Executive Director

About Our Client : Our client is a community-based organization that distributes food to local food banks and agencies, while also running programs to address food insecurity.

Position Scope: The Executive Director (ED) position is central to the successful operation of the organization. It is a position of leadership, requiring excellent interpersonal skills, planning skills, communication skills and financial management expertise. The ED works with the Board of Directors to develop strategic plans for the organization, and along with the Chair of the Board provides formal progress reports on the implementation of these plans. The ED ensures that the appropriate operating policies, procedures, systems and other infrastructure are in place to sustain a disciplined client-focused results-based organization. The ED develops strategic partnerships with public and private sector organizations to continuously enhance the impact of the organization's programs and services throughout the region.

Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Implementation

• Working with the Chair of the Board, and with the board's assistance, develop and implement the strategic plans that will fulfill the mission and mandate of the organization.
• Translates, on an annual basis, the Board's goals, objectives and strategic directions into a Business Plan and Budget for the Board's approval.
• Develops the relevant metrics and reports to track progress on the strategic plan, and reports results quarterly to the Board.

Community Relationships

• Builds collaborative working relationships with donors, including individuals, corporations, faith­ based organizations, and other agencies within the catchment area, as well as government and related agencies that support the organization's vision.
• Represents the organization on various committees and networks at the local, regional, provincial and national levels to better understand how others support vulnerable families and individuals within their communities.

Human Resources

• Determines the organizational structure of the organization (number and type of roles) with additions to paid staff requiring Board approval during the budget process.
• Develops, implements, and maintains effective strategies and programs for staff recruitment, retention, performance management, development and training, and succession planning to ensure maximum productivity and service continuity.
• Determines staff's training and development needs based on current and emerging competency requirements and allocates resources appropriately (including coaching and mentorship programs).

Financial Management

• Ensures the development and implementation of a sound financial management plan in conjunction with the board's Treasurer, which balances service delivery and funding requirements. This will include preparing the business plan, and annual operating and reserve budgets, the control of expenditures within the approved budget, provision of financial reports and other statements to the Board of Directors and others, and compliance with audit recommended actions.

Fundraising

• Research funding sources, oversees the development of fundraising plans and proposals to increase revenue.
• Identifies, prioritizes and provides advice and counsel to aid the Board in accessing potential fundraising alternatives.
• Participates in fundraising activities as appropriate

Programs and Services Development

• Reviews and approves all short-term and long-term IT infrastructure plans and improvements for the organization related to capital investments and operational needs (e.g., Website, Client and Donor Registries) within the Board approved budget.
• Ensures that appropriate systems are in place to enhance service provision and protect client confidentiality.
• Ensures required program delivery reports for the Board of Directors are accurate, outcome­ based, and timely.

Organizational Leadership

• Clearly and confidently communicates the organization's strategic plans and priorities and how each employee's contribution is aligned to the bigger picture.
• Continually upholds the organization's vision, mission and values to guide the team's decisions.
• Demonstrates a clear and compelling vision of the possibilities to expand the current reach of the organization.
• Creates a team culture that energizes employees and volunteers around the organization's mission.
• Shares information as openly as possible with all stakeholders (e.g., Board, employees, funders) to ensure others have the full advantage of as much information as possible to make informed decisions; is transparent about what can and cannot be communicated.

Coaching and Mentorship

• Demonstrates strong coaching and mentorship skills; actively supports and invests time and energy to develop others.
• Holds others accountable to a high standard of performance while providing them with the support to succeed.
• Creates an inclusive and high-performing culture by actively engaging employees in the decision-making process through active listening, positive and respectful challenging, and encouragement of ideas; clearly values others' input while taking accountability for the final decision.

Strategic and Critical Thinking

• Can clearly discern and articulate the relevant operational issues to the Board and provide the required background to support their decision-making; similarly, is able to communicate Board decisions to employees.
• Demonstrates the ability to translate strategy into ambitious but achievable implementation plans.
• Demonstrates a strong understanding of current and emerging community needs and the on­ going sustainability and potential of programs in the context of a changing and complex environment.

Operational Excellence

• Demonstrates a sound sense of priorities and manages time appropriately to achieve the best outcomes.
• Establishes, monitors and enforces high-quality standards to maintain a highly professional result-oriented organization.
• Ability to develop and implement sound operating policies, procedures and processes.
• Demonstrates a working knowledge of the community and related sensitivities.
• Works with Feed Ontario and other Food Banks to ensure that their best practices are implemented as appropriate within the organization

Ethics

• Demonstrates confidentiality, honesty, integrity, accountability and appropriate transparency in all situations.
• Is thorough and diligent in pursuing and selecting partners (both internal and external) that reflect the values of the organization.
• Demonstrates sensitivity to diversity in the workplace; values and embraces all backgrounds.

Relationship Skills

• Researches and strives to understand the unique needs and interests of community partners to create mutually beneficial partnerships; can find the common ground on which to build win-win outcomes.
• Demonstrates political acuity and sensitivity in communication and negotiation; can alter the style to fit and resonate with different audiences (e.g., Board, employees, volunteers and stakeholders).

Required Skills and Knowledge:

• Strong ability to lead, inspire, and guide a diverse team of staff and volunteers.
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic planning and implementation, with a clear focus on achieving long-term organizational goals.
• Experience with budgeting, financial reporting, and resource management.
• Strong coaching and mentorship abilities to support staff development and foster a high-performing, inclusive, and engaged team culture.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to build and maintain relationships with donors, stakeholders, and community organizations. Demonstrated ability to represent the organization at local, regional, and national levels, and to create new partnerships that align with organizational goals.
• In-depth knowledge of operational best practices, including policy development, risk management, and systems implementation. Skilled in creating processes that ensure efficiency, compliance, and high-quality service delivery.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to think critically, evaluate options, and make decisions based on the organization's priorities and values. Capable of adapting to changing circumstances and revising strategies as needed.

Education & Experience:

• A Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Social Services, or a related field is an asset.
• A minimum of 5 years of leadership experience is required.
• Familiarity with the issues surrounding food insecurity, social services, and community development is highly desirable.

Application Deadline:

Friday, February 28th at 5pm EST

Summit Search Group is a fair and equitable search firm. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process.