CEO, Skills for Change

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) provides visionary, strategic, and operational leadership to Skills for Change, advancing its mission to support newcomers, refugees, women, youth, and other equity-deserving communities in building successful lives in Canada. The CEO is accountable for organizational performance, sustainability, stakeholder relationships, and sector leadership.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Strategic Leadership, Culture, and Organizational Performance

• Act as the ambassador of Skills for Change building external relationships with partners, networks to continue to strengthen its reputation.
• Lead the development and execution of a bold, future-focused strategic plan that responds to evolving community needs, labour market trends, and public policy shifts.
• Ensure alignment of all organizational functions—programs, finance, people & culture, communications, and revenue development—toward strategic priorities and measurable outcomes.
• Foster a high-performing, inclusive, and values-driven culture grounded in equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-oppression.
• Champion innovation, continuous improvement, and data-informed decision-making across the organization.

Partnerships, Stakeholder Engagement, and Sector Leadership

• Build and steward strategic relationships with government (municipal, provincial, and federal), funders, employers, community partners, and sector networks.
• Act as a key influencer and advocate on issues affecting newcomers, workforce development, and equity in employment.
• Bringing new and strengthening existing partnerships with employers and industry to enhance pathways to meaningful employment for clients.
• Lead national expansion efforts to elevate the organization’s profile through thought leadership, public engagement, and sector collaboration attending conferences, events, and public forums (travel approximately 20–25%).

Financial Stewardship and Operational Excellence

• Working with the Director of Finance, ensures the financial health, sustainability, and integrity of the organization, including oversight of budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Work closely with the Board to ensure transparency, accountability, and alignment with strategic priorities.
• Oversee effective operational systems, policies, and risk management practices that support organizational scale and complexity.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, funding agreements, and sector best practices.
• Working with the VP, External Relations & Development supports the development and execution of a diversified and sustainable revenue strategy, including government funding, philanthropy, corporate partnerships, and social enterprise opportunities.
• Partner with senior leadership and the Board to expand and steward relationships with major donors, institutional funders, and corporate partners.

People, Culture, and Talent Development

• Build and sustain a strong executive leadership team, ensuring clarity of roles, accountability, and leadership development.
• Champion a workplace culture that prioritizes employee engagement, well-being, and professional growth.
• Advance equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility across all HR practices and organizational policies.
• Ensure talent strategies support the organization’s growth, innovation, and service excellence goals.

Board Governance and Strategic & Annual Planning

• Support the Board in its responsibility for the effective recruitment, development, and performance of its members and volunteers.
• Work with the Board to ensure there is a reliable governance framework, principles, policies and practices to support Directors to discharge their duties with confidence.
• Support and work with the Board Chair to ensure that the Board and its members have a clear understanding of their role and how they contribute to the success of the organization.
• Organizes, attends and supports board and committee meetings.
• Lead the Board in strategic planning to establish objectives based on goals and budget considerations, agreed upon by the Board.
• Develop plans and programs to meet strategic goals.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Minimum 10 years of senior leadership experience, ideally within the nonprofit, public, or adjacent sector. Demonstrates the capacity to lead at a senior organizational level, applying sound judgment and accountability across multiple functions such as strategy, operations, finance, people leadership, and external engagement.
• Brings experience in the nonprofit or broader social impact sector strongly preferred; candidates from aligned organizations (e.g., workforce development, settlement services, or similar) will be highly regarded.
• Applies strong financial stewardship, using budgeting, forecasting, and monitoring practices to support sustainability and informed decision-making in environments where funding may fluctuate.
• Leads with a balance of strategic thinking and operational execution, translating organizational priorities into clear plans, systems, and measurable outcomes.
• Builds trust and maintains stability during periods of change or transition, supporting staff morale, clarifying priorities, and fostering a culture of transparency and collaboration.
• Demonstrated ability to build partnerships and attract funding. Stakeholder management is a key strength.
• Engages effectively with government and public sector partners, demonstrating an understanding of public funding environments and regulatory contexts.
• Exceptional Board governance experience. Works effectively with governing bodies, contributing to strong governance practices through clear communication, sound advice, and respect for governance roles and responsibilities.
• Demonstrates a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion; lived experience as a newcomer or within an equity-deserving community is valued.
• Embraces calculated growth and welcomes opportunity.
• Navigates unionized environments with professionalism and respect, supporting constructive labour relations and collaborative problem-solving.
• Contributes to revenue generation and resource development efforts, including fundraising and relationship stewardship, appropriate to organizational context.
• Oversees complex initiatives or projects, coordinating people, timelines, and resources to achieve defined outcomes, including projects involving facilities or infrastructure when applicable.
• Education: Master’s Degree preferred (Business Administration, Non-Profit Management, or other relevant disciplines)

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• An annual salary in the range of $165,000 to $215,000, commensurate with experience and candidate profile
• Employer matched RRSP contributions
• Employee Assistance Plan
• 100% employer paid comprehensive health, dental & wellness benefit; general paid sick days; health spending account
• Professional advancement allowance
• Hybrid working environment with occasional travel (25%) required for stakeholder meetings and events

As part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, racial justice, and reconciliation, Skills for Change encourages applications from those who identify as Black, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQ+, Racialized, and other under-represented communities. Skills for Change offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in each stage of the hiring process. If you are contacted regarding a job opportunity, please advise if you need accommodation.

APPLICATION PROCESS

This search is being conducted by crawfordconnect, a search firm specializing in recruiting leaders for Canada’s non-profit sector.

Qualified applicants are invited to submit their application (consisting of a cover letter and a resume) to Nancy Lismer, Senior Search Consultant, nancy@crawfordconnect.com.

Email your resume and letter of interest immediately to nancy@crawfordconnect.com.

Although the deadline for applications is July 6, 2026, early applications are encouraged.

We thank all applicants for applying; however, only qualified candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

This is an existing vacancy. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not used in the candidate assessment or selection process.