The Regional Municipality of Durham is one of the fastest-growing jurisdictions in Ontario, currently serving a population exceeding 800,000 residents and projected to reach approximately 1.3 million by 2051. Spanning approximately 2,400 square km in geography, the Region includes a diverse mix of urban, suburban, and rural communities. Growth in the Region is guided through the Regional Official Plan (Envision Durham) and the 2025–2035 Strategic Plan, which focuses on connected communities, environmental sustainability, resilient economies, and strong relationships.

The Region is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and forward-thinking leader for the role of Director, Business Services within the Social Services Department. Reporting to the Commissioner of Social Services, the Director provides executive leadership for the department’s business affairs, financial management, administrative services, and emergency social services functions, overseeing a workforce of 79 staff and supporting more than 60 program areas. Responsible for a departmental budget exceeding $700 million and funding relationships with multiple provincial and federal ministries, the Director plays a critical role in long-term financial planning, business strategy, budget modernization, internal controls, and service sustainability. The position serves as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, Council, and community stakeholders on complex financial, operational, and policy matters that impact vulnerable populations across the Region. In addition, the Director leads emergency social services planning and response, supports major initiatives in affordable housing, childcare, homelessness, community investment, and service system manager programs, and ensures the effective administration of significant funding, contract, and payment programs. As a people-centered leader, the successful candidate will foster a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement while building organizational capacity to advance community well-being, social inclusion, and service excellence.

The ideal candidate is an accomplished and collaborative leader with a strong foundation in public sector financial management, business administration, and strategic planning. Holding a university degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Commerce, Economics, or a related discipline, the successful candidate brings at least 10 years of progressive leadership experience, including senior management responsibility in complex, multi-stakeholder environments. Experience leading large-scale budgeting, financial planning, business operations, policy development, risk management, and organizational transformation is essential, along with a demonstrated ability to provide strategic advice to executive leadership, elected officials, and community partners. The successful candidate is an exceptional communicator and relationship builder with expertise in managing diverse teams, fostering accountability, and driving continuous improvement. Knowledge of municipal governance, budget processes, internal controls, emergency management, legislative frameworks, and service delivery within a public sector environment will be key to success. A Master's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field, a CPA designation, and training in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are considered strong assets.

Expected Compensation Range: $160,824 to $201,030 CAD.

Reason for Posting: Existing Vacancy

To Apply

For more information, please contact Diana Pelaia of Odgers at diana.pelaia@odgers.com or submit your resume and letter of interest online by October 22, 2026.

We thank all those who express an interest, however only those chosen for further development will be contacted.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Odgers is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with the Accessible Canada Act, 2019 and all applicable provincial accessibility standards, upon request, accommodation will be provided by both Odgers and Durham Region throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.

Odgers is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all the work that we do. As part of our efforts to better understand our ability to reach as broad a pool of candidates as possible for our searches, our DEI team would like to encourage you to take a moment and access our Self-Declaration Form.