Position: Executive Director

Reports to: Board of Directors

Status: Full-time, permanent

Compensation: $80,000-95,000, with comprehensive benefits package

Start date: Flexible, December 2021/January 2022

Location: Flexible within Canada, main office is in Toronto (720 Bathurst Street, Centre for Social Innovation)

Closing date: Wednesday, October 28, 2021 at 11:59pm (EDT)

Position Summary

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will be responsible for the oversight and strategic direction of EcoSchools Canada, Canada’s leading environmental certification program for K-12 schools. The Executive Director will support the organization’s leadership team to ensure the sustainability, financial viability, fulfillment of the mission and vision, and strategic direction set in conjunction with the Board of Directors. They will collaborate with the leadership team in operational planning and guide partnership development, reporting, and fundraising. The ideal candidate is passionate about environmental learning and action in the K-12 school system and demonstrates a strong track record in leading an organization, change management, and stakeholder relations.

It’s an exciting time at EcoSchools Canada – we’ve expanded our reach from one province to nine provinces and territories in the past 24 months and are poised for significant growth across Canada. We are currently implementing a 3-year strategic plan focused on the following key areas:

• Growing our network of schools across Canada
• Providing innovative tools and resources that support data-driven climate action and environmental learning
• Strengthening our partnerships, community, and organization

Our workplace is a dynamic, open, creative and collaborative environment where you will be part of a small, but growing, team of 12 staff – a fun and passionate group committed to sustainable environmental change.

Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership and Board Management

• Act as the liaison between the Board of Directors and staff, informing the Board of issues and opportunities for the organization and supporting Board meetings
• Ensure that decisions and departmental work plans align with the mission, values, and strategic vision
• Guide the national program roll-out, strategic planning, and change management
• Represent the organization on regional, national, and international committees and working groups

Fundraising and Development

• Oversee the development and implementation of a fundraising strategy and set clear annual fundraising targets, in conjunction with the leadership team during the budgeting process
• Cultivate and steward funders, sponsors, and donors, including government, corporate, foundation, and individual supporters

Operational, Financial and Risk Management

• Oversee day-to-day operations and ensure the effective and efficient use of organizational resources
• Identify, evaluate, and manage risks by implementing, evaluating, and revising policies and procedures
• Work with the Director of Finance and Administration to ensure financial health including preparing budgets, fundraising strategy, tracking, and reporting

Program and Network Building

• Oversee the planning, implementation and evaluation of the organization’s programs and services
• Ensure all programs and services contribute to the mission and vision and meet the highest standards of customer service
• Establish strong relationships with key stakeholders and initiate strategic collaborations to further the goals of EcoSchools Canada

Communications

• Guide marketing and outreach strategy and oversee the development of materials to communicate the value proposition and overall impact of the organization
• Oversight of the Communication Manager
• Act as a spokesperson to increase the profile of the organization

Human Resources Planning and Management

• Determine staffing requirements, and oversee recruitment, organizational restructuring and change management when needed
• Establish a positive, healthy and safe work environment in accordance with all appropriate legislation and regulations and foster performance excellence
• Coach and mentor the leadership team (three directors) and other staff as appropriate to ensure performance excellence and high morale

Qualifications

• Successful completion of a post-secondary degree in education, environmental science/studies, business administration, or related field, or equivalent experience
• 5-7 years of relevant professional experience, with a minimum of 3 years in a senior management role (experience as Executive Director role preferred)
• Well-developed knowledge of environmental issues and climate education, particularly as they occur in the formal education system
• Experience with sustainability reporting frameworks such as Arc Skoru, ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, SDG Action Manager, etc.
• Experience in the financial management of nonprofit and/or charity, writing proposals, and reporting to government and foundations
• Strong business development experience
• Experience with strategic planning and setting annual targets to achieve strategic goals
• Strong team leadership and coaching skills, partnership management
• Experience managing teams through complex project management and significant change
• Excellent public speaking, facilitation, relationship management and communication skills
• Resourcefulness, initiative, and flexibility to function collaboratively as part of a small team
• Ability to occasionally travel nationally and internationally with sufficient notice
• Fluency in English (essential) and French (strongly preferred)
• Experience working with Google Workspace, Microsoft Suite, WordPress, Salesforce, and/or Adobe Creative applications

EcoSchools is committed to recruiting, nominating and supporting skilled candidates that reflect the diversity of our program participants. EcoSchools strongly encourages applications from women, persons of colour, persons with disabilities and members of Indigenous, LGBTQ, cultural, religious, and linguistic communities.

Background on EcoSchools Canada

Since 2005, EcoSchools Canada’s award-winning certification framework has provided independent reporting and recognition for schools and outdoor and environmental education centres. Reaching about 1 million students annually, we are the largest bilingual, voluntary environmental certification program for K-12 schools in Canada. We support engagement across all levels of the education sector – from students and teachers to trustees and parents – through training workshops and webinars, annual conferences, educational resources, and national campaigns. For more details visit: www.ecoschools.ca

EcoSchools Canada is the National Operator of the international EcoSchools program, overseen by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). FEE is endorsed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. As a member of FEE, EcoSchools Canada is part of a community of 70 other national EcoSchools programs around the globe.

To apply for this role please send your cover letter and resume in one PDF to jobs@ecoschools.ca by October 28, 2021 at 11:59pm (EDT). Only successful candidates will be contacted for an interview. No phone calls, please.