Program Manager, Early Years Supports

Job Status: Permanent

Union: Non-Union

Number of Positions: 1

Hours of Work: 35

Location: Health & Human Services Building

Reason for Vacancy: New

Closing Date: February 26, 2026, 11:59pm EST. Applications received after this deadline will not be accepted.

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has an opening for a permanent full-time Program Manager, Early Years Supports in the Child Care & Early Years division.

Job description

The Program Manager, Early Years Supports provides strategic leadership for the municipal Inclusion Services program, Capacity and Professional Development team and other early learning workforce initiatives. This role oversees the Inclusion Services team, the Early Years Strategy Specialist team and works closely with licensed child care operators to support them in delivering high quality and inclusive child care within Chatham-Kent. The Program Manager ensures effective policy development, funding oversight, and system integration to strengthen inclusive practices across licensed child care and EarlyON programs. Responsibilities include guiding staff and partners through change management processes, fostering collaboration, and ensuring compliance with legislation and municipal priorities.

The Program Manager leads a team of motivated staff with the distinct responsibility of ensuring that local child care operators have the tools and supports needed to successfully deliver the Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care program. Their success is our success and the Program Manager is responsible for developing and delivering responsive support programs that address the evolving needs within the sector.

Essential responsibilities

• Demonstrate Chatham-Kent’s core values and competencies in all aspects of service delivery.


• Provide strategic leadership, direction, and guidance to staff and sector partners to implement the Inclusion Services Model.


• Champion the Capacity Building Continuum and embed DEI and Truth and Reconciliation principles in all program activities.


• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of policies, procedures, and program guidelines to achieve desired outcomes.


• Ensure programs and services comply with applicable legislation, municipal policies, and service agreements (e.g., CCEYA 2014, CWELCC, Ontario Child Care & EarlyON Service Management and Funding Guidelines, MFIPPA, OHSA).


• Develop and monitor KPIs and evaluation frameworks to measure program impact and quality; review OCCMS/municipal dashboards and program reports monthly/quarterly in partnership with Data Analysis resources.


• Build and maintain strong relationships with child care operators, EarlyON programs, and community partners.


• Represent the Municipality at sector tables/committees (e.g., Child Care Supervisors Network, Inclusion Committee, Early Years Providers Network) and liaise with provincial ministries and agencies.


• Manage an annual operating budget and ensure financial accountability.


• Identify and respond to gaps in service and emerging needs in collaboration with stakeholders.


• Interpret and administer legislation and municipal policy as they affect Inclusion Services delivery.

Essential qualifications

• University degree in Social Sciences, Health Sciences, or related field or College Diploma with Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE)


• Four (4) to six (six) years of related experience


• Ability to build strategic relationships and partnerships to deliver client focused and efficient programs to meet community need


• Experience in supervising and supporting staff and ability to guide, coach and motivate employees


• Ability to lead, manage and support change as well as influence and motivate internal and external stakeholders


• Strong working knowledge of child development, inclusive practices, and family-centered approaches.


• Demonstrated understanding of DEI principles, Truth and Reconciliation, and inclusive pedagogies.


• Proven experience leading large, multi-faceted teams in a municipal setting.


• Excellent organizational, communication, and leadership skills.


• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and sector systems (e.g., OCCMS; municipal databases and reporting tools).


• French language proficiency considered an asset.


• First Aid and CPR Certification, an asset

Work environment/hours of work

• This position works mostly indoors


• This position works weekday and evening hours with occasional weekend hours


• Primarily office-based with regular on-site visits to licensed child care, licensed home child care, and EarlyON programs across Chatham Kent

Working Remotely

This position has been approved for remote working, at the discretion of the supervisor based on the Working Remotely Policy.

This position may be required to attend on-site meetings in order to complete essential responsibilities of the role.  As per the Working Remotely Policy, employees scheduled to work remotely on a certain day may occasionally be called to a municipal onsite work location on short notice.  Employees must remain flexible to accommodate municipal requirements and be prepared to be called in on short notice.

Driver’s licence/vehicle requirements

Because this position would be required to travel, a valid Province of Ontario driver's license with a reliable motor vehicle is necessary.

Background check requirements

Successful candidates will be required to complete a background check prior to commencement of employment. A background check may include the following: education/certification verification and employment reference check. Because of the environment this position will be working in, the successful candidate will be required to furnish an original Police Information Search (criminal reference check) (working with vulnerable persons) prior to commencement of employment; you must be 18 years of age or older to obtain a vulnerable police check.

Essential physical and/or safety requirements

• Sitting: frequent sitting in a chair (working at a desk, sitting during a meeting, driving).


• Hands: frequent mousing (writing reports, using a computer and mouse, daily correspondence, data entry and notes).


• Reaching: occasional reaching above shoulder, below shoulder, forward, backward, handling

Benefits

This permanent full-time position has an annual salary of $119,554 to $140,636 and will receive benefits including: participation in the OMERS pension plan (mandatory) as well as sick and vacation entitlements. Following successful completion of a 3-month waiting period, candidates will also be entitled to a comprehensive group benefits package.

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The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fair and accessible employment practices that attract and retain talented employees in a workplace that is inclusive, supportive, and reflective of the diverse community we serve.

The Municipality does not use artificial intelligence or automated decision‑making tools in its recruitment or selection processes; all hiring decisions are made by people.

Should you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources & Organizational Development (HROD) at 519-360-1998. Applicant information is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Privacy legislation and will be used strictly for the purpose of candidate selection.