Biodiversity Conservation, Stewardship

Hiring: Executive Director (full-time)
Organization: Loon Foundation / PODS
Location: Sunshine Coast preferred, BC

Overview

The Loon Foundation / Pacific Ocean Discovery Station (PODS) is seeking a passionate, strategic, and collaborative full-time Executive Director (ED) to lead the organization into the future, and guide it through an exciting and critical phase of the organization and project’s shared journey.

The Executive Director is the organization’s senior leader, responsible for overall management, strategic direction, and organizational sustainability. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED provides visionary leadership across programs, operations, fundraising, partnerships, and team development, while serving as the Foundation’s / PODS project’s principal representative and spokesperson.

This is an exciting opportunity for a values-driven leader to build on the organization’s strong foundation, work with a dedicated staff and volunteer network, and advance local marine conservation in partnership with local Indigenous leadership.

Location: This hybrid position is located on the Sunshine Coast (Pender Harbour), B.C., on the traditional territory of the shíshálh Nation. Remote options may be considered and the position may include some local travel.

Reports to: Board of Directors
Position Type: Full-time, Permanent
Salary Range: $110-$120,000 CAD + benefits

About the Loon Foundation

The Loon Foundation fosters deep connections between people and the natural world, inspiring responsible stewardship of our natural resources for future generations. The Loon Foundation was founded in 2002 as the Ruby Lake Lagoon Nature Reserve Society, when a small group of passionate local naturalists set out to preserve a 10-hectare plot of second-growth forest surrounding a unique wetland near Pender Harbour, on the beautiful Sunshine Coast of B.C.

Since then, our scope has expanded well beyond the Ruby Lake Lagoon, and in 2020 we changed our name to the Loon Foundation to better represent our wide-reaching efforts to conserve biodiversity and foster environmental stewardship.

About PODS (Pacific Ocean Discovery Station)

Situated in kalpilin (Pender Harbour) within the swiya (territory / birthplace / world) of the shíshálh Nation, the Pacific Ocean Discovery Station (PODS) is set to become a vibrant community hub for education, research, and environmental stewardship on the Sunshine Coast. Developed in collaboration with the shíshálh Nation, PODS aims to be an extraordinary place where science, arts, culture, and community come together to inspire visitors with the wonders of nature.

Responsibilities

• Fundraising & financial management: Leading revenue-generating activities, including major donor cultivation and grant writing. Overseeing the annual budget, ensuring fiscal integrity, and reporting financial health to the board.
• Board relations: Serving as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors and supporting board development.
• Strategic planning: Executing the board-approved strategic plan and providing visionary direction, as well as reporting on plan implementation.
• Operations & team management: Managing staff, volunteers, and day-to-day operations while ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards; specific to PODS, (co)managing the construction of the facility (including working with multiple partners, contractors, etc.) and eventually building a new team to manage the facility.
• Partner stewardship & collaboration: Leading the ongoing development and management of authentic, trust-based, mutually beneficial partnerships (currently including with the shíshálh Nation, Capilano University, and others).
• Community & public relations: Acting as the organization's chief spokesperson to stakeholders and the media.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will bring many (though not necessarily all) of the following:

• Undergrad / graduate degree in a relevant field (e.g., environmental or social sciences, law, conservation, public policy, communications) or commensurate experience.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, including grants and donor development.
• 5+ years of senior nonprofit leadership or equivalent management experience, including managing senior staff.
• Strong knowledge of B.C.’s environmental, geographic, and cultural context.
• Experience working effectively with a Board of Directors.
• Financial acumen, including budgeting, reporting, and fiscal oversight.
• Media and public communications experience.
• Knowledge of the Canadian charitable and regulatory environment.
• Strong strategic thinking, organizational, and people leadership skills.
• Proven ability to build partnerships and engage diverse stakeholders.
• Commitment to Indigenous reconciliation and JEDI principles.
• Excellent communication skills; collaborative, and values-driven leadership style.

Resident of the Sunshine Coast, B.C. preferred.

The Loon Foundation / PODS is committed to equity and inclusion and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including Indigenous peoples, people of colour, women, LGBTQ2S+ individuals, and persons with disabilities.

To apply

Please submit your resume and cover letter to info@loonfoundation.org by Friday, March 13.

Please mention you saw this at rcen.ca or goodwork.ca.

While we are grateful for all interest in the position, only those who are invited for an interview will be contacted.

If you have questions or feedback about this posting, please reach out to the Loon Foundation Board of Directors at brendan@loonfoundation.org