Director, Education & Family Programs

Monday-Friday 9:00AM-5:00PM, Full Year Position

At Ronald McDonald House Toronto, we believe that when a child is seriously ill, the entire family needs support. Every year, thousands of families from across Ontario rely on Ronald McDonald House Toronto for a place to stay, nourishing meals, educational support, meaningful programming, and a community of care while their child receives treatment.

We are seeking an experienced, compassionate, and forward-thinking leader to join our team as Director, Education & Family Programs.

Reporting to the Chief Program Officer, this role provides operational leadership for some of the most impactful services at Ronald McDonald House Toronto—including our Ministry-inspected licensed private school, family recreation programming, seasonal camps, and food services. This is a unique opportunity to shape programs that create connection, belonging, learning, comfort, and moments of normalcy for families navigating serious childhood illness.

A Leadership Role with Meaning

This role requires an exceptional leader who can balance strategic vision with operational excellence while fostering an environment where every child, youth, caregiver, and family feels welcomed, respected, and supported.

As Director, Education & Family Programs, you will lead multidisciplinary teams and oversee programs that serve families from diverse cultural, linguistic, religious, socioeconomic, and family backgrounds. You will champion inclusive practices, equitable access to services, and culturally responsive approaches that ensure every family experiences a sense of belonging throughout their stay.

The Organization

Since 1981, Ronald McDonald House Toronto has served as a place to call home for families with seriously ill children undergoing treatment. Ronald McDonald House Toronto encompasses a House for 81 families in downtown Toronto and seven Family Rooms in hospitals across the Greater Toronto Area and in Sudbury. The families we serve come from throughout Ontario, across Canada and around the world.

What You'll Lead

Education

Ronald McDonald House Toronto is home to a Ministry-recognized private school that helps children continue their education while receiving medical treatment away from home.

As Director, Education & Family Programs, you will:

• Provide leadership and coaching to teachers, educational staff, and programming
• Support students with diverse learning, developmental, behavioural, and social-emotional needs
• Foster inclusive learning environments where every child can thrive
• Partner with families, hospital teams, and hometown schools to support educational continuity and successful transitions
• Ensure compliance with Ministry of Education requirements and recognition standards

Recreation & Family Programming

• You will oversee & support a broad range of family-centred recreational and wellness programming designed to provide connection, respite, engagement, and joy:
• Leading the development, implementation, and evaluation of inclusive family programs and activities
• Overseeing seasonal Ontario accredited camp and recreational services
• Ensuring programs are accessible, culturally responsive, developmentally appropriate, and reflective of family needs
• Creating opportunities for children, youth, siblings, and caregivers to build community and feel a sense of belonging
• Supporting staff development in trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and family-centred practices

Food Services

• Food is one of the many ways we care for families and create a welcoming environment during challenging times. You will:
• Provide leadership and oversight of kitchen operations and food service delivery
• Support nutritious, culturally responsive meal programs that reflect the diverse dietary, cultural, and religious needs of families
• Oversee the Meals from the Heart volunteer meal program
• Ensure compliance with food safety and public health standards
• Explore opportunities to enhance and expand food service delivery across House and Family Room locations

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Leadership

At Ronald McDonald House Toronto, we are committed to creating an environment where every family feels seen, valued, respected, and supported. The successful candidate will:

• Demonstrate and champion equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility and create an environment that creates an environment of psychological safety and belonging principles
• Lead with cultural humility and a genuine curiosity about the lived experiences of others
• Foster inclusive environments where children, families, staff, volunteers, and students feel welcomed and empowered
• Integrate equity-informed decision-making into program design, service delivery, staff leadership, and family engagement
• Build culturally responsive teams and support staff in developing inclusive practices

What You'll Bring

We are looking for a leader who combines operational excellence with deep compassion and a commitment to family-centred care.

You'll bring:

• A Bachelor's degree in Education is required (Master's degree considered an asset)
• Ontario College of Teachers membership (preferred)
• Significant progressive leadership experience (10+ years) in education, recreation, camps, child and family programming, food services, or related sectors
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing complex operations (5+ years)
• Demonstrated success developing, implementing, and evaluating programs and services
• Strong knowledge of the Ontario Curriculum, child and youth development, accessibility, and inclusive programming practices
• Experience overseeing kitchen operations or volunteer-led meal programs; menu planning and food safety practices
• Experience supporting diverse populations and embedding equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility principles into programs and teams
• Experience managing budgets, policies, compliance requirements, and organizational partnerships
• Strong experience with classroom management and progressive discipline procedures. 
• Exceptional leadership, communication, coaching, and relationship-building skills
• The ability to lead with empathy, humility, sound judgment, and cultural awareness

Why Join Ronald McDonald House Toronto?

At Ronald McDonald House Toronto, you’re not just taking on a job; you’re becoming part of a mission that makes a tangible difference every day. As a Director, Education & Family Programs, you'll play a key role in helping families feel at home when they need it most. You’ll have the opportunity to work with compassionate people, enhance your skill set, and contribute to a life-changing cause.

In addition to meaningful work that supports families during critical moments, we offer:

Impact: Your role directly contributes to the comfort and well-being of families during some of their toughest times.

• Lead a Ministry-recognized private school and accredited Ontario camp serving children receiving medical treatment away from home
• Shape innovative programs that support learning, connection, recreation, and family well-being
• Influence the future growth and development of key family services
• Work alongside passionate colleagues committed to exceptional family-centred care
• Make a meaningful difference every day

Supportive Environment:  Access to our Employee & Family Assistance Program, as well as a network of caring colleagues dedicated to making a difference.

This posting is for an active vacancy that the organization is currently seeking to fill.

We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) or automated decision-making tools to screen, assess, or select candidates.

Ronald McDonald House Toronto is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Ronald McDonald House Toronto is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, we are dedicated to building a qualified workforce that reflects the diverse communities and families we serve, and to fostering an inclusive, accessible, and respectful environment where all individuals feel valued, supported, and have equitable opportunities to succeed.

When contacted for a job opportunity, please advise the People and Culture team of any accommodation needed in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code to ensure you have access to an equitable process. We request that you provide your accommodation request as soon as reasonably practicable. Any information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

Please visit our careers page to see more job opportunities.