Executive Director

POSITION SUMMARY

Founded in 1988 in response to the evolving HIV/AIDS pandemic, Trellis HIV & Community Care is an HIV service organization serving southeastern Ontario. Its catchment area covers three Health Unit regions (Hastings & Prince Edward, Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington, and Leeds, Grenville & Lanark) and includes a number of small cities, towns, and rural communities. The organization offers support services, education, community development, and extensive harm reduction services from its Kingston office, the UrWorx Mobile Harm Reduction Outreach Unit, and in community through its support team, as well as from Kingston’s Integrated Care Hub, a low-barrier facility providing services to the area’s most marginalized. With deep roots in advocacy and a commitment to equity, Trellis honours the lived expertise of the communities it serves.

Trellis is seeking its next Executive Director to lead this dynamic organization —someone with an appetite for change, a passion for social justice, and a vision to contribute to a kinder, more just community.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Leadership

• Participate with the Board of Directors in developing a vision and strategic plan to guide the organization
• Identify, assess, and inform the Board of Directors of internal and external issues that affect the organization
• Act as a professional advisor to the Board of Directors on all aspects of the organization's activities
• Foster effective teamwork between the Board and the Executive Director and between the Executive Director and staff
• Act as the primary spokesperson for Trellis and represent the organization at community activities to enhance the organization's community profile.
• Uphold personal and professional ethics and values, integrating organization values and mission.

Operational planning and management

• Develop a strategic and operational plan which incorporates goals and objectives that work towards the strategic direction of the organization
• Ensure that the operation of Trellis meets the expectations of its clients, Board and Funders
• Oversee the efficient and effective day-to-day operation of the organization
• Collaborate with partner organizations in the oversight and management of Kingston’s Integrated Care Hub.
• Draft policies, procedures and guidelines for the approval of the Board and prepare procedures to implement the organizational policies; review existing policies on an annual basis and recommend changes to the Board as appropriate

Program planning and management

• Oversee the planning, implementation and evaluation of Trellis HIV and Community Care programs and services
• Assist in developing evaluation tools specific to client populations while ensuring that clients are an integral part of the evaluation and feedback process.
• Ensure that the programs and services offered by the organization contribute to the organization's mission and reflect the priorities of the Board
• Monitor the day-to-day delivery of programs and services to maintain or improve quality as well as the planning, implementation, execution and evaluation of special projects including the submission of timely reports, proposals, grant applications etc.

Human resources planning and management

• Determine staffing requirements for Trellis and program delivery which may include student placements. This will include the recruitment, interviewing and selection of all employees.
• Oversee the implementation of the human resources policies, procedures and practices including the development of job descriptions for all staff
• Establish a positive, healthy and safe work environment in accordance with all appropriate legislation and regulations
• Ensure that all staff and volunteers receive an orientation to the organization and that appropriate training is provided
• Implement a performance management process for all staff which includes monitoring the performance of staff on an on-going basis and conducting regular supervision meetings and performance reviews

Financial planning and management

• Work with staff and the Board (Finance Committee) to prepare a comprehensive budget
• Research funding sources, oversee the development of fund-raising plans and write funding proposals to increase the funds of the organization. Participate in fundraising activities as appropriate
• Secure adequate funding for the operation of the organization
• Approve expenditures within the authority delegated by the Board
• Administer the funds of the organization according to the approved budget and monitor the monthly cash flow of the organization
• Provide the Board with comprehensive, regular reports on the revenues and expenditures of the organization
• Ensure that the organization complies with all legislation covering taxation and withholding payments.

Community Relations and Advocacy

• Communicate with key stakeholders, funders, and community partners to keep them informed of the work of Trellis and to identify changes in the community served by Trellis.
• Establish pro-active, effective and collaborative relationships and arrangements with community groups, funders, policymakers, leaders, and other organizations to help achieve the goals of the organization.

Risk management

• Identify and evaluate the risks to the organization's people (clients, staff, management, volunteers), property, finances, goodwill, and image and implement measures to control risks including ensuring the organization carries adequate insurance for all activities.

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

This position is ideal for someone who prefers to work in a value-based setting, and who is a strategic thinker and skilled administrator with experience in creating vision. It requires someone who is a consensus-builder and clear communicator with a strong degree of professionalism and genuine compassion and commitment to social justice and interest in policy as it affects HIV.

Qualifications and Skills required:

• Five (5) or more years of progressive leadership experience in a not-for-profit organization, at least five in the HIV sector.
• Three (3) years as an Executive Director preferred.
• Degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• In-depth knowledge of Ontario's HIV/AIDS Strategy to 2026.
• Working knowledge of the Ontario Accord and of the GIPA/MEPA/MEWA principles.
• Working knowledge of Ontario's community-based HIV service delivery model and of the key populations affected by HIV in the province.
• Working knowledge of current developments in HIV prevention, testing, treatment, care and support.
• A commitment to social justice and the principles of harm reduction.
• Extensive understanding of the complexity and changing landscape of HIV in the current content, along with the needs gaps and challenges faced by our priority populations;
• Excellent human resource management experience within a team-based environment and substantial experience supervising staff;
• Understanding of funding proposals and grant writing;
• Experience in client-centered support services and programs with a number of sexually diverse and ethno-specific communities, in rural and remote communities;
• Understanding of and experience working with a policy governance Board;
• Understanding of fundraising initiative and fundraising management;
• Strong commitment to partnership, collaboration and cooperative working relationships;
• Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills;
• Flexibility to work as required for business meetings, client events, agency events and others;
• Demonstrated commitment to the practice of intersectionality and anti-racist, anti-oppression practices;
• Must have a valid G driver's license, insurance, or access to a vehicle;
• Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, supervise and motivate staff and volunteers.

Trellis HIV and Community Care is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from people who identify as racialized people with culturally diverse backgrounds, people of all gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities and Indigenous Peoples. Trellis recognizes the need for experience, knowledge and guidance from communities disproportionality impacted by HIV, including those who live with HIV. In addition, accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the interviewing process.