Strategic Director

POSITION: Strategic Director

POSITION TYPE: : Part-time (15hr/week), 12-month contract (with the possibility of an extension)

HOURLY RATE: $36-46 (hourly)

FORMAT: This position is primarily remote with some in-person required

REPORTS TO: Board of Directors

LOCATION: Hamilton, Ontario

JOB REQUIREMENT: Must be eligible to work in Canada

ABOUT MIZIZI

Mizizi is a non-profit organization that aims to enrich the lives of Kenyans and East Africans in Canada by connecting them to community, opportunity and prosperity. With an increasing population of Kenyans migrating to Canada, Mizizi seeks to address gaps in resources and community development faced by many new immigrants.

While Mizizi was officially incorporated in 2024, our work dates back as far as 2004 when a group of Kenyans in Hamilton came together with one unifying goal of building community. Since then we have worked to provide our community with social events, skill-building workshops and resources. Our work currently focuses on the Greater Hamilton and Toronto area, however, as we step into this new chapter of our organization’s history, we are seeking out ways of strengthening our existing work and expanding our impact.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Strategic Director is an ambitious, creative, problem-solver who has leadership experience in small non-profits (or similar environments) and is passionate about building strategies that strengthen communities. The ideal team member has experience designing and leading non-profit strategic plans that work. They have experience building community relationships, securing grant funding for organizations, and an ability to work autonomously and collaboratively. This position will work closely with the board and support the key activities for Mizizi’s strategic plan to achieve success, including but not limited to hiring staff, securing funding and leading discussions on program/service design.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The following are core responsibilities for the Strategic Director:

1 - Leadership and Strategic Management - Developing and implementing strategic and operational plans, under the direction of the Board (10%)

• Advise on, implement, and monitor the strategic plan in alignment with Mizizi’s mission, vision, and values.
• Develop and oversee the implementation of operational plans for achieving Mizizi’s goals and objectives set in collaboration with the Board
• Ensure all programs and activities align with the strategic objectives and policies set by the Board of Directors.

2 - Operational Management - Developing and implementing operational plans (10%)

• Oversee the daily business operations of Mizizi, supporting efficient and effective management of key activities.

3 - Financial Management - Managing and monitoring budgets, identifying revenue streams, and ensuring fiscal health (5%)

• Develop and manage the annual budget in collaboration with the Treasurer and Board of Directors.
• Oversee financial operations, develop financial protocols and safeguards, financial reporting, and financial review.
• Work closely with the Treasurer, Board Chair, Bookkeeper and external accountant.

4 - Fundraising/Development (50%)

• Develop and execute a fundraising plan to secure financial support for Mizizi’s programs and initiatives.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with grant funders and potential donors or sponsors in Hamilton, the province of Ontario, and within Canada
• Identify and secure financial support from foundations, corporations, individual donors, and government funding sources to support Mizizi’s financial sustainability and growth.

5 - Board Administration and Support (10%)

• Work closely with the Board of Directors to support the Board's governance functions
• Develop and implement policies and procedures to enhance operational efficiency, as approved by the Board of Directors.
• Prepare and present reports, proposals, and other necessary documents to the Board.
• Regularly review organizational performance against objectives and provide reports to the Board, identifying risks and opportunities.

6 - Human Resources Management (15%)

• Supervise, mentor, and support staff (employees and contractors), fostering a collaborative and productive work environment.
• Support continuous improvement and team building that encourages an effective and rewarding organizational culture for the staff
• Undertake hiring, training, and performance evaluations
• Work closely with the Board of Directors to establish and adhere to HR policies and other best practices

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 2-5+ years senior leadership experience
• Previous Strategic Director or equivalent senior leadership role strongly
• preferred
• Demonstrated experience activating a strategic plan, developing operational plans, and aligning organizational goals with long-term vision.
• Experience in financial management and various non-profit revenue generation models, including fee-for-service, grant writing, fundraising, and partnerships.
• Familiarity with federal and provincial legislation applicable to charities and non-profits.
• Multi-faceted project management experience, or the ability to lead multiple complex pieces of work in an organized and effective manner.
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizations through growth and change
• Degree in a relevant field, or equivalent lived experience in the areas of non-profit leadership and/or community or social development.
• Proficient in MS Office, social media, Canva, Mailchimp and collaborative tools such as GoogleDrive, is an asset.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications (resume and cover letter) can be submitted as PDF format (as one document) to info@mizizi.ca by 11:59 PM EST on May 27.

Please use the subject line: "Mizizi Strategic Director - LastName FirstName". You will receive an email confirming the receipt of your application. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Interviews for shortlisted candidates are expected to take place June 13-16. We will only be able to meet with applicants selected to move forward in the hiring process, and we will provide an update on the outcome of the process to all applicants.

For any questions or accommodation requests, please feel free to reach out to info@mizizi.ca and we will work closely with you to honour your requests during the application and interview process.

Mizizi is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to establishing and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace. Mizizi encourages applications from equity-deserving groups including but not limited to individuals of Indigenous descent and African descent, as well as, all identities and self-expressions, persons with disabilities, members of racialized communities, and people of diverse faiths, creeds, cultures and origins.