Director, Provincially Operated Schools

Stewarding Excellence in Specialized Education Programs

Are you a strategic and operational leader with strong stakeholder relationship skills? If so, consider this unique opportunity to serve as Director of Provincially Operated Schools in the Provincial and Demonstration Schools Branch of Ontario’s Ministry of Education.

The Provincial and Demonstration Schools Branch (PDSB) is a leader in delivering elementary and secondary education and specialized integrated programming for students who are Deaf, hard of hearing, blind, have low vision, are Deafblind, or have learning disabilities. PDSB operates three American Sign Language (ASL)/English provincial schools for the Deaf and three English-language demonstration schools for students with learning disabilities, co-located in Belleville, London and Milton, as well as one English-language provincial school for students who are blind, visually impaired or Deafblind, located in Brantford. The branch supports more than 500 students in reaching their full potential through a total experience that includes learning, lodging, sports, music, recreation, leadership opportunities and life beyond school.

The Ministry is seeking a collaborative leader with experience overseeing multi-site operations and a strong understanding of service delivery, facility management, operations, health and safety obligations, and related best practices. The Director will understand students with disabilities and/or special education needs, as well as Deaf education and culture, and will build trust with stakeholders who may have competing interests and priorities. This is a uniquely rewarding opportunity to provide strategic and operational leadership in support of Deaf, hard of hearing, blind, low vision, Deafblind and learning-disabled students.

This position requires a Criminal Record and a Vulnerable Sector Check.

About the job

Reporting to the Assistant Deputy Minister, Student Support and Field Services Division, you will:

• provide stewardship and oversee 7 Ministry-operated schools in Milton, London, Brantford and Belleville that provide education and lodging to Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Blind/Visually Impaired and Special Education students;
• be responsible for policy and operations of provincially operated schools and work to enhance policy coherence to ensure key priorities are clearly articulated, shared, understood and implemented;
• provide oversight and strategic leadership to a leadership team including superintendents and managers that deliver education, curriculum, programs, lodging, operations and support services (including outreach services, pre-school home-visiting programs and consultative services);
• lead the development and implementation of high-quality student-focused services and supports, while apprising the Assistant Deputy Minister on operations and results;
• represent the ministry in the education system and develop strong relationships with bargaining unit leaders, parents, advocacy associations, district school boards and government agencies.

What you bring to the team

Executive Leadership – you are a seasoned transformational people leader with proven abilities in:

• leading and influencing people in a sizable multi-site operational and unionized environment, managing contentious human resource and labour relations issues;
• leading through transformational change and championing the adoption of innovative methods and technologies;
• leading and motivating high-performing, multi-functional teams in a fast-paced, highly visible and demanding environment;
• creating a culture of equity, inclusion and accessibility while promoting employee wellbeing and engagement.

Relationship Management and Political Acuity – you are an effective communicator, negotiator and relationship builder with proven abilities in:

• fostering collaborative internal and external relationships to promote seamless integration of student learning and related supports;
• demonstrating political acuity while delivering strategic and confidential advice to senior leaders and stakeholders;
• managing complex, politically sensitive issues within the context of multiple interests and high public profile;
• communicating, negotiating and consensus building with the ability to work collaboratively to advance shared priorities.

Job Knowledge – you are an experienced operational leader with proven:

• knowledge and understanding of government and school board organizational structures and the economic, social, cultural, political and educational issues facing Ontario;
• knowledge and experience leading complex operations, facilities management, health and safety;
• ability to determine long-term issues, problems and opportunities and develop sound strategies and plans;
• experience in engagement, consultation and negotiation methods, techniques and best practices;
• knowledge of second language acquisition and development; fluency in American Sign Language (ASL) would be an asset.

Additional information

• Apply by: Sunday, September 13, 2026 11:59 pm EDT
• Position details: 1 English Permanent, Milton, Central Region, Vulnerable Sector Check, Annual CRC
• Salary: $160,317.00 – $201,962.00 per year
• Compensation group: Executive
• Job code: XEXE2 – Executive 2

How to apply

You must apply online through the Ontario Public Service Careers posting (Job ID 248027). Your cover letter and résumé combined should not exceed five (5) pages.