Manager, Governance and Strategic Initiatives

Manager, Governance and Strategic Initiatives (Full-time, Permanent) - *New Position Location: Our office is in Toronto, Ontario, with flexible and hybrid work options available. Reports to: Chief Operations Officer Hiring Range: $83,000 -$90,000 annually, including a comprehensive benefits plan, pension plan, 3 weeks paid vacation (increasing to 4 weeks paid vacation in your second year of employment), a December break (usually a week) to recharge, wellness days, access to an Employee Assistance Program and professional development opportunities. Job Posting Closing Date: February 5, 2026 About us At the heart of Right To Food’s work is the belief that food is a basic right. We bring people together around good food so communities can thrive. With more than 400 partners across the country, we build inclusive, culturally responsive Community Food Centres, share knowledge, create health-focused programs, and advocate for equitable policy change. At Right To Food, we work on behalf of good food for all. Our collective approach at Right To Food is founded on dignity and respect, equity and empathy. These values are core to our mission and outlined in our Good Food Principles. Right To Food is strongly committed to equity and inclusion within its community. We welcome applications from members of racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. We are committed to an equitable and inclusive selection process and work environment. We are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive work environment, and welcome candidates to speak about how their experience has demonstrated a commitment to Equity, Inclusion, Reconciliation and Anti-Oppression. About the position The Manager, Governance & Strategic Initiatives plays a key supporting role in strengthening the organization’s governance practices and advancing cross-organizational initiatives. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), this role supports the COO, CEO, other Senior leadership team members and Directors in planning, coordination, and execution of work related to Board governance, strategic and operational planning, EIRA initiatives, and executive-level priorities. The Manager brings exceptional project management and organizational skills, discretion, digital acuity along with the ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast paced mission driven environment. This role operates through influence and partnership, supporting senior leaders by ensuring alignment, follow-through, and high-quality information for decision-making. Key Responsibilities Governance Support (35%) Own the end-to-end coordination of Board and committee meetings, in partnership with the CEO and COO, including scheduling, agenda preparation, and the assembly and distribution of materials. Record, draft, and distribute accurate Board and Committee minutes and manage the tracking of follow-up actions. Manage the maintenance and integrity of Board records, policies, and accurate records in compliance with by-laws and best practices. Implement regulatory processes for the paperwork, scheduling, and filing logistics for the new Board Directors. Coordinate Board-related filings to be reviewed, signed, and filled with the relevant government body. In collaboration with the CEO and the COO, develop the draft annual work plans for the Board, and Board Committees, including developing meeting schedules, sending reminders to the chair, and committee chairs. Manage the coordination and implementation of Board recruitment, onboarding, engagement, annual evaluations and other governance support processes. Oversee OnBoard (board management software), ensuring timely posting of meetings, agendas, and supporting documents, and maintaining all content so it remains current. Conduct background research and prepare high-quality materials to inform governance decision-making. Executive Support (35%) Provide comprehensive executive support to the CEO by managing complex calendars, coordinating internal and external meetings, aligning committee meetings and Board commitments, and overseeing all travel logistics. Prepare and coordinate briefing materials, including next-day meeting summaries, agendas, presentations, background research, and advance materials from relevant departments to ensure the CEO is fully prepared for all engagements. Track and manage follow up on key priorities, deadlines, and deliverables on behalf of the CEO to maintain momentum on strategic initiatives. Prepare, edit, and format high-quality communication slide decks, internal memos, reports, and sensitive correspondence. Serve as the primary point of contact for the CEO, liaising with internal staff, Board members, partners, and external stakeholders with professionalism and tact. Manage the processing and reconciliation of expenses, maintain accurate records of credit card purchases, and ensure timely submission of receipts and reimbursements to Finance. Handle all confidential and sensitive information with the utmost discretion and sound judgment. Organizational Strategy (30%) Working with the COO, manage and coordinate tools and resources, including slide decks for strategic planning, operational tracking, and reporting. Manage the coordination, tracking, and follow-through of equity, inclusion, reconciliation, and access (EIRA) initiatives across SLT, Directors, and working groups, ensuring alignment with organizational plans and governance processes. Maintain calendars, timelines, and project plans for key organizational initiatives, including equity, inclusion, reconciliation, and access (EIRA) priorities. Maintain accountability frameworks and follow-up mechanisms for Senior Leadership Team (SLT) deliverables and cross-functional commitments. Values alignment Align with Right To Food values and contribute to the evolution of our culture, and a work environment that is grounded in Equity, Courage, Relationship-focused and Integrity. Qualifications & Skills Required 5+ years of relevant experience in one or more of the following areas: project coordination, governance support, executive assistance, or strategic planning. University degree or diploma in Business Administration, Public Administration or related field or comparable experience. Strong organizational and time management skills with proven ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities. Excellent writing and communication skills, including experience preparing reports, briefing notes, and presentations. Comfort working with senior leaders and handling confidential information with professionalism. Strong attention to detail and process orientation. Commitment to equity, inclusion, reconciliation, and accessibility. Must be digitally savvy with the ability to navigate and adapt to evolving technology in a fast-paced digital environment. Passionate about working in an organization that values and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion and that strives to work from an anti-racism and anti-oppression framework. Demonstrated a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and reconciliation through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing biases. Preferred Experience in a nonprofit, public, or mission-driven organization. Familiarity with governance practices, strategic planning frameworks, and project management tools. Additional training or certification in governance or executive support will be an asset. Experience supporting or coordinating EIRA-focused initiatives. Bilingualism or multilingualism is an asset. Comfort using Google Workspace (or similar tools), project management software like ClickUp, and CRM platforms (we use Salesforce), along with openness to learning new digital tools and workflows. You don’t think you meet all the criteria? Still apply. Research shows that women and people from equity-deserving groups, often do not apply until all the boxes are ticked. Why work for us? Comprehensive benefits package including extended health, dental, life insurance, short and long-term disability insurance, membership in a defined benefit pension plan, 15 paid vacation days in your first year, increasing to 20 paid vacation days in your second year of employment, a December break (usually a week) to recharge, wellness days, access to an Employee Assistance Program and professional development opportunities. A culture of mutual support where staff are committed to creating an equitable and inclusive Canada. An opportunity to be part of a movement building health, belonging and social justice in marginalized neighbourhoods across Canada through the power of food. How to apply? To apply, please scroll up and click Apply Now. Please attach your resume and cover letter. In your cover letter, please share what you think makes you an ideal candidate for this role. Only those applicants being considered will be contacted. If you require any accommodations or technical support, please email (please do not email your application to this email). Thank you for your interest in Right To Food. #J-18808-Ljbffr