Executive Director

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive Director for United Way Leeds & Grenville is a visionary and dynamic leader responsible for overseeing and driving the organization’s efforts to create positive, lasting change within the community. This role requires a strong commitment to social impact; strategic thinking; and the ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders to address critical issues affecting individuals and families.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership:

• Lead the transformation from a traditional United Way focus to a community impact organization supporting the community in addressing key systemic issues in Leeds and Grenville. Fundraising is a means to driving the community impact agenda.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive strategic plan that aligns with United Way’s mission and objectives, focusing on community impact.
• Identify emerging needs and trends within the community, and proactively design initiatives and programs to address them.
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, encouraging creative solutions to complex challenges.
• Advocate for Leeds & Grenville with government officials on a larger scale in partnership with other United Ways and United Way Centraide (UWCC) in Canada.

Community Engagement and Partnerships:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key community stakeholders, including government agencies, nonprofit organizations, corporations, and individual donors.
• Collaborate with partner organizations to leverage resources and maximize the impact of joint initiatives.
• Serve as a visible and influential advocate for United Way and its mission, representing the organization in community events, meetings, and media appearances.
• Maintain and oversee the execution of a communication plan aligned with key strategic initiatives

Program Development and Evaluation:

• Lead the design and implementation of evidence-based programs and initiatives that align with United Way’s community impact focus areas (e.g., education, healthcare, financial stability).
• Establish clear metrics and evaluation mechanisms to measure the effectiveness and outcomes of programs and initiatives.
• Utilize data-driven insights to make informed decisions and drive continuous improvement in program effectiveness.
• Oversee the installation, set-up and operations of a new database/donor management system.

Fundraising and Resource Mobilization:

• Work closely with the development team to set fundraising goals and strategies, ensuring the financial sustainability of the organization’s community impact initiatives.
• Cultivate relationships with major donors, foundations, and corporate partners to secure funding and support for United Way’s programs and initiatives.
• Identify and pursue grant opportunities that align with the organization’s community impact focus.
• Maintain a strong Cabinet to support the annual campaign.
• Further diversify revenue streams to secure new funding (outside of the annual campaign) to drive the community impact agenda.

Team Leadership and Development:

• Provide inspirational and visionary leadership to a diverse team of professionals, promoting a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• Foster professional growth and development among staff members, encouraging a culture of learning and innovation.
• Ensure effective management of human resources, including recruitment, performance evaluation, and talent retention.

Financial Acumen:

• Work with finance & board treasurer to analyze financial statements, budgets, and other financial data to identify trends, patterns, and areas for improvement.
• Develop, manage, and monitor budgets to ensure financial resources are allocated appropriately and used efficiently.
• Create long-term financial plans and strategies to achieve organizational goals and sustain financial stability.
• Predict future financial trends and outcomes based on historical data and market analysis.
• Oversee cost management, Identifying cost-saving opportunities and implementing measures to optimize expenses without compromising quality or performance.
• Oversee Financial Reporting and Cash flow management to support board members and stakeholders in making decisions for the organization.
• Evaluate financial and reputational risks and propose risk mitigation strategies in order to protect the organization’s financial assets and reputation.
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations, accounting standards, and internal policies to maintain financial integrity.
• Demonstrate the ability to negotiate favorable financial terms with vendors, suppliers, and partners.
• Complete Cost-Benefit Analysis to assess the potential benefits and costs of specific projects or investments to determine their financial viability.
• Maintain accurate financial records and be prepared for financial audits by external auditors.
• Work with the team to evaluate the return on investment for various projects and initiatives to prioritize resource allocation effectively.

Governance and Board Relations:

• Collaborate closely with the Board of Directors, providing regular updates on organizational performance, strategic initiatives, and community impact outcomes.
• Support the Board in governance matters and participate in board meetings as a non-voting ex-officio member.
• Oversee and manage the UWCC membership agreement
• This role reports to the Board of Directors via the Board Chair

QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience, preferably in a nonprofit or community-focused organization. The successful candidate should have a mix of both for-profit corporate and not-for profit experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., nonprofit management, social sciences, and business administration). An advanced degree is preferred.
• Demonstrated success in designing and implementing community impact programs or initiatives.
• Thrives in a dynamic work environment.
• Proven track record of fundraising and resource mobilization, including grant writing and donor cultivation.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire diverse stakeholders.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans and measurable outcomes.
• Experience in data-driven decision-making and program evaluation.
• Knowledge of the local community’s social needs and challenges is highly desirable.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles and the ability to foster an inclusive work environment.

To apply for this position, please submit your resume and a compelling cover letter detailing your qualifications and vision for United Way Leeds & Grenville to teanne@eecentre.com.  Applications will be accepted until Tuesday September 19th at noon. United Way is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace.

Applications will be accepted until Tuesday September 19th at noon.