REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS:

• University degree (Masters Level preferred) with 10+ years’ experience working in a leadership capacity, preferably within a non-profit or social services environment
• Visionary and strategic leadership that prepares for the future while adapting to change in the present
• Commitment to understanding and upholding the vision, mission and values of House of Friendship is expected
• Deep commitment to creating and maintaining a healthy work environment including coaching and supporting leaders, with the ability to lead and navigate change in a positive and productive manner
• Mastery in communication, negotiation, influence and relationship building skills, with proven experience in building relationships, trust and consensus at the strategic level
• Expert in developing partnerships and effectively collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, external interest holders, donors, media and politicians and government funders
• Proven expertise in soliciting and growing major donor gifts for operating and capital needs, as well as collaborating with a board of directors, demonstrating strategic leadership and governance expertise
• Demonstrated skill and experience handling sensitive, emotional, or political issues with tact and good judgement, with the ability to understand and enable diverse viewpoints and approaches to resolve conflict and achieve goals
• Demonstrated commitment to personal growth, self-care and professional development

WE ARE LOOKING FOR A PURPOSE-DRIVEN LEADER WHO IS READY TO HELP THE ORGANIZATION DEVELOP AND GROW SO THAT WE CAN MAKE WATERLOO REGION A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY WHERE EVERYONE CAN BELONG AND THRIVE.

At House of Friendship we believe in what we are doing. We get out of bed each day to make a difference in our community; to walk with and to serve. We are not happy with the status quo. We get energy from ongoing learning and growth. We lead with passion and believe without a doubt that everyone deserves to belong and thrive. We live and breathe our values of compassion, inclusion, justice, dignity and hope. And we have fun!
Sounds pretty great doesn’t it? It is!
House of Friendship is a leader in providing housing, addiction, food and community services in Waterloo Region. We are an organization that understands and values the important contributions of our team of nearly 350 employees (and growing), as well as the incredible support that we receive from the community, including our donors and over 300 volunteers. We are committed to continuing our work of building a healthy work environment where justice, equity, diversity and inclusion is embedded in everything we do. As an organization we take a flexible approach, adapting to the changing needs of our community and team.
We are seeking an authentic, bold and resourceful person to provide strategic leadership and direction for the organization. Demonstrated mastery in communication, negotiation, fundraising, influence and building relationships is essential, with the ability to foster trust and collaboration with government, funders, major donors and other service organizations across and beyond Waterloo Region. This role is responsible for building and nurturing relationships with key interest holders including the board of directors, community stakeholders, supporters, employees, and the public. The CEO has overall responsibility for the organization’s financial, reputational, programmatic and cultural health, as well as developing and delivering on House of Friendship’s Strategic and Annual Plans. As you lead and inspire a highly effective senior leadership team in partnership with the Chief Operating Officer, you will ensure that House of Friendship is equipped and prepared to meet the needs of the most vulnerable members of our community, innovating with an eye to the decade ahead.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Organizational Leadership to Accomplish our Strategic Plan including:

• Investing in organizational health and the well-being of our team members to build a strong foundation to support the work that follows
• Impacting community health by walking with community members in integrated ways that positively impact our community’s well-being
• Influencing broader system health by extending House of Friendship’s influence beyond our direct work, shaping change for greater equity throughout Waterloo Region

Financial Management and Resource Development:

• Oversee the financial health of House of Friendship in an environment where political priorities are expected to fluctuate
• Nurture funder relationships and community partnerships to allow the organization to meet the increasingly complex and ever-changing needs in our community
• Lead, inspire and acquire major donor relationships that grow donation revenue for operating and capital needs, and supports the fundraising team to raise 25% of the annual operating budget each year

Organizational Health and Leadership:

• Champion and take ownership to ensure a physically and psychologically healthy work environment for all employees, students and volunteers
• Together with the Board of Directors, ensure that House of Friendship meets its strategic and financial requirements
• Attract, nurture and develop highly effective senior and emerging leaders across the organization that can lead the organization towards greater impact of our services
• Create a climate that encourages innovation and calculated risk-taking to develop and adopt innovative ideas and solutions
• Ensure the leadership, systems and resources are in place to safeguard the operational health and security of the organization and measure the impact of our mission

Community Engagement, Advocacy and Communications:

• Expertly promote and raise the profile of the organization across Waterloo Region and beyond, advocating and extending the reach of our vision, mission and values
• Build healthy and productive relationships with key constituents including funders, donors, strategic partners and interest holders critical to the success of the mission
• Advocate for House of Friendship as the key spokesperson and public face of the organization, regularly speaking to media, supporters, faith and community groups and government bodies
• Model and encourage honest, open and transparent communication
• Educate and inspire volunteers, donors and supporters to serve the most vulnerable members of our society with compassion and courage