CMOS Executive Director

Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society; Ottawa; Remote; CAD 90,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (CMOS) seeks an Executive Director to advance its mission and strategic priorities. The role leads programs, people, partnerships, fundraising, governance support, and administration, reporting to the CMOS Council.

The successful candidate will be bilingual, values-driven, and capable of translating strategy into action while representing CMOS with credibility among members, donors, partners, funders, government, academia, and the community.

Qualifications

• Must be bilingual in English and French.
• Leads and supports governance practices with Board/Council.
• Experience in strategic planning, budgeting, and program oversight.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of strategic plan aligning mission, programs, resources, and outcomes.
• Support Council governance with meetings, information, and analysis.
• Oversee daily operations, risk management, and performance monitoring.
• Collaborate with finance staff and contractors to manage budgets, reports, and audits.
• Drive fundraising, grant development, donor stewardship, sponsorships, and earned revenue.
• Recruit, supervise, coach, and evaluate staff and volunteers.
• Represent CMOS publicly as a spokesperson and ambassador.

Skills

Bilingual English/French

Nonprofit leadership

Strategic thinking

Governance support

Education

Post-secondary education or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Video conferencing

Job description

The Executive Director is the senior staff member of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (CMOS) and is responsible for advancing its mission, strategic priorities, operational effectiveness, financial sustainability, and public profile. Reporting to the CMOS Council, the Executive Director provides visionary and practical leadership across programs, people, partnerships, fundraising, governance support, and administration.

The successful candidate will be a collaborative, bilingual, values-driven leader who can translate strategy into action, build trusted relationships, steward resources responsibly, and represent the organization with credibility among members, donors, partners, funders, government, academia, and the broader community.

Reporting Relationship

The Executive Director is the senior staff member of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (CMOS) and is responsible for advancing its mission, strategic priorities, operational effectiveness, financial sustainability, and public profile. Reporting to the CMOS Council, the Executive Director provides visionary and practical leadership across programs, people, partnerships, fundraising, governance support, and administration.

The successful candidate will be a collaborative, bilingual, values-driven leader who can translate strategy into action, build trusted relationships, steward resources responsibly, and represent the organization with credibility among members, donors, partners, funders, government, academia, and the broader community.

Position Overview

The Executive Director reports directly to the CMOS Council through the CMOS President/CMOS Council Chair and works closely with standing committees, staff, volunteers, contractors, and external stakeholders. The Executive Director is accountable for implementing Council-approved strategy, policies, budgets, and organizational priorities.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the implementation of the organization’s strategic plan, ensuring alignment between mission, programs, resources, and measurable outcomes.

Governance and Council Support

• Support the Council in fulfilling its governance responsibilities through meeting preparation, timely information, thoughtful analysis, and sound recommendations.

Operations and Administration

• Oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring effective systems, processes, risk management, and performance monitoring.

Financial Stewardship

• Work with the Council Treasurer and finance staff and/or contractors to prepare and manage annual budgets, financial reports, forecasts, and audits or reviews.

Fund Development and Revenue Generation

• Lead or support fundraising, grant development, donor stewardship, sponsorships, earned revenue, and other revenue strategies appropriate to the organization.

People Leadership

• Recruit, supervise, coach, and evaluate staff, contractors, and volunteers as applicable.

External Relations and Advocacy

• Serve as a primary spokesperson and ambassador for the organization, representing its mission, values, programs, and priorities.

Required Qualifications

• Strong working knowledge of both English and French.
• Canadian Citizenship or landed immigrant status and eligible to work in Canada.
• Strong knowledge of business software (e.g. Microsoft Office, video conferencing, etc.)
• Leadership experience in a not-for-profit, charitable, membership, public sector, or mission-driven organization.

Additional Qualifications and Experience

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a Council/Board of Directors and support strong governance practices.
• Experience in strategic planning, financial management, budgeting, reporting, and organizational operations.
• Proven ability to build relationships with volunteers, members, funders, donors, partners, government, and community stakeholders.
• Strong people leadership skills, including supervision, coaching, performance management, and team development.
• Knowledge of not-for-profit governance, compliance, fundraising, grant management, and risk management practices.
• Post-secondary education in a relevant field, or an equivalent combination of education, professional development, and experience.

Core Competencies

• Mission-driven leadership and sound judgment
• Strategic thinking and practical execution
• Financial acumen and responsible stewardship
• Relationship building and stakeholder engagement
• Inclusive, collaborative, and ethical leadership
• Clear communication and public representation
• Adaptability, resilience, and problem-solving

Employment Details

• Position Type: Full-time, permanent
• Location: Primarily remote
• Compensation: $90,000 – $96,000 plus technology
• Start Date: January 2027