Interim Executive Director

Position: Interim Executive Director (parental leave coverage)

Organization: Project Canoe

Location: Project Canoe has shared facilities at the Centre for Social Innovation at 192 Spadina Ave, in Toronto. The team works in a hybrid model for most of the year, with the spring and summer having a higher need for in-person work.

Start Date: November 9, 2026 , which includes a transition period with the current Executive Director.

Term: 13-month contract, November 9, 2026 - December 10, 2027

Benefits: Comprehensive health and dental insurance

Salary: $80,000 - 90,000 annually

Vacation: Three weeks of paid vacation for the duration of the contract

About the Role:

Project Canoe is seeking an experienced leader to join as Interim Executive Director to cover a parental leave. The Interim Executive Director will provide strong and passionate management and leadership for its mission of helping youth facing barriers create experiences rooted in the outdoors. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Interim ED of Project Canoe is responsible for driving Project Canoe’s strategic priorities, ensuring financial sustainability, and overseeing daily operations. In 2027, Project Canoe will be celebrating its 50th anniversary and the Interim Executive Director will play a key role in planning and delivering the 50th Anniversary Reunion Celebration in September 2027 and the 50th Year Marketing Strategy. Additionally, Project Canoe began a 3-year growth plan in 2026. The Interim ED will be responsible to work towards achieving the programming goals and fund development targets.

About Project Canoe:

Established in 1977, Project Canoe is a registered charity that offers outdoor programming to youth facing barriers. We leverage the outdoors, including wilderness canoe trips, to create a transformative environment in which our youth develop life skills, social competencies, and resiliency, thereby fostering their own personal success. We partner with our youth participants, supporting them as they carry these skills and successes forward to manage the complex challenges in their lives. Wilderness canoe trips have been our core summer program element for nearly fifty years, and we have since expanded to provide a variety of year-round opportunities through our Urban Outdoors and Local Explorers programs. Project Canoe’s programs have a consistent track record of creating positive life outcomes for youth participants. Since our inception, close to 5,000 youth have benefited from Project Canoe’s unique programs, including our low staff to youth ratio and no financial barrier model.

Position Responsibilities:

The Interim Executive Director’s responsibilities and opportunities include:

Strategic Leadership:

• Work with the Board of Directors to execute the multi-year strategic plan and 3-year growth plan priorities.
• Act as the primary liaison to the Board; provide transparent, timely, and accurate updates on PC’s operations, finances, and programs to support effective governance.
• Oversee the evaluation of current programs and guide the development of new initiatives to meet evolving community needs and priorities.
• In collaboration with the Board and Committees, oversee the implementation and review of organizational policies and procedures.
• Execute a robust fundraising strategy that balances individual giving, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, government funding, and effective stewardship.
• Cultivate and nurture relationships with major gift donors, foundations, corporations, and other philanthropic partners.
• Oversee the grant lifecycle, including identifying opportunities, writing applications and proposals, and ensuring compliance with reporting requirements.
• Plan, execute and evaluate fundraising events and fundraising campaigns to boost revenues, and support third-party fundraising events.
• Closely monitor organizational spending against the approved budget to ensure fiscal discipline, proactively identifying variances and potential risks.
• Oversee monthly financial reconciliation in coordination with the bookkeeper, and translate this data into clear financial reports for the Board and Finance Committee.
• Coordinate the preparation for the annual audit process, serving as the primary contact for the auditing firm.

People & Culture:

• Supervise and mentor the full-time Program Director, providing guidance to support their leadership of the organization's programs.
• Partner with the Program Director to actively support the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of the 2027 seasonal team.
• Support the Program Director in designing a comprehensive seasonal staff training calendar, and take a hands-on role in leading certain sessions.
• Oversee all human resources functions, ensuring fair employment practices, maintaining updated employee policies, and managing personnel files.
• Effectively manage staff performance, support continuous professional development, and actively foster a positive, collaborative, and supportive team culture.

Communications and Outreach:

• Act as the primary public face and voice of Project Canoe to the media, public officials, and the general community.
• Oversee marketing and digital communication strategies to elevate the organization’s public profile and brand awareness, and drive engagement.
• Develop impact-driven communications such as annual impact reports, newsletters, and presentations.

50th Anniversary Planning:

In collaboration with the 50th Anniversary Planning Committee:

• Lead the comprehensive planning, delivery, and post-event evaluation of the 50th Anniversary Reunion Event scheduled for September 18, 2027.
• Execute the dedicated 50th-anniversary communications and marketing plan to elevate brand awareness and drive deep, long-term engagement with the organization.
• Lead the strategy and relationship-building for 50th anniversary sponsorships, securing key corporate partners.
• Oversee the execution and finalization of the 50th-anniversary video project.

Skills and Qualifications:

• At least 5 years of leadership experience – with some in the not-for-profit sector.
• A minimum of 5 years of fundraising experience, with experience in major gifts, annual giving, grant writing, corporate partnerships, and donor stewardship.
• Proven experience with marketing and communications to grow brand awareness, drive engagement, and effectively communicate the organization’s impact.
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team, fostering a collaborative, supportive, and inclusive workplace culture.
• Strong administrative leadership, including financial management, technology systems oversight, and policy development and implementation.
• Demonstrated experience building and maintaining strong, collaborative relationships with a Board of Directors to support effective governance.
• Knowledge and passion for youth development and our target population is desirable.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, anti- oppression, and trauma-informed practice.
• Understanding of and interest in canoe tripping/camping or other outdoor activities.
• A valid Ontario G driver's licence and regular access to a dependable vehicle are required.

Workplace Conditions:

• Occasional evening and weekend work is required.
• The position requires regular use of digital collaboration, communication, and document management tools, including through Google Suite, Slack, and Zoom .
• The Interim ED must have a willingness to assist with light labour including but not limited to delivery of the program, moving and storing equipment and gathering donations.

Requirement and Procedure:

• Selected candidates will be invited for an interview with the Hiring Committee.
• The final candidate will be required to submit 3 references and agree to a Vulnerable Sector Check.

More information about Project Canoe is available at: canoe.org

Project Canoe will not use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess, or select candidates during the hiring process.

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