Program Coordinator

Summit Search Group has been retained by Pulford Community Living Services on the recruitment of a Program Coordinator – a member of the senior management team. Pulford is a values-driven community living agency that supports individuals in residential homes, Supported Independent Living, and day service programs across Winnipeg, Eastman, and the Interlake. The organization is guided by a person-centered philosophy: helping each individual it supports pursue their own goals, build meaningful connections in their community, and live a life of their choosing.

Pulford is known for a collaborative, respectful culture where ideas are heard, colleagues disagree openly and constructively, and progressive thinking is welcomed rather than discouraged. Its leaders work as a connected team rather than in silos, and its commitment to quality is reflected in its use of the Personal Outcome Measures framework and the Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL) standards to evaluate whether services are truly improving the quality of life of the people it serves.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Director of Services, the Program Coordinator is a senior management role responsible for the oversight of five to seven departments in Winnipeg, spanning residential homes, Supported Independent Living, and day services. Working through a team of supervisors and support staff, the Coordinator ensures that the people Pulford supports are safe, well served, and moving toward their personal goals. The role carries real autonomy and trust, with a leader who values independent judgment over close oversight. Three priorities define the work: engagement with supervisors, engagement with the people supported, and engagement with families.

No two weeks look alike. A typical week might include reviewing incident reports for licensing and funder requirements, visiting homes, mentoring supervisors, reviewing personal finances for people supported, and building trust with families, with priorities that can shift within the first hour of the day. The position is based at the Waverley Street office, Monday to Friday, with frequent time in homes and the community. It includes weekday evening response to critical incidents and a rotating weekend on-call role supporting the on-call supervisor. Pulford is more interested in fit and aptitude than a specific resume: emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and the ability to lead diverse personalities matter most, and a steep but supported learning curve should be expected in the early months.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight to five to seven residential, Supported Independent Living, and day service departments, ensuring the health, safety, and quality of life of every person supported.
• Supervise, coach, and develop supervisors and support staff, modelling a standard of excellence, providing regular feedback, addressing performance concerns, and creating opportunities for emerging leaders to grow within the agency.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with the people supported and their families, responding to concerns promptly and advocating for the rights, choices, and aspirations of each individual.
• Guide person-centered planning and quality improvement initiatives, ensuring services advance each individual’s desired outcomes and meet applicable legislative, licensing, and CQL standards.
• Review and sign off on incident reports, individual files, and required reporting; monitor service expenditures and personal funds; and oversee property upkeep, transportation needs, overtime approvals, and payroll review.
• Participate in the on-call rotation, responding to critical incidents on weekday evenings and providing weekend backup to the on-call supervisor, including attending a residence or hospital when serious situations arise.

Qualifications

• A related degree in social work, psychology, public or business administration, or a college certificate such as applied counselling, combined with relevant leadership experience; an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Demonstrated leadership experience supervising and developing managers or supervisors across multiple teams or sites; experience in disability, community, or social services is an asset, and transferable leadership from retail, hospitality, or operations is welcome.
• High emotional intelligence and self-awareness, with the ability to lead diverse personalities, navigate sensitive family and staffing conversations, and build trust quickly.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the flexibility and calm to reprioritize in a fast-moving environment and make sound decisions during critical incidents.
• A commitment to person-centered, rights-based support and to the mission and values of a community living agency; comfort with administrative responsibilities including reporting, record keeping, and financial oversight.
• Valid driver’s licence and access to a vehicle for regular travel between sites, and the ability to provide a satisfactory criminal record check and vulnerable sector check; comfort with a weekday evening and rotating weekend on-call commitment.

For more information or to submit your resume, please reach out to Matt Erhard at Summit Search Group, matt.erhard@summitsearchgroup.com.

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