Website Pictou County Continuous Learning Association
Position Title: Executive Director
Location: New Glasgow, NS. With the possibility of travel within Pictou County.
Status: Permanent, full-time
Salary: $32.57 – $38.10 / hour (negotiable based on experience)
Benefits: Pension and benefits package
Start date: August 2025
About the Organization
Pictou County Continuous Learning Association (PiCCoLA) opened its doors in 1996 to offer literacy and numeracy skills to adults. Since then, the mandate of our organization has grown to offer academic upgrading in Levels 1 & 2 of the NS Adult Learning Program, Canadian Adult Education Credential preparation, as well as employability programs for adults of Pictou County, allowing our participants to develop lifelong learning to participate more fully at home, at work, and in our community.
Opportunity
The Executive Director will be responsible for providing leadership, direction, support, and guidance in implementing the goals and objectives outlined in the strategic plan and in the service agreement PiCCoLA has with the Provincial Government. The Executive Director is accountable for achieving the goals, in collaboration with staff/contractors and the Board of Directors.
The Executive Director is responsible for developing operational policies and procedures consistent with the mission and vision of PiCCoLA, prudent fiscal management of the organization, and providing exemplary leadership.
PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITIES
The Executive Director assumes responsibility to manage the overall resources and operations of PiCCoLA, making major decisions, and acting as the main point of contact between the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, and the public, and to enforce adherence to legal guidelines and in-house policies to maintain the legality and ethics of the organization.
The Executive Director is accountable for modeling and nurturing positive leadership by demonstrating expertise in overall management of the organization and through the following:
Strategic Fund Development
● Primary accountability for leading overall revenue generation including grant and proposal development
● Supervise and sign off on the development of all requests for funding proposals of programs under their responsibility
● Manage and cultivate existing strategic level relationships with private corporations, funders, governmental and non-governmental organizations to secure and expand recurring revenue streams.
Financial Management
● Responsible for the financial and risk management of the organization, including funding, budgeting, controls, and reporting to the Board of Directors.
● Responsible for the development of the annual budget and final approval of project budgets
● Oversee the annual audit and reporting process and make recommendations to the Board regarding future directions
External Relationships and Partnerships
● Represents PiCCoLA as the primary face and voice of the organization at conferences, meetings, to the public and to the media
● Develop and maintain strong relationships with government partners at the Federal, Provincial and Municipal levels of government
Works with NSSAL to ensure adherence to program delivery guidelines and compliance with reporting requirements.
● Identify potential opportunities for collaborations and coalitions while establishing a clear direction within the PiCCoLA priority areas
● Promotes PiCCoLA to government, community agencies and in the private sector
● Maintains membership and participation in ANSCLO
Human Resources
● Accountable for human resources management of PiCCoLA, ensuring positions are filled as required to meet organizational needs
● Provide leadership and input for all strategic plan implementation processes volunteers and board
● Oversee recruitment, hiring, orientation, training, and development of PiCCoLA staff and contractors as required
● Providing supervision, guidance and ongoing support for staff.
● Ensure effective performance management and succession planning processes are established and implemented
Brand, Marketing and Communications
● Ensures that PiCCoLA expands its brand and reputation as a leader in all matters related to adult learning.
● Responsible for ensuring the PiCCoLA brand and messaging is consistent and integrated into all marketing and communications
Board of Directors
● Develops and maintains a collaborative working relationship with the Board of Directors and actively participates in Board meetings
● Works with the Board to develop strategic directions, plans and policies that reflect future directions and the values of the organization
● Reports on strategic, operational, and financial matters to the Board at each meeting
● Has a direct reporting relationship to the President of the Board
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate for the position of Piccola’s Executive Director is an individual who has a demonstrated track record in leading and growing an organization in the not-for-profit, charitable, or public sectors. This individual is a visionary who feels equally comfortable working with senior level people in government or corporate organizations. As a relationship builder, the ideal candidate has a proven ability to identify, develop and secure funding; develop and manage employees and volunteers. Has an in-depth understanding of literacy as a social determinant and is aware of the emerging adult learning needs in the community.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
● Bachelor’s degree in Community Development, Education, Social Work or related field, and/or a minimum of 3-5 years of leadership experience at the Executive Director or equivalent level in a nonprofit/charitable organization.
● Knowledge of, and/or experience working in education and/or adult learning.
● An understanding of public policy as it relates to adult learning.
● Extensive experience working with and reporting to a voluntary Board of Directors
● Comprehensive understanding of working with government and major funders including relationship building; identifying program opportunities; accessing funding programs and negotiating funding contracts
● Demonstrated successful funding proposal development and subsequent program implementation
● Demonstrated strategic, operational, financial planning and implementation skills
● Proven track record in human resources management
● Proven ability to quickly develop, cultivate, and maintain strategic relationships in all levels of government, community agencies and corporate organizations across the country
● Outstanding written and verbal communication skills including presentation and public speaking skills
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
The successful candidate will possess the following personal attributes:
● Visionary – the ideal candidate is a visionary able to translate the long-term goals into practical, effective operational practice.
● Collaborative Relationship Builder – the ideal candidate is compassionate, a collaborator and a relationship builder, whether with clients, staff, volunteers, community partners, government officials or corporate partners
● Team Builder/Motivator – the ED is able to motivate a team and is by nature a team builder
● Proven Ability to Deliver- the ED is experienced and confident, knows how to deliver a plan, report outcomes against pre-defined measures and achieve organizational success
How to Apply
Include your cover letter and resume in your application with “Executive Director” in the subject line of your email to:
Greg Hayward, Board Chair
greg.hayward@nscc.ca
Deadline for applications: Wednesday, June 11th
We encourage candidates of all backgrounds and diversity to apply. Thank you for your interest in this opportunity. We thank all candidates who apply for their interest, but only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
To apply for this job email your details to greg.hayward@nscc.ca.