North York Women’s Shelter Executive Director Job Posting
North York Women’s Shelter is a place of safety, support and hope for women and their children
who are survivors of violence and abuse.
For over 30 years North York Women’s Shelter has been a place of empowerment, safety and
offered countless women and children a promise of a better tomorrow. Our shelter has been in
operation 24-hours a day, 365 days a year and is able to accommodate 30 women and children
at any given time. Through our holistic approach to programming we have been able to help
women and children heal from the trauma of abuse.
Our Vision… A community characterized by gender equality where women and their children
are empowered and safe.
North York Women’s Shelter is seeking an exceptional, inspiring, and committed Executive
Director to manage, lead, and continue the positive development of the organization. We are
looking for someone who is deeply committed to supporting all women, children and youth
experiencing violence and to working collaboratively with communities to eliminate all forms of
violence and oppression.
Position Summary:
The Executive Director (ED) is a dynamic, engaging, community-oriented leader who will guide
the organization’s consistent achievement of its mission through effective programming,
community engagement, and collaboration with the Board of Directors. The Executive Director
is responsible for the overall operations, fund development, financial management,
programming, staff management, facilities management, human resources, and services to
support women and children experiencing violence, under the policy direction of the Board. The
Executive Director will also implement and participate in establishing the high-level strategic
direction of all the operations of the organization, while serving as the primary spokesperson
and taking a lead role in representing the best interest of the organization and its clients at all
times.
We are looking for a highly credible, authentic, perceptive, and results-oriented leader with a
proven track record of successful planning, influencing, and implementing the strategic and
financial plans of an organization. If you are self-directed and progressive with the ability to
create, articulate a vision, lead change, build positive working environments and relationship,
and inspire a team, please consider this opportunity.
Key Responsibilities:
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Provide leadership and direction in the development, management, implementation and
evaluation on all aspects of the operations of the organization.
• Represent, implement and support the vision and mission of the NYWS in the
community and at all levels of government.
• Carry out all plans, policies and procedures as authorized by the Board.
• Work with the Board to secure adequate funding for the operation of the organization.
• Act as a professional advisor to the Board of Director on all aspects of the organization's
activities.
• Administer and monitor the funds of the organization according to the approved budget
and the monthly cash flow of the organization.
• Supervise, direct, support, and coach staff and volunteers.
• Ensure that job descriptions are developed, regular performance evaluations held and
comprehensive human resource practices are in place.
• Maintain a positive, inclusive, supportive, and safe work climate that attracts, keeps and
motivates a diverse staff of top- quality people.
• Foster teamwork and establish healthy working relations in accordance with all
appropriate legislation and regulations.
• Promote dynamic and broad participation by staff, volunteers, and community partners
in the organization’s work.
• Develop purposeful and effective programming and coordinate long-term program
planning, as per the organization’s mission and vision.
• Establish good working relationships and collaborative arrangements with community
groups, funders, and other organizations to help achieve the goals of the organization
You will be a leader who has:
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Experience in program operations and working with women/families in crisis;
The ability to anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of clients and to meet or
exceed their expectations within the organizational parameters.
The ability to manage and supervise diverse staff teams and volunteers under stressful
circumstances.
Strong leadership and decision-making skills including self-awareness, and confidence to
work in an energetic and dynamic environment.
The ability to engage with diverse communities of women and children and a
commitment to community involvement.
Comprehensive understanding of women’s issues and the impact and dynamics for staff
working in this field.
Proven ability to develop trusting relationships with staff through valuing their input,
following through on commitments and using a collaborative style for managing change.
Well-defined sense of diplomacy, including solid negotiation, mediation and conflict
resolution skills.
Creative and visionary ability to develop unique ways to improve operations of the
organization and to create new opportunities.
Significant experience in organizational capacity building;
Program development, diversification and implementation skills;
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Solid supervision and team building skills;
Excellent oral and written communications skills;
Strength in prioritizing and goal setting, with the ability to handle multiple tasks
simultaneously;
Strength is assessing situations to identify root causes, processing information, and
using the information gathered to generate possible solutions.
Strong computer skills including spread sheets and databases; comfortable in Microsoft
Office; WORD, EXCEL, POWER POINT; and
Internet and research proficiency.
Qualifications:
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Degree or diploma in a related field, with at least 5 years prior experience preferably as
an Executive Director at a non-profit organization or equivalent working experience.
5 or more years of progressive senior management experience in a voluntary sector
organization, preferably in the violence against women sector successfully managing
projects and programs.
Demonstrated financial management skills including working with budgets and financial
statements.
Proven ability to build and maintain community partnerships.
Knowledge of leadership and management principles as they relate to non-profit/
voluntary organizations.
Significant knowledge of current community challenges and opportunities relating to the
mission of the organization.
Significant experience mentoring and coaching others, and motivating high performing
teams.
Demonstrable ability to promote and work within an integrated feminist and anti-racist
anti-oppression framework.
Previous experience as the lead in organizational management and development.
Previous experience in proposal writing, grant applications and funding requests.
Salary includes a competitive benefits package
NYWS is committed to the development of a staff team that reflects the diversity of the
communities we serve. We therefore encourage applications from women from equity
seeking and historically under-represented groups. Please visit our website http://nyws.ca to
learn more about us.
Please email your resume including cover letter to:
ATTENTION: Leah Odle-Benson, Adobe Consulting Services Associate Consultant
NYWS – Executive Director Position
leah@adobeconsulting.ca
Deadline: September 04, 2015 at 5:00 PM
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only applicants selected for an interview
will be contacted. No phone calls or emails please.