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An established industry player is seeking a dynamic President & CEO to lead its mission in fostering collaboration among government, business, and community leaders. This pivotal role involves driving strategic initiatives, managing financial health, and ensuring organizational viability in a hybrid work environment. The ideal candidate will possess a strong leadership background, financial acumen, and the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders. With a focus on sustainability and strategic growth, this position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in the Great Lakes region. If you are passionate about driving change and leading a dedicated team, this role is perfect for you.
The Council of the Great Lakes Region (“CGLR”) is a leader in bringing government, business, academic, and NGO leaders together, as one, to explore and solve the region’s most pressing economic development and environmental challenges. The organization is a network of charitable and non-charitable organizations in the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence region. It operates in both Canada and the USA under the following four legal entities: CGLR Canada, the CGLR Canada Foundation, CGLR USA, the CGLR Foundation. By accelerating the regional transition to a sustainable future, CGLR is striving to create the first sustainable region in the world by uniquely bringing diverse perspectives and interests together.
It is within this context that CGLR welcomes applications and nominations for the appointment of its next President & Chief Executive Officer, who will assume the role in the Summer of 2025, or soon after.
Reporting to, and in cooperation with, the Board of Directors, the President & Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) is responsible for leading CGLR and its staff of 4 FTEs in a manner that guides and delivers on the organization’s mission. As the organization enters the final years of its 2023-2026 strategic plan, the CEO will be asked to review and accomplish its remaining objectives. These include its business goals and SMART business objectives, its fundraising targets, the expansion of CGLR’s relationships with strategic partners (including industry leaders, government officials, community partners, vendors, donors and supporters), and the delivery of CGLR’s flagship event, theGreat Lakes Sustainable Growth Forum. The CEO must ensure CGLR’s short- and long-term viability.They will be actively engaged in executing the revenue generation and fundraising strategy by cultivating relationships with a wide array of donors.In addition to the corporate sponsors, these include all levels of both the Canadian and American governments, foundations, academic institutions, and non-profit organizations. Having responsibility for the organization’s financial health, the CEO must ensure sound fiscal management in line with the approved budget. They will oversee effective resource utilization, regular reporting, required tax filings, and ensure that the CGLR is run as efficiently and effectively as possible. The organization’s dedicated team of binational staff reports to the CEO through a Chief Operating Officer/General Manager and a fractional Chief Financial Officer. The CGLR Board is comprised of 18 board members (9 American and 9 Canadian), who sit on three standing committees and govern the aforementioned four distinct but related legal entities. The CEO manages and supports the Directors by ensuring all necessary information is provided in a timely and accurate manner to support their decision making and fiduciary responsibilities.
The CEO must ensure CGLR’s short- and long-term viability. They will be actively engaged in executing the revenue generation and fundraising strategy by cultivating relationships with a wide array of donors. These include all levels of both the Canadian and American governments, foundations, academic institutions, and non-profit organizations. Having responsibility for the organization’s financial health, the CEO must ensure sound fiscal management in line with the approved budget. They will oversee effective resource utilization, regular reporting, required tax filings, and ensure that the CGLR is run as efficiently and effectively as possible. The organization’s dedicated team of binational staff reports to the CEO through a Chief Operating Officer/General Manager and a fractional Chief Financial Officer. The CGLR Board is comprised of 18 board members (9 American and 9 Canadian), who sit on three standing committees and govern the aforementioned four distinct but related legal entities. The CEO manages and supports the Directors by ensuring all necessary information is provided in a timely and accurate manner to support their decision making and fiduciary responsibilities.
As the ideal candidate, you bring a proven track record in senior leadership roles, including leading and driving organizational success. You have strong financial acumen and proficiency, including experience successfully managing budgets and a risk registry. Knowledge of relevant charity regulations and guidelines in both Canada and the USA is considered an asset. You are an excellent strategic thinker, adept at problem solving, and have the ability to digest, synthesize and articulate public and financial policy into implementable actions and plans. As a people leader, you can develop, motivate, and retain a highly engaged and driven team that is both multigenerational and embraces diverse viewpoints. Colleagues recognize your proven experience and comfort acting as a spokesperson for an organization. You sustain strong relationships with government officials, corporate executives, academics, and community leaders. Your strategic communications experience includes enhancing organizational visibility, creating thought leadership, articulating strategy, and developing programs focused on systems change. As a seasoned senior leader, you are well-versed in governance best practices and have experience reporting to, or working with, a voluntary board of a complex organization. Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university, be non-partisan, and have a desire to stay abreast of the evolving political climate in and between the US and Canada, particularly with respect to the Great Lakes region.
All qualified candidates are welcome to apply and are asked to indicate their legal status to work in Canada and/or the United States of America and ideally be a permanent resident of the Great Lakes region – one of the 8 US states or 2 Canadian provinces.
Salary Range and Compensation Package:A starting salary of$165,000 – $185,000CAD commensurate with experience. Appropriate future increases, as approved by the Board, are dependent on the successful implementation of the strategy. The total compensation package includes a comprehensive employer-paid benefits package, RRSP/401K contributions, paid vacation and US/CDN paid statutory holidays.
Location/WFH: As part of the hybrid work environment, candidates must be able to work from one of the Great Lake Region’s 8 US states or 2 Canadian provinces. Travel between Canada and the USA is required, and a valid passport is required.
CGLR and Griffith Group are committed to an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming hiring process that provides reasonable accommodation to all applicants. Please advise Jane Griffith (jane@griffithgroup.ca ) should you require any accommodation to participate in the recruitment and/or assessment processes.
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