Chief Executive Officer

York Region Children’s Aid Society (YRCAS) is a child welfare agency working to ensure more families stay together and that children and youth in care have the support they need to be safe, succeed, and thrive. Serving a population of 1.25M people across York Region, YRCAS provides a safety net for the most vulnerable members of society – infants, children, and youth who are at risk of, or experiencing physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse, neglect, or abandonment. The Agency is actively cultivating a culture of belonging and learning based on inclusive leadership and is seeking an exceptional and passionate social services leader who will work with the Board of Directors and the senior team to lead the vision, strategy, and execution of programs, services and operations essential to one of Canada’s fastest-growing and most diverse communities.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer leads YRCAS to deliver on its legislative mandate and organizational goals and objectives. The CEO builds and empowers the leadership team with the authority to make decisions to meet the demands and needs of the organization and the community. Working collaboratively with community stakeholders and staff, they set the tone for the Agency’s culture where all feel valued, heard, and respected. The CEO is visible within the organization and community and engages with parents, volunteers, and community members to advocate for children and youth and seek out partnerships to strengthen support for those in need.

For this critical leadership role, YRCAS is seeking a strategic leader, who will lead and manage transformational change within a sector of critical importance to children, youth, families and their communities. With a commitment to anti-oppressive framework, you will provide ethical leadership, mentorship and support to staff. You are a strong relationship builder who will quickly establish credibility with community stakeholders and service delivery partners. You understand the relevant legislation and have the experience to develop measurable goals and performance indicators. With integrity and a genuine passion for children and youth, you have the skills to manage this large, complex, and critical social service agency.

Applications are encouraged immediately and should be submitted online by May 16, 2025, at this link. For more information, please contact Bridget Humeniuk of Odgers Berndtson at bridget.humeniuk@odgersberndtson.com.

York Region Children’s Aid Society and Odgers Berndtson are committed to building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment. We believe every member of the team enriches our organization by exposing us to a broad range of ways of understanding and engaging the community and delivering service that is responsive to the unique and intersecting identities of service users. We welcome applications from all candidates who are interested in this opportunity, including women, racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and who meet the job qualifications.

Fostering equity, diversity and inclusion in recruitment practices is a key aspect of the Odgers Berndtson search process. As part of the application process, there is a voluntary survey, where you can choose to self-identify as a member of a designated group. Any information directly related to you is confidential, and the results will be aggregated for organizational planning, and anonymized unless you specifically consent to self-identify.

York Region Children’s Aid Society 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 Berndtson and York Region Children’s Aid Society throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.