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Executive Director

JOB SUMMARY

The Executive Director (ED) serves as the chief executive of Somerset West Community Health Centre (SWCHC) and provides the leadership to guide the successful execution of the SWCHC mission, vision and mandate. As the leader of the organization the ED is responsible for cultivating a strong, professional and effective organization. In addition, the ED is responsible to build/maintain a strong and effective leadership team. 

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Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED ensures an open and transparent working relationship with the Board and provides professional support and policy guidance to ensure that the policy decisions made by the Board are carried out effectively.

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The ED is responsible for the effective development and management of SWCHC’s programs and operations while exercising stewardship over its human and financial resources.  The ED will maintain effective relationships with a number of external entities in the community, the broader health and social services sector and various levels of government.

 

As an advocate for community health, health equity and marginalized populations. The Executive Director brings a strong intersectional anti-racism and anti-oppression lens and voice, fosters effective partnerships and inspires staff to bring together people, ideas, systems, and processes to ensure the best possible outcomes for clients and their communities.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership & Management

  • Lead on behalf of the Board the development of the mission and vision statements, and a strategic plan to guide the organization

  • Identify, assess, and inform the Board about the changing landscape for health and community services at the policy and operational levels, including implications, now and in the future, for the organization and its place in the health care sector.

  • Act as a professional advisor to the Board on all aspects of the organization's activities

  • Foster effective team work between the Board and the ED and between the ED and staff

  • Work closely with SWCHC stakeholders to understand and respond to their needs and wishes, as well as identifying opportunities for partnerships of benefit to our clients and community

  • In addition to the Chair of the Board, act as a spokesperson for the organization

  • Conduct official correspondence on behalf of the Board as appropriate and jointly with the Board when appropriate

  • Represent the organization within the Community Health sector to enhance the organization's profile

  • Oversee the administration of all the organization’s policies

 

Operational Planning and Management

  • Develop an annual operational plan which incorporates goals and objectives that work towards the strategic direction of the organization

  • Ensure that the organization operates within the strategic, business and ethical guidelines, standards and expectations of its stakeholders, Board, sponsors and funders

  • Ensures quality in the delivery of programs and services, designed to model client-and-community-centred service delivery philosophy, with a health equity, anti-racism and anti-oppression lens.

  • Oversee the efficient and effective day-to-day operation of the organization

  • Draft policies for the approval of the Board and prepare procedures to implement the organizational policies; review existing policies on an annual basis and recommend changes to the Board as appropriate

  • Provide support to the Board by liaising with the Chair to prepare meeting agendas and appropriate supporting materials

  • Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations

  • Develops and maintains relationships in local, regional, and provincial groups and committees of relevance to SWCHC’s objectives.  

  • Promotes SWCHC objectives on a political level regionally, provincially, and nationally.

  • Acts as the key contact with our community, municipal, and provincial funders by engaging in consultations, as well as by providing accurate and timely responses to their requests.

 

Program Planning and Service Delivery

  • Oversee the planning, implementation and evaluation of the organization's programs and services, bearing in mind the changing needs of our clients and community

  • Ensure that the programs and services offered by the organization contribute to the organization's mission and vision and reflect the priorities of the Board

  • Identifies community health needs through consultations with clients, community representatives, and internal and external service providers.

  • Monitor the day-to-day delivery of the programs and services of the organization to maintain or improve quality

  • Oversee the planning, implementation, execution and evaluation of special projects

 

Human Resources Planning and Management

  • Establish a positive, healthy and safe work environment in accordance with all appropriate legislation and regulations

  • Determine staffing requirements for organizational management and program delivery

  • Recruit, interview and select staff that have the right technical and personal abilities to help further the organization's mission and vision and a strong understanding of interdisciplinary teamwork

  • Oversee the implementation of human resources policies, procedures and practices including the development of job descriptions for all staff

  • Ensure that all staff receive an orientation to the organization and that appropriate training is provided

  • Implement a performance management process that includes monitoring the performance of staff on an on-going basis and conducting annual performance reviews

  • Promote opportunities to coach and mentor staff to improve performance

  • Comply with all mandatory legal/regulatory requirements, i.e. Employment Standards Act, Occupational Health and Safety

  • Act as final arbiter in all human resources disputes. 

  • Builds and fosters harmonious working relationships and management team cohesiveness through appropriate support and coaching, a health equity, anti-racism, and anti-oppression lens, as well as a consistent application of relevant policies.

 

Financial Planning and Management

  • Work with the Board and staff to prepare a comprehensive budget

  • Work with the Board to secure adequate funding for the operation of the organization

  • Oversee compensation and benefits management

  • Approve expenditures within the authority delegated by the Board

  • Ensure that sound bookkeeping and accounting procedures are followed

  • Administer the funds of the organization according to the approved budget and monitor the monthly cash flow of the organization

  • Provide the Board with comprehensive, regular reports on the revenues and expenditure of the organization

  • Ensure that the organization complies with all legislation related to taxation, withholding payments and meeting requirements for charitable organizations.

 

Sector Relations/Advocacy

  • Communicate with stakeholders, sponsors and funders to keep them informed of the work of the organization

  • Establish good working relationships within the community health sector, with sponsors, funders and other community organizations to help achieve the advocacy goals of SWCHC

  • Identify key influencers within the sector and work with the Board and senior management to assure awareness of SWCHC, its mission, vision and mandate

 

Risk Management

  • On an ongoing basis, work with the Board to identify, evaluate and mitigate strategic and operational risks to the organization and its stakeholders. 

 

Communications & Fundraising

  • Expand all aspects of communications, from web presence to external relations with the goal of creating a stronger brand

  • Promotes awareness of programs and services by addressing external audiences or media.

  • Use external presence and relationships to garner new opportunities

  • Research funding sources and oversee the development of fund raising plans and grant proposals to support program development

  • Participate in and support fundraising activities

  • Act as ‘ambassador’ for SWCHC

 

Perform other duties that are commensurate with the role of Executive Director.

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QUALIFICATIONS

Education

  • Masters degree in Health Administration, Public Administration, Social Work or related field, or equivalent in related experience such as community health, social services and public policy.

 

Experience & Knowledge

  • Minimum 7 years of progressively more responsible experience in management roles, including policy analysis, advocacy, financial management, human resources management, liaison with funding bodies, planning and program development.

  • Knowledge of federal, municipal, regional and provincial health and social service legislation, policies, directives and governance models.

  • Experience with the management of a diverse staff contingent, from the perspectives of professions, tenure with the centre and experience.

 

Competencies

  • Demonstrated passion and enthusiasm for the Community Health Centre vision and all the programs and services.

  • Commitment to a community development approach to all service delivery

  • Ability to motivate, lead, and empower others to achieve goals within an interdisciplinary team environment

  • Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with key stakeholders to facilitate the accomplishment of goals

  • Broad understanding of social justice, health equity, anti-racism and anti-oppression, and harm reduction

  • Strong interpersonal and leadership skills

  • Demonstrated leadership experience in addressing issues of inequity, racism and oppression on an individual, organizational and systemic level.

  • Ability to work in a culturally diverse environment, both community and staff

  • Ability to anticipate and act pro-actively in an environment of change

  • Computer literacy and familiarity with management information systems including new technologies in the health and community service fields

  • Strong people management skills with experience leading, coaching and mentoring experienced senior staff

  • Marketing, fundraising and communications experience

  • Ability to formulate strategies and policies, and create new approaches in adverse situations

  • Ability to prepare and manage budgets, analyse financial records and prepare reports

  • Ability to take a broad based view of issues and events and have an understanding of their longer-term impact or wider implications

  • Personal commitment to organizational excellence

  • Honesty, integrity, and a strong sense of ethics in all decision and actions

  • Action-oriented, entrepreneurial, adaptable, and innovative approach to getting results

  • Demonstrated cross-cultural competences to effectively lead and integrate diverse teams

  • Strong writing, presentation and verbal communication skills in English.  Both French language skills and/or a language reflective of the diverse communities served by the Centre would be an asset.

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