Dovercourt Recreation Association - Position Profile - Program Director

Program
Director
Ottawa, ON

Introduction
Dovercourt Recreation Association is a non-for-profit, charitable organization, dedicated to
enriching the quality of life in the community through recreation programs. Set as a cornerstone in
community well being, the organization supports a range of offerings for residents, within and
around the community, to enjoy. As part of the City of Ottawa's recreation system, Dovercourt
provides a well rounded curriculum of activities, events, amenities, and programs that appeal to a
wide range of interests and needs. From Arts & Culture to Fitness & Wellness, Dovercourt is a
collective effort of staff, volunteers, clients, local community groups, and partnerships, all who
help serve families of all shapes and sizes.
Established in 1983, the association has earned a reputation as an inclusive and lively space
dedicated to contributing to a vibrant and healthy community. Acting as a hub for Ottawan’s alike,
Dovercourts’s open-door policy helps to encourage lifelong learning and connection for residents
of all ages. With a commitment to better service the city, Dovercourt responds to the needs of its
community by offering programming that is accessible, responsive, and fun. Receiving a
distinction as Eastern Ontario's first HIGH FIVE Accredited organization underscores their
commitment to maintaining the highest standards in recreation programming, particularly for
children. The emphasis on HIGH FIVE® certified leaders in key programs reflects a dedication to
ensuring a safe and enriching environment.
Dovercourt looks to welcome their newest member as Program Director, to help lead the
organization and its many distinct offerings. This is an exciting time to be joining the team and a
unique opportunity to make an impact on the future of the organization.

Summary of the role
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Program
Director will play a pivotal role in the organization's
success, by way of leading program operations.
Your core responsibilities extend to overseeing the Recreation department, which encompasses a
diverse range of programs, including camps, sessions, after-school programs, and the WAVE
initiative. The scale of your impact is significant, as evidenced by the management of over 200
camp counsellors during the summer, serving nearly 1000 kids daily. Your adept leadership is
particularly crucial during peak times, such as March break camps, which consistently attract a
high demand, leading to sold-out sessions with over a 100-person waiting list.
In this dynamic position, effective leadership is at the forefront. Your ability to lead a team of
program managers and coordinators is paramount. Establishing trust is the foundation upon
which you build a collaborative, fun, inclusive, and high-performing environment. On a daily basis,
you guide, motivate, and provide support to your team, addressing any challenges that may arise
and ensuring an exceptional level of service for community members. Adaptability is key in your
leadership approach, recognizing and appreciating the unique strengths of each team member.
You will delegate appropriately, managing risks, making operational adjustments, and monitor
team progress. Thoughtful engagement and resource provision encourages creativity, fostering a
positive and innovative work atmosphere.
Beyond internal team dynamics, your role extends to developing and maintaining crucial
relationships with external stakeholders. This includes community groups, such as those
associated with the 30 summer camp partnerships, program partners, the City of Ottawa, Westboro
BIA, Employment Ontario, school boards, as well as various community groups. Your
representation of Dovercourt is vital in all outreach efforts and collaborations with other
organizations, ensuring a professional and positive image.
Budget management is another key responsibility, where you will balance the need to maintain
successful programs and events with a proactive approach to researching new funding and
revenue sources. This involves building key partnerships and developing actionable fundraising
plans, making a significant impact on Dovercourt's overall financial sustainability.
Your commitment to excellence, effective team leadership, and strategic external relationshipbuilding
contribute significantly to the continued progress and positive impact of Dovercourt in
the community. Approaching this opportunity with a fresh perspective and enthusiasm to take on
challenges, will be integral in maintaining objectives and achieving success.

Why should you
consider this role?
For over 40 years, Dovercourt has provided quality programs and services to the community, and
is considered to be amongst the best recreational facilities in the Greater Ottawa Area. This role
presents an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact by adding to the vibrant setting,
playing a pivotal part in creating and delivering high-quality programming within a truly inclusive
environment. Dovercourt has established a solid foundation, and this position provides the
prospect of looking forward, contributing to the organization's growth and evolution.
A standout aspect of this role is the opportunity to lead a team in a positive and dynamic
environment. The collaborative atmosphere at Dovercourt fosters a sense of unity and shared
purpose, making it an ideal workplace for those who thrive in supportive and encouraging
surroundings. By joining this team, you not only contribute to the organization's mission and
vision but also become an integral part of a dynamic culture.
This opportunity also lends itself to professional growth in a well respected and established
organization. You will develop meaningful and lasting relationships with various stakeholders and
community groups in an effort to partner on activities that align the mission and vision of the
association. As a leader, you will reinforce a positive and inclusive culture both externally and
internally with your team. You will be in a position to encourage and help develop team members
to grow and achieve their goals, while acting as a mentor and role model in several capacities.
Finally, this role offers a lively workspace at the centre, where your team will have a tangible
impact on the lives of young attendees and volunteers. Working with children is something you
are comfortable with and comes as second nature when engaging with them. By taking on the
Program Director position, you become an influential figure, contributing to the growth and
development of the community while gaining insights and knowledge from the vibrant individuals
you work with. This mutual exchange makes the role at Dovercourt not just a job but a fulfilling
journey of continuous learning and positive influence.

What challenges will you face?
This role is multifaceted, where you can expect a range of responsibilities that will require
strategic prioritization, effective delegation, and utmost accountability. This requires a skillful
approach to managing your tasks which demands organizational finesse but also provides a
unique opportunity for personal and professional growth.
In a post-pandemic environment, the organization is adjusting to a "new normal”, which requires
heightened agility as they undergo necessary changes. As part of the leadership team, flexibility
and responsiveness are paramount attributes in this context, while determining programming
solutions demands a proactive approach. Simultaneously, making sound decisions that align with
the organization's financial health necessitates a strong sense of budget consciousness and
resourcefulness. Embracing the evolving landscape, you must adeptly navigate through these
challenges, contributing to Dovercourt's resilience and sustained success.
Recognizing that the association has a longstanding history, the inner workings of Dovercourt have
established certain practices and approaches that may be considered preferred. As such, it will
require an insightful approach as you assimilate into existing processes while simultaneously
introducing fresh perspectives and improvements where necessary. Moreover, the close-knit and
caring nature of the staff at Dovercourt demands appreciation and an ability to seamlessly
integrate into this supportive culture. As any new leader, building trust and fostering positive
rapport with your team is imperative. By respecting the organization's past successes and
leadership styles you may effectively introduce your own approach to leadership and
management, without causing unnecessary discord. Strong communication skills and adept
relationship-building capabilities will play a pivotal part in ensuring a smooth transition into this
new era of the organization.
Is this for you?
You are best described as an inclusive and welcoming leader with a proven track record in
operational management, finance, programming, and stakeholder relationships. Motivating and
driven, you bring strong communication skills and a keen understanding of the organization's
vision and culture to the forefront. As a collaborative team player, you consistently contribute
solutions and alternatives to overcome challenges, showcasing an optimistic and results-oriented
approach. Your leadership style values teamwork, encouraging both individual and team growth
by fostering a culture that welcomes new ideas and initiatives. You also promote professional
development by creating opportunities for training and learning.
Your background reflects a career in the not-for-profit sector or relevant domains, likely centred
around community, recreational initiatives, sport, or social advocacy. Your academic qualifications
are focused on human resources management, non-profit management, public or business
administration, or another related field. You excel in overseeing diverse teams by operationalizing
priorities, and can effectively execute strategic plans. You are well versed in building and

implementing programming, delegating appropriately, and providing the right tools so you can
fully entrust your team to execute initiatives effectively. Comfortable integrating feedback from
various outlets you have a secure network and strong relationships with key stakeholders,
particularly in the volunteer management space.
Both reliable and accountable, you have strong business acumen and stick to your commitments
around time, cost, service, and are familiar with managing budgets. You have been heavily
involved in fundraising initiates and likely have experience in sourcing, writing, and winning
grants. You have a natural ability to quickly earn the trust of others, leveraging it to develop
meaningful relationships with community partners.
Perhaps most importantly, your passion for the
community is evident in your commitment to
prioritizing the best interests of participants.
Your knowledge of community liaising is
preferred, and your belief in making a positive
difference in the community, as demonstrated
in your leadership and carrying out
responsibilities. As a creative and forward
thinking individual you are driven by a genuine
passion for making impactful exchanges and
building meaningful connections with
individuals of all ages.
What success looks like
at the end of your first year
Upon joining the organization, your focus in the first few months will be on familiarizing yourself
with daily operations and the diverse programs offered by Dovercourt. It becomes crucial during
this phase to develop strong relationships with the existing staff, volunteers, and partners,
ensuring a foundation of collaboration and understanding. You will soon recognize the
association’s presence within the community and the key areas you can make an impact.
As you settle into your role, you will actively engage with external stakeholders, laying the
groundwork for enduring relationships. Managing external-facing duties while maintaining
balance with internal responsibilities, you will invest time and effort into both sustaining existing
connections within Ottawa and cultivating new partnerships. You will proactively explore new
fundraising and grant avenues, seeking opportunities to secure resources that will further
enhance Dovercourt's programs and initiatives. Operationally, your team is well supported and
you are confident in their capabilities, enthusiasm about their engagement with programming, as
well as their own professional development. As a result, programming is functioning seamlessly
and community feedback is positive.
Approaching the end of your first year, true success will be reflected by your immersion within the
Dovercourt community. You will have acquired a comprehensive understanding of the

organization and your pivotal role within it. Earning the trust and confidence of leadership, key
community stakeholders, staff, and volunteers, you will have become a valued member of the
team. Success, at this juncture, is measured not just in operational efficiency but in the positive
relationships you've made, positioning you as an integral and respected contributor to
Dovercourt's mission and community impact. You look forward to another year of providing
quality programming to the community and exploring new avenues for growth through
partnerships and fundraising initiatives.
Learn More
dovercourt.org
Keynote Search Contacts
If you have questions about this opportunity or wish to have a confidential discussion about
your candidacy, please connect with Keynote directly:
Stephanie Aloia
Director, Executive Search
stephanie.aloia@keynotesearch.com
Stephanie Williams
Senior Associate, Executive Search
stephanie@keynotesearch.com