Job Description

The Colchester Community Support Society (Colchester Food Network) is seeking an Executive Director to enhance our organization through positive leadership. The Executive Director is a visionary with a passion for service and the ability to lead in a fast-paced environment.

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and collaborates with staff and volunteers, corporate donors, government agencies, and other community organizations.

The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Colchester Food Network, ensuring efficient and effective operations to meet the goals and needs of the community.

Responsibilities

External relations:

Provides leadership for fundraising, public relations, public policy, advocacy and community engagement.

Serves as the chief spokesperson for the organization, communicating Colchester Food Network's purpose and programs to the public. Ensures that relationships with clients, donors, volunteers, and the community-at-large are handled in a manner consistent with organizational values, mission, and strategic objectives.

Internal responsibilities:

Operational

Develops appropriate annual and longer-term financial objectives

Attracts, develops, motivates, and retains members of the staff and volunteers

Promotes inclusivity, teamwork, and a positive, supportive culture

Programming and Funding Opportunities

Prepare and submit grant applications to secure external funding

Identify funding opportunities aligned with organizational goals.

Ensure compliance with grant guidelines and reporting requirements.

Manages the regular evaluation of existing programs and grants

Determines resourcing for programs

Planning

Provides strategic vision and direction for the organization

Prepares reports and statistics and other data requested by the Board of Directors

Supports Board committee activities

Qualifications and Experience

Demonstrated experience in a management or supervisory role, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Preference may be given to candidates who possess a certificate or degree in Nonprofit Leadership or a related field.

Experience in food services industries, social services, non-profit and management are assets.

Certifications in food handling, first aid and WHMIS are required; the Food Network will support a successful candidate who does not have these certifications at time of hire.

Preference will be given to candidates with previous experience in food security, complex issues related to hunger, and advocacy on behalf of low-income families.

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Strong conflict resolution and diplomacy abilities.

Exceptional interpersonal and networking skills, with a proven ability to build and maintain relationships.

Commitment to and understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles.

Experience working effectively with volunteer boards, committees, and community stakeholders.

Demonstrated shared and collaborative leadership style.

Ability to plan, monitor, and evaluate budgets.

Strong organizational skills, with the ability to plan, coordinate, and implement activities aligned with organizational goals.

Experience supervising and managing staff and/or volunteers.

Other

Access to a reliable personal vehicle is required for work-related travel.

This position requires flexibility in work hours. The successful applicant must be available to attend occasional events, meetings, or other activities outside of regular business hours, including evenings and weekends as needed.

Successful candidate must be legally permitted to work in Canada and will be subject to a criminal record check.

Compensation: $55,000 to $62,000

This position includes a comprehensive compensation package with group insurance benefits. The employer covers 50% of the premiums for eligible group insurance plans.

Honesty, integrity, and a commitment to the mission of Colchester Food Network are essential.

"To provide and support, with dignity and respect, programs and services that feed the hungry, promote long-term food security, and improve the social well-being of people in our community. "Hope Not Hunger".

Review of applications will continue until position is filled. Only those applicants short-listed will be contacted. We thank you in advance for your interest.

Please submit your resume and cover letter in PDF format to Aundrea Currie, Chair of Colchester Food Network at chair@colchesterfoodnetwork.com.

Position Title: Executive Director

Classification: Full-time

Reporting to: Board of Directors Established: August 2025

Job Summary

The Executive Director is responsible for the leadership, planning and management of all operations and resources of the Colchester Food Network in accordance with the strategic direction, mission, vision, and policies of the organization.

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and collaborates with staff and volunteers, corporate donors, government agencies, and other community organizations.

The Executive Director ensures the progress and development of the organization's programs

and the supervision of all staff members.

The Executive Director seeks and secures financial support from a wide range of potential funding sources. This position is responsible for all the financial transactions necessary to meet the operative needs of the organization.

Responsibilities

External

Provides leadership for fundraising, public relations, public policy, advocacy and community engagement.

Serves as the chief spokesperson for the organization, communicating Colchester Food Network's purpose and programs to the public. Ensures that relationships with clients, donors, volunteers, and the community-at-large are handled in a manner consistent with organizational values, mission, and strategic objectives.

Promotes and maintains an ongoing working relationship with media outlets

Oversees the appropriate promotion, acknowledgement, and recognition of volunteers and donors

Develops and nurtures trusting relationships with stakeholders, including partner organizations, funding entities, other area non-profits, and government officials and offices

Champions conversations with community and agencies to address and end hunger through collaboration and advocacy.

Internal

Financial

Develops appropriate annual and longer-term financial objectives

Leads the organization in achievement of financial goals

Develops the annual budget in accordance with expectations set by the Board of Directors

Advises staff on overall development strategies and helps identify fundraising priorities

In conjunction with staff, prepares grant proposals to foundations and other funding sources

Oversee the day-to-day financial affairs of the Colchester Food Network organization and reports regularly to the Board

Personnel Management

Attracts, develops, motivates, and retains members of the staff and volunteers, guiding them to achieve short and long-term organization objectives

Ensures overall staff supervision and evaluation that leads to a high performing organization

Promotes inclusivity, teamwork, and a positive, supportive culture among all employees.

Ensures overall management of volunteer program

Programming and Funding Opportunities

Prepare and submit grant applications to secure external funding

Identify funding opportunities aligned with organizational goals.

Ensure compliance with grant guidelines and reporting requirements.

Manages the regular evaluation of existing programs and grants

Determines resourcing for programs

Board Support

Provides strategic vision and direction for the organization, leading the development and implementation of long-term strategies to meet the needs and objectives of all stakeholders.

Ensures strong relationships with Board of Directors by keeping the chair and members fully informed on all aspects of Colchester Food Network operations

Implements all board policies, consistent with the board governance model

Works with the Board of Directors to develop goals and objectives of the organization

Prepares reports and statistics as requested by the Board of Directors

Supports Board committee activities

Qualifications and Experience

Demonstrated experience in a management or supervisory role, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Preference may be given to candidates who possess a certificate or degree in Nonprofit Leadership or a related field.

Experience in food services industries, social services, non-profit and management are assets.

Certifications in food handling, first aid and WHMIS are required; the Food Network will support a successful candidate who does not have these certifications at time of hire.

Preference will be given to candidates with previous experience in food security, complex issues related to hunger, and advocacy on behalf of low-income families.

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Strong conflict resolution and diplomacy abilities.

Exceptional interpersonal and networking skills, with a proven ability to build and maintain relationships.

Commitment to and understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles.

Experience working effectively with volunteer boards, committees, and community stakeholders.

Demonstrated shared and collaborative leadership style.

Ability to plan, monitor, and evaluate budgets.

Strong organizational skills, with the ability to plan, coordinate, and implement activities aligned with organizational goals.

Experience supervising and managing staff and/or volunteers.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $55,000.00-$62,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental care Employee assistance program Extended health care Life insurance On-site parking Paid time off
Work Location: In person