We are hiring – Executive Director

We are seeking a strategic and inspiring Executive Director to lead our organization and drive its mission forward. This role offers an exciting opportunity for an experienced leader passionate about making a meaningful impact in the community. Please find the job details below.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Executive Director

Number of Positions:  1 

Position Title:                    Executive Director 

Job Status:                          Full-time Contract 

Salary:                                  70,000-90,000

Hours of Work: 40 hours per week

Closing Date:                    January 3, 2025

Position Summary:

The Executive Director is responsible to the Board of Directors for the short-term and long-term planning and development of the Council, for monitoring the Council’s activities, for the day-to-day management of the Council’s financial and staff resources, for the implementation of policies approved by the Board and for providing leadership for the Council in the community.

Project Management 

• Initiate new opportunities for research and partnerships with front-line organisations or agencies, especially those that will facilitate relationships and research with equity-denied populations and individuals with direct lived experience related to questions and concerns arising from our mission, vision and strategic plan.

• Suggest or provide support for new initiatives, including in the areas of research, evaluation, knowledge translation, partnerships and/or advocacy related to the organization’s mission, vision and strategic plan.
• Supervise and help facilitate the primary work of the organization as related to the mission, vision and strategic plan and where possible provide capacity building and succession planning for requisite positions. 
• Give support to the planning processes of the Board of Directors which establish broad programming objectives.
• Prepares and updates a work plan outlining the proposed project activities of the Council’s staff, consistent with overall Board goals.
• Identify project opportunities and secure adequate funding commitments to carry out projects. 
• Assign project activities to the staff that best meet individual skills and interests, and the organization’s needs and simultaneously provide an equitable distribution of the project workload. 
• Provide support to staff in the completion of projects and monitor the ongoing progress of assigned projects, taking remedial action when necessary. 

Financial Management 

• Prepare an annual budget for the Council for approval by the Executive Committee and Board of Directors in a timely manner. 
• Ensure maintenance of monthly and annual financial statements and projections. 
• Authorize the expenditure of all Council funds within the project, agency budgets, and Board policy on financial matters. 
• Ensure that sound accounting principles maintain the Council’s financial records. 
• Provide sound management to the financial affairs of the Council and the expertise necessary to hire, supervise and evaluate staff working on specific Council projects. 
• Attend the ESPC Financial committee meetings. 

Financial Development

• Ensure that the Council’s major funders’ ongoing support is maintained and extended whenever possible.
• Ensure that alternatives for funding support for the Council are developed, including projects, fee for service opportunities, grants and contracts. 
• Delegate budgeting and fundraising to senior staff as appropriate on a project-specific basis
• Work with the Executive Committee and Board to develop and carry out fundraising activities

Personnel Management

• Ensure that hiring, supervising and evaluations of all full-time, contract and project staff are carried out by themselves or the designated supervisor. 
• Build Council staff into a cooperative, collaborative and effective team.
• Work toward staff development through objective setting with each employee, meeting regularly both individually and collectively to ensure transparency, accountability, good governance and good relations.
• Maintain salary grid structure for permanent staff and negotiates salaries for project staff. 
• Work with the Board and committees to review and update Personnel Policy as required
• Ensure succession planning and proper coverage for unexpected leaves are current and maintained. 

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY AREA: Board Relations Specific Duties 

• Provide professional and administrative support to a Board of Directors, particularly with respect to policy analysis and applied research.
• Provide transparent and timely communication with the Board and develop a collaborative relationship by identifying new initiatives and updating on current work in a manner which invites input from the board on significant decisions related to the mission, vision and strategic planning and authentically values the expertise and insight from board members. 
• Assist the Board of Directors in their responsibilities and in understanding the work of the Council.
• Ensure professional and administrative support to the Board and its committees.
• Implement all policy decisions of the Board. 
• Maintain and promote a collaborative and cooperative working relationship between staff and board members. 

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY AREA: Community Relations Specific Duties 

• Promote the work of the Council in the wider community through public speaking opportunities and presentations. 
• Maintain close working relationships with local and national media, ensuring public profile of Council activities. 
• Maintain positive working relationships with other social agencies in the community and with all levels of government involved in the provision of human services. 
• Network and foster partnerships with all levels of front-line and action-based organizations.
• Understand both the opportunities and challenges within the community of non-profit social agencies in Edmonton
• Remain knowledgeable and current on the Edmonton community, with reference to existing social trends, social problems, the work of social service agencies, aboriginal and ethnic issues and the role of government in the provision of human services
• Represent the organization within the community in a manner that improves the general credibility of the Council and allows it to respond more effectively to community needs

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED 

• Passionate about the organization’s mission and vision and a sense of urgency for or commitment to the issues faced by many equity-denied individuals and populations.
• Understand both the opportunities and challenges within the community of non-profit social agencies in Edmonton
• Provide a sense of vision and direction for the organization, while recognizing the economic and political vulnerability of a social change organization. 
• Express ideas and arguments in a clear, convincing manner in both written and oral presentations. . 
• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. 
• Work effectively with diverse teams, stakeholders, and communities.
• Knowledge and understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and methods. 

MINIMUM EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING REQUIRED 

• Master’s degree or equivalent and a bachelor’s degree in a relevant area of interest, including social sciences, social work, business with specialization in public policy, non-profits, public administration, or a related field.
• At least five years of experience in a senior management role in a non-profit organization.
• Experience in writing successful funding grants and fund-raising
• Vision, commitment, and drive to initiate new partnerships and research endeavours to serve the greater Edmonton community.
• Experience and expertise to provide leadership and capacity building in community-based research.
• Financial knowledge is an asset. 
• Experience in research and evaluation skills, ideally both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, including community-based research methods working directly with individuals with first-hand lived experience

TO APPLY: Submit your resume and cover letter to Ramona Blacklock boardmember1@edmontonsocialplanning.ca

 Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.