The Role
Bring big-picture thinking to life. Connect people, purpose, and impact.
At the Region of Waterloo, we believe community is built through connection—and connection is built through people who see what’s possible when we work together.
We’re searching for a Community Service’s Director of Strategy, Performance and Partnerships to help us weave stronger threads between our divisions, our partners, and the people we serve. Someone who sees collaboration not as a process, but as a spark that drives lasting change.
In Community Services, our philosophy is simple but profound: People First. Relationships Matter. We create trusting relationships through open communication, cultivate belonging through equity and inclusion, and recognize the strengths and value of the people who work here and the people we serve. As Director, you’ll help embed this philosophy in everything we do—connecting strategy with compassion, and data with the human stories behind it.
Departmental Leadership and Impact
As a senior leader within Community Services, you’ll guide the Strategy, Performance and Partnerships (SPP) division as the department’s strategic hub—a central connector that enables collaboration, insight, and alignment across all four divisions:
- Housing & Homelessness
- Children’s Services
- Employment & Income Supports
- Seniors’ Services
Your work will help us act as one department—strengthening shared systems, clarifying what supports should be centralized, and ensuring each division benefits from common tools, frameworks, and partnerships.
This role offers the opportunity to learn deeply from what’s already working, to listen, observe, and then help shape the next iteration of SPP’s purpose and structure. You’ll bring fresh eyes and thoughtful curiosity to help us evolve—ensuring that the division’s focus and capacity align with its promise.
What You'll Lead
- Collaboration that matters: Shape shared priorities and foster joint actions that make life better for the people we serve in Waterloo Region.
- Data that engages: Strengthen how we use data to inform decisions, engage the community, and co-create solutions—building on strong existing foundations to make our work more connected and impactful.
- A stronger community voice: Coordinate our presence and partnerships so our team shows up a cohesive ally in community wellbeing.
- Strategic transformation: Guide how we organize ourselves to be nimble, innovative, and ready for what’s next.
- Reconciliation and equity in action: Integrate equity-centered and Indigenous-informed approaches into our planning, performance, and partnerships, fostering systems that are fair, inclusive, and rooted in our REDI Plan.
- Clarity and follow-through: Focus SPP’s energy on what matters most—delivering on commitments and creating the conditions for sustained, measurable impact.
Who You Are
You’re a connector, strategist, and deeply relational leader who thrives in complex environments. You can translate ideas into shared action and bring clarity where there’s complexity. You do this in a style rooted in collaboration, listening, learning, and kindness.
You bring:
- A deep commitment to reconciliation, equity, and our service philosophy: People First. Relationships Matter.
- 10+ years of leadership experience in community services, public policy, or social impact organizations.
- A proven record of innovation and collaboration, guiding diverse teams toward common goals.
- Strong analytical and strategic planning skills paired with deep emotional intelligence.
- Exceptional relationship-building and communication abilities—you listen deeply, speak with purpose, and inspire trust.
Our Service Philosophy: People First. Relationships Matter.
Everything we do in Community Services is grounded in people and relationships. We:
- Create trusting relationships through transparent and open communication.
- Cultivate belonging through equity, inclusivity, and meaningful connections.
- Support health and wellbeing for everyone.
- Foster opportunities for self-awareness, learning, development, and practice.
- Recognize individual and collective strengths and contributions.
The Director of Strategy, Performance and Partnerships will bring these principles to life—through leadership that listens, collaborates, and empowers.
Accessibility and Accommodations: The Region of Waterloo is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive workplace where all employees can succeed. If you require accommodations at any stage of your employment, whether during onboarding, training, or while performing your role, please let us know. Your hiring manager will reach out prior to your start date to discuss the role, workspace, and typical workday to ensure you have the supports you need to be successful. Accommodations are flexible and may be adjusted as your needs or role evolve. All discussions regarding accommodations are confidential, focused on supporting your success, and respect your choice about what, if any, personal information you wish to share. For questions or to request accommodations during your recruitment, onboarding or employment, please contact talentmanagement@regionofwaterloo.ca, or by calling our Service First Contact Centre at phone number (519) 575-4400.
Please note: candidates will be provided an update on their application. Please check your spam or junk folder occasionally as some candidates have noticed our emails in those folders (Gmail and Hotmail in particular).
