6 Month Contract, full-time (four-day work week)

London, ON with hybrid work arrangements considered
 

Young London is seeking an Executive Director to strategically lead the organization, oversee daily program operations, and prioritize the organization’s financial sustainability. 

Who are We & What do We do?

Young London is a grassroots organization founded by, led by, and serving young people in London, Ontario, and the surrounding area since 2011. We exist to create equitable opportunities for young people’s voices and expertise to be heard and valued in all aspects of public life from politics, to community action to philanthropy & research. We believe in the importance of youth ‘having a seat at the table’ and being valued as decision-makers.  

Our current work includes supporting the Canada Life Young Leaders board placement and governance training program, the youth in philanthropy grant panel, London Youth Advisory Council, and youth connector training. From time to time, we also facilitate youth participatory research and evaluation projects and support other young organizers in their efforts to make our community a better place for young people.

The Role

The Executive Director works with a small but dedicated team of staff and volunteers that operate with a high degree of autonomy. They foster trust among their team and know when to make space, and when to step in with ideas and advice. Our ideal Executive Director will be a decisive and yet consultative leader, capable of stewarding collaborative decisions.

Key deliverables include:

• Fiscal Management: Developing and managing appropriately the organization’s budget, financial planning, and reporting, as well as supporting the work of bookkeepers and auditors.

• Operations: Ensuring efficient day-to-day operations (like payroll and managing staff, etc.), office management, technology, and administrative processes.

• Fundraising and Grants: Leading fundraising efforts, including donor and funder relations, grant applications, and fundraising campaigns

• Community Engagement: Establishing and nurturing relationships on behalf of the organization with local community members, organizations, and partners.

• Program Management: Overseeing and supporting staff to deliver programs that address community needs and align with the organization’s mission.

• Strategic Direction & Planning: Co-creation of Young London’s strategic plan ensuring diverse perspectives, including staff, the board, participants and the community are prioritized and valued. 

• Volunteer Management & Recruitment: Overseeing volunteer recruitment and coordination for program activities.
   

The Ideal Person

The ideal candidate will have an understanding of fund management and fundraising to ensure we have funds to continue serving Youth in London. They will also be a relationship builder with the ability to manage community partnerships, internal staff, and volunteer relationships. The next Executive Director should be physically based in London, ON and nearby, with strong ties to the community.

Core Competencies: Required

Values Alignment:

• Belief in the abilities and power of youth voices 

• Strong equity lens and willingness to learn

• Alignment of personal values with organizational values

• Skilled in partnership development, stakeholder management and working collaboratively with community organizations

• Experience working with young people (14-29 years of age)

Financial Management:

• Experience with financial management, including payroll, budgeting and financial compliance 

• Ability to read and analyze financial statements, budgets and other financial documentation

• Proficient in grant writing and fund development

• Ability to negotiate the budget of all collaborative projects with community partners 

• Ensure transparent financial reporting and compliance with funders, and relevant non profit and charitable laws and requirements;

Organizational Management: 

• Experience leading or participating in strategic and annual operational planning to improve and challenge the vision, mission and mandate of an organization;

• Ability to manage multiple funder requirements and timelines ensuring Young London is fulfilling required deliverables

• Build and maintain open and effective communication with staff, the board and all other community partners

• Experience with the day-to-day management of staff and/or volunteers including staff check-ins, performance evaluation, goal setting, guidance in decision-making

Leadership:

• Demonstrated leadership, analytical, decision-making and problem-solving skills 

• Progressive leadership experience, preferably in a not-for-profit or charitable organization

• Change-management ability especially related to developing and enhancing program operations

Nice to Have

• Experience with developing a communications strategy to uplift organizational presence

• Understanding of how to use social media to strategically raise engagement of community stakeholders with the organization

• Familiarity with Google suite

Why work for us?

• Make a real impact on young people in our community

• Hybrid work culture

• 4-day flexible work week, dependent on organizational needs (some evenings and weekends required)

• Desk space in Innovation Works, in a co-working space

• 6% vacation pay, plus 5 sick/personal days per year

• Opportunity to build community networks
   

Salary and Hours

This is a 6-month full-time position (4 days per week), with the possibility of an extension contingent upon funding. Salary will be based on an annual rate of $54,600.
 

How to Apply

Interested candidates may apply by submitting their cover letter and resume to kayley@younglondon.ca with the e-mail subject line “Executive Director Application” by November 30, 2023. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email us at the above-mentioned address.

We believe all candidates have something to bring to the organization and the role. If you have skills outside the job description that you think can benefit the organization, let us know in the cover letter. We encourage all equity-seeking groups such as immigrants, Black people, Indigenous people, people of colour, women, young people, 2SLGBTQ+ community members, and people with disabilities to apply. Please let us know if you need any accommodations during the recruitment process.