Jessica Chase

Experience

• 

  Ontario Public Service

  Oct 2005 - Sept 2010

  • Strengthened linkages and relationships between the Community Programs Unit and other functional teams• Managed a team of approximately 12 staff and coordinated the management of human resources within the Community Programs Unit which ensured that the unit’s human capital goals were met (e.g. skill sets, fit)• Streamlined processes such as year-to-date analysis and serious occurrence reporting protocols which improved the team’s ability to monitor ministry programs in a timely manner• Provided direction and regular feedback to staff and supported staff in obtaining their learning goals, resulting in a number of staff receiving promotions Show less • Provided financial and data analysis and advice to support the budget cycle process and the management and negotiation of service contracts• Improved the regional office’s ability to respond to information requests in an accurate and timely manner as the lead for the child care licensing Access database restructuring• Prepared senior management correspondence and briefing notes which allowed senior ministry officials to monitor contentious issues, respond to questions and make informed decisions regarding ministry programs• Provided program support which ensured the successful implementation of Best Start, a new ministry initiative Show less

  • Program Supervisor

    Nov 2009 - Sept 2010

  • Manager of Administrative Support

    May 2009 - Oct 2009

  • Program Support Coordinator

    Oct 2005 - Apr 2009
• 

  United Way of Burlington and Greater Hamilton

  May 2009 - Jun 2011

  Board Member and Co-Chair of GenNext

  • Provided governance and accountability oversight and shaped the strategic direction of the organization• Provided strong leadership to the GenNext team, which encouraged young professionals to contribute back to their community and resulted in increased awareness of the United Way

• 

  York Consulting Group

  Jan 2011 - Apr 2012

  Co-Managing Director

  • Led a team of approximately 20 consultants and was responsible for overseeing the student-led consulting organization• Led a project with a local non-profit organization and was accountable for all project deliverables, which resulted in the development of a business plan for the organization• Supported all recruiting activities, developed an onboarding process for new consultants, and developed a 360 review process for consultants which ensured that we attracted and retained the right people for the organization and supported their continuous learning and growth• Developed tracking systems in order to better monitor resources and the availability of consultants, which improved the staffing process• Developed proposals for potential clients and attended intake meetings in order to understand how the firm could address the business problem facing the client Show less

• 

  Deloitte

  May 2011 - Apr 2013

  Senior Consultant

  • Provided both strategic and tactical recommendations to municipal government clients to improve the quality and efficiency of service to clients in the face of ongoing financial pressures• Facilitated focus groups with senior management, internal staff, board members, and community stakeholders in order to understand an organization’s strengths, challenges and opportunities for improvement• Provided day-to-day project management and maintained regular contact with clients which resulted in positive client relationships and early identification and resolution of issues Show less

• 

  City of Brantford

  Apr 2013 - Sept 2014

  Manager of Municipal Housing

  • Provided leadership and coaching to 12 full-time staff and 8-12 students and part-time staff• Led several new business initiatives, such as the launch of the first tenant survey, the negotiation of a new YARDI software system, a significant housing portfolio change, and several energy initiatives• Developed and monitored the operational and capital budgets for approximately 1,200 social housing units• Provided a high level of customer service by resolving conflicts and problem-solving solutions with tenants, non-profit board members, staff, and contractors resulting in positive outcomes such as preventing evictions for families Show less

• 

  City Of Hamilton

  Sept 2014 - Sept 2015

  Manager of Business Supports, Children's & Home Management Division

  • Managed service contracts with funders and service providers to ensure that targets are met, and funding is spent in accordance with legislative requirements and within budget• Successfully led the implementation of the wage enhancement initiative and developed solutions to address gaps and challenges which will result in increased staff wages and reduced costs to child care operators • Developed an innovative funding model process to address system priorities and build capacity amongst child care operators Show less

• 

  City Of Hamilton

  Sept 2016 - now

  • Establishes and implements the strategic direction of the Children’s & Community Services division• Oversees the development and management of a $175 M+ gross operating budget and 80+ funding agreements with external organizations• Provides coaching, mentoring and leadership to a team of managers that collectively supervise approximately 90 staff• Provides leadership to several high profile, significant system transformations including Indigenous Relations, the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care agreement, and the Community Safety and Well-being Plan• Builds and strengthens relationships with funders, community partners, and other municipalities• Identifies and proactively manages issues, keeping Council and senior leadership apprised and informed of recommendations, risks and alternative options• Led the Children’s & Community Services division through the COVID-19 pandemic recovery, ensuring the stabilization of the child care and early years system and the implementation of new work models • Led the development and implementation of the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging plan across the entire child care and early years system Show less • Provided leadership and guidance to the development and implementation of the City of Hamilton's Urban Indigenous Strategy, Age Friendly Plan and Early Years Community Plan• Engaged with a wide variety of stakeholders to ensure that strategies, projects, policies, and processes are reflective of and responsive to community needs• Oversaw the transformation of the EarlyON Child and Family Centres, including managing contracts with multiple service providers, developing sustainable funding strategies and redesigning programs and systems to respond to family needs• Leveraged opportunities to collaborate and better coordinate early years, seniors, and Indigenous services and programs within the City of Hamilton, with other levels of government, and with a variety of community partners Show less

  • Director of Communications, Government Relations and Community Engagement (Acting)

    Apr 2024 - now

  • Director, Children’s and Community Services

    May 2021 - May 2024

  • Manager of Community Strategies, Children's Services & Neighbourhood Development

    Sept 2016 - May 2021