We are seeking a Program Manager who is passionate about promoting health and wellness equity in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) to join our team at Kilala Lelum Health and Wellness Cooperative.
Job Summary:
The Program Manager (PM) will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of Kilala Lelum’s newest site, Doris Fox Lelum, located at 121 Heatley Avenue. With the goal of providing low-barrier, trauma-informed, culturally safe care in a harm reduction context, Doris Fox Lelum will offer drop-in services, cultural wellness programming, basic primary care, substance use health services, and supportive employment opportunities. The Program Manager will work with the interdisciplinary team at Doris Fox Lelum to ensure program participants and members are able to access the continuum of services offered at Kilala Lelum, with an emphasis on PWLLE (People with Lived and Living Experience of Mental Health and Substance Use) and IPWUD (Indigenous People Who Use Drugs).
This role combines relational, frontline work with administrative responsibilities, ensuring the site operates smoothly while maintaining a harm reduction, equity-focused approach. As Doris Fox Lelum is a new site and new program, the successful candidate will be responsible for co-developing programming and streamlining operations (including the development of policies and procedures) in collaboration with Program Leads, including the Clinical Coordinator, Program Coordinator and Supportive Employment Manager.
Responsibilities:
- Oversee daily operations of Doris Fox Lelum.
- Manage staff schedules and provide supervision and support.
- Monitor budgets and ensure financial accountability.
- Wholistically implement, monitor, and evaluate programs, ensuring alignment with Kilala Lelum’s mission.
- Support peer and community-led engagement opportunities through collaboration with PWLLE, including peers and cultural knowledge holders, to inform program design, implementation and evaluation.
- Support crisis intervention, debriefing, and incident reporting.
- Build and maintain partnerships with community organizations.
- Work to ensure a culturally safe, trauma-informed environment for members and staff.
- Attend weekly meetings at Doris Fox Lelum and monthly Kilala Lelum Leads and Managers meetings.
- Provide support to Elders, Knowledge Holders and Cultural Wellness Workers in the development and delivery of programming.
- Working alongside the Research and Evaluation Lead as well as Peer Evaluation Associates to design, implement, and manage systems to track program progress and effectiveness.
- Coordinate and facilitate bi-monthly Doris Fox Lelum Working Group and/or Community Action Committee meetings.
- Organize capacity and skill building opportunities at Doris Fox Lelum for members and staff (such as workshops, trainings, info sessions, circles).
Preferred Qualifications & Skills:
- Minimum of 2 years in a managerial/supervisory role
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work both collaboratively and independently
- Experience in frontline, fast-paced environments
- Knowledge of crisis intervention, debriefing, and reporting
- Ability to foster strong internal and external partnerships
- Commitment to harm reduction, equity, and Indigenous cultural safety and humility and preferably 1-2+ years of experience with these
- Understanding of the Downtown Eastside (or similar urban Indigenous health contexts)
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (health, social sciences, social work, etc.) or equivalent combination of education, professional experience, and lived experience
Working Conditions:
- The primary work location will be 121 Heatley Avenue
- Up to one day per week or two half days per week can be worked remotely
- The schedule will be Mon-Thurs or Tues-Fri 9:30-5:30 or 10-6. Some on-call availability is required on occasional evenings or weekends (with time off in lieu for any on-call hours)
Supervision Provided:
Primary Care Co-lead, Special Projects and Community Partnerships, and will receive support from the HR/Administrative Lead and Executive Director.
Additional Information:
- Hourly salary to be determined based on experience – starting at $38.38 hourly
- Hours of work will be agreed upon to meet requirements of 0.8 FTE.
- Includes robust extended health and dental benefits package.
- Kilala Lelum is committed to equity and diversity, and we encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or membership or Indigenous self-identification (i.e., First Nation, Métis, Inuit).
To Apply:
Please send a resume and cover letter to [email protected] by Friday, June 13th. 2025. Your cover letter should clearly articulate why you are interested in this role and working with Kilala Lelum, how your background is a good fit for this specific role and our organization, and your current availability and desired schedule. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
KL Model of Service:
