Executive Director Jobs

The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) is a unique not-for-profit farm organization whose diverse membership crosses all major sectors. The OSCIA team are leaders in the delivery of producer education, association development, cost-share incentive programming, and applied research. The Executive Director for OSCIA will work in consultation with the Executive Committee and Board of Directors and will implement short-term and long-term goals necessary to maintain a strong, efficient, and responsive Association. The Executive Director will, under the direction of the Board, oversee the overall operations of the Association at the membership, local association, programming, and staffing levels.

Reporting to the Board of Directors Chair, you will have the following primary duties and responsibilities:

1) Strategic and Financial Performance

• Develop effective internal management systems, to track and monitor performance standards to ensure the fiduciary responsibilities of the staff.
• Keep the President up to date between meetings on anything that might impact the operations of the Association.
• Support the Chief Financial Officer in the creation of the annual budget for the Association and present it to the Board for approval, as well as approve the annual external financial review and creation of the annual reviewed financial statements for presentation to the membership at the Association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).
• Collaborate with the Board in developing a vision and Strategic Plan to guide the organization.
• Work with key staff to present to the Board tactical, operational, and financial plans in line with the vision, mission, and strategic plan of the Association.
• Support Association staff to attract and maintain grassroots membership and engagement.
• Ensure risk management policies (insurance, investments) are in place.
• Support the Manager of Information Technology to maintain and continuously advance the integrity of systems, including database management, and support of overall association network, ensuring security measures are in place.
• Ensure strong internal controls, fiscal responsibility, accountability, transparency, and efficient, accurate and consistent financial operations and practices.
• Provide the Board with the information required to meet their governance responsibilities and ensure proper governance of the Association.

2) Team and Operational Performance

• Work with the Senior Management Team to ensure staffing requirements for organizational management and program delivery are met.
• Support the Association Development Advisor and other key staff in coordinating all communications for the Association membership, including Regional Communication Coordinators and newsletter oversight.
• Develop and oversee internal or third-party human resource capability to:
• Determine staffing requirements for organizational management and program delivery and effectively support a hybrid workforce; employees located in a central office and remote employees.
• Work with the Senior Management Team to ensure performance standards are monitored and reported, within the mandate of the Association and all program/project delivery agreements.
• Participate in an annual performance review with the President and Past-President.
• Enhancing the employee experience (hiring, onboarding, monitoring, exiting).
• Lead, coach, develop, and retain OSCIA’s high-performance team.
• Provide support and guidance in difficult decision-making situations, including interpersonal conflicts, staff termination and misconduct.
• Maintain necessary confidentiality of Association business.
• Enable effective teamwork among the Board, Executive Director and staff to create a culture of continuous improvement in the workplace and an environment that attracts and retains talent.
• Build a positive work culture based on equity, diversity, and inclusion that is supportive of a productive, diverse, and professional team.
• Ensure employment policies are established, communicated, and implemented across the organization.
• Manage and maintain the contracts of all full-time and part-time staff. Arrange employment agreements, finalize job descriptions, conduct performance reviews, establish competitive salary grid, respond to staffing issues.
• Conduct annual performance reviews for Senior Management Team and other direct reports.
• Direct the overall operations of the Association including internal communication and provision of tools and resources for workplace performance.

3) Contribute to the Growth of the Organization

• Work with outside funding agencies, involving but not limited to provincial ministries, federal departments, and other external partners to secure financial resources to support grassroots engagement, communication and applied research activities.
• Work with the Association Development Advisor to understand and respond to the needs and views of membership.
• Provide support and be a resource for local and regional associations on topics of governance and financial management.
• Remain focused on growing membership and local association development.
• Articulate the mission, vision and goals of the Association in an inspiring way to all partners and stakeholders.
• Cultivate positive working relationships between local/regional groups and the provincial organization.

4) Government and Industry Relations

• Promote the organization and its initiatives to the agricultural community.
• Provide direction and policy, working with other industry partners for program development and ensure that the guidelines on Codes of Conduct across the Association are followed.
• Be the main spokesperson for the Association, representing the needs and views of members, staff, and program partners.
• Represent the Association’s interests on appropriate government and industry committees or support direct reports to do the same.
• Seek out opportunities and support the Senior Management Team and direct reports in the continued development of programs and initiatives that align with the objectives of the Association.
• Seek new opportunities to provide value to members and the Association.

Your background includes:

• Experience in proposal writing and reporting. Proven abilities in project management, overseeing program design, implementation, and evaluation.
• Proven decision making, negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• A commitment to serving and connecting with a membership-driven farm organization.
• Excellent oral and written English is essential and functional knowledge of French would be an asset.
• Minimum 10 years’ experience managing people and leading high-performance teams. A specialized designation would be an asset.
• Previously held senior position in a non-profit environment.
• An undergraduate degree in agriculture, soil, plant or environmental disciplines with industry-specific experience would be an asset.
• Confident and timely decision-maker.
• Awareness of current agricultural and environmental issues and trends.
• Demonstrated ability to build mutually beneficial relationships with government and industry stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to innovate and adapt to changing workloads and environments.

This position requires some travel within the province of Ontario and domestically as required.

Litherland & Co. is dedicated to fair and equal opportunities for all applicants. Candidates are selected upon the highest level of equity, diversity, and inclusion across the organization and throughout its hiring process. If you are selected for an interview and require accommodations, arrangements will be made for your convenience throughout the recruitment.