We have completed the hiring for this position. If you're interested in hearing about opportunities for next year, feel free to reach out to info@canoe.org. Thank you! Project Canoe (Creative and Natural Outdoor Experience Inc.)
Executive Director (part time contract)
Project Canoe (Creative and Natural Outdoor Experience, Inc.) is seeking an Executive Director on a six-month part-time contract to provide strong and passionate management and leadership for its mission of helping youth, who face economic, social and behavioural challenges in their lives, build more positive futures.
Established in 1976, Project Canoe is a registered charity which provides wilderness canoe trips and other year-round supportive experiential activities and opportunities to youth (aged 13-17) who are drawn primarily from Children’s Aid Societies, children’s mental health agencies and Toronto’s high-priority communities. Since the Organization’s inception, more than 2500 youth have benefited from Project Canoe’s unique program approach which features a low staff to youth ratio and an emphasis on building on the inherent strengths of each individual participant.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director of Project Canoe assumes the role of managing and leading this vital youth development organization. The Executive Director’s responsibilities and opportunities include:
Strategic Leadership:
The Executive Director will be knowledgeable about the Organization’s strategic direction, in order to make appropriate operational decisions. The Executive Director will provide input to the strategic planning process that is currently underway and will help implement the new 5-year strategic plan.
Fundraising & Promotion:
The Executive Director will lead fundraising efforts for the Organization and develop an annual fundraising and promotion plan. All fundraising and promotion activities are designed to respect the confidentiality and dignity of the Organization’s youth participants.
The Executive Director will maintain relationships with funding agencies as well as promote the Organization to funders, potential funders and to other organizations that serve our population and/or provide similar program experiences.
The Executive Director will be lead the development of all publicity and communications, including production of the newsletter, updates to the website and other promotional materials.
Organizational Administration:
The Executive Director is responsible for financial management and administration of the Organization, including preparing the annual budget, preparing for the annual audit, keeping abreast of accounts and investments, and managing payables, receivables, petty cash and payroll.
Additionally, the Executive Director prepares an Annual Plan which is based on the Organization’s existing overall Strategic Plan. The Executive Director reports on progress towards the goals of the Annual Plan at each Board meeting.
The Executive Director facilitates the updating of the Organization’s By-laws, policies, procedures, Risk Management Policy and Strategic Plan. Also, the Executive Director keeps the Organization in good standing with respect to charitable status, incorporation, insurance, taxation and memberships in other organizations.
The Executive Director’s administrative duties include those directly related to the position, as well as maintaining the database, keeping contact with members of the organization, correspondence, mailings and general office work. The Executive Director may have the services of an Office Administrator to assist with some of the more basic of this work.
Leadership Team Support:
The Executive Director supervises and supports the Program Director, the Summer Coordinators and the Office Administrator. It is imperative that the Executive Director encourages commitment to the youth with whom we work, and ensures that the Leadership Team works within the philosophy and framework of the Organization. The Executive Director will be responsible for reporting to the Board on behalf of the staff and advising the staff on behalf of the Board.
Board Administration:
Keeping sight of the mission, vision, values and mandate of the Organization, the Executive Director guides and provides administrative assistance to the Board in its functions. This includes attending monthly Board meetings and serving on the Governance, Finance and Fund Development Board committees. The aim of the committees is to address issues in-depth and work on initiatives to improve these areas of the Organization. The Executive Director will work with the Chair of the Board to organize Board meetings.
Program Support:
The Executive Director assists the Program Director to establish program partnerships. These partnerships are formed with various youth agencies and programs when it is deemed beneficial to add a canoe trip experience to the agency’s or program’s existing program.
The Executive Director assists the Program Director with promoting the program and supports the development of the emerging year round program.
Skills and Qualifications:
- · Experience managing a non-profit organization
- · Experience working with a Board of Directors
- · Experience in staff management
- · Proven fundraising and promotion ability
- · Experience in organizational administration, including computer literacy
- · Knowledge of Project Canoe’s youth population is desirable
- · Understanding of and interest in canoe tripping/camping or other outdoor activities
- · Valid Driver’s License
Requirements:
- · Submit resume to the Project Canoe Hiring Committee
- · Selected candidates will be invited for an interview with the Hiring Committee
- · At least three references
- · Criminal Reference Check
Status: The position of Executive Director is a six-month part time contract (approximately 0.7 F.T.E.)
Location: Project Canoe’s Toronto office is at 585 Dundas Street East.
Salary: Project Canoe offers a pro-rated salary based on an annualized range of $55,000 - $60,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
This position involves some evening and weekend work. There is flexibility in the other hours worked.
Please submit your letter of application and resume by email to the Chair, Hiring
Committee, Project Canoe, no later than June 28, 2013. The email address is
We appreciate the interest of all applicants but will contact only those who will be interviewed.
More information about Project CANOE is available at: www.canoe.org