Executive Director

The Opportunity

Hope House Guelph Community Food Centre (HHG) is seeking an experienced, people-centred, and strategically minded leader as its next Executive Director (ED). This is a unique opportunity for a community builder who is committed to advancing HHG’s mission of increasing the well-being of vulnerable adults, youth and children through the provision of immediate relief and ongoing support.

As Executive Director, you will provide strategic leadership, oversee daily operations, build meaningful community partnerships, and champion the fundraising efforts that ensure HHG’s long-term sustainability. Reporting to the Board of Directors, you will lead a dedicated team of 25 staff and 200 volunteers while serving as the public face of the organization.

This role represents a distinctive opportunity to lead the next phase of what has been a strong and impactful organization.

About Hope House Guelph Community Food Centre

Hope House Guelph Community Food Centre’s mission is to increase the well-being of vulnerable adults, youth, and children through the provision of immediate relief and ongoing support. We serve individuals from diverse backgrounds, employed and unemployed, housed and unhoused, who are facing financial, health, or social challenges.

As a dignity-driven, barrier-free community hub, Hope House supports individuals and families experiencing poverty through both immediate relief and long-term empowerment. In 2025, we served over 7,000 people. Our wraparound services address the interconnected challenges of food insecurity, health, and financial instability.

Our Core Programs Include:

• Food Market: A choice-based grocery program that allows individuals to select items that meet their dietary and cultural needs, preserving dignity while reducing food insecurity.
• Seniors’ Community Food Markets: Monthly pop-up markets at eight subsidized housing sites, offering fresh produce, hygiene items, and wellness programming to over 350 older adults, reducing isolation and improving nutrition.
• Clothing Market: A free, volunteer-run clothing bureau serving over 3,800 individuals from April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025 that enables individuals to shop for clothing suited to their needs, essential for employment, housing transitions, and seasonal changes.
• System Navigation: Our Frontline Team helps individuals access housing, employment, health, and community supports, and provides access to phones and Wi-Fi.
• Wellness Programs: Services include our inclusive Hope House Hair Salon, therapeutic horticulture, and one-on-one counselling focused on trauma, self-compassion, and emotional health.
  Community Projects: Seasonal initiatives such as the Guelph Community Backpack Project which supported 2,991 students in 2025 and Affordable Gift Market which distributed 2,716 gifts or gift bundles in Dec 2024 offer youth and families essential items in a stigma-free environment.
• Tax Clinic: Our free, year-round clinic helps clients file current and prior-year taxes, access benefits, and navigate CRA systems, returning over $7 million in benefits to clients in 2026.
• With 7% of Guelph’s population, approximately 10,000 people, living in poverty, Hope House directly supports more than 60% of those experiencing financial hardship. Every program is designed with the understanding that stability is the foundation for independence, helping people build the tools, confidence, and connections to move forward with dignity and hope.

Summary of Role:

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for providing leadership and management of Hope House Guelph Community Food Centre (HHG) and will be accountable for delivering on strategic, operational and fund development plans.

Building on the success and strength of well-established core programs, the Executive Director will understand the changing needs of community members and seek opportunities to further serve the community. The Executive Director will lead, coach, and partner with staff, board members and other volunteers to uncover opportunities for improvement and revenue growth. As the organization matures, the Executive Director role will continue its shift from an operational to a strategic focus.

KEY DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

The Executive Director will be responsible for the successful leadership and management of the organization according to the strategic direction set by the Board of Directors.

Strategic Leadership and Board Relations

• With the board, co-lead the development of multi-year strategic plans that position the organization for sustainable growth and impact. Working collaboratively, lead the implementation of strategic plans.
• Develop, deliver, and monitor an annual operations plan that implements strategies and tactics to position the organization for growth in alignment with strategic objectives.
• Identify, assess, mitigate, and inform the Board of Directors of internal and external risk factors which may affect the organization and its ability to achieve annual objectives.
• Strengthen policies, processes, and staffing structure to increase overall efficiency and accountability ensuring effective overall management, human resources, and program development.
• Maintain a strong, transparent, and productive relationship with the Board of Directors, including attending meetings and supporting all activities in an ex official role.
• Provide timely, accurate, and strategic reporting on organizational performance, risks, finances, and emerging issues.
• Support Board committees and ensure alignment with governance policies, by laws, ONCA, CRA and other regulatory requirements, and best practices.

Program Planning, Management and Operations

• Oversee the planning, implementation and evaluation of HHG’s programs and special projects, ensuring that they contribute to the mission and reflect the priorities set out in the strategic plan.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen existing programs.
• Ensure delivery of safe, effective, and high-quality services in compliance with applicable legislation and standards, in partnership with staff teams.
• Oversee serious occurrence management, trend analysis, and continuous quality improvement practices.
• Strengthen digital infrastructure, including systems, data governance, privacy, and information security.
• Ensure effective facilities management including adherence to policies, procedures and legislation.

Fund Development and Community Engagement

• Lead the team to meet and exceed fundraising goals (cash and gift-in-kind) along with other objectives as outlined in the annual plan.
• Develop strategy and action-oriented plans to continue to build successful major gifts and planned giving programs with robust pipelines of donors.
• Manage and grow a small portfolio of major gift donors and prospects.
• Lead grant acquisition strategies, including government funding.
• Provide the Board of Directors with the tools, insights, and strategies to actively participate in donor engagement and fundraising.
• Ensure consistent and creative cultivation, recognition and stewardship policies and practices, supporting exceptional donor experience.
• Ensure the development and implementation of a marketing and communications plan that increases awareness of and support for organization’s work.
• Community Relations/Advocacy
• Act as a primary external representative and relationship builder for HHG with government, funders, donors, and system partners. Attend and participate in external meetings, groups, and networks that support HHG’s growth and profile in the sector.
• Ensure strategies and plans are in place to promote the programs and services of the organization as well as identify and respond to emerging community needs in relevant and timely ways, with community partners as appropriate.

People and Culture

• Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, talent development, performance management, and succession planning, ensuring the organization is optimally organized and staffed.
• Oversee and/or undertake the implementation of the human resources policies, procedures and practices.
• Manage, coach, develop and mentor the team toward meeting goals and objectives.
• Ensure the development of individual and team goals and performance targets with measurable outcomes that are assessed on a regular basis.
• Integrate principles of diversity, equity and inclusion into team and volunteer management, program delivery and fundraising activities.
• Establish a positive, healthy and safe work environment, ensuring all required HR legislation, regulations and policy requirements are met

Financial Planning and Management

• Ensure effective fiscal management and control systems including the development and monitoring of comprehensive annual budgets, regular reporting and cash flow management.
• Facilitate annual audits with support from the Finance Lead and Treasurer.
• Ensure organizational resources are aligned with strategic priorities and program delivery goals.
• Administer funds according to donor directions and the budget as approved by the Board, including monitoring and approving all major expenditures, service contracts, etc. of the organization according to the approved budget.

Diversity, Inclusion & Access

• Ensure programs are responsive to the needs of community members served by HHG.
• Foster an inclusive and respectful workplace where staff and volunteers feel supported and equipped to work effectively with diverse populations.
• Identify and address barriers to equitable access, engagement, and utilization of services.
• Ensure organizational policies and practices reflect fairness, dignity, and respect for all individuals.

QUALIFICATIONS & KEY COMPETENCIES

• A track record of progressive leadership experience in a charitable organization.
• Strategic thinker with a proven ability to operationalize strategic objectives into successful annual business plans.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills with the ability to engage, motivate and unify individuals and groups with diverse backgrounds in a manner that increases support.
• Previous experience working with a Board of Directors and engaging Board members and/or other leadership volunteers
• Demonstrated success contributing to fundraising programs and projects such as major gift fundraising, planned giving and annual campaigns.
• Proven track record leading successful teams with the ability to lead, coach and develop staff to achieve results.
• Financial acumen, including experience managing budgets and demonstrating fiscal accountability.
• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Experience developing effective organizational systems and processes.
• Tenacious and resilient with a positive outlook and ‘can-do’ attitude.
• Skilled at managing multiple priorities and meeting deadlines.
• Strong negotiation, problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.
• Personal commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Regular attendance at events and meetings in the evenings and on weekends to meet the objectives of this role will be required.
• Knowledge of tools and technology to support organization success and overall efficiency, including donor management and/or CRM database. Experience with Keela is an asset.
• Post Secondary Degree/Diploma in a relevant discipline preferred. An equivalent combination of education and related work experience will be considered.

Board of Directors

• Danielle Sanagan, Chair - Danielle Sanagan is the Vice President Digital & Chief Information Officer at Waterloo Regional Health Network. She is a technology and transformation executive who specializes in leading large-scale digital modernization in complex healthcare environments. Danielle is a people first and outcomes driven leader. She has built her career on a belief that technology only creates value when it strengthens people, improves experiences, and enables better outcomes.
• An avid volunteer, Danielle has held roles with the United Way of Greater Toronto, Guelph Soccer, Royal City School of Ballet and Jazz and has been a Board Member at Hope House Guelph for the last 4 years. She has held the role of Board Chair for the last 2 years.
• Jide Atiola, Vice Chair - Jide Atilola, a lifelong Guelph resident and graduate of the University of Guelph, has always felt a strong connection to the community that helped shape him. He is the Broker/Owner of Atilola Real Estate and has spent much of his career building relationships and helping people feel at home in the community.
• Jide is passionate about giving back and believes strongly in using his time, relationships and experiences to help create opportunities for others. His involvement with Hope House reflects his belief in the importance of community, connection and ensuring people feel supported and valued. Jide currently serves as Vice Chair of the Hope House Board of Directors.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

• SB Philanthropic Consulting has been retained to conduct this search on behalf of Hope House Guelph. For more information, please contact Suzanne Bone by email at recruiting@hopehouseguelph.ca. All inquiries and applications will be held in strict confidence.
• Interested candidates should send a resume and letter of interest to the email address listed above.
• Artificial intelligence will not be used to screen resumes or assess candidates in this search.
• This posting is for a current vacancy. The salary range for this role is $90,000-$130,000 plus a comprehensive benefits package including RRSP matching and health and dental benefits.
• Location: As a strong community presence is required for this role, it is preferred that the successful candidate reside in or near Guelph/Wellington County and be available to attend community meetings, Board meetings, fundraising events and other organizational activities throughout the region.
• Hope House Guelph is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences and identities. Accommodation is available throughout the recruitment process in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. If you require accommodation, please notify the Search Consultant and they will work with you to meet your needs.
• We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

DISCLAIMER

• This document is intended to provide background information on Hope House Guelph for the purposes of informing potential Executive Director candidates and does not provide binding legal representations or contractual obligation. The information contained herein may be subject to change.