Manager, 1st Step Team

Posting closes:  January 21, 2026 at 5:00pm

About Us:

The Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington (CMHA WW) provides a full care system for those with addictions, mental health or developmental needs. We serve everyone from children to adults to seniors, all under one roof. Our programs help individuals and families to lead lives filled with meaning and promise. We have 400 staff at offices in Cambridge, Waterloo, Kitchener, Guelph, Fergus, and Mount Forest. 

We are fully accredited by Accreditation Canada and our proud of our Exemplary Status (the highest standing) received at our most recent accreditation exercise.

Why Join our Team:

Competitive Compensation and Benefits:  Our compensation package includes a competitive salary and generous benefits supporting the wellness of our staff.  We are proud to be members of the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) offering one of Canada's largest and most respected defined benefit plans.

Career Development Opportunities:  Our wide range of services and supports allows for varied opportunities for career growth.  Our multi-disciplinary approach to care offers cross collaboration and enhanced opportunities for learning.  A formal succession planning process is key to our internal leadership recruitment.

Values that include:  Mutual Respect, Accountability, Integrity and Excellence and Innovation and a culture that is welcoming and inclusive. 

Commitment to Health and Safety:  We have a strong health and safety culture at CMHA WW and work tirelessly to address the health and safety needs of staff and the people we serve. 

The Opportunity:

We are recruiting for a MANAGER, 1st Step Team (Early Psychosis Intervention)

- This is a regular full-time position to fill an existing vacancy (minimum of 35 hours per week) based on-site at 80 Waterloo Ave. Guelph and 55 King St. W. Kitchener.

The Service Manager, First Step, plays a key role in advancing the Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington's (CMHA WW) commitment to accessible, recovery-oriented, and community-based mental health and addiction services. The First Step program provides early intervention, and treatment supports for youth and young adults experiencing emerging symptoms of psychosis , substance use challenges, with a strong focus on harm reduction, skill development, recovery planning, and timely access to care. Through client-centered and evidence-informed approaches, First Step supports individuals and families in building resilience, wellness, and meaningful community connections.

Reporting to the Director of Adult Services, the Service Manager, First Step, is responsible for the overall leadership and operational oversight of the program. This includes providing supervision and support to staff, ensuring high-quality clinical practice, monitoring program outcomes and budgets, strengthening community partnerships, and ensuring alignment with CMHA WW's mission, vision, and values. The Service Manager serves as a key liaison between staff, senior leadership, funders, and community stakeholders, ensuring services remain coordinated, responsive, and reflective of emerging best practices and community needs.

The Service Manager, First Step, provides leadership and operational oversight to ensure the delivery of high-quality, client-centered mental health and addiction services. Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

 Program Operations

• Provide leadership and oversight of the daily operations of the First Step program, ensuring services are delivered effectively and in alignment with program objectives, funding requirements, and the approved budget.
• Maintain program fidelity to provincial standards and frameworks, including the NAVIGATE model for Early Psychosis Intervention in Ontario, and maintain compliance with mandated eligibility criteria, role definitions, and service delivery requirements.
• Monitor program expenditures and financial performance, and prepare required financial reports and forecasts for senior leadership and funders.
• Ensure accurate and timely completion of service reports, data collection, and performance metrics to support accountability and program evaluation.
• Sustain effective communication with funders and key stakeholders in accordance with funding agreements.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, supervise, and support staff, including Team Leads and Clinical Leads, through regular supervision, coaching, and performance feedback.
• Oversee staff scheduling, attendance, and leave management to ensure appropriate staffing and service continuity.
• Support onboarding, orientation, and supervision of students and volunteers.
• Identify training and development needs and conduct performance evaluations in alignment with CMHA WW policies, applicable collective agreements, and relevant legislation.
• Address employee concerns and grievances in accordance with the Collective Agreement.
• Foster a collaborative, respectful, and accountable team culture.

Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

• Promote effective communication across teams and support conflict resolution and change initiatives as required.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal colleagues, external agencies, and community partners to support coordinated service delivery.
• Act as a liaison with clients, stakeholders, and system partners to gather feedback and support service improvement.

 Leadership & Organizational Contribution

• Participate in organizational leadership meetings, planning activities, and committees.
• Model CMHA WW's values through ethical leadership, open dialogue, and a focus on shared outcomes.
• Contribute to a culture of safety, risk awareness, and service excellence within the First Step program.

Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Health or Social Sciences (OT, MSW, etc.), and registration in a relevant regulatory body are required.
• Three to five (3-5) years of previous experience working in mental health and developmental services, crisis response, and community resources, with the ability to build effective partnerships across systems of care.
• Minimum of three (3) years of progressive team leadership experience in the non-profit, healthcare, or public sector.
• Demonstrated financial acumen, including experience monitoring budgets and overseeing program expenditures.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Incident Reporting Software.
• Excellent attention to detail and problem-solving skills, including the ability to prioritize competing tasks and manage shifting priorities effectively.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively in a fast-paced, progressive environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally and patiently with staff, physicians, and EPI partners.
• Valid G Class driver's license, access to a reliable personal vehicle, and appropriate insurance as regular travel is required.

If you are interested in this position, please submit a resume and cover letter in one document outlining how your skills, qualifications and experience meet the position requirements.

 Compensation:  $94,712.80 to $115, Non-Union)

CMHA WW, as an equal opportunity employer, embraces diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace.  Our goal is to attract, develop and retain talented employees from diverse backgrounds, allowing us to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives. We welcome applications from all qualified persons.

*We do not use AI in our screening process.