Executive Director of the Vanier Institute of the Family

Evenings and Weekends Consulting; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading national non-profit organization is seeking an Executive Director to lead strategic initiatives and operations. This role involves engaging with diverse stakeholders to enhance family wellbeing across Canada. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in leadership within the non-profit sector and a commitment to equity and inclusivity. This full-time position offers competitive benefits and is based in Ottawa.

Benefits

Defined-contribution pension plan

Extended health benefits

4 weeks of vacation

Qualifications

• Proven ability to motivate and build trust with a small team.
• Experience in a leadership capacity in the non-profit sector.
• Strong commitment to advancing equity and inclusivity.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall strategic leadership and oversight.
• Strengthen relationships with partners and stakeholders.
• Oversee day-to-day operations and ensure compliance.

Skills

Leadership skills

Strategic thinking

Excellent communication

Crisis Management

Fundraising

Education

Graduate degree in family studies or related social science

Job description

Become the Vanier Institute's new Executive Director!

The Vanier Institute of the Family has hired Evenings & Weekends Consulting to conduct the recruitment process for the next Executive Director. For more information about this opportunity please contact Latitia Eyssartel, Co-Managing Director at Evenings & Weekends Consulting by email at or apply here (by clicking on Apply Now).

About the Vanier Institute of the Family

Vanier Institute of the Family is an established national independent non-profit organization committed to enhancing family wellbeing by making information about families accessible and actionable. Positioned at the centre of networks of researchers, educators, policymakers and organizations with an interest in families we share information and strengthen the understanding of families in Canada in all their diversities to support evidence-informed decisions that promote family wellbeing. Through research publications, partnerships and collaborations, presentations and social media we elevate the national understanding of families in Canada. Our culture is one of respect and inclusivity.

Our Vision: A Canada that recognizes and supports the central role of families in society and invests in strengthening and being inclusive of their diverse expressions.

Our Mission: To advance the understanding of wellbeing of families in Canada in all their diversities, recognizing that families are at the core of a healthy and inclusive society.

Our Values: Integrity, Diversity & Inclusion, Responsiveness, Capacity Development and Collaboration

Our Theory of Change can be found here.

You can meet our Board & Staff here.

About the Executive Director role

As the new Executive Director (ED) you will lead a small but passionate and dedicated team. You will work with Board members, staff and an extensive network of partners to advance and operationalize the mission and to achieve the short and long-term goals of the organization.

This is an exciting role for a collaborative, strategic, thoughtful and innovative leader who is passionate about advancing the wellbeing of families in Canada, including deepening understanding of their diverse experiences and needs and advancing policies to meet those needs.

Collaborating with a wide and diverse network of partners, contributors, funders, academics, government officials at all levels and the business community, the ED will work to foster and advance research and evidence-based policy and practice that enhances family wellbeing in Canada. As a key ambassador and representative of the organization the ED will continue to raise the organization’s profile nationally and heighten engagement with research funding, government and business partners as well as key audiences and constituencies.

The successful candidate will report to the Vanier Institute of the Family's Board of Directors.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to :

Strategic Leadership

Overall strategic leadership and oversight of the development and execution of the strategic plan, priorities, financial and human resource management, policy development, outreach and engagement with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders on collaborative initiatives and awareness raising.

Ongoing liaison with the Board of Directors on the development and implementation of the strategic plan priorities and the management of emerging issues.

Ensuring the Board is kept informed on emerging issues and policies related to families.

Providing direction and capacity development to enable the staff team to operationalize and implement the strategic plan priorities.

Ensuring the development and implementation of a risk management plan.

In collaboration with the Chair overseeing the development of the Board's meeting agendas and relevant documents.

Attending Board and committee meetings and regularly reporting on strategic priorities and all other relevant matters.

Community Stakeholder & Partner Engagement

Strengthen relationships with partners and other stakeholders including government departments, politicians, corporate-sector representatives, funders, affiliates and family-centred groups/entities/professions and academics as appropriate.

Serve as a key external ambassador and representative of the organization.

Raise awareness and profile of the Institute locally, nationally and internationally.

Present family-science and research findings to external parties including public and corporate policymakers and media.

Heighten engagement with media, funding partners and key stakeholders including the identification of new opportunities for collaboration with stakeholders and partners as may be appropriate to support strategic plan priorities.

Grow the organization's reach and influence through the development and implementation of communications strategies using a wide array of tools to reach diverse audiences and potential partners.

Design and implement strategies to further advance equity, diversity, inclusion, reconciliation and accessibility (both internally and externally).

Design and implement fundraising strategies to diversify the revenue sources of the organization.

Program Oversight

Oversee program and project strategy and ensure program development and implementation aligns with the vision, mission and strategy of the Institute.

Promote discussion and facilitate awareness of key issues related to the wellbeing of families in Canada among knowledge users, including policymakers and organizations with an interest in families.

Participate in projects and programs led by knowledge user partners related to family diversity and wellbeing as relevant and appropriate.

Human Resources & Operations

Ensure day-to-day operations of the Institute effectively support the overall functioning of the organization.

Oversee the development of a Board-approved budget, monitor financial performance and approve contracts and expenses.

Ensure that the organization complies in a timely manner with all CRA, Corporations Canada and other regulatory filings, including any third-party accreditations deemed appropriate.

Work collaboratively and motivate, coach and support a small high performing team.

Foster a positive, collaborative and welcoming work environment and ensure human resources policies, procedures and plans reflect this culture.

Oversee the development and execution of staff recruitment, development, retention and recognition strategies.

Support the Board in succession planning for both Board members and the Executive Director position and develop a performance management plan for senior staff.

Note: The staffing model currently includes two Directors (Programs and Corporate Services) who have delegated responsibilities and collaborate with the Executive Director in those areas of Executive Director accountability. While the description of responsibilities detailed above is optimized for this current structure it should be noted that the Executive Director has responsibility to define employee roles and responsibilities and to alter the staffing model.

Job Requirements :

A graduate degree in family studies or a related social science discipline is required; a PhD is considered an asset.

Well-developed leadership skills with the ability to work collaboratively with others while motivating and building trust with a small team.

An ability to think strategically and advance organizational priorities.

Prior experience in a leadership capacity in the not-for-profit sector including working with a Board of Directors.

Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills to assess challenges, develop solutions and mitigate risk.

A strong commitment to advancing equity, accessibility, reconciliation and inclusivity both internally and in the way programs and activities are designed and led.

Excellent written and verbal communications skills including the ability to present to the media and other stakeholder groups.

A strong ability to synthesize and translate evidence-based research into accessible language understood by a wide range of constituency groups.

Strong understanding of research methodologies and rigorous standards.

A strong ability to build relationships and effective and reciprocal partnerships with a wide range of constituency groups including Indigenous communities, politicians, corporate-sector representatives, government entities and professional or non-profit organizations doing work related to families and their wellbeing.

Experience engaging with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities and organizations including a demonstrated commitment to reconciliation, Indigenous self-determination and respect for Indigenous knowledge.

Proficiency in financial oversight including the ability to interpret financial statements, budgets and reports to inform decision-making and regulatory reporting.

As a national organization, proficiency in English and French at an intermediate level in both verbal and written communication is required.

Other desired assets

Experience working to deepen understanding of the diversity of families in Canada and their wellbeing.

Prior experience working within the family science sector and / or an extensive understanding of relevant research and academic sectors.

Previous experience in enhancing or diversifying revenue or contribution streams to further the impact of the organization.

Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada.

Salary range : Salary will be negotiated with the successful candidate based on their skills and relevant experience and comparable to similar roles in organizations of similar scale and scope. Salary is based on 37.5 hours per week.

Benefits : A defined-contribution pension plan extended health benefits (at start) phone allowance.

Location : Ottawa region. Travel within Canada may sometimes be required.

Vacation and paid time off : 4 weeks of vacation, an office closure between Christmas and New Year and an extensive paid time off policy for protected leaves (sick days, bereavement leave, etc.).

Term : Full-time Indefinite

Posting Details

The posting closes on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at 10 a.m. EST.

The Vanier Institute of the Family is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion within our recruitment practices and to continue expanding the diversity of our staff team to better represent the families we serve. We actively encourage applications from members of equity-deserving communities.

If you don’t tick all the requirements outlined above but are deeply excited by this role we would still love to hear from you.

If you require any accommodations for the job application process do not hesitate to contact.

The Selection & Interview Process

Please submit your application through our portal here (Click Apply Now). You will be asked to submit the following :

Your resume

A letter of interest which should include :

Your understanding of the issues Vanier Institute of the Family addresses, what connects you to these issues and what motivates you to join the organization.

The relevant experience and / or skills you can contribute to the Vanier Institute.

Your understanding and commitment to advancing equity and diversity in the context of family science research and policy advocacy.

You will also be asked to answer some questions through the application portal including :

Your postal code

Whether you are able to hold conversations in both English and French

Whether you identify as 2SLGBTQIA; Black Indigenous and / or a Person of Colour; a newcomer and / or immigrant ; and / or a person living with a disability.

Candidates will be pre-screened by Evenings & Weekends Consulting which may include scheduling a short introductory call with prospective candidates. A shortlist of candidates will then be presented to the Vanier Institute of the Family's hiring committee.

Successful candidates will be invited to join a virtual first round of interviews in mid-October 2025. A second round of interviews will be held in person (in Ottawa) in late October 2025 for the shortlisted candidates.

Preparing for an interview takes time and labour, so candidates who interview with the Vanier Institute of the Family will be compensated at a fixed rate of $100 per interview. Questions will be provided ahead of time so candidates are able to prepare for the interview as they see fit.

Note: Evenings & Weekends Consulting and the Vanier Institute of the Family may only be able to meet with applicants selected to move forward in the hiring process, but Evenings & Weekends Consulting will provide an update on the outcome of the process to all applicants.

About Evenings & Weekends Consulting

Evenings & Weekends Consulting was created to support emerging organizations, activist groups, charities, labour unions, academic institutions and community groups by combining our experience and expertise with theirs as we work together to solve problems, seize opportunities and make good change happen.

As a values-driven consultancy we are committed to advancing equity, justice and social change through ongoing collaboration.

We recognize that every situation, campaign, initiative and project is different, so we approach each with the uniqueness and curiosity that it deserves. Our clients get innovative and effective solutions tailored to their specific needs.

Required Experience :

Director

Key Skills

Crisis Management, Marketing, Public Relations, Fundraising, Media Relations, Constant Contact, Strategic Planning, Social Media Management, Team Management, Public Speaking, Wordpress, Writing Skills

Employment Type : Full-Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1