Job Opportunity

The Rural Ontario Institute (ROI) is seeking a visionary and strategic Executive Director (ED) to lead the organization’s operations, fundraising, and growth.

Job title: Executive Director
Organization: Rural Ontario Institute

Position Status: Full-time

Location: Hybrid. ROI offices are at 7382 Wellington Rd 30 in Guelph/Eramosa Township north of Guelph. There is flexibility in terms of work location, and a regular schedule of in-office time is required.

ABOUT ROI

Our Vision

Thriving, Vibrant Communities

Our Mission

Building Vision, Voice and Leadership

Our Values

• Diverse perspectives and collaboration
• Respectful, open and honest communication
• Innovation and entrepreneurship
• Economic, social and environmental sustainability in rural and northern Ontario
• Continuous Improvement and excellence

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive Director is the senior staff member reporting to a Board of Directors, working closely with staff, volunteers, public and private sector organizations to:

• Drive the implementation of our strategic plan

• Grow and strengthen the organizations fundraising capacity
• Lead a high-performing and inclusive team culture
• Steward the organization’s finances with transparency and integrity
• Oversee day-to-day operations, compliance, and technology
• Foster deep engagement with our members, supporters and the public

To read the full job description, please click here.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The successful candidate will have qualifications, knowledge, skills and abilities matching the following:

• Post-secondary education, ideally in rural planning, community development, organization capacity building, resilience, health & wellbeing, policy analysis and/or community economic development
• Superlative verbal and written communication skills including public speaking and advocacy skills and experience
• Financial planning and administrative management knowledge and experience
• Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated knowledge in the following areas.
  • grants and grant writing requirements
  • project management and program evaluation
  • marketing, communications and contact management
  • leadership development including youth engagement, adult education and online learning
  • non-profit management and governance
  • social innovation
  • policy analysis
  • rural and agribusiness issues and innovations
  • socio-economic research
• Analytical ability to enable responsiveness to appropriate opportunities while passing on those that may divert from strategic direction
• Strategic and adaptive organizational leadership experience
• Demonstrated government and media relations experience with an emphasis on municipal government and intergovernmental relations
• Flexibility and humility to perform any task that may be required within a small and collaborative team
• Able to work some evenings and weekends as required for job responsibilities
• Current passport, valid Ontario driver’s license and insured vehicle

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Currently the ROI offices are at 7382 Wellington Rd 30 in Guelph/Eramosa Township north of Guelph. There is flexibility in terms of work location, and a regular schedule of in-office time is required.

Questions about this posting may be directed to: Dan Borowec, ROI Chair at borowecinc@gmail.com .

Interested candidates may submit a cover letter and resume/CV in confidence to Ellen Sinclair at esinclair@ruralontarioinstitute.ca . No later than 5:00 pm on Monday, October 27th, 2025.

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