto

COVID-19 Protocol

Friends of Ruby believes that immunization against COVID-19 is an individual and societal responsibility and that we must do everything possible to protect our clients, families, employees, students, volunteers, and contractors against the spread of COVID-19. As a condition of employment, proof of full vaccination or exemption under the Ontario Human Rights Code must be submitted to Human Resources seven (7) calendar days prior to start date.

Hiring Policy / Statement on Employment Equity and Diversity

Friends of Ruby strives for inclusion and diversity by attracting extraordinary people from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. Candidates with lived experience of homelessness and/or who self-identify as being from the 2SLGBTQIA+ or marginalized community, including Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and persons, are encouraged to apply and will be prioritized. We ask that these candidates indicate their relevant identities in their cover letters.

Accommodation is available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. If you require accommodation (including alternate format materials, accessible meeting rooms or other accommodation), please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.