Executive Director

Dress for Success Central Alberta is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women to achieve economic independence and long-term success. Through career development programming and a supportive community, we help women overcome barriers to employment, build confidence, and thrive in their careers.

Position Summary

The Executive Director is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction, operational management, financial sustainability, governance support, and community impact of Dress for Success Central Alberta. Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director ensures the organization fulfills its mission of helping women achieve economic independence through employment, career development, financial literacy, professional support, and community connection.

As the organization's senior leader and primary spokesperson, the Executive Director is responsible for advancing strategic priorities, securing resources, building meaningful partnerships, fostering an exceptional workplace culture, and ensuring the effective delivery and evaluation of all programs and services. The Executive Director provides leadership to a team of staff and contractors responsible for fundraising, volunteer engagement, career development programming, digital systems, community partnerships, and client services.

The Executive Director serves as a relationship builder, community advocate, strategist, and operational leader who is committed to empowering women, strengthening communities, and ensuring the long-term sustainability and growth of the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Development

• Provide vision, leadership, and direction for the organization in alignment with its mission, values, and strategic priorities.
• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of strategic and operational plans.
• Identify opportunities for innovation, organizational growth, and increased community impact.
• Provide strategic leadership for the continued development, sustainability, and expansion of the Career Hub as a cornerstone of service delivery.
• Assess emerging community needs and workforce trends to ensure programs remain relevant, impactful, and responsive.
• Support the Board of Directors in strategic planning, governance, and organizational decision-making.
• Develop and maintain organizational bylaws, policies, procedures, and governance frameworks that support accountability, risk management, and operational excellence.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, collaboration, and learning.

Program Leadership & Impact

• Provide oversight and accountability for all Dress for Success Central Alberta programs and services.
• Ensure services are client-centered, inclusive, trauma-informed, and aligned with best practices.
• Oversee career development, workforce readiness, employment support, styling, financial literacy, networking, and community engagement initiatives.
• Ensure the effective delivery and ongoing enhancement of the Career Hub, including career coaching resources, employment supports, skill-building opportunities, and community connections.
• Lead the monthly Women's Networking Collective (Working Women’s Group) and other initiatives designed to foster professional growth, financial literacy, mentorship, and community engagement.
• Monitor program outcomes, key performance indicators, and participant feedback to evaluate effectiveness and guide continuous improvement.
• Ensure accurate impact measurement and reporting to demonstrate outcomes to funders, partners, stakeholders, and the Board.
• Identify opportunities to expand programs and services that advance women's economic security and career success.

Financial Management & Organizational Sustainability

• Develop and manage the annual operating budget in partnership with the Board of Directors.
• Monitor financial performance and cash flow to ensure fiscal health and sustainability.
• Ensure responsible stewardship and accountability for all grants, donations, sponsorships, and earned revenue.
• Prepare financial and operational reports for the Board of Directors.
• Oversee financial controls, regulatory compliance, and reporting requirements.
• Support the development of diversified revenue strategies that strengthen long-term sustainability.
• Ensure resources are allocated effectively to maximize mission impact and organizational priorities.

Fund Development & Resource Development

• Lead organizational fundraising and resource development efforts.
• Develop and maintain meaningful relationships with donors, foundations, corporations, service clubs, government funders, and community supporters.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts, sponsorships, grants, and strategic funding opportunities.
• Support fundraising campaigns, special events, donor engagement activities, and sponsorship initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with the Community Partnership Manager to achieve annual revenue and partnership goals.
• Foster a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization.

Community Partnerships & External Relations

• Serve as the primary representative and ambassador of Dress for Success Central Alberta.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with employers, educational institutions, government agencies, community organizations, workforce development partners, and business leaders.
• Represent the organization through public speaking engagements, media interviews, networking events, and community initiatives.
• Advocate for women's economic empowerment, employment opportunities, and equitable access to resources.
• Increase awareness of the organization's mission, programs, and impact throughout Central Alberta.
• Strengthen the organization's profile and reputation as a trusted community partner and leader.

Technology, Data & Systems Leadership

• Provide strategic oversight of organizational technology, digital systems, databases, and reporting platforms.
• Ensure the Career Hub and supporting digital infrastructure effectively serve clients, partners, volunteers, and staff.
• Oversee the implementation and optimization of systems that support client services, volunteer engagement, fundraising, reporting, and organizational operations.
• Ensure effective data management practices, privacy standards, and reporting processes.
• Leverage organizational data and impact metrics to support strategic decision-making, funding applications, program development, and organizational growth.
• Support innovation and technology adoption that improves efficiency and enhances the client experience.

Leadership, People & Culture

• Lead, mentor, and support staff, contractors, students, and volunteers in achieving organizational goals.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, accountable, and mission-focused organizational culture.
• Provide supervision, coaching, performance management, and professional development opportunities.
• Promote strong communication, teamwork, and shared accountability across all functions of the organization.
• Support employee engagement, retention, and succession planning.
• Ensure organizational values are reflected in all aspects of leadership and workplace culture.

Governance & Board Relations

• Serve as the primary liaison between the Board of Directors and organizational operations.
• Support the Board in fulfilling its governance responsibilities.
• Provide timely, accurate, and relevant information to support effective Board decision-making.
• Assist with board recruitment, orientation, committee support, and governance development.
• Ensure Board policies and directives are implemented effectively.
• Support organizational risk management, compliance, and strategic oversight processes.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Post-secondary education in Business, Non-Profit Management, Community Development, Social Services, Public Administration, Human Resources, or a related field. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
• Minimum five years of progressive leadership experience in the non-profit, charitable, community development, social services, workforce development, or related sectors.
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising, donor relations, partnership development, and grant management.
• Experience managing budgets, financial reporting, and organizational planning.
• Experience leading teams and fostering a high-performing organizational culture.
• Experience working with or reporting to a Board of Directors is considered an asset.
• Experience overseeing programs, projects, and community initiatives with measurable outcomes.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong strategic planning and organizational leadership skills.
• Exceptional relationship-building and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Strong understanding of governance, risk management, and non-profit operations.
• Knowledge of fund development, sponsorship, grant writing, and donor stewardship practices.
• Excellent written, verbal, public speaking, and presentation skills.
• Strong financial management and budgeting capabilities.
• Experience using data and evaluation to support decision-making and demonstrate impact.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and organizational data management systems.
• Ability to balance strategic leadership with operational execution in a dynamic environment.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to occasionally work evenings or weekends
• Successful completion of a Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check.

What We Offer

• Meaningful work that creates lasting impact in the lives of women and families throughout Central Alberta.
• A supportive, collaborative, and mission-driven team environment.
• The chance to help shape and grow innovative programs that support women's economic independence.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest in the position to: boardchair@dfsca.ca

The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Work Location: Red Deer