Toronto Yachad Program Director

Who We Are:

Yachad, a division of The Orthodox Union, the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish organization‚ supports individuals with intellectual, developmental, and learning disabilities. Yachad helps these individuals participate more fully in Jewish life and the broader society by providing educational, employment, and relationship opportunities.

The Orthodox Union (OU) is one of the largest Orthodox Jewish organizations in the United States. Founded in 1898, the OU supports a network of synagogues, youth programs, Jewish and Religious Zionist advocacy programs, programs for the disabled, localized religious study programs, and international units. The OU maintains a kosher certification service, whose circled U symbol, ?, is found on the labels of many kosher commercial and consumer food products.

Position Summary:

The Toronto Program Director will sit on the Yachd leadership team and will help shape the future of programs and services throughout the Toronto region.  Working under the direction and support of the Director of Yachad Toronto, the Program Director will help create and implement a multitude of social, recreational, and life skill programs that support individuals with disabilities and their families. Our goal is to deliver meaningful programs and services with a mindset of growth.

At the forefront will be excellent customer service for both Yachad participants, their families, staff, and volunteers. This position requires strong communication skills (both verbal and written) and knowledge of the Toronto Jewish community. Part of the focus will be on ensuring that the region is strategically growing in current and new areas to best serve this community, with an emphasis on working with individuals with disabilities and providing inclusive opportunities to socialize with peers.

Responsibilities:

Program Management

• Facilitate & attend 2 weekly programs, “Holiday programs” & 3-4 Shabbatons a year
• Facilitate & oversee staff at 1 weekly program & Sunday programs.
• Logistics support (responsible for purchasing all supplies and dinners)

Support Programmatic Staff

• Ensure all staff receive complete on-boarding, including first aid and behavioral training
• Assist with crisis problem solving.
• Ensure programs and events are properly structured and well-staffed

 Administrative Responsibilities

• Maintain members’ registration and all accounts in Yachad’s database (MARS), including payments and attendance.
• Create monthly newsletters for Yachad families and donors.
• Ensure all invoices have been paid and submit receipts for all expenses.
• Assist with monthly financial reporting.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Create special family programs for the Jewish Chagim in partnership with other organizations and Synagogues.
• Assist with recruitment of new participants.
• Main point of contact for parents and group homes.
• Provide a nurturing work environment in which all staff, volunteers and Yachad participants feel valued, appreciated and acknowledged for their contributions to the team.             

Qualifications:

• Strong commitment to the mission and values of Yachad
• Well versed in Jewish values and beliefs
• Minimum 3 years’ full-time working experience in organizational management and staff support.
• Reliable, dependable, and well organized.
• Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office and social media
• Able to multitask and handle challenging situations in a positive can-do approach.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to work independently as well as part of a team
• Previous experience working with people with disabilities is not required, but beneficial.