Executive Director

Title

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Reports to

ACYF Board of Directors

Location

Iqaluit, NU. Housing can be provided.

Salary Range and compensation

$135,000-$150,000 + Northern Living Allowance. ACYF also offers a competitive housing stipend and comprehensive benefits.

About ACYF

The Arctic Children and Youth Foundation (ACYF) was created in 2003 to support children and youth. It is a Canadian charity, based in Iqaluit, serving all of Nunavut. ACYF’s hope is that all Nunavut children and youth obtain standards of living and services similar to the rest of Canada in terms of educational, health related, social opportunities and well-being. ACYF operates two major programs including the Umingmak Centre and Qupanuaq Services, employs approximately 20 staff and manages an annual budget of approximately 6 million and is expanding its services.

Job Purpose

The Executive Director is the leader of the Arctic Children and Youth Foundation (ACYF). Reporting to the Board of Directors and working closely with Program Directors, the Executive Director advances its mission and stewards a unique and deeply rooted organizational culture that ACYF is proud of.

The role requires the ability to join and further cultivate this culture while fostering trust, collaboration, and shared accountability across staff, community, and partners with culturally grounded leadership, ensuring the organization’s continued success in making a positive difference in the lives of children and youth in the Canadian Arctic.

The Executive Director serves as the public representative of ACYF, strengthening the organization’s reputation, its role in social impact, and presence with funders, media, partners, and the broader community and stakeholders. They will support thoughtful growth and expansion aligned with ACYF’s mission and values, ensuring that the organization remains visible and responsive to the evolving needs of children and youth in the Canadian Arctic. Moreover, the Executive Director plays a key enabling role to translate community and staff-informed insights into the organization’s direction, supporting a bottom-up strategic approach while ensuring the fulfillment of ACYF’s mandate.

This role oversees organizational operations in alignment with ACYF’s bylaws, policies, and all applicable legislation, guaranteeing that organizational goals are met through effective implementation and monitoring.

Duties and Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Governance & Board Relations

• Report to the Board of Directors at scheduled meetings and maintain open, respectful communication between the Board and ACYF teams.
• Work collaboratively with the Board and staff to support the development and implementation of strategic priorities aligned with ACYF’s mission and values.
• Provide regular updates to the Board on organizational performance, financial position, and emerging risks or challenges.
• Support the Board in fulfilling its governance responsibilities by preparing information, recommendations, and documentation as required.
• Prepare and present annual reports outlining organizational achievements, financial status, and future priorities.
• Participate in an annual performance review process aligned with organizational priorities.

Organizational Culture & Leadership

• Ensure organizational priorities and programs are informed by emerging client needs identified by staff and program leaders, and bring these forward to the Board for consideration and strategic alignment.
• Encourage inclusive leadership practices, Inuit participation, and culturally respectful approaches across all aspects of the organization.
• Steward and strengthen ACYF’s established organizational culture, ensuring it remains safe, accountable, values-based, and culturally grounded.
• Maintain transparent and supportive internal communications.
• Support and mentor Directors and Managers in their leadership roles.
• Foster collaboration across teams to ensure community perspectives inform organizational direction.
• Monitor organizational capacity and operational realities, and bring forward concerns or recommendations as appropriate.
• Ensure the organization maintains ethical practices, fair and transparent human resource systems, and a healthy, safe workplace where concerns can be raised respectfully.

Organization Representation & External Relations

• Serve as a key representative and spokesperson for ACYF.
• Strengthen relationships with funders, partners, media, and stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively with the Board Chair on high-level relationships where appropriate.
• Manage public relations, media engagement, and crisis communications as needed.
• Proactively represent ACYF at community meetings, seminars, and relevant gatherings.
• Encourage partnerships and collaborations that expand impact, visibility, and Inuit participation.

Strategic Positioning & Resource Development

• Work closely with program teams to identify emerging client needs and opportunities that align with ACYF’s mission and values.
• Bring forward new ideas, initiatives, and service opportunities for Board consideration, grounded in community insight and organizational capacity.
• Lead relationship development with funders and partners to support funding growth.
• Collaborate with the leadership team to develop funding proposals, contribution agreements, and grant applications.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with funders and partners to support long-term stability and thoughtful growth.
• Support innovation initiatives that respond to community priorities.

Operational & Financial Oversight

• Provide leadership and guidance to Directors, ensuring accountability and alignment across programs and services.
• Ensure day-to-day operations support the effective delivery of ACYF’s mandate and community commitments.
• Oversee budgeting, financial planning, and reporting in collaboration with the financial lead and leadership team.
• Ensure responsible stewardship of funds and compliance with contribution agreements, reporting requirements, and applicable legislation.
• Monitor organizational capacity and resource use to support long-term sustainability.
• Allocate financial and human resources thoughtfully to maximize impact and stability.
• Inform the Board of significant financial or operational risks in a timely manner.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

• Demonstrated leadership experience, with the ability to guide and support diverse teams in a respectful and inclusive manner.
• Senior leadership experience in Inuit, Indigenous, nonprofit, or public-serving organizations
• Strong understanding of governance structures and experience working effectively with Boards of Directors.
• Committed to best practices in governance policies and procedures.
• Confident and consistent decision-making skills.
• Resourceful and creative problem-solving skills.
• Committed to a thorough, consultative, and transparent decision-making process while serving the best interests of clients.
• Excellent and consistent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Outstanding organizational and planning abilities with the ability to prioritize multiple important projects and the ability to delegate to the appropriate parties as needed.
• Innovation, adaptability, and openness to feedback.
• Commitment to quality, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Strong understanding of Inuit culture and values.
• Speaking Inuktut and/or supporting and promoting its use.

Qualifications

• Five (5) + years of experience in senior management and leadership positions. Post-secondary education in business leadership, administration or a related field considered an asset.
• Previous experience working with children/youth services, developmental services, or a related community social service field.
• Previous experience with and knowledge of the inner workings of a charitable (not-for-profit) organization is an asset.
• Computer literacy (including but not limited to Microsoft 365, Google Suite, Bamboo HR, Sage, among others) to manage the organization, prepare financial reports, and maintain internal communication, or willing to learn.
• Experience in strategic planning, program planning, creating, developing, and evaluating charitable initiatives.
• Experience with various granting opportunities and familiarity in developing grants.
• Familiarity with federal/territorial/provincial reporting and priorities.
• Ability to speak more than one of Nunavut’s official languages considered an asset.

Working Conditions

• This position is based in an office environment.
• ACYF has a one-of-a-kind culture that has been built and nurtured over time. A candidate should be willing to join an organization with a clear cultural style and adapt to it.
• The standard workweek for this position is 40 hours.
• The standard business hours for this position are 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Overtime and hours worked outside of the standard work schedule may be required, as well as occasional travel.
• Extended periods of sitting and exposure to computer screens.