OTTAWA ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

Position: Executive Director
Organization: Ecology Ottawa
Location: Ottawa, Ontario

The Opportunity

Are you seeking an exceptional opportunity to drive positive change in your community and become an environmental leader in Ottawa? Do you have ideas for how to make Ottawa a greener, more resilient city? Do you consider yourself a team-builder and a community organizer? If so, you just might be the person we’re looking for to become the next Executive Director of Ecology Ottawa.

As Executive Director, you will take personal and full-time responsibility to engage and mobilize Ottawa residents and leaders and build coalitions to help create a sustainable city—a city that values and prioritizes clean air and water, clean energy, active and public transportation, and the protection of greenspace and nature. Your knowledge and passion will inspire others to join you, as you cultivate relationships and build coalitions with leaders from diverse communities, businesses, government agencies and Indigenous Nations.

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for the successful leadership, overall management, and operations of the organization.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and champion the vision for Ecology Ottawa and the path to making Ottawa the green capital of Canada;
• Develop and implement impactful and strategic projects and programs that achieve the goals, objectives and strategic directions set by the Board of Directors;
• Build and motivate an effective team of leaders, provide guidance and coaching to staff, and nourish a respectful, diverse and positive workplace culture;
• Ensure your team has the proper tools, systems and equipment required to do their work;
• Act as the primary spokesperson for the organization, make yourself available for media interviews and public presentations, and engage with supporters and the public through social media and Ecology Ottawa events;
• Lead on fundraising by developing and executing multi-year fundraising plans and cultivating support from diverse streams including foundations, business, individuals and events;
• Prepare an annual budget for board approval, assess the financial position of the organization, and prepare quarterly financial reports for board review;
• Maintain trusting relationships with Ecology Ottawa’s partners, supporters and key influencers, and communicate regularly about project outcomes and impact; and
• Support the Board of Directors in their operations and administration. Help build, sustain and strengthen all board functions like meetings, policy adherence and committee work.

About Ecology Ottawa

Ecology Ottawa is a volunteer-driven, not-for-profit organization that has been advocating since 2007 to make Ottawa a greener, smarter and more sustainable city. The organization has developed a solid reputation for mobilizing communities to take local action on a range of pressing environmental issues, including climate equity, renewable energy, trees and biodiversity, active transportation and air quality. Our small team of passionate employees continually punches above its weight, heavily supported by a very large and dedicated group of volunteers and supporters.

Candidate Qualifications

Ecology Ottawa is looking for an individual who can grow the organization in a manner that ensures inclusivity and respect, careful stewardship of financial resources, and the delivery of impactful campaigns and programs. The successful candidate will:

• Demonstrate an inclusive leadership style, and an ability to proactively foster a healthy and respectful workplace culture built around justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) principles;
• Be a confident public speaker, an effective communicator and change agent who can articulate a clear strategic vision in a manner that motivates and inspires staff, volunteers and the broader public to deliver on Ecology Ottawa’s strategic priorities;
• Demonstrate a solid understanding of relevant environmental issues and local policy-making dynamics to credibly represent the organization’s goals to local authorities, funding agencies, the media and other public audiences;
• Understand the basics of grassroots organizing and be passionate about incorporating engagement organizing principles into the daily work of the organization to advocate for political change;
• Be adept at reviewing and critiquing environmental policies and drafting policy positions;
• Have experience fundraising, including developing impactful projects or programs, writing successful grant proposals, and evaluating impact;
• Genuinely enjoy forging and nurturing relationships of trust with elected officials, city staff, funders and partners;
• Be a self-starter with experience in a leadership position in an emerging non-profit or start-up in which resourcefulness, risk-taking and resilience were critical to maintaining an effective operation;
• Be an effective and organized project manager, with the ability to strategically set priorities and manage one’s time effectively;
• Have at least 5 years of experience in a leadership role with experience managing people; and
• Be located, or willing to move to the Ottawa region.

Asset Qualifications

• Bilingual fluency (English-French)
• Experience working with a Board of Directors
• Experience with databases and IT platforms

Compensation

• Salary range: $75K — $85K (commensurate with experience)
• Generous vacation and benefits package
• Opportunities for professional development

Location: Ottawa, Ontario. With gratitude and respect, Ecology Ottawa acknowledges that we are located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinàbeg People.

Application Process

Submit your CV, three professional references and a letter telling us why you are the right person to lead Ecology Ottawa via email to jobs@ecologyottawa.ca , with “Executive Director 2022” in the subject line. The deadline for applications is June 8th, 2022, and interviews will take place in June 2022. We thank all applicants for their submission, however only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

Should you wish to learn more about this exceptional leadership opportunity, call Meredith Brown, in strictest confidence, at 613-864-7442.

Ecology Ottawa is committed to employment equity and seeks diversity in our workforce. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and encourage applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

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