Executive Director Position

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – 

How to Apply: 

Submit your resume with cover letter by email to:  Dale.sanford@nshealth.ca  no later than midnight May 28, 2025.

Role:  Executive Director    FTE: Full Time (37.5hr/wk)

Reports to:               Chair, Valley Hospice Foundation Board of Directors

Direct Reports:          Office Coordinator

The Executive Director contributes to the overall strategic direction of the Valley Hospice Foundation (VHF), while also managing its day-to-day operations. They are responsible for implementing the Board’s decisions and ensuring the organization achieves its goals. They are also involved in fundraising, communications, public awareness, and membership growth.

Leadership

• Provides leadership with comprehensive oversight and management of VHF functions and develops implementation plans to advance the strategic vision of the VHF Board.
• Provides leadership to coordinate the VHF office including functional oversight of staff and volunteers. Oversight includes development and mentorship, administrative activities as well as establishing procedures and guidelines to enable consistency and standardization.
• Develops strong relationships and represents the VHF at various community and funder events.
• Creates an environment that aligns with the VHF mission, vision and values.
• Liaises with Nova Scotia Health for program PR related activities including development of communication plans, key messages, speeches and engagement strategies for stakeholders and media relations.
• Develops and leads a robust donor relations strategy.
• Demonstrates strong interpersonal and motivational skills and ability to work effectively with board members, staff and volunteer committees.
• In collaboration with the Board Chair, develops the agenda and coordinates the preparation of supporting documents and presentations for Board meetings. Ensures discussions and decisions are documented accurately and ensures that follow up items and issues are brought forward.
• Tracks and coordinates initiatives and projects within the VHF and Board activities including milestones, timelines and communication.

Operations Management

• Responsible for the overall day to day management of the operation.
• Develops, communicates, implements and monitors the operational plan.
• Develops and presents the annual operational budget to the Board of Directors for approval.
• Manages the operational, fundraising and events budgets for the organization.
• Manages and monitors VHF granting programs.
• Works closely with the VHF Board on new funding and PR opportunities.
• Elevates the governance function of the Board through policy development, procedures and effective orientation of new Board members.
• Coordinates community research projects to advance VHF Strategic Plan.
• Oversees the management and use of a donor platform including adopting new functionality and optimizing the platform for
• Collaborates with Office Coordinator in creating content for digital assets, such as social media and website.
• Manages orientation of new and current VHF members as well as volunteers to ensure that they are fully aware of their responsibilities.
• Ensures accountability of staff, volunteers and VHF members.

Fundraising and Communications

• Creates and executes comprehensive Fund Development and Communications Plans in line with the current Strategic Plan.
• Seeks opportunities for the development and implementation of grant applications and reports.
• Proactively seeks and develops new donor and fundraising opportunities and strengthens existing relationships.
• Plans and coordinates annual VHF peer-to-peer fundraising and awareness event – Hike for Valley Hospice and Palliative Care.
• Works with the Office Coordinator and/or volunteers or committees in developing promotional print and digital materials for sponsorships, programs, and fundraising.
• Manages and grows the monthly giving program to increase predictable funding.
• Develops and manages giving programs including Tribute Giving, and direct appeals/newsletters.
• Builds and implements strategies to promote Planned Giving.
• Tracks and assesses the effectiveness of fundraising initiatives and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors.

The successful applicant will demonstrate the following qualifications and competencies:

• Post-secondary education or equivalent combination of education, training and comparable experience in non-profit fundraising, PR/communications, marketing or related field.
• 5-7 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in planning and delivery of non-profit services and programs in Canada.
• Effective management skills working with teams with strong interpersonal and motivational skills and ability to work effectively with board members, staff and volunteer committees.
• Proven track record of successful event management, fundraising, marketing, or other similar related activity.
• Working knowledge of direct mail, monthly giving, third party, major gifts, and donor communications, their trends and best practices.
• Proficient with technology and comfortable using donor management system/databases, communication software, Google Suite and Microsoft Office.
• Demonstrates ethical fundraising principles and practices, and maintains donor privacy and confidentiality.
• Empathy for others (dealing with such private matters as wealth/death, loss, etc.).
• Demonstrates excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to articulate impact stories.
• Passionate about the Valley Hospice Foundation’s mission and excited about championing it.
• Experience with non-profit management in Nova Scotia is an asset.
• Knowledge and experience with Planned Giving is an asset.

Job Type and Hours:

• Permanent Fulltime (100%)/ 75 hours bi-weekly
• Hybrid with onsite and some remote/work from home

Compensation and Benefits:

• $30.75 – $33.25
• Successful candidates may be eligible for our benefits package which includes health, dental, travel, long-term disability, and life insurance coverage as well as a defined benefit pension plan.

How to Apply: 

Submit your resume with cover letter by email to:  Dale.sanford@nshealth.ca  no later than midnight May 28, 2025.

Timeline:   Post by May 14, 2025

Posting Close Date: May 28, 2025