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Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer

CividaEdmonton, Division No. 11, Canada
30+ days ago
Job type
  • Full-time
Job description

Join to apply for the Chief Executive Officer role at Civida

Join to apply for the Chief Executive Officer role at Civida

Established in 1970, Civida is the largest provider of community and affordable homes in Edmonton. In partnership with the community and all levels of government, it aims to develop, support, and improve the lives of the families and individuals it serves. Through partnerships, investments, and a customer‑centric approach, Civida is dedicated to its mission of providing safe, affordable homes while positively impacting the well‑being and stability of its customers and communities.

Guided by a Board of Directors, Civida’s services include property management, benefit program administration, property development, community partnerships, fundraising, policy research, and advocacy. The organization values sustainability, excellence, engagement, and innovation in all it does, striving for its vision : Everybody’s Home. As an organization created under the Alberta Housing Act, it is also driven by the requirements of several regulations and pieces of legislation.

Civida is proud to be recognized as one of Waterstone Human Capital Canada’s Most Admired™ Corporate Cultures. Reflecting the principles they live out each day – excellence, innovation and engagement, the Civida team shares a commitment to building thriving communities, within their team, and for those they serve.

For more information about Civida, please visit their website.

The Opportunity

  • Reports to : Civida Board of Directors
  • Direct Reports (5) : Vice President, People, Culture and Policy; Vice President, Corporate Services & Chief Financial Officer; Vice President, Capital Project Delivery and Property Maintenance; Vice President, Customer Experience and Community Partnerships; and a Chief of Staff
  • Location : Edmonton, AB

Mandate

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) provides overall leadership and vision to Civida, ensuring the organization fulfills its mission of delivering safe, affordable homes and supporting the well‑being of tenants and communities. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO is accountable for sustaining Civida’s tenant‑focused, values‑based culture while guiding strategy, operations, and growth. At this pivotal moment, the CEO will advance major housing projects already underway, plan for future developments, and balance the urgent need for additional housing supply with the challenge of maintaining aging properties.

Externally, the CEO will serve as Civida’s principal ambassador, building trusted relationships with diverse interested parties and funders. A skilled advocate, the CEO will position Civida as a solutions‑oriented partner, communicating effectively with government, community organizations, and the public to build support for projects. Internally, the CEO will empower a strong leadership team, fostering alignment, talent retention, and organizational resilience. With political acumen, strategic vision, and genuine commitment to affordable housing, the CEO will sustain Civida’s momentum and position the organization for long‑term impact and success.

Key Accountabilities

Strategic Leadership :

  • Execute on Civida’s established strategic direction while bringing fresh perspective and personal vision.
  • Ensure Civida remains a trusted partner to government by providing solutions‑oriented advocacy, while maintaining clarity on organizational scope.
  • Balance short‑term demands with long‑term sustainability, particularly in housing growth, funding, and infrastructure renewal.

    • Government and Interested Party Relations :

  • Build and sustain trusted relationships with the Government of Alberta, Civida’s primary funder and key partner.
  • Strengthen connections with municipal and federal governments, navigating intergovernmental friction with diplomacy.
  • Act as a visible leader in the housing sector, representing Civida provincially and nationally, and positioning the organization as an innovator and solutions partner.

    • Operational & Project Leadership :

  • Oversee major development projects, ensuring funding, sequencing, and delivery are managed effectively.
  • Address maintenance challenges across a large and aging property portfolio, advocating for funding and managing associated risks.
  • Ensure efficient operations, financial stewardship, and compliance with all relevant legislation and regulations.
  • Inspire, support, and empower Civida’s strong leadership team, ensuring alignment and performance.
  • Foster a culture of respect, empathy, and tenant focus, reflective of Civida’s mission and values.
  • Lead talent attraction and retention strategies in a competitive housing and social enterprise environment.

    • First‑Year Deliverables / Measures of Success

    Success in the first year will be determined by the candidate’s ability to :

  • Build trust and credibility with the Board, staff, and key partners, particularly the Government of Alberta. Communicate a clear personal vision and mandate, while affirming and refining Civida’s current trajectory.

    • Advance the delivery of a major development project already underway, and lay the groundwork for others in the pipeline.

  • Sustain momentum in tenant‑focused leadership and service improvements.
  • Foster strong, trust‑based relationships and earn the confidence of business units and executive leaders across Civida.

    • Candidate Profile

    The successful candidate will have the following :

    Education :

  • Undergraduate degree in a relevant field; a master’s degree is preferred.
  • Equivalent combinations of education and senior‑level experience will be considered.

    • Experience :

  • Extensive senior leadership experience in large, complex, multi‑interested party organizations.
  • Proven expertise in government relations and public‑sector engagement, with established connections across government.
  • Background in social housing, Crown corporations, municipal corporations, or similarly complex environments is highly valued.
  • Demonstrated success managing large‑scale projects while balancing operational priorities with strategic advocacy.
  • Experience working with and reporting to a Board of Directors is considered an asset.
  • Strong track record in organizational leadership, talent development, and navigating politically sensitive environments.
  • Demonstrated ability to build high‑performing teams and foster a positive, mission‑driven culture.

    • Competencies and Attributes :

  • Strategic & Political Acumen – Anticipates trends, navigates complexity, and builds alignment across diverse interested parties
  • Relationship Builder – Skilled at building trust with government, staff, partners and the public.
  • Team Builder – Empowers and develops leaders, fosters collaboration, and ensures organizational alignment.
  • Communicator - Clear, persuasive, and empathetic communicator who engages diverse audiences and manages conflict effectively.
  • Values‑Driven – Genuinely motivated by Civida’s mission; with high emotional intelligence and unimpeachable respect for those the organization serves.
  • Resilient & Adaptive – Comfortable leading in a challenging, resource‑constrained environment where solutions are not always clear.

    • Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

    Civida is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognizes that a diverse team benefits and is essential to service excellence. In accordance with provincial legislation, accommodation will be provided by Mullen and the Civida throughout the recruitment, selection and / or assessment process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

    Application Instructions :

    If this opportunity excites you, please send an application package including a resume and cover letter to connect@mullenleadership.com with the organization name and position title in the subject line of your email.

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    Seniority level

  • Executive

    • Employment type

  • Full-time

    • Job function

  • General Business, Strategy / Planning, and Management
  • Civic and Social Organizations and Housing and Community Development

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