Role Overview
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director oversees the organization according to the strategic direction set by the Board of Directors. They are an ambassador of the goals and vision of LEAF, promoting the rights of women, girls, trans and non-binary people. They lead a strong, capable staff to operationalize the strategic plan and maintain the organization’s operations. The Executive Director’s leadership is rooted in intersectional feminism and anti-oppression. The ideal candidate is passionate leader on gender equality, an experienced people manager and committed to maintaining a healthy work environment.
This is a hybrid position requiring the successful candidate to work out of LEAF’s office in downtown Toronto 2 to 3 days a week. It is a permanent position starting June 2, 2025.
LEAF recognizes that structural barriers shape experiences, qualifications, and a sense of capacity. We encourage people to apply even if you feel that the position may be a stretch. LEAF is committed to supporting the Executive Director through orientation, professional development opportunities, and on-going mentoring.
Who We Are
LEAF is a national non-profit, charitable organization which uses law to advance gender equality in Canada. Our national office is located in downtown Toronto, or Tkarón:to, which is a Mohawk word that means “the place in the water where trees are standing.” We have volunteer branches in Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Windsor, Kitchener-Waterloo, Hamilton, Toronto, Kingston, Ottawa, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Halifax.
We intervene in legal cases throughout Canada to advance equality in Canada – helping to prevent violence, eliminate discrimination in the workplace, provide better maternity benefits, ensure a right to pay equity, and expand access to reproductive freedoms. We push for progressive law reform on issues central to gender equality, including sexual violence, online hate, technology-facilitated gender-based violence, and basic income. We use education to amplify our legal victories and improve people’s understanding of their rights.
For more information, visit www.leaf.ca.
Who You Are
You are passionate about contemporary feminist issues and a track record of non-profit leadership. You have experience leading a team and rely on open communication, respect and care to create a healthy, productive work environment. You are transparent, accountable and ethical. You are energized by working collaboratively with community partners and members from across Canada committed to gender equity. You bring an intersectional feminist lens to your work – including your analysis, collaborations, and communication style. You enjoy being part of a team whose members care about their work and about one another.
Primary Job Responsibilities
- Organizational Leadership
- Collaboration with an active governance board of directors
- Communications oversight
- External Relations
- Oversight of Fund Development, Operations and Human Resources Management
- Financial management in accordance with non-profit standards
- Oversight of Member relations
- Leadership of a 10-12 person team
- Cultivation of a strong organizational culture and supportive development of the strengths of staff members
Professional Experience and Credentials
- 7+ years of organizational leadership experience, including in intersectional feminism
- Experience and leadership in the areas of law reform and legal or feminist advocacy
- Academic credentials consistent with industry practice at the Executive Director level (such as a bachelor’s degree or equivalent). A law degree is an asset, but not required.
- Executive management experience encompassing program, financial, fundraising, communications, human resources and operational oversight.
- Previous experience in a non-profit environment, including dealing directly with a Board of Directors and its Committees
- Demonstrated ability to conceive, articulate and execute a strategic plan.
- Proven experience in fundraising and/or bringing about positive change in a non-profit organization.
- Previous experience leading an organization’s government relations and community relations portfolios is an asset.
- Previous experience serving as an organization’s ambassador and spokesperson.
Core Competencies, Skills and Attributes
- An innovative, collaborative, inclusive and values-based leader able to inspire in others a sense of commitment, enthusiasm and excellence based on open communication and teamwork.
- A strong advocate for the rights of women, girls, trans and non-binary people, with a demonstrated commitment to amplifying their voices.
- Experience providing mentorship and supervisory support to a diverse staff team (lawyers, educators, facilitators, fundraisers, and operations team members)
- Takes a feminist, anti-oppressive and trauma-informed approach to their work.
- Strategic awareness, business acumen, and planning skills; able to operationalize an organization’s mission, vision and strategic plan, and deliver successfully on outcomes.
- Able to build rapport quickly and establish strong, collaborative working relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including with community partners in the feminist and non-profit sector, with staff, the Board, government representatives, and funders.
- Excellent communications and media relations skills.
- Demonstrated skill and comfort in resolving conflict with transparency and fairness.
- Able to function effectively and provide stability amidst periods of change and transformation.
- Demonstrated aptitude for building, managing and empowering a strong staff team.
- Fluency in English and French is an asset.
Compensation and benefits
The salary range for this position is $140,000 to $160,000 annually, depending on experience. The successful candidate will also receive benefits including three weeks’ vacation to start, three weeks of paid sick leave, up to two weeks of paid caregiver leave, five paid personal leave days, a week-long December holiday office closure, an annual budget for continuing professional development, and immediate enrolment in LEAF’s comprehensive benefits plan, which includes health and dental benefits. If applicable, LEAF will pay the cost for membership in a provincial or territorial law society. LEAF also hosts celebrations of staff members’ birthdays and significant life events and enjoys monthly catered team lunches together.
How to Apply
LEAF encourages applications from candidates who reflect the diversity of our communities. We strongly encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, and racialized people, as well as from newcomers, gender-diverse people, and members of other equity-deserving groups. If you are comfortable, please indicate in your cover letter if you identify as a member of an equity-deserving group.
LEAF welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities for all available positions. Where possible, accommodations will be made available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.
Please apply in confidence to the Selection Committee by submitting one combined PDF that includes:
- Your cover letter
- Your CV
- A list of three references (contact name, phone number, and email address)
Send your application to [email protected].
Hiring Timeline
Applications are due no later than Wednesday March 26, 2025, at 11:59pm ET. The interview process will take place throughout April. The successful candidate will ideally start June 2, 2025.
We thank all applicants for their interest, but only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
