Executive Director

The Organization

Compassion House Foundation (CHF) provides a welcoming, affordable, and supportive home for women undergoing medical treatments away from home. The Executive Director is responsible for guiding the organization's strategic direction, advancing its fundraising and partnership efforts, and ensuring operational excellence and community impact.

This role demands a passionate, mission-driven leader with proven fundraising acumen, strong community presence and leadership, and a focus on sustaining operational continuity and organizational resilience. CHF has a strong, experienced team that focuses on the day-to-day operations of Compassion House, and the Executive Director will focus on ensuring that CHF fulfils is mission, through ongoing sustainability and viability, to enable the operations team to continue with its success.

For more information about CHF, please visit their
website.

The Opportunity

• Reports to: Board of Directors
• Direct Reports (4): Director of Finance & Operations, Fund Development Manager, Special Events Coordinator, and Contract Fund Development Director
• Location: Edmonton, AB

Mandate

Compassion House Foundation is seeking a community-facing, purpose-driven leader to serve as its next Executive Director. Reporting into the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will be a champion for women receiving medical treatment in Edmonton and will lead the positive, tangible impact that the Compassion House Foundation makes every day in the lives of its guests.

This role will be both operational and strategic, building the organization's vision in collaboration with the Board of Directors while supporting a team of seasoned professionals working to ease the distress of women undergoing complex medical treatments away from home.

The Executive Director will be an ambassador for Compassion House's cause in the market. A creative thinker and natural fundraiser, they will grow Compassion House's public profile and sell the organization's value proposition to donors, community members, and government partners across Northern Alberta, ensuring the organization's long-term fundraising sustainability.

Key Accountabilities

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Partner with the Board to shape and drive CHF's strategic direction, ensuring meaningful, measurable impact.
• Embody and champion CHF's mission and values, aligning every program and initiative with its purpose.
• Serve as a visible, trusted voice for women's health and cancer support, advocating with passion and integrity across the community.

Fundraising & Resource Development

• Lead and elevate all fundraising initiatives, including major gifts, annual campaigns, planned giving, and grants, to achieve ambitious goals.
• Cultivate and steward lasting relationships with donors, sponsors, and partners to secure CHF's long-term sustainability.
• Inspire creativity within the development team to design bold and effective fundraising strategies that broaden CHF's reach and donor community.

Community Engagement & Advocacy

• Be the dynamic face of CHF, deepening public connection and championing community engagement.
• Forge meaningful partnerships with healthcare organizations, corporate leaders, and community allies to advance CHF's mission.
• Act as CHF's primary spokesperson, sharing stories of impact that move hearts and inspire action.

Operational Continuity & Excellence

• Ensure organizational excellence through strong financial oversight, program quality, and proactive risk management.
• Safeguard continuity by leading effective succession planning, policy stewardship, and performance accountability.
• Empower a talented team through compassionate leadership, collaboration, and a shared commitment to excellence.

First-Year Deliverables / Measures of Success

Success in the first year will be determined by the candidate's ability to:

• Evaluate Compassion House Foundation's financial environment and present a model to ensure ongoing financial sustainability, achieving at least break-even operations without depleting reserves.
• Lead growth in annual fundraising revenue and expansion of the donor base to strengthen long-term financial stability.
• Build strong, outward-facing relationships across Edmonton and Northern Alberta to enhance community presence and engagement.
• Collaborate with the Board to develop and begin executing on an informed, future-facing set of strategic priorities for the organization, recognizing CHF's role as an extension of the healthcare system.
• Engage, support, and invest in CHF staff and volunteers to promote positive culture, engagement, and retention.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will have the following:

Education:

• Relevant post-secondary education in business, nonprofit management, public administration, or a related field.
• A meaningful combination of experience and education will be considered.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 to 10 years of progressive leadership experience, preferably within the nonprofit or healthcare sectors.
• Prior experience in an Executive Director role is preferred.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, donor relations, and strategic partnership development.
• Strong financial and operational management capabilities.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• An understanding of board governance, either as a board member or as an executive reporting to a board.
• Experience with facility management is an asset.

Competencies and Attributes:

• Visionary, empathetic, and mission-driven leader who inspires trust and engagement.
• Proven fundraiser with strong financial acumen and strategic, creative, and analytical thinking skills.
• Skilled communicator and ambassador able to represent CHF publicly with confidence and warmth.
• Exceptional relationship builder with the ability to strengthen partnerships and community connections across Alberta.
• Experienced in developing and executing strategy in collaboration with a Board of Directors.
• Sound understanding of governance, Board reporting, and organizational accountability.
• Operationally disciplined leader focused on continuity, sustainable growth, and team well-being.
• Committed to fostering a culture of compassion, inclusion, and excellence.
• Adaptable and future-focused, with the ability to balance vision with hands-on leadership.
• Emotionally intelligent, with the ability to balance strong leadership and empathy for Compassion House's guests.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Compassion House Foundation is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognizes that a diverse team benefits and is essential to service excellence. In accordance with provincial legislation, accommodation will be provided by Mullen and the Compassion House Foundation throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, upon request, to applicants who require it. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

Application Instructions

If this opportunity excites you, please send an application package, including your resume and cover letter, to

. In the subject line of your email, please include the organization's name and the position title.