Executive Director

Our Commitment to Justice and Equity

In the Community Impact Sector, we care for people, the land, and all beings. We exist because we believe in a just world where the Earth is respected and protected, and all basic needs are guaranteed so everyone has what they need to belong, connect, and thrive.

Many of the systems we interact with are designed in ways that work against our goals. Real transformation is impossible without acknowledging how colonialism and capitalism affect power dynamics, how we work, and what we value. Decolonizing and anti-capitalist principles are an integral part of transformative, positive, and lasting change. As an organization located in Mi’kmaki and active beneficiaries of ongoing colonialism, we are holding ourselves accountable in commitment to more just and equitable workplaces, community spaces, and ways of being.

We believe this is the path toward inclusive workplaces and humane ways of working that will enable us to tap into the creativity needed to identify solutions for the problems we’re facing. We are learning how to live these values and practicing what it means to embody justice and equity in everything we do and supporting others in their journeys.

We welcome applications from all interested individuals, placing a particular emphasis and priority on candidates from historically excluded groups. We actively encourage submissions from those identifying as African Nova Scotian, Mi’kmaq, Black, racialized, Indigenous/First Nation, a person with disability, 2SLGBTQIA+, and newcomers to Canada. We invite you to share this information in your cover letter or resume, and we invite you to express your pronouns.

Moreover, we collaborate closely with the P4G search team, who are dedicated to creating a safe space for you to openly discuss your experiences, preferences, and any accommodations that may support you. This partnership ensures that your information is handled with sensitivity and respect.

 

About IONS

The Community Impact (Nonprofit and Charitable) Sector provides critical services and solutions for our most pressing social and environmental challenges and the people affected by them. Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia (IONS) seeks to support the staff and volunteers who are organizing and working to build a more just and equitable Mi’kmaki.

Formerly the Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia, IONS was first established as one of 14 Industry Sector Councils in the province to address labour challenges, build organizational capacity, and increase access to resources and opportunities. Over time, IONS has continued to focus on labour market needs and broadened our scope of activities to include convening diverse organizations to collaborate and learn together, building networks, conducting and distributing research, sharing promising practices, and amplifying the vital work of the sector.

Our work begins from the understanding that current systems and structures are not serving those working and volunteering in impact organizations, or the people they are serving. To address the challenges of our time, we recognize the crucial need for a more just, equitable, and community-driven approach to reimagining our work and society. Over the past few years, our focus has evolved and expanded to embrace our role in championing the Community Impact Sector as leaders of transformative change.

 

Our Purpose

It’s time to reimagine what’s possible in, with, and for communities.

Our purpose is to contribute to a just and equitable society by empowering people in the Community Impact Sector to be leaders of transformative change.

 

OUR VALUES

abundance

We reject individualism and scarcity mindsets. Our work is communal, celebratory, and radically generous.

courage

We are willing to challenge colonial and capitalist ideologies and practice different ways of working and being together.

trust

We centre reciprocity and prioritize relationships to collectively inform and lead our work.

This Moment, This Position 

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director leads the strategic direction and management of IONS, ensuring its relevance, credibility, and sustainability. This role involves guiding the organization to achieve its mission by maintaining clear priorities, developing strategies, and establishing policies that support IONS’ successful operation.

The Executive Director actively champions the impact sector in Nova Scotia, recognizing its essential role in creating an inclusive economy. You will focus on fostering collaboration among organizations and advancing initiatives that contribute to both the sector’s growth and Nova Scotia’s economic prosperity.

In this role, you will also maintain and enhance IONS’ supportive and inclusive culture. This includes fostering trust, transparency, and collaboration across the organization, while ensuring that the values of justice, equity, and innovation are integrated into all practices.

Function and Purpose – The Big ‘Why’
This role is dedicated to leading the strategic vision and mission of IONS, ensuring robust support and advocacy for the non-profit sector in Nova Scotia. As a leader, you will drive initiatives that address critical labour market and human resource challenges, build strong relationships with interest holders, and promote the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

 

Strategic Responsibilities:

• Strategic Planning and Organizational Alignment: Collaborate with the Board of Directors to develop and implement the strategic plan, aligning staff roles and organizational structure with IONS’s vision and long-term goals. Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
• Advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Lead efforts to embed diversity, equity, and inclusion within IONS and its interactions with external interest holders, ensuring a just and equitable work environment.
• Interest Holder Engagement and Partnership Development: Build and sustain strong relationships with key interest holders across sectors. Develop strategic partnerships and secure funding opportunities to support IONS’s growth and sustainability.
• Sector Insight: Provide the Board and interest holders with insights into the future of the non-profit sector, ensuring IONS remains adaptable to emerging trends.
• Leadership Responsibilities:
  Sector Advocacy and Public Representation: Advocate for the non-profit sector and represent IONS publicly, raising awareness through media engagements and strategic communications. Ensure that IONS’s initiatives are recognized and impactful.
• Organizational Alignment: Implement an organizational structure that strategically aligns with sector needs, building strong, diverse teams that drive systemic change.
• Staff Leadership: Lead, coach, and mentor staff to achieve strategic objectives, ensuring effective use of staffing resources.
• Vision Communication: Communicate IONS’s vision clearly to staff, partners, and interest holders, ensuring alignment with the organization’s values.
• Board Liaison and Governance: Work closely with the Board to ensure strong governance, effective budget oversight, and alignment with IONS’s goals. Provide regular, detailed reports to support strategic decision-making.

Operational Responsibilities:

• Public Representation: Act as the spokesperson for IONS, engaging with media, government, and key interest holders.
• Policy Development and Research Strategy: Collaborate with interest holders to inform policy, and steer research that advances the sectors interests
• Accountability Methods: Develop and implement accountability frameworks, and reporting tools for the Board and funders.
• Communication: Ensure clear, timely communication with all interest holders.
  Asset Security and Funding Stewardship: Safeguard organizational assets and manage funding sources, including government relationships.
• Risk Management: Identify and mitigate organizational risks to ensure stability and sustainability.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a compassionate and visionary leader with strong emotional intelligence, capable of balancing strategic thinking with effective day-to-day management. You have a deep commitment to the non-profit sector in Nova Scotia and a track record of championing community-focused causes.

You bring extensive leadership experience in non-profit, social enterprise, or local government settings and excel in navigating complex, multi-interest holder environments. Your strong interpersonal and communication skills enable you to build and nurture relationships across diverse groups, including government, non-profits, and funding partners.

You are well-versed in good governance practices, financial management, policy development, and data analysis. You have a proven ability to diversify revenue streams. Your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is evident in all aspects of your work. Additionally, you foster a supportive and inclusive organizational culture, creating environments where trust, transparency, and collaboration thrive.

You lead an organization that lives and breathes anti-racist and decolonial practices, and if you have trauma-informed training, that would be ideal. Your adaptability and innovative mindset equip you to lead in a dynamic environment, working effectively with a diversity of communities, including equity-deserving groups,  and Indigenous populations.

You have experience in or knowledge of decentralized or shared leadership practices. You know how to support other leaders and work to decentralize power structures within an organization.

 

What You May Need to Be Successful (Requirements)

Education and Experience:

• A university undergraduate or master’s degree in a related field.
• 7-10 years of progressive experience leading and managing in a non-profit, social enterprise, or local government environment.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Job-Specific Knowledge and Abilities:

• Experience working in the impact sector in a leadership role (ideally within Atlantic Canada).
• Deep understanding of systems and systems change.
  Strong knowledge of diversity, equity, and decolonization principles.
• Proven ability to lead in complex, multi-interest holder environments.
• Skilled communicator with strong public speaking, facilitation, and presentation abilities.
• Experience leveraging social media and innovative technologies.
• Ability to lead a virtual organization effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and collaborate with diverse interest holders.
• Experience working with and reporting to a Board of Directors.
• Knowledge of labour market issues and trends in Nova Scotia.
• Proficiency in financial information and data management.
• Awareness of opportunities and challenges related to the organization’s mission.
• Experience working in a collaborative leadership setting.

Key Competencies

• Adaptability
• Diplomacy
• Humility and Openness
• Collaborative Leadership
• Emotional Intelligence
• Compassion and Patience

The Package

• This is a full-time position with a dynamic and passionate team.
• We have office space in Halifax and Sydney, and are open to remote workers anywhere in Nova Scotia. The Executive Director will be required to attend work and events in HRM on a frequent basis.
• Compensation will be between $100,000-110,000 commensurate with experience.
• A 4-day work week (Fridays off – totalling 32 hours/week with some flexibility within the working day) is part of the IONS benefits package.
• Vacation (4 weeks) and wellness days (12 per year), as well as office closure during the winter holiday period.
• We offer a comprehensive health plan (employees pay 50% of health and dental portion plus 100% of long-term disability) and a $250/year wellness fund per year (prorated based on start date). Health benefits are offered at the start date.

What’s the Process?
The hiring process often privileges white, able-bodied, neurotypical people who can conform to Eurocentric ways of working and being. We recognize the inherent power dynamic within the capitalist hiring process which weighs heavily in favour of the organization. In keeping with our equity and justice commitments and recognizing that the hiring process is relational work, we’re consciously iterating new ways of approaching how we do this. We’re ready to hire our next team member, but we also want you to want to choose us as an employer.

 

What You Can Expect:

• Once you apply through the form, you’ll receive an automated confirmation email. The P4G team will then review all applications to determine who we would like to learn more about. As this is relational work, every applicant will receive an email regardless of whether they’ve been selected to move forward for an interview or not.
• Initial interviews will be held virtually via Zoom or in person at our Halifax office depending on location, availability, and accessibility for the candidate(s).
• We understand the stress and anxiety of these processes so we will send a copy of the interview questions to everyone in advance of our conversation.
• We recognize that creating an application and preparing for an interview is unpaid labour so an honorarium will be offered to everyone who participates in a final round interview process that includes time to prepare a presentation or activity.