Executive Director Jobs

Introduction

The Parent Resource Centre (PRC) is a distinguished charitable organization that has been at the forefront of providing grassroots support and resources to families for almost 50 years. As a trusted destination for parents, caregivers, professionals, and children, PRC is committed to fostering positive developmental outcomes through a range of programs and services. This is inclusive of playgroups, support lines, resources, training and workshops, educational programs, and more.

With primary focus areas in early learning and play, parent support and education, training for professionals, as well as research and community capacity, PRC offers a system that supports all forms of caregivers and diverse family structures. PRC utilizes current best practices and continues to evolve with the ever changing needs of the children and families in the community. Their inclusive space offers guidance and leadership on various matters affecting children and they embrace opportunities to innovate, grow, and collaborate. With a dedicated staff and volunteer group who put children and families first, this community of professionals offers a legacy of commitment, life experience, and compassion to the many families they support.

Serving the greater Ottawa areas, PRC is committed to high quality, accessible programs and provides relevant parenting information that makes a genuine difference in a family's life. With a strong emphasis on delivering meaningful support and resources, PRC strives to empower families and professionals alike, ensuring that they have the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the challenges and joys of parenting.

PRC looks to welcome their newest member as Executive Director, to lead the organization into a new era. This is an exciting time to be joining the team and a unique opportunity to make an impact on the future of the organization.

Summary of the Role

In this dynamic and multifaceted role, you will have a lasting impact on the organization's success and its ability to make a positive difference in the lives of families and the community. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will lead and oversee strategic and operational management of the organization. Key facets of this role will include effective stakeholder management, organizational and resource development, financial responsibility, public relations and communication, oversight of new and existing programs, and strategic planning.

Effective leadership is a key aspect of this role. Internally, you will build upon and enhance a collaborative, fun, inclusive, and high performing environment. On a daily basis, you will be expected to thoughtfully guide, motivate, and provide support to your team, assisting them with any issues that may arise, as well as maintaining an exceptional level of service for community members. You will actively engage in community activities to enhance the organization's visibility and raise its profile. You will lead the development of a comprehensive communication plan to inform the community about PRC's activities and strategic direction. As a spokesperson for PRC, you will establish and maintain solid working relationships with stakeholders, community groups, media, funders, and local politicians.

As Executive Director, your involvement in board governance and strategic planning will be critical in driving the organization's success and advancing its mission. You will lead the execution of the renewed strategic plan (2024), monitor progress, and ensure operational plans align with strategic goals. It will be equally as important that you provide open communication in keeping the board informed of updates and significant changes. You will also support the recruitment and training of new board members as needed.

Alongside the Finance Officer and the Finance Committee you will be responsible for developing and managing the annual operating budget. This is inclusive of having oversight on all financial functions, ensuring compliance with policies, financial reporting, and contract negotiations. In an effort to maximize program effectiveness you will identify fundraising opportunities, and seek partnerships with donors, businesses, and other stakeholders. You will provide guidance to ensure program participation is supported, enhanced, and wide-reaching. Furthermore, you will oversee service delivery and standards by implementing risk management strategies, ensuring legal compliance, maintaining accountability mechanisms, and monitoring program effectiveness through evaluation and adherence to PRC standards and agreements.

In summation, you will develop and clearly articulate the organization’s future strategy and roadmap which fosters innovative ideas, methods, techniques, and tools. Approaching this opportunity with a fresh perspective and enthusiasm to take on challenges, will be integral in maintaining objectives and achieving organizational success.

Is this for you?

You are best described as a well-rounded leader, skilled with operational management experience, financial acumen, staff and stakeholder engagement, programming, and strategic planning. You are an ambitious, dynamic leader with strong communication skills, dedicated to embodying the organization’s vision and values. You support a progressive and inclusive culture, encouraging collaboration, growth, and initiative. You have a natural ability to overcome challenges and create innovative solutions while maintaining a calm and balanced mindset.

Your background exhibits a strong record of accomplishment in progressive management with community serving agencies and/or the non-profit sector. It is likely that you have built your career around community, recreational initiatives, education, or childcare. Your academic qualifications are focused on human resources management, non-profit management, public or business administration, or another related field. Your familiarity with the early years sector is a definite asset, as it will enable you to navigate the intricacies of providing quality services and programs for children and their families. Bilingualism in French or knowledge of a second language is also an advantage, as it will allow you to effectively connect with a diverse community and provide inclusive support to all individuals.

Strong business acumen is a considerable strength of yours, which you attribute to skills within HR, legal, marketing, and management. Both reliable and accountable, you stick to your commitments around time, cost, service, and are familiar with managing financials. You come from a background where you have successfully sourced, written, and won grants, or negotiated other funding opportunities. You have a natural ability to earn the trust of others quickly and leverage that to develop relationships with community partners. You are well versed reporting to a board on financials, program success, risk management, employee retention, and other areas of focus. You feel comfortable identifying and operationalizing priorities, while integrating feedback and insights from the board, staff, volunteers, and community partners.

You are the kind of person who shows up every day by rolling up your sleeves, but also by physically being present. You appreciate the value in going into the office and the benefits of working with an onsite team. The way you define success, exceeds most and you hold yourself accountable for achieving top results and being the best in what you do. Being a part of a team that is focused on success is a major driving force in what brings you to your best everyday.

Finally and perhaps most importantly, you are passionate about childcare and the community, having the best interest of PRC staff, children, and families set at high priority. You are confident that you will make a positive difference in the Ottawa community as this belief drives your day-to-day tasks, leadership style, and strategic planning process. Being community centric, you are comfortable interacting with children and caregivers, and are quite passionate about making impactful exchanges as you get to know more about the families PRC supports.