Executive Director

Are you a compassionate leader ready to shape brighter futures for young families across Niagara? Strive Niagara is seeking its next Executive Director to guide the organization through an exciting phase of growth and development.

About the Organization:

Strive Niagara is a non-profit social service organization dedicated to supporting young families and pregnant or parenting adolescents with quality childcare as they pursue their educational goals. Through licensed child care, outreach programs, and family support services, Strive helps parents build independence while creating brighter futures for their children.

Role Overview:

Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director (ED) will ensure the mission, vision, and strategic goals are achieved while fostering innovation and continuous improvement. This is an exciting opportunity for a visionary leader committed to nurturing young families with the support systems they need to thrive and passionate about providing high‑quality childcare services in a safe, nurturing, and collaborative environment.

Your Day to Day will include:

1. Organizational Leadership

• Lead the development and implementation of the organization’s strategic goals and objectives.
• Provide visionary leadership and inspire staff and stakeholders to achieve the mission.
• Oversee organizational policies, procedures, and standards to ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and best practices.
• Guide stakeholders through transitions and foster adaptability and resiliency.
• Promote continuous improvement and innovation in childcare service delivery.

2. Program Development and Operations

• Oversee daily operations in alignment with the mission, vision, and strategic direction.
• Ensure the delivery of high‑quality childcare programs that meet the needs of families.
• Develop and evaluate policies and practices to enhance efficiency and accountability.
• Conduct program assessments to measure impact and identify improvements.
• Manage operational risks to ensure sustainability and effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with provincial/federal regulations and licensing requirements.
• Oversee hiring, training, and supervision of childcare staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Board.

3. Financial Management

• Partner with the Financial Administrator to develop and manage the annual budget.
• Monitor financial performance to ensure sustainability and growth.
• Identify strategies for cost control and revenue generation, including fundraising and grants.
• Oversee financial reporting for the Board and stakeholders.

4. Fundraising and Community Engagement

• Lead fundraising initiatives to secure resources for programs and services.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with donors, partners, and government agencies.
• Represent the organization in public forums, advocating for children’s issues.
• Implement marketing and communication strategies to enhance visibility and reputation.

5. Board and Stakeholder Relations

• Present regular reports to the Board on performance, initiatives, and risks.
• Advise the Board on policy development and evaluation.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and training of new Board members.
• Coordinate and prepare Board and committee meetings.
• Foster strong relationships with families and community stakeholders.

You’ll be a great fit if you possess:

• Post‑secondary education in a Social‑Services related discipline, Nonprofit Management or Business Administration.
• Minimum of 5 years in a leadership role within the public or non‑profit sector, with demonstrated success in strategic planning, program management, team leadership, and fundraising.
• Knowledge of child advocacy methods, trauma‑informed care, and multidisciplinary approaches.

Your Skills Include:

• Strong knowledge of early childhood education principles, regulatory requirements, and best practices.
• Expertise in financial management, including budgeting and forecasting.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage diverse stakeholders.
• Proven strategic leadership with data‑driven decision‑making and problem‑solving ability.
• Proven fundraising and resource development experience.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to build collaborative and inclusive teams.
• Knowledge of early childhood education principles and regulations is considered an asset.

What makes this role special:

• Full‑time role, with flexibility for occasional evenings and weekends.
• Compensation between $90,000 - $120,000, commensurate with experience, benefits package, and RRSP.
• The opportunity to lead the organization through a significant growth phase.
• Leave a lasting legacy in the community by managing social service programming and quality childcare that empowers pregnant mothers and coparenting adolescents during their academic studies.
• You’ll be joining a supportive, mission‑driven team that values collaboration, growth, and making a difference together.

Apply today!

The Executive Director recruitment process is being facilitated by TreowGroup Recruitment on behalf of Strive Niagara. Please apply with your resume and cover letter. We thank all who apply; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

TreowGroup Recruitment, as well as Strive Niagara, is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to building a diverse workforce. We believe in fostering an inclusive, equitable, and accessible environment that brings people together to realize their full potential. We are committed to compliance with all applicable legislation, including providing accommodation for applicants with disabilities. Please advise us at any point during the recruitment and selection process if you require accommodation.