Executive Director

Job Description

Since 2010, the Vancouver Island Crisis Society (VICS) has been the leading distress centre for emergency crisis calls on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. As part of the BC Crisis Line Network, VICS supports calls from all over British Columbia, and as a proud partner of the 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline, it answers calls and texts across Canada. Crisis responders provide short-term, non-judgemental emotional support, crisis intervention, information, and resources 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

VICS has been a lifeline – literally – for people in need, handling over 45,000 interactions per year. The Society also delivers Community Education programs, including ASIST and safeTALK suicide intervention training, school programs for youth, and Suicide Grief Support services across Vancouver Island.

Now, with the planned retirement of its long-time leader, VICS is ready to hire a new Executive Director. As a foundation of the crisis community and local social profit landscape, the Executive Director maintains important working relationships with health authorities, various levels of government and other funders, other crisis centres, social service organizations, clients, and the community at large.

Broadly, the ED leads the development and execution of the strategic planning process; plans, organizes, and directs the Society’s overall day-to-day operations; and serves as a liaison to external stakeholders and partners. The ED provides mentorship and guidance to an exceptionally committed and passionate leadership team of five and a total staff complement of over 40.

Headquartered in Nanaimo, VICS is financially stable, has a history of success and a solid reputation, and serves a vital need. This is an exciting time for a new leader to:

• Join an exceptionally devoted, kind, and committed team.
• Provide strong leadership and vision to the Society’s current initiatives, and bring innovative and creative ideas to advance the Society.
• Build on existing partnerships and identify and pursue new opportunities that further the Society’s objectives.
• Advocate for the Crisis Society at the municipal, regional, provincial, and national levels, articulating its social value to external stakeholders to encourage support for and investment in the Crisis Society.

Key responsibilities include:

Leadership, Culture, and Strategy

• Lead a client-centred organizational culture that exemplifies the values and goals of the Crisis Society.
• Provide strategic leadership for staff, volunteers, and the Board in delivering high-quality programs and services, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mission and values.
• Lead and implement quality improvement plans and initiatives.
• In collaboration with the Board and staff, ensure that the Strategic Plan is reviewed and refined as necessary.
• Formulate long- and short-term goals and objectives; identify new opportunities and resources in consultation with the Board, staff, and volunteers.
• Provide information, assistance, and advice to the Board and its Committees on all matters concerning the governance of the Crisis Society, ensuring Board members are fully informed on programs, services, and financial and personnel matters.
• Lead a culture that attracts, retains, empowers, and motivates a diverse, high-quality team.

Management

• With the HR, People and Culture Specialist, ensure the development and implementation of staff and volunteer training programs; selection, hiring, termination, and supervision of all staff; and other staff duties.
• Prepare, manage, and submit an annual operational budget to the Board, reporting regularly and accurately on progress and challenges.
• Ensure sufficient funds are always available for the Society’s operations, including by researching grant opportunities and submitting grant proposals.
• Coach staff and volunteers as they implement the goals and objectives of the Strategic Plan, and ensure they are offered professional development and ongoing training.
• Review staff benefits and salaries to make recommendations to the Board Personnel Committee.
• Continue advancing the Crisis Society’s technology to deliver efficient, user-friendly services.

Community Engagement

• Respond to existing and anticipated future needs of current and potential stakeholders, ensuring the Crisis Society’s services reflect these evolving needs.
• Manage and cultivate relationships with key external stakeholders (e.g., funders, government) to identify new prospects, collaborations, projects, and initiatives.
• Maintain and initiate contacts with other relevant organizations in the sector throughout British Columbia and Canada, keeping a working knowledge of significant developments and trends.
• Oversee the Community Education department and the promotion of the Crisis Society, including advertising its programs and volunteer opportunities.
• As the face of the Society, represent it publicly at events, speaking engagements, community forums, and in the media as needed.
• Advocate persuasively on behalf of the Crisis Society, and leverage and strengthen its image and identity in the community.

Other Specifics

• Manage the Society’s lease agreement(s), negotiations, and renewal.
• Review and ensure adequate insurance coverage for the Society.
• Support other Society staff members as operational needs require and ED skills allow (e.g., assisting with training, shift coverage, or crisis line responder meetings).

For more information, please view the full briefing here.

Job Requirements

The ideal candidate will have:

• Significant leadership and management experience, ideally including leadership in or of a social profit organization.
• Current knowledge of trends and issues in crisis services, mental health, or community services (a significant asset).
• A degree in business administration or the social sciences, complemented by working knowledge of accounting procedures, business planning, and fundraising, or an equivalent combination of experience, education, volunteering, and community leadership.
• Experience leading and/or operating in a service organization with complex internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience mentoring and coaching senior staff and volunteers.
• Experience overseeing program budgets and/or organizational fiscal management.
• Experience working with a volunteer Board and managing change within an organization.
• Excellent listening, interpersonal, mediation, and communication skills (verbal and written).
• Strong time management, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the flexibility to change priorities as needed.
• LivingWorks ASIST and/or AAS crisis specialist certifications are strong assets; VICS will provide ASIST to the successful ED.

How to Apply

Compensation & Benefits:

The successful Executive Director can expect a starting annual salary of $110,000–$130,000. VICS offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a matched retirement contribution, employer-paid extended health, dental, and vision coverage, generous vacation, and a focus on professional development.

Location:

This is a full-time, permanent role based at VICS’s offices in Nanaimo, BC. For a new leader, maintaining a presence at the office will be important, and over time the Board will welcome a flexible work environment to support strong work-life balance.

This search is being led by VICS’s search partner, The Discovery Group. Please submit a cover letter/expression of interest and resume/CV in the same document to Christoph Clodius at christoph@thediscoverygroup.ca, or through The Discovery Group’s online portal, by December 1, 2026. Questions and enquiries prior to applications are welcome.