Job Description

Executive Director

Regular Full-Time Exempt Position (Approx. 40hours/week) Occasional evenings/weekends required

Salary:

Starting at $130,000 (commensurate with experience and qualifications)

Location

: South Okanagan (preferred local: Penticton / Summerland / Naramata)



SOWINS (South Okanagan Women in Need Society) respectfully acknowledges that our work takes place on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territories of the Syilx/Okanagan peoples.

The Opportunity

SOWINS is seeking a compassionate, emotionally intelligent, and strategic Executive Director to lead the organization with clarity, integrity, and impact in the South Okanagan. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is accountable for organizational strategy and performance, financial sustainability, people leadership, and community/funder relationships - advancing safety, stability, and lasting change for women, youth, and children.



This is a senior leadership role in an essential-services environment, requiring a steady leader who can navigate complexity, support high-performing teams, and build strong partnerships across funders, stakeholders, and the broader community.

About SOWINS

Vision

A community without violence and abuse.

Mission

SOWINS provides safe, accessible, person-centered support and preventative interventions to individuals who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing violence and abuse. SOWINS also provides community education to strengthen the safety net for our community.



Founded in 1981, SOWINS has evolved from a volunteer-led initiative into an essential-services organization supporting women, children, and youth across the South Okanagan.



SOWINS delivers services grounded in a values-based, trauma-informed, culturally safe, and harm reduction approach, including crisis response, housing, counselling, outreach, and prevention.

Scale

SOWINS is governed by a volunteer Board of up to 11 directors, and the Executive Director oversees a team of approximately 50 staff across multiple locations in the South Okanagan-Similkameen.

Impact

In 2024, SOWINS provided 3,418 overnight stays at the Transition House (1,638 child/youth nights and 1,780 women's nights), answered more than 2,000 crisis calls, and delivered 1,552 counselling sessions for women and children.

Who You Are

You are a trauma-informed, values-driven leader who:


Leads with empathy and accountability and develops strong teams through change and complexity


Brings credibility with government funders, contracts, reporting, and compliance expectations


Demonstrates a track record of stewarding key relationships and representing an organization with confidence and professionalism


Balances relational leadership with strong operational and financial discipline


Partners effectively with the Board and supports committee work with clear reporting and recommendations


Leads with a commitment to equity, inclusion, reconciliation, and culturally safe practice

Executive-Level Accountabilities

Leadership & Strategy

Lead strategic planning and organizational execution aligned with mission, values, and community needs


Provide leadership to the SOWINS team and ensure integrated, high-quality service delivery


Advance organizational sustainability and readiness planning to meet evolving community demand


Lead organizational growth and capacity planning in collaboration with the Board and senior leadership

Governance & Board Partnership

Partner with the Board on strategy, policy, risk, and organizational performance


Provide timely, clear reporting and support Board and committee materials and follow-up

Financial Sustainability, Reporting & Risk

Lead annual budgeting and financial planning; interpret financial statements and provide clear reporting to the Board and committees


Demonstrate financial prudence and disciplined budget management; ensure resources are allocated responsibly and aligned with strategic priorities


Ensure responsible stewardship, risk mitigation, and strong internal controls in partnership with Finance leadership


Oversee contracts, compliance, and reporting requirements tied to government funding and other revenue streams

Fund Development & Funder Relations

Provide strategic leadership for SOWINS' diversified revenue model (government, grants, philanthropy, community)


Manage key funder relationships with strong financial and organizational credibility, including the ability to speak confidently to budgets, impact, and sustainability


Provide strategic leadership to fund development in partnership with a dedicated Fund Development lead and the Board


Work with the Board, community funders and other possible collaborators to promote sustainable fundraising and growth.

People & Culture

Lead a healthy, inclusive workplace by partnering closely with the Director of HR to support leadership development, performance management, retention, and succession planning


Experience leading in a unionized collective agreement and exempt environment is required

Community & Stakeholder Relations

Serve as a trusted ambassador with community partners, stakeholders, Indigenous communities, and service providers


Support public communications in alignment with organizational communications and governance protocols

Qualifications

Post-secondary degree in Business Administration or a related human/social services field; additional education in leadership/business/non-profit management is an asset


7+ years in senior leadership (ideally in non-profit housing/social services and government-funded environments)


5+ years overseeing funding, budgeting, program planning, policy development, and labour/employee relations


Experience leading in both unionized and exempt environment including managing within a collective agreement context


Strong communication, both written and oral, facilitation, and relationship-building skills with diverse stakeholders


Proficiency with technology, including Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, PowerPoint) and databases/CRM systems (e.g., donor or client information systems)


Experience leading multi-site operations and facilities and oversight in a complex service environment


Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered

Requirements

Local presence: This role requires a leader based in the South Okanagan (Penticton / Summerland / Naramata) with regular on-site presence across SOWINS locations


Valid BC driver's license and access to a vehicle (travel between sites and meetings across the region)


Successful completion of a vulnerable sector criminal record check


Flexible schedule with evenings/weekends as needed (Board meetings, committee meetings, etc.).

After-hours availability

(low frequency, but the ED carries the phone), and

Backup operational coverage

when needed (e.g., during vacancies or manager/supervisor absences) in collaboration with the management team.

Compensation & Benefits

SOWINS offers a comprehensive benefits package (extended health, dental, life insurance, and long-term disability) and Municipal pension eligibility, along with vacation and statutory holidays. Benefit details will be shared with qualified candidates during the recruitment process.

How to Apply

For best consideration, please apply by February 2, 2026. The posting will remain open until this position is filled.



SOWINS is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We welcome applicants from Indigenous communities, racialized communities, people with disabilities, and individuals with lived/living experience relevant to our work. Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process--please email your request if support is required.