THE OPPORTUNITY

Pillar Nonprofit Network (Pillar) is seeking an Executive Director to lead our unique, forward-thinking charity which has served London and the surrounding areas for over 19 years.

Pillar supports more than 610 nonprofits, social enterprises, and social innovators by sharing resources, exchanging knowledge and creating meaningful connections across the three pillars of nonprofit, business and government. We believe that a connected network sparks collaboration and a willingness to lean on each other to help build an engaged, inclusive, and vibrant community.

Reporting to the Board of Directors and working with a highly dedicated staff team of 20+, the new Executive Director is a collaborative leader who will envision possibilities while ensuring cohesive programing and the effective management of day-to-day operations. Applying an anti-oppression, equity and inclusion lens to all programs and services, the Executive Director will understand positional power and privilege and will bring this forward into interactions with others. An exceptional communicator and relationship builder, the new Executive Director will welcome the opportunity to entrench themselves in the London community as they enhance the innovative body of work that has made Pillar a well-known, well-respected, and well-connected organization.

This is an exciting opportunity for an inspirational leader to guide the next phase of Pillar’s growth and development.

Pillar Nonprofit Network co-created, purchased the building, and now operates in collaboration with our co-tenants the Innovation Works building, a 32,000 square-foot co-working space designed for social innovators where the Executive Director will work in downtown London.
 

ABOUT PILLAR NONPROFIT NETWORK

MISSION

To strengthen individuals, organizations and enterprises that are invested in positive community impact.

VISION

An engaged, inclusive and vibrant community.

OUR CORE PRIORITIES:

• Increasing awareness of nonprofits and social enterprises as social and economic drivers
• Supporting nonprofits and social enterprises to develop an inclusive workplace
• Facilitating collaboration by connecting nonprofit organizations to each other and to business and government
• Finding new ways, programs and services to address our community's most persistent challenges

We believe that a connected network sparks collaboration and a willingness to lean on each other to help build an engaged, inclusive and vibrant community.  

PROGRAMS & SERVICES 

• Advocacy and Awareness: Local, provincial and national sector-focused advocacy, education and reports.
• Board Governance: Education, training and development to strengthen Board leadership in the sector.
• CityStudio London: Collaboration between the City of London and local post-secondary institutions and Pillar Nonprofit Network that creates meaningful opportunities for students to address challenges in the London community.
• Consulting: Impact Consulting provides consulting service designed to amplify the social impact of nonprofit organizations, social enterprises and social purpose businesses.
• Impact Investing & Social Finance: VERGE Capital connects caring local investors with local social and environmental enterprise shifting capital towards our community's most pressing social and environmental challenges.
• Learning & Development: Learning, development and networking programs.
• Pillar Community Innovation Awards: Celebrates how individuals, organizations and enterprises are investing in positive community impact in our region.
• Shared Space: The Innovation Works co-working space designed for social innovators.
• Social Enterprise: Resources, workshops, consulting and financing to support the start-up and growth of social enterprises.
• Youth and Volunteerism: Engaging youth through education and volunteer opportunities in the community. 

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Pillar Executive Director uses their knowledge of London and Canada’s historical and present inequities to lead and manage all areas of the organization employing an anti-oppression, equity and inclusion lens.

Community, Network & Public Relations

• Engage and build relationships with local leaders, members and provincial and national networks to further strategic objectives. 
• Participate in relevant policy and advocacy groups related to Pillar’s areas of focus. 
• Work with the Board and relevant team members to deepen and refine all aspects of communications including external relations and brand development. 
• Act as the primary spokesperson with members, media, community groups, government, major donors and other key stakeholders. 
• Establish productive working and cooperative arrangements with community groups and organizations that advance Pillar’s mission. 
• Maintain a working knowledge of research, significant developments and trends in the field of social finance, social enterprise, volunteerism, and membership networks.

Team Management

• Implement and oversee a competent human resources infrastructure with guidance and collaboration as required by relevant staff and the Board Executive Committee. 
• Work in collaboration with the Board and staff team to build a positive culture that supports retention through progressive leadership, staff learning and development and performance management. 
• Support an environment of accountability where all staff understand their role and responsibilities’ in relation to the strategic plan through ownership of team and individual goals; and KPIs.

Finance & Fund Development

• Work collaboratively with the Director of Finance and the Finance & Audit Committee to create strategic operating and capital budgets for Board approval.
• Provide strategy and direction to resource development staff in support of overall fiscal sustainability including guidance obtaining funding from diverse sources and activities i.e., earned revenue, business development, sponsorship, and grants from foundations and local, provincial, and federal government. 
• Deliver donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship activities as required to support resource development objectives and organization sustainability.

Governance & Board Relations

• Share inspirational ideas and opportunities with the Board and its Committees to guide the creation of the strategic plan. 
• Identify and evaluate any risks to the organization's people, property, finances and image, and work collaboratively to implement measures to control risk and mitigates damage. 
• Support informed decision making at the Board level by providing timely and accurate reports utilizing program results, staff input, research and/or committee work and policy recommendations as required at Board and committee meetings. 
• Support the Executive Committee to conduct ongoing assessment of Board member skills and assist with strategic Board member recruitment.

Operations & Programs Management

• Provide strategic and tactical leadership of day-to-day operations.
• Deliver effective oversight of Innovation Works that ensures consistent tenancy and financial sustainability. 
• Oversee the development and implementation of organization policies, procedures, KPIs and evaluative models.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES & EXPERIENCE

• Passion for the nonprofit sector. 
• Senior leadership experience. 
• Demonstrated commitment to anti-oppression, anti-racism and equity-based work. 
• Familiarity with creating and implementing budgets and operational plans. 
• Excellent skills in cross-sector collaboration and network development. 
• Familiarity with public policy initiatives that advance the nonprofit sector. 
• Demonstrated capability in client/partner relationship management, fundraising, and/or resource mobilization. 
• Excellent communicator and dynamic presenter with strong verbal and written skills. 
• Ability to nurture a culture of innovation.

PERSONAL COMPETENCIES 

• Understanding, vision, and passion that motivates and engages others. 
• Highly collaborative.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Tara George, Partner / Lead, Search + Talent or Samantha David, Senior Search Consultant at KCI (Ketchum Canada Inc.) via email at: Pillar@kcitalent.com. 

All inquiries and nominations will be kept in strict confidence. Please note that expressions of interest are requested no later than January 18, 2021. Candidates who wish to be considered for this position are asked to submit a resume and covering letter to the above email address. 

The salary range for this position is $100,000 - $120,000. Pillar Nonprofit Network welcomes candidates from outside the London area. 

Financial support for relocation is available and we are also delighted to have pro-bono services provided by CityMatch https://www.citymatch.ca/ To view the full Executive Brief, please visit: www.kcitalent.com. 

We have made it a priority to meet with and hire from a diverse pool of candidates, and we encourage applications from those that identify as Black, Indigenous, Person of Colour, LGBTQ2+, persons living with a (dis)/ability or any other dimensions of diversity as we believe that a range of lived experience, voices and perspectives directly contribute to the success of our team.

Pillar Nonprofit Network is an equal opportunity employer and encourages all people to consider applying if their skills meet the requirements of the position. Pillar will provide any requested accommodation to candidates throughout the recruitment process.