SMART HR has partnered with the board of diectors of Community Youth Services Inc. ("CYS"). CYS is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care in two residential homes for children and youth with complex special needs. Rooted in a trauma-informed, person-centered philosophy, we serve some of the province's most vulnerable children who require specialized supports, consistency, and care in a home-like environment. For the past 38 years, CYS has been providing professional care for special needs children in a family environment.
We are seeking a visionary, grounded, and resilient Executive Director (ED) to lead our organization through a pivotal period of renewal and stabilization. The ideal candidate is a compassionate leader with experience in complex care environments, someone who can bring clarity to our structure, support to our staff, and vision to our future.
This role contributes to the CYS's long-term vision and provides overall leadership to advance and operational direction, workplace culture, and stakeholder relationships. The ED embodies the organization's values and leads by example to create and sustain an organizational culture where everyone feels safe, valued, and respected.
If you are a strategic thinker, strong communicator, and values-driven leader who thrives in dynamic settings, this is a rare opportunity to make a lasting impact.
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership and Board Support
• Provide visionary and operational leadership to ensure the organization fulfills its mission and remains responsive to the evolving needs of children with complex special needs
• Work collaboratively with the Board of Directors to develop, implement, and evaluate strategic plans, annual priorities, and performance benchmarks
• Serve as the primary liaison between the Board and staff, ensuring transparent communication, timely reporting, and proactive engagement on key issues
• Support the Board in its governance responsibilities, including policy development, financial oversight, and succession planning
• Prepare regular reports, briefings, and recommendations to enable informed decision-making at the board level
• Lead organizational planning efforts that align with trauma-informed care, regulatory compliance, and sustainable growth
• Maintain awareness of trends and issues in child welfare, residential care, and the non-profit sector, bringing forward opportunities and risks as they arise
Strategic Stakeholder and Community Relations
• Ensures that the organization and its mission, programs, and services are consistently presented in a strong, positive image to relevant stakeholders
• Cultivates and maintains close relationships with organizations and influential individuals in the communities served
• Develops and maintains excellent working relationships with key external stakeholders, including elected officials and staff at all levels of government, non-profit organizations, and other relevant potential partners, as well as the community-at-large
• Advocates on behalf of vulnerable youth in the community and those who need CYS's services
• Serves as the organization's primary spokesperson
• utilizes traditional and digital marketing and communications to support the organization's message and brand
• Seeks out networking and public speaking engagements to propel the mission of the organization
Operational Leadership
• Ensures the efficient and effective day-to-day operation of the organization and its program and services including the planning, implementation, execution and evaluation of research, training, development projects, policy and procedure
• Meets annual targets, anticipates growth requirements, and ensure funding requirements are fulfilled
• Develops and maintains strong relationships with youth and takes a diplomatic and solution-oriented approach in supporting their needs• Identifies opportunities to expand programs/ services by focusing on the voices of youth to meet their needs and address gaps in services or in service issues
• Ensures new projects are developed in partnership with other organizations, building upon the intersectionality of CYS's work
• Reviews policies annually and make recommendations on policy revisions/ new policies for the approval of the Board
• Ensures staff and Board have sufficient and up-to-date information on all factors affecting the organization's governance, risk, growth and operations
• Ensures that all employment laws and standards are adhered to at all times and seeks professional advice when necessary
• Recruits and motivates staff and volunteers, and continually develops and maintains a cohesive organizational culture that attracts and retains a highly effective team
• Provides leadership, direction, and coordination and delegates appropriate levels of authority to staff, supports their growth, and strengthens their business acumen
• Sets clear objectives and goals, trains and coaches the team, provides regular performance feedback, and documents performance appraisals annually
• Promotes a culture that reflects the organization's values, encourages and rewards exceptional performance, and ensures health and safety in all operations for both staff and volunteers
Financial Integrity and Revenue Development
• Prepares an annual budget to the Board for approval
• Manages the approved annual budget and ensures adequate funding is available for the operations
• Adheres to the approved annual budget and communicates in an efficient and timely manner to the Board Chair (or delegate) of emerging financial issues that could impact the fiscal health of the organization
• Ensures that sound bookkeeping, accounting and expenditure procedures are followed, including the preparation and execution of the annual audit
• Provides the Board with comprehensive reports and summary financial reports to the Board at Board meetings
• Ensures that the organization complies with all legislation covering taxation, withholding payments and other related legislation
• Identifies, evaluates and minimizes the risks to the organization, while ensuring the organization has adequate insurance coverage
Qualifications
Education
• A university degree in social work, psychology, health care administration, special education, public administration, or a related field
• A relevant graduate degree (e.g., MSW, MPA, MBA, or equivalent) is an asset
Experience
• Minimum 5-7 years of senior leadership experience in a non-profit, healthcare, child welfare, or residential care setting
• Proven success managing staffing, recruitment, and retention in complex or high-stress environments
• Experience overseeing budgets, HR, operations, and compliance in a regulated sector.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with government funders, licensing bodies, boards, and community partners
• Direct or indirect experience supporting children or youth with complex needs, including behavioral, developmental, and medical challenges
Skills
• Ability to effectively monitor operational budgets and success in meeting budget
• Ability to effectively present to Boards, donors or community groups
• Familiarity with provincial standards, Occupational Health and Safety regulations and Public Health guidelines
• Knowledge of applicable laws and issues related to child and youth wellbeing.
• Knowledge of Trauma-informed, client-centered approach to program delivery
• Knowledge of emerging practices in service delivery to the client population
• Knowledgeable mental health and community-based social services
• Ability to take an analytical and tactical approach to creating and sustaining critical change
• Demonstrated ability to deal with sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy
• Must be sensitive to and respectful of cultural differences, differences in socio-economic status and lifestyle diversity
• Ability to forge strong, key strategic relationships and partnerships and influence at all levels
• Excellent time management skills with an ability to efficiently organize the team's work and set priorities to ensure deadlines are met
• Excellent communication, conflict mediation and interpersonal skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suits as well as other web-based data management software
• Compassionate, steady, and accountable leadership style
• Strong understanding of child protection laws, residential care licensing, and workplace safety standards
• Excellent interpersonal, team-building, and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to lead both day-to-day operations and long-term strategic planning
• Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and culturally safe care
Special Requirements/Training
• Trauma-informed care training and a working knowledge of trauma's impact on children, families, and staff
• MANDT System certification or equivalent de-escalation and behavior intervention training
• Valid CPR/First Aid certification
• Clear criminal record and vulnerable sector check and Social Development Record Check.
• Valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation
Working Conditions
• This is a full-time, permanent position based in Dutch Valley, New Brunswick.
• The Executive Director is expected to work a standard 37.5-40 hour work week, with some flexibility required to respond to organizational needs, attend board meetings, and engage with staff across shifts.
• While administrative work may be performed in an office setting, regular on-site presence at both residential homes is essential to ensure visibility, leadership support, and oversight.
• Occasional evening and weekend availability may be required for crisis response, staffing issues, or special meetings and events.• The role involves moderate regional travel, including between program locations and with external stakeholders.
• The organization serves children and youth with complex medical, developmental, and behavioral needs, including those who may display aggressive or violent behaviors as a result of trauma, sensory processing disorders, or cognitive challenges.
• The Executive Director must be comfortable working in or near environments where behavioral escalations, crisis situations, or emotional dysregulation may occur, and is expected to lead with calm, trauma-informed decision-making during such instances.
• Personal protective training (e.g., MANDT System, First Aid/CPR, crisis intervention) is required and supported as part of ongoing professional development.
Physical Requirements
• Ability to move between multiple program locations and navigate standard residential and office environments (including stairs, entryways, and outdoor areas)
• Must be able to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods as required for meetings, site visits, or on-call response
• Occasional lifting or moving of light materials (e.g., files, supplies, small equipment) up to 20 lbs
• Ability to respond quickly in emergencies or crisis situations, which may require bending, kneeling, or moderate physical agility
• Must have the physical and emotional capacity to remain calm, alert, and engaged in high-stress environments, including when children are in crisis or exhibiting escalated behaviors
• Use of a computer and other standard office equipment for prolonged periods is required
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel locally as part of the role?