Executive Director

Employer: Every Woman's Centre

Title: Executive Director

Position: Full Time, Permanent

Hours of Work: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Some evening and weekend Board commitments are required.

Job Location: Sydney, NS; Hybrid work arrangement (onsite and remote) available based on operational needs.

Proposed Start Date: As soon as possible

Compensation Package: Annual salary of $80,000, three (3) weeks' paid vacation, paid sick time, paid holidays, cost-shared medical benefits, RRSP Contributions (6%). Aspects of the compensation package are negotiable based on commensurate knowledge and experience.

Application Deadline: April 6th, 2026, at 11:59 PM AST, or until the position has been filled.

Anchored Recruiting & HR Solutions is proud to partner with Every Woman's Centre to recruit an Executive Director who will lead the organization into its next chapter of impact and community leadership. Every Woman's Centre is a trusted hub supporting women and gender-diverse people across Cape Breton who are navigating complex personal, social, and economic challenges. Through holistic, trauma-informed services grounded in feminist and anti-oppressive values, the Centre connects individuals to critical resources, advocacy, and supports that strengthen safety, wellbeing, and opportunity.

As demand for equitable, survivor-centered services continues to grow, this role offers an opportunity for a strategic and values-driven leader to build on the Centre's strong foundation, deepen community partnerships, and help shape the future of services and advocacy for women and gender-diverse people across the region.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director provides strategic and operational leadership to advance the mission and long-term sustainability of Every Woman's Centre. The Executive Director will oversee organizational strategy, programs, partnerships, and financial stewardship while supporting a collaborative and accountable team culture. Leading through an intersectional feminist and trauma-informed lens, this role embeds principles of safety, choice, collaboration, trust, and empowerment across all aspects of the organization's work. The Executive Director fosters transparency, shared leadership, and strong community relationships, ensuring the voices of staff, participants, volunteers, and partners inform decision-making and organizational impact.

Core Accountabilities:

• Strategic Leadership
  • Lead the implementation and evaluation of the organization's strategic plan, setting clear priorities and measurable outcomes that advance the mission of the organization.
  • Ensure programs and services respond to community needs and reflect feminist, trauma-informed values.
  • Foster a culture of innovation, learning, and continuous improvement across the organization.
• People & Culture
  • Provide leadership and support to senior staff, and build a collaborative, inclusive workplace culture grounded in trauma-informed and equitable approaches.
  • Champion staff development, reflective practice, and strong performance management processes.
• Financial & Organizational Stewardship
  • Ensure responsible financial stewardship and organization sustainability.
  • Lead annual budgeting with staff and the Board of Directors, with regular financial reporting to the Board.
  • Monitor financial health, identify risks, and ensure strong internal controls and ethical resource use.
• Partnerships & Community Impact
  • Build and steward relationships with funders, partners, and community stakeholders to strengthen impact and long-term sustainability.
  • Support fundraising and grant development while amplifying the organization's story and services.
  • Represent the organization in community, sector, and advocacy spaces, advancing systemic change for women and gender-diverse people.
• Governance & Accountability
  • Partner with the Board of Directors to support strong governance, provide timely information for decision-making, and implement board policies and strategic direction.
  • Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and funder requirements while overseeing organizational policies, risk management, and crisis response.
  • Perform other related duties as required to advance the mission of the organization.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Required Experience
  • Post-secondary education in a relevant field such as Social Work, Education, Business, Community Development, or equivalent combination of education and leadership experience.
  • Five (5) to ten (10) years of senior leadership experience in a nonprofit, social service, or community-based organization.
  • Experience working with or reporting to a governance board and supporting strong governance practices.
  • Experience contributing to policy development, systemic change, or advocacy initiatives.
  • Demonstrated commitment to feminist, anti-oppressive, and trauma-informed practice.
  • Experience leading and supporting teams, with a track record of building collaborative, inclusive workplace cultures.
  • Strong financial literacy and strategic thinking, including experience with budgeting, financial oversight, and organizational sustainability.
  • Experience building partnerships and engaging funders, donors, and community stakeholders to strengthen organizational impact.
  • Knowledge of the gender-based violence sector and survivor-centered, trauma-informed service delivery.
• Leadership Competencies
  • Values-Based Leadership - Leads with integrity and a strong commitment to feminist, trauma-informed, and equity-centered practice.
  • Strategic and Systems Thinking - Ability to set priorities, guide long-term planning, and translate vision into meaningful organizational outcomes.
  • Relational Leadership - Builds trust and collaboration with staff, board members, partners, and community stakeholders.
  • Emotional Intelligence and Reflective Practice - Demonstrates self-awareness, compassion, and the ability to lead in complex and sensitive environments.
  • Clear and Courageous Communication - Communicates with clarity, empathy, and confidence across diverse audiences.
  • Accountability with Care - Balances organizational accountability, ethical stewardship, and strong performance expectations with a supportive and trauma-informed leadership approach.
• Additional Requirements:
  • Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
  • Clear Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check.

We thank you for your interest, however only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.

If interested in this opportunity, please click the 'Apply' button and submit a valid resume and cover letter.

Failure to submit the correct documents will result in an invalid application.

Please note that this position is open to Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents only and will remain open until filled. Applicants will be reviewed in two-week windows.

Every Woman's Centre is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from women, Indigenous people, racialized communities, people with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, and those with lived experience relevant to our work.

All information collected will be shared with our client, Every Woman's Centre. By submitting this application, Anchored Recruiting & HR Solutions LTD. will be adding you to their talent pool database. You may be contacted in the future with potential job opportunities.