Executive Director

Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations; Edmonton; Hybrid; CAD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nonprofit organization in Edmonton is seeking a dynamic Executive Director to lead its operations and advocacy efforts. The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, strong political acumen, and be committed to the mission of empowering student leaders. The position offers a salary range of $85,000 – $95,000 annually along with benefits and a hybrid working model.

Benefits

Health and dental benefits

RRSP matching program

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in nonprofit leadership or advocacy.
• High financial literacy with experience in budget preparation.
• Ability to work in-person at ASEC's Edmonton office at least three days a week.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary liaison between the Board of Directors and ASEC operations.
• Provide leadership and oversight of day-to-day operations.
• Act as ASEC's lead lobbyist, maintaining government relations.

Skills

Strong political acumen

Relationship building

Financial management

Organizational leadership

Communication skills

Education

Diploma or degree from a recognized post-secondary institution

Tools

Google Suite

Job description

Location: Edmonton – Hybrid; office located at 10055 106 Street

Hours: 37.5 hours/week; evenings, weekends, and some travel will be required

Compensation: $85,000 – $95,000 annually with employer-paid health and dental benefits, employee-paid STD & LTD, and an RRSP matching program

Reports to: ASEC Board of Directors through Chair of the Board

Closing Date: Thursday, November 6 at 11:59PM

About the Job

The Alberta Students’ Executive Council (ASEC) empowers and unites student leaders to advocate for the best interests of post-secondary students in Alberta, ensuring high-quality, accessible, affordable advanced education and quality of life for students. We do this by ensuring student leaders have the skills, knowledge, confidence and opportunities to be best-in-class advocates for students of today and generations to come. We are a nonpartisan nonprofit member organization representing over 90,000 students from 14 Member Students’ Associations across the province.

ASEC’s core values co-created with members are: student led, transparency, accountability, respect, equal opportunity, and forward thinking.

ASEC currently has a Board of 8 student leaders and 2 staff advisors located across the province. The organization has 2 staff members who are located in Edmonton.

Position Summary

ASEC is seeking a dynamic and strategic Executive Director to lead the organization in fulfilling its mission. The Executive Director serves as the administrative leader of ASEC, responsible for oversight of all elements of day-to-day operations, organizational relationships, and board engagement. This includes organizational governance, HR and staff oversight, budget development and financial management, partner and member relationships, regulatory adherence, and advocacy and lobbying activities.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned nonprofit or advocacy leader with strong political acumen and relationship building abilities. The candidate should have a proven track record when it comes to financial management, consensus building, and working with both Members and Boards.

Key Responsibilities

1. Governance & Board Relations

• Serve as the primary liaison between the Board of Directors and ASEC operations.
• Support the Board in fulfilling its governance responsibilities by providing regular reporting, strategic insight, and clear communication.
• Ensure that ASEC’s policies and practices align with its bylaws and strategic goals.
• Provide support and orientation to Board members to ensure their success and preparedness for their roles.

2. Organizational Leadership & Operations

• Provide leadership and oversight of day-to-day operations, including staff supervision and ensuring organizational excellence through procedure development and adherence.
• Uphold a high-performance, inclusive, and respectful organizational culture that reflects ASEC’s values.
• Lead recruitment, training, and development of staff to ensure a motivated and effective team.
• Identify key areas for organizational growth or efficiency through relationships, partnerships, and/or program expansion or improvement.

3. Advocacy & Government Relations

• Act as ASEC’s lead lobbyist and point of contact for government, advancing the advocacy agenda with government officials, public servants, and key influencers and reporting as required.
• Maintain and build strong relationships with provincial government representatives, ministries, and other decision-makers relevant to post-secondary education.
• Develop and implement effective lobbying strategies that align with member priorities and ASEC’s strategic plan.
• Lead Members in priority identification processes and oversee development of all related advocacy resources.
• Identify areas for growth in ASEC’s partner network and advocate for ASEC’s inclusion in new spaces.

4. Member Engagement & Accountability

• Ensure continuous engagement with ASEC Member organizations through students and staff, maintaining transparency and accountability.
• Foster strong relationships with student leaders across Alberta, ensuring their voices are reflected in ASEC’s advocacy work.
• Ensure Members are receiving and perceiving value in their membership with ASEC through ongoing communication, formal evaluation, and encouraged participation.

5. Strategic Planning & Implementation

• Lead the execution of ASEC’s multi-year strategic plan, aligning activities with long‑term goals and member expectations.
• Monitor progress and adapt strategies as necessary to ensure continued relevance and impact.

6. Financial Oversight & Planning

• Lead budgeting and financial planning to ensure financial health and sustainability of the organization.
• Work with the Finance Committee and Board to manage financial risk, ensure compliance, and uphold financial accountability.
• Secure and manage funding, including grants, sponsorships, and partnerships as appropriate.

7. Stakeholder & Partner Relations

• Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with other student organizations, post-secondary institutions, nonprofits, advocacy groups, and sector stakeholders.
• Represent ASEC in coalitions, working groups, and public forums to strengthen the organization’s presence and advocacy impact.

Qualifications & Experience

Requirements:

• A completed diploma, degree, or equivalent from a recognized post-secondary institution
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience post-graduation in nonprofit leadership, government relations, advocacy, or a related field
• High financial literacy: experience with financial management and budget preparation
• Demonstrated track record of relationship building among diverse groups
• An alignment and commitment to ASEC’s organizational values
• A high degree of professionalism and experience upholding organizational reputation
• Legally able to work in Canada
• Ability to work in-person at ASEC’s Edmonton office at least three days per week
• Access to transportation to facilitate travel within Edmonton and willingness to travel within Alberta as required, with reimbursement aligned to ASEC policies

Preferred Experience & Attributes:

• Proven track record in executive or senior management roles within a nonprofit organization
• A high degree of political acumen
• Strong knowledge of governance best practices and experience working with Boards
• Ability to work in a digital environment using Google Suite and hosting online meetings
• Demonstrated success in managing staff and operations in a small organization
• Exceptional communication, consensus building, negotiation, and interpersonal skills
• Deep understanding of Alberta’s post-secondary landscape and government systems
• Understanding of lobbyist and nonprofit reporting requirements
• Experience leading government relations, lobbying efforts, and strategic advocacy.
• A strong understanding of diverse lived experiences and realities across the province
• Understanding of the student movement and student leadership

To Apply

Please complete the application form, which will require attachment of a PDF resume.

The form is linked here.

ASEC is committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive work environment. We welcome applications from all qualified persons and encourage those with values of inclusion, accessibility, and equity to apply. Should you require any accessibility support through the application process please include your needs in your application.

Tagged as: Advocacy and Politics