Executive Director

Dawn Recruiting Agency; Toronto; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Dawn Recruiting Agency in Toronto is partnering with a not-for-profit client to fill an Executive Director role focused on empowering women and families. The ED will align operations with mission, vision, and strategy, while guiding staff and leadership to deliver high-quality services.

This senior role requires strong strategic leadership, governance, risk management, and fundraising capabilities to sustain multi-funded programs and partnerships in a community-based setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Social Work, Business, or related field.
• Minimum of five years of leadership experience in managing a community-based organization.
• Experience in managing a 24/7 support operation is an asset.
• Senior management in administration with HR, organizational, and financial experience.
• Experience in a unionized environment.
• Commitment to an inclusive, diverse community.
• Strong budgeting across multi-funded budgets.
• Ability to manage relationships with staff, funders, and partners.
• Skills in program planning, design, evaluation, risk management, and quality improvement.
• Thorough knowledge of relevant legislation and standards.
• Problem solver with a big-picture perspective.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: lead planning, drive change, and align with the board’s direction.
• Financial and Risk Management: fundraising, grants, budgets, and funder compliance.
• Stakeholder Engagement: build relationships with staff, government, funders, and partners.
• Operations: develop service standards, represent the organization, and plan program evaluation.
• People leadership: manage staff, volunteers, and ensure a healthy work environment.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Budgeting

Fundraising

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Program evaluation

Team development

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Social Work, Business, or related field

Job description

We thank you for your interest in applying!

Our client is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to empowering women and their children fleeing domestic violence, as well as families experiencing homelessness, by providing a short-term emergency shelter and support services that help them build safe, stable, and fulfilling lives.

Are you passionate about helping people thrive?

The Pod Group is partnering with this organization in the search for a progressive, feminist, and compassionate Executive Director who will ensure the organization’s operations are aligned with the mission, vision, and strategic plan.

The Executive Director will lead the organization in the accomplishment of strategic objectives aligned with organizational priorities and the overall integration of services.

The ideal candidate demonstrates passion combined with strong functional and operational expertise in managing community-based organizations. They will bring a high level of enthusiasm, determination, and perseverance in elevating this organization in the community by proactively managing risk, fulfilling the strategic plan, and ultimately leading management and staff in providing services to the clients they serve.

This is a rewarding opportunity to be part of a dedicated team making a real difference in the lives of vulnerable people. If you are a compassionate, motivated, and client-focused professional looking for purpose-driven work, we want to hear from you.

The role of the Executive Director encompasses the following:

Strategic Leadership:

• Strong leadership presence with the ability to lead, drive change, and influence people to ensure we exceed the expectations of all stakeholders, aligned with the vision of the organization.
• Lead in Strategic Planning and fostering ownership and buy-in from all internal and external stakeholders, under the direction of the Board.
• Develop staff, finances, and physical resources to implement policies and programs to ensure best practices and delivery of quality services to clients in support.

Financial and Risk Management:

• Actively work to ensure the financial health of the organization through fundraising proposals, grants, plans, events, and the management of partnerships with funders.
• Administer the funds of the agency in accordance with the Board-approved budget, ensuring all funder requirements are achieved with the highest level of integrity.
• Promote and adhere to a disciplined approach in management and mitigate health, safety and risk across the organization.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Motivate, inspire, and build an innovative, agile, and responsive team that is focused on supporting clients.
• Develop cooperative working relationships with all stakeholders, including employees, Government, Funders, Community Partners and the Union.
• Embrace, motivate, and manage all employees in building a cohesive team while establishing a client-focused culture of performance and accountability.
• Develop and maintain a high level of engagement in the community through collaboration, engagement, and partnerships.

Operations:

• Drive innovation and growth in operations while ensuring access and supports for all clients as required.
• Develop, as needed, and implement appropriate service standards and best practices.
• Act as a spokesperson for the organization, network with other agencies, and maintain professional affiliation.
• Conduct research, evaluation, and program planning to promote full utilization of resources, while maximizing capacity and minimizing waitlists.
• Lead the health, safety, and wellness of all staff, volunteers, and students.
• Develop, direct, and implement policies in the administration of the organization.
• Perform other related activities as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree and/or Master’s Degree in Social Work, Business, or related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of leadership experience in managing a community-based organization with knowledge of serving vulnerable and marginalized populations.
• Experience in managing and supporting a 24/7 support operation would be an asset.
• Proven track record at senior management level in administration with respect to human resources, organizational management and financial management in the not-for-profit or public sector.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a unionized environment.
• Commitment to fostering a positive work and service delivery environment that is inclusive and reflective of the diversity in the community.
• Strong knowledge of financial management and budgeting experience of a multi-funded budget.
• Demonstrate ability to manage key relationships, including staff, funders, and collaborative initiatives with community partners.
• Skills in program planning and design, program evaluation, risk management, and quality improvement.
• Thorough knowledge of legislation and standards relevant to the organization's mandate.
• Problem solver, with a keen sense of understanding the big picture.

OUR COMMITMENT TO EDIB

The success of an organization stems from a team that is aligned with its mission and vision, where decisions are made in the best interests of the clients they serve and the marginalized and vulnerable populations across our communities. Through this effort, all team members embrace their roles in the organization with respect and dignity for all stakeholders. Through these partnerships, everyone is focused on ensuring a commitment and responsibility toward anti-racism, anti-oppression, equity, diversity, inclusivity, and belonging.