Job Description: Executive Director
Executive Director
The Ontario Peer Development Initiative (OPDI) is a membership?based organization, which represents Ontario’s consumer/survivor initiatives and peer support organizations that are run by and for persons with lived experience within the mental health system.
OPDI is a grassroots organization currently looking for an Executive Director who will be responsible for the successful leadership and effective management of the organization in line with its Vision, Mission and Strategic objectives as agreed by the Board of Directors.
OPDI staff work remotely, with requirement to attend frequent staff meetings and quarterly board weekend retreats in the GTA, as well as frequent external committee meetings where required. The incumbent will also make occasional visits to member organizations throughout Ontario.
Accountabilities:
- Directing staff and/or volunteers to deliver on the programs and services of the organization to the expected level of those served by each.
- Ensuring sound management of the organization’s finances including the required bookkeeping, accounting and MOHLTC reports are delivered accurately and on time.
- Representing the organization at public, partner and government events and meetings to foster continued successful relationships with all funders, agencies, members, researchers and other stakeholders.
- Maintaining a continued open and successful relationship with the Board of Directors for staff, program and service operational delivery.
- Recruiting, hiring, orienting, training, delegating, supervising, coaching, mentoring, evaluating, disciplining, and releasing staff in adherence to the human resources policies, procedures and practices and employee benefits; establishing a positive, healthy and safe work environment in accordance with all appropriate legislation and regulations.
- Supporting the Board through strategy development, delivery and other activities as recommended or directed to undertake by the board.
- In addition to the Board, acting as a spokesperson for OPDI to enhance the organization's community profile and represent the provincial voice of Consumer/Survivor Initiatives and peer support programs and organizations in Ontario.
Responsibilities & Deliverables:
Leadership & Board Relations
- Attend all Board meetings, report on all aspects of the organization’s activities and other pertinent matters, advise the Board and its committees, and ensure Board directives are completed successfully;
- Identify, analyze, assess impact and inform the Board of Directors of internal and external issues that affect OPDI, seeking professional or third?party expertise where appropriate;
- Foster effective team working between the Board and themselves;
- Conduct official correspondence on behalf of and/or jointly with the Board as appropriate;
- Perform other duties in the interest of OPDI’s development as may be recommended by the Board of Directors;
- Foster a culture of empowered membership, staff and stakeholders to work collaboratively with the board to deliver its vision, mission and strategic objectives.
Human Resources & Staff Relations
- Foster effective team working between staff and successfully lead them to deliver theorganizational plans;
- Accurately apply the organization’s human resources policies, procedures & practices and employee benefits to establish a positive, healthy and safe work environment in accordance with all appropriate legislation and regulations including disciplinary procedures, hiring, release and other people management needs;
- Determine staffing requirements for effective program delivery, and recruit, interview and select staff that are the right fit to deliver and help further the organization's mission;
- Ensure that all staff receive an orientation to OPDI and that appropriate training and staff development is provided;
- Ensure that staff are given training and professional development opportunities in line with their roles and responsibilities for the benefit of OPDI;
- Develop and apply a performance management and appraisal system for all staff that includes ongoing performance monitoring and an annual performance review;
- Coach and mentor staff, trainees and placement students as appropriate to improve performance.
Operational & Program Delivery
- Ensure organizational operations meets the expectations of OPDI’s membership, Board and funders;
- Develop operational plans incorporating goals and objectives that work towards the strategic direction of OPDI;
- Oversee the efficient and effective day?to?day operation of the organization;
- Review existing policies on an annual basis and recommend changes to the Board as appropriate for their review and approval;
- Ensure that personnel, membership, donor and volunteer files are securely stored, and privacy/confidentiality is maintained by all with access to this information;
- Provide support to the Board by ensuring the preparation of meeting agendas and supporting materials;
- Oversee the planning, day?to?day implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and enhancement of the OPDI's core programs and services and any special projects;
- Oversee design, marketing, promotion, delivery and quality of programs, products and services, including the production and maintenance of OPDI’s website and other communication forums;
- Promote, plan, review, seek feedback, and revise the role of OPDI as a trainer and training management services to its members e.g. to ensure relevance, quality, and positive public reception; monitor job performance of trainers as needed;
- Work with any Board committees as may from time to time be required.
Community Relations & Advocacy
- Ensure the organization and its mission, programs, products and services are consistently presenting a strong, positive image to relevant stakeholders;
- Communicate with stakeholders to keep them informed of the work of the organization;
- Identify changes in the community served by the organization and work to develop modified or new relationships to support these changes;
- Establish good relationships and collaborations with community groups, funders, politicians, researchers and other organizations and stakeholders to help achieve the goals of the organization;
- Seek opportunities to publicly represent OPDI to all levels of government, the general public, media and social service agencies with the purpose of expressing the unique needs of the membership, enhancing the organization's community profile, and achieving its goals;
- Work to develop an expanded membership model to include individual as well as organizational members, working to represent both with equality and impact; seek to be responsive to increasing diversity in the provincial peer support workforce and among those seeking peer support in mental health and addictions (e.g. related to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, age);
- Stay informed about current and anticipated government issues and policies and upcoming conferences/workshops and their relevance to and impact on the organization and its membership in order to enhance advocacy in line with OPDI’s strategic direction, vision, and mission.
Financial & Risk Management
- Work with staff and the Board to prepare a comprehensive budget, and provide the Board with regular and comprehensive reports on the revenues and expenditures of OPDI highlighting alignments and variances between projected and actual values;
- Administer the funds of the organization according to the approved budget, monitor the monthly cash flow of the organization, and approve expenditures within the authority delegated by the Board;
- Work with the Board to secure adequate funding for the operation of OPDI, and oversee fundraising activities as appropriate within MOHLTC regulations;
- Monitor the management information system, ensure that sound bookkeeping and accounting procedures are followed, and submit quarterly management information reports as required by the MOHLTC;
- Ensure that the organization complies with all legislation covering taxation and withholding payments;
- Identify and evaluate the risks to the organization's staff, property, finances, goodwill, and image and implement measures to control or mitigate risks;
- Ensure that the Board and the organization carries appropriate and adequate insurance coverage, ensuring that the Board and staff understand the terms, conditions and limitations of the insurance coverage.
Education, Experience, Skills and Competences
- Relevant education ? college, university or other related training;
- 3+ years managing people and operational delivery in a non?profit environment;
- Lived experience of mental health, addictions and those impacted is desirable;
- Understanding and experience of peer support as a mechanism used by those with mental health, addiction and associated experiences;
- Working with an organization dependent upon public and/or government funding;
- Financial management, compliance and record keeping experience for an organization of the size of OPDI;
- Experience developing and implementing strategic directions for similar organizations;
- Strong people leadership and management skills;
- Strong organizational, time management, and planning skills;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
- Proven ability to establish and maintain productive relationships with other community?based organizations, a board of directors and government agencies;
- Familiarity with systems?level advocacy and public representation;
- Experience working with marginalized populations and bringing an equity, diversity, and inclusion analysis;
- Knowledge and competence in spreadsheet, word processing and similar file type activities;
Starting salary is $56,000 ? $60,000 and after three month probationary period is $59,000 ? $63,000 (subject to incumbent's choice regarding single vs family benefits package. This package includes a monthly allowance to maintain reliable high speed internet connection in the home. Laptop and cell phone are provided. Vacation entitlement is three weeks after the first year. Health benefits begin after the three month probationary period.
The Ontario Peer Development Initiative seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. While all qualified candidates are invited to apply, we particularly welcome applications from persons with disabilities, including those related to mental health, First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, members of visible minorities, and LGBTQ+ persons. Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact Aubrey Andrus, Chair of the OPDI Board of Directors and Hiring Committee at aubreymandrus@gmail.com.
For more information visit: www.opdi.org. All inquiries and resumes will be held in strict confidence.
Please submit your resume by February 25, 2019 to: opdi@opdi.org
Only those candidates chosen for interviews will be contacted.