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Executive Director

Ottawa, ON
CA$100,391 - CA$150,586/annual
Senior Level
full_time

Top Benefits

Reasonable accommodation upon request
Employer-provided cell phone

About the role

Who We Are

For more than 130 years, The Salvation Army has served people in need in communities across Canada and Bermuda. Building on our roots as a world-wide Christian church, each year we help more than 2 million people, providing necessities such as food, clothing and shelter. In addition, we support people experiencing unemployment, addiction and family challenges. We continually adapt and innovate to meet emerging needs and live out our mission, vision and values of hope, service, dignity and stewardship. As a faith- and values-based organization, we hire and serve people of all backgrounds and walks of life - there is a place for everyone to belong here.

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army exists to share the love of Jesus Christ, meet human needs and be a transforming influence in the communities of our world.

Job Description:

Accountabilities:

The incumbent may perform all, some, or similar duties to the listed below:

Strategic Leadership & Mission Integration

  • Champion and model The Salvation Army’s mission, vision, and values across all programs, services, and operations.
  • Develop and implement a strategic plan for OBC that integrates spiritual care, trauma-informed practice, and evidence-based service delivery.
  • Lead organizational change initiatives that strengthen culture, build trust, and foster collaboration, while cultivating strong and sustainable partnerships across the organization’s network. Lead organizational change initiatives that strengthen culture, build trust, and foster collaboration, while cultivating strong and sustainable partnerships across the organization’s network.
  • Ensure all programs reflect a person-centered, dignity-affirming approach and are evaluated for both missional and community impact.
  1. Operational & Program Excellence
  • Oversee the delivery of shelter, housing, addictions recovery, outreach, and community support programs with a focus on quality, safety, and client outcomes.
  • Ensure compliance with Territorial policies, Standards of Excellence, and all municipal, provincial, and federal regulations, while regularly reviewing and updating local policies to maintain alignment and compliance.
  • Support program managers in implementing data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement.
  • Foster integrated service delivery that addresses the holistic needs of clients—physical, emotional, social, and spiritual.
  1. Financial Stewardship & Resource Development
  • Lead OBC in ethical, transparent financial management in full alignment with TSA’s budgeting and reporting systems.
  • Ensure budgets are realistic, sustainable and strategically aligned, effectively supporting program priorities and organizational goals.
  • Negotiates contract renewals with funding bodies and actively seeks opportunities to strengthen program delivery by stewarding diverse funding sources, including government funding sources, grants and donor partnerships.
  • Maximize the life of OBC’s physical assets through proactive maintenance and replacement, ensuring facilities are OBC’s physical assets, ensuring facilities are safe, dignified, and mission reflective.
  1. People & Culture Leadership
  • Cultivate a psychologically safe workplace where staff feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.
  • Lead by example in creating a culture of respect, compassion, accountability, and shared purpose.
  • Recruit, mentor, and retain skilled leaders and staff who are aligned with TSA’s mission and values.
  • Ensure consistent, equitable HR practices that comply with TSA policies and relevant labour legislation.
  • Support professional development for all staff, prioritizing trauma-informed care, cultural competence, and spiritual formation.
  1. Governance, Compliance, and Risk Management
  • Maintain rigorous adherence to TSA’s governance structures, ensuring all contracts, program changes, and funding agreements according to TSA’s delegation of authority.
  • Manage operational risk proactively, ensuring effective systems for health & safety, safeguarding, and incident reporting.
  • Support and collaborate with the existing Health & Safety Committee to ensure compliance, promote a safe work environment, and strengthen organizational health and safety practices.
  • Prepare regular reports for THQ, funders, and stakeholders, ensuring accuracy and transparency.
  1. Community Engagement & Advocacy
  • Serve as the public representative of OBC, cultivating and sustaining strong relationships with clients, staff, unions, funders, government agencies, community partners, and the media.
  • Establishes and serves as Secretary of a Community Council, including recruiting members, scheduling meetings, developing agendas, recording minutes, and overseeing action plans to ensure timely follow-up.
  • Advocate for the dignity and rights of people experiencing homelessness, poverty, and addiction in Ottawa.
  • Collaborate with other service providers to improve systems of care and advance community-wide solutions.

CRITICAL RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

Governance Boards and Councils: Community Board

Internal: Employees, Local Corps Officers & Leaders, THQ staff (Social Mission (SM), legal, property, Human Relations)

External: Peers leading similar Social Mission Ministry Units in the community, Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC, union), City of Ottawa, Funders, Clients, Community Counsel

MANAGERIAL RESPONSIBILITY:

  • Reports directly to: Community Council/ Territorial Social Mission Secretary
  • Direct reports: 3- Director of Programs, Director of Finance, Director of Operations

FINANCIAL AND MATERIALS MANAGEMENT:

Material: Asset oversight, inventory and facilities management.

Financial:

  • Develop, manage and monitor the $8.9M annual budget; ensure alignment with strategic goals.
  • Review and approve financial statements, ensure accurate reporting to funders, and regulatory bodies.
  • Monitor cash flow to maintain operational sustainability and stability.

Working Conditions:

  • Primary work environment is office-based, with occasional off-site meetings and travel.
  • May be exposed to and witness critical incidents, including client overdoses, some of which may result in fatalities.
  • Some travel is required; the position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
  • Employer-provided cell phone must be carried for work-related communication.
  • May encounter situations involving aggressive or disruptive client behavior.
  • Due to the 24/7 nature of operations, the position may require availability for on-call response in the event of an incident.

The above responsibilities must be discharged in accordance with The Salvation Army’s Mission Statement, in a professional manner, upholding our code of conduct.

education, experience, AND Qualifications:

Education, Qualifications and Certifications:

  • Post-secondary degree in Human Services, Social Sciences, Business or a related field required; a Master of Social Work (MSW) or Master of Business Administration (MBA) is considered a strong asset.

Experience and Knowledge:

  • Minimum 10 years in progressive leadership roles in social services, healthcare, or non-profit sectors.
  • Post-secondary degree, diploma, or professional certification in business administration, accounting, human resources management, or risk management is preferred.
  • Proven track record of organizational turnaround or culture change.
  • Experience working in complex, unionized environments.
  • Strong understanding of trauma-informed care, Housing First principles, harm reduction, and spiritual integration in service delivery.

Skills and Capabilities:

  • Inspirational communicator and skilled relationship-builder.
  • Model calm, consistent, and transparent leadership in times of uncertainty.
  • Strong financial literacy and operational management skills.
  • High emotional intelligence, resilience, and humility.
  • Demonstrated ability to navigate change with transparency and empathy.
  • Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-oppressive practice.
  • Foster an organizational identity that is mission-driven, client-centered, and spiritually alive.
  • Willingness to develop an understanding and support for the mission and purpose of The Salvation Army in Canada and its implications as related to position responsibilities.
  • Work in compliance with OH&S Act and Regulations and abide by The Salvation Army’s health and safety policies and procedures.
  • Ability to provide an original copy of a Background Check that is satisfactory to The Salvation Army, in its sole discretion, is required, including Child Check (if appropriate).

Compensation:

The target hiring range for this position is $100,390.71 to $125,488.38 with a maximum of $150,586.06.

Placement in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, and candidate experience, skills, and qualifications relevant to the role.

The Salvation Army will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please email

Recruitment.Accommodations@salvationarmy.ca

if you have a need for any accommodation and we will be pleased to discuss this with you.

About The Salvation Army

Non-profit Organizations
10,000+

The Salvation Army is the nation's largest direct provider of social services.

Annually, we help millions overcome poverty, addiction, and spiritual and economic hardships by preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and meeting human needs in His name without discrimination in nearly every zip code.

By providing food, shelter, eviction prevention assistance, emergency disaster relief, rehabilitation, after-school and summer youth programs, spiritual enrichment, and more, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at nearly 7,000 centers of operation around the country.

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.