The Organization

Canmore Community Housing (CCH) is a non-profit corporation wholly owned by the Town of Canmore and operated as an independent organization. Established in 2000, CCH provides long-term non-market rental and ownership housing through the Vital Homes program (previously Perpetually Affordable Housing).

CCH exists to bridge Canmore’s affordability gap for local workers and residents who meet eligibility requirements. They operate both rental and ownership programming, with a portfolio exceeding $150M in assets and oversight of approximately 110 rental units. With an ambitious plan to create an additional 1,500 housing units over the next decade, CCH is fully committed to supporting the planning, development, research, and advisory work that advances the long-term sustainability of below-market housing in Canmore.

CCH is municipally owned and publicly accountable. The Town of Canmore is the shareholder and collaborates in appointing CCH’s Board of Directors. The Board includes both public members and Town Council representatives, as well as a Town administration liaison.

Vision

Canmore has a strong and diverse housing market that supports its economic and social well-being and sustainability.

Mission

To bridge Canmore’s housing affordability gap through long-term housing options for Canmore’s workers.

Mandate

Planning & Development | Housing Programs | Research & Advice

Values

Leadership | Connectedness | Integrity | Accountability

For more information about Canmore Community Housing, please visit their website.

The Opportunity

• Reports to: CCH Board of Directors
• Direct Reports (5): Housing Programs Manager, Project Consultant, Project Manager, Finance/HR Manager, and Executive Assistant
• Location: Canmore, AB

Mandate

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will provide stable, credible, and transparent leadership to Canmore Community Housing at a pivotal moment in its evolution. Building on the work of the Interim Executive Director, the successful candidate will help solidify organizational discipline, strengthen governance practices, and translate strategy into execution.

This role is not simply about managing projects. It is about leading an organization with an expanding public mandate in one of Alberta’s most complex housing environments. The Executive Director will guide multiple priorities at once: housing development and financing, stakeholder and municipal relationships, operational effectiveness, and the long-term path for increasing supply.

The environment in which CCH operates demands decisions that are thoughtful, well-documented, and clearly communicated. The Executive Director will work closely with the Board, maintain productive relationships with Town Council and Town administration, and build trust across the community. This opportunity will appeal to a practical, values-led leader who brings political acumen, sound judgment, and the ability to balance competence with care.

Key Accountabilities

Strategic Leadership:

• Provide strategic leadership that translates CCH’s mandate into a clear, results-oriented path for increasing housing supply and organizational impact.
• Assess organizational priorities, structure, and resources, and align plans, measures, and decision-making around achievable outcomes and sound risk management principles.
• Support the Board with sound advice, clear reporting, and governance-level recommendations.

Interested Party Relations:

• Build and sustain trusted relationships with the Board, Town Council, Town administration, community organizations, development partners, funders, and other key stakeholders.
• Coalesce essential stakeholders and cultivate consensus to achieve outcomes within a climate of shared decision-making.
• Represent CCH credibly in a small-community environment where housing is highly visible, politically sensitive, and personally important to residents.
• Strengthen external partnerships that support housing delivery, including land, funding, and development collaboration opportunities.

Operational & Project Leadership:

• Lead budgeting, forecasting, financial stewardship, and risk management, with particular attention to development financing and funding strategies.
• Oversee a portfolio of housing programs, development initiatives, and operational priorities, ensuring disciplined project management and timely execution.
• Develop and strengthen internal policies, processes, documentation, and accountability so the organization can scale effectively and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

People & Culture Leadership

• Provide calm, visible, and supportive leadership to a capable team, setting expectations, priorities, and decision-making discipline.
• Foster a healthy, modern, and accountable workplace culture grounded in trust, collaboration, and continuous learning and improvement.
• Coach and support staff and leaders while ensuring clarity of roles and strong day-to-day management.

First-Year Deliverables / Measures of Success

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

• Establish strong, trust-based working relationships with the Board Chair and Board, with clear governance-management boundaries in place.
• Build confidence with staff, the shareholder, and community stakeholders by providing steady, transparent, and credible leadership.
• Support a team culture where questions and learning are encouraged.
• Foster and maintain strong, effective partnerships with Town Council, Town administration, and key external stakeholders.
• Confirm a clear strategic and operational path forward that aligns housing programs, development priorities, and organizational capacity.
• Demonstrate visible progress on priority housing development and funding initiatives.
• Put in place stronger reporting, planning, and performance discipline to support effective governance and execution.
• Position CCH to scale responsibly as community housing demand continues to grow.
• Ensure the strong financial and operational oversight of the organization.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will have the following:

Education:

• Post-secondary education in business, public administration, planning, real estate, development, finance, community development, or a related discipline; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.

Experience:

• Proven senior leadership experience with accountability for people, budgets, operations, and organizational outcomes.
• Experience working closely with a Board of Directors (or similar governing body) and operating effectively in a board-facing leadership role.
• Direct experience in a municipal/public sector role, or demonstrated familiarity with the nuances of this sector.
• Experience in housing, development, municipal/public sector, or another complex community-serving environment with high public visibility.
• Demonstrated financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, risk management, and ideally exposure to development financing, capital planning, or funding acquisition.
• Experience leading through growth, change, or transition and bringing structure and discipline to an organization.
• Practical project leadership experience, with the ability to move complex initiatives forward through competing priorities and multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrated capabilities in leading a team of professional staff and consultants with vision, clarity and a commitment to excellence.

Competencies and Attributes:

• Integrity, transparency, and sound judgment.
• Discernment between autonomous vs shared decision-making.
• Political acuity and diplomacy.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• Strategic thinking balanced with operational discipline.
• Credibility, resilience, and composure under scrutiny.
• A practical, solutions-oriented mindset and commitment to CCH’s housing mission.
• A strong in-office presence and commitment to being visible in the community; the successful candidate need not currently live in Canmore but must be present and engaged locally.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Canmore Community Housing is committed to building an inclusive organization and encourages applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. CCH seeks a leader who will foster a respectful, modern workplace culture and support equitable access, thoughtful decision-making, and community trust.

Application Instructions

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