President & Chief Executive Officer

The Organization

The Excel Society is a purpose-driven organization devoted to enriching the lives of individuals with disabilities and complex mental health needs in Edmonton and Calgary. At the heart of its work is a deep and unwavering commitment to the people it serves. Through exceptional Community Living and Support Services, Excel ensures individuals are not simply cared for but are supported to live and age with dignity in environments where they are accepted, valued and fully integrated into their communities.

With a spirit of innovation and compassion, Excel Society offers a broad range of programs tailored to meet the unique needs of Albertans. In partnership with individuals and their families or guardians, Excel delivers holistic support across care, housing and community living. Guided by a client-first philosophy, Excel has become a leader in its field – offering transformative, life-enhancing services that inspire hope, independence, and connection.

For more information about Excel Society, please visit their website.

The Opportunity

• Reports to: Board of Directors
• Direct Reports (4): Chief Financial Officer; Chief Infrastructure Officer; Chief Operating Officer; and Chief People Officer
• Location: Edmonton, AB

Mandate

The Excel Society is seeking a strategic, collaborative and mission-inspired President & Chief Executive Officer to lead the organization into its next chapter.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO is responsible for advancing Excel’s mission through effective strategy execution, leadership of its programs and services, and oversight of organizational operations. The CEO provides leadership across service delivery, housing and capital management, financial stewardship, organizational effectiveness and the long-term sustainability of the Society and its related entities.

Working closely with a capable senior leadership team, the CEO will ensure Excel continues to deliver exceptional care while strengthening the systems, partnerships and organizational capacity required to serve clients well into the future.

The CEO will be entrusted to advance Excel’s legacy by:

• Championing exceptional, person-centred care and service.
• Leading the development and execution of organizational strategy.
• Ensuring strong operational, financial and organizational performance.
• Providing strategic oversight of Excel’s housing and real estate portfolio.
• Supporting the continued growth and evolution of Excel’s programs and services.
• Strengthening relationships with government, funders, community partners and other interest holders.
• Building organizational capacity through strong executive leadership, succession planning and talent development.
• Working collaboratively with the Board to support effective governance and informed decision-making.

Key Accountabilities

• Exceptional Care: Champion Excel’s mission, vision and values and foster a culture where high-quality, person-centred services remain central to the organization’s work.
• Strategic Leadership: Lead multi-year strategic planning and translate the organization’s priorities into clear plans, accountabilities and results.
• Operational Excellence: Provide executive oversight across Excel’s programs and services, strengthening organizational effectiveness, consistency, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Housing and Capital Management: Provide strategic oversight of Excel’s housing and real estate portfolio, ensuring its assets, capacity and long-term plans remain aligned with client needs, service system requirements, organizational priorities and long-term sustainability.
• Financial Stewardship: Ensure Excel operates within approved financial and budgetary guidelines while maintaining a strong focus on long-term organizational sustainability.
• Executive Leadership: Lead and empower the senior leadership team, creating clarity, accountability and alignment while supporting succession planning, leadership development and talent retention across the organization.
• Risk and Compliance: Ensure appropriate systems are in place to manage operational, financial, reputational, safety, cybersecurity and other organizational risks, and to meet legislative, regulatory, contractual and accreditation requirements.
• Relationship Building and Government Relations: Build and maintain strong relationships with government, funders, regulators, service providers, community organizations and other interest holders. Represent Excel as a credible and respected advocate for the people it serves.
• Board Governance: Serve as the primary advisor to the Board, providing timely and meaningful information on operations, finances, risks and opportunities, and supporting effective governance and informed decision-making.

First-Year Deliverables / Measures of Success

Success in the first year will be determined by the candidate’s ability to:

• Build strong, trusted relationships with the Board, senior leadership team, employees and key external partners.
• Maintain Excel’s commitment to exceptional care while strengthening organizational effectiveness, accountability and sustainability.
• Lead the development of a new strategic plan and establish clear priorities for Excel’s next chapter.
• Advance the continued growth of Excel’s operations in Calgary and provide leadership to major capital or facility initiatives.
• Strengthen organizational processes, performance measures and reporting, including completing work underway to better understand funding across Excel’s different portfolios.
• Establish greater clarity around Excel’s long-term housing and capital strategy while building alignment and engagement across the organization.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will have the following:

Education:

• An undergraduate degree in a relevant field is required. A master’s degree is preferred; however, an equivalent combination of education, significant senior leadership experience and business experience will be considered.

Experience:

• The successful candidate will bring significant senior leadership experience in a complex, multi-faceted organization, with demonstrated strength in operational leadership, financial stewardship, organizational sustainability and leading through other senior leaders.
• They will have experience developing and executing strategy, leading organizational growth and change, and working with or reporting to a Board of Directors.
• Experience with infrastructure, housing, real estate or significant capital assets will be important given the breadth of Excel’s operations.
• The successful candidate will be an accomplished relationship builder with experience working with government, funders, community partners and other interest holders.
• Experience in continuing care, disability services, healthcare, social services or a related environment, as well as an understanding of regulated and contract-funded service environments, would be considered an asset.

Competencies and Attributes:

• Mission and Client-Centred Leadership: A deep commitment to Excel Society’s purpose and to ensuring exceptional, person-centred care remains at the centre of organizational decisions and priorities.
• Strategic and Operational Leadership: The ability to set direction, translate strategy into action and provide effective oversight across a complex, multi-faceted organization, supported by strong systems, meaningful data and clear accountability.
• Business and Financial Acumen: Strong financial judgement and an understanding of how disciplined operations, sustainable funding models and sound business practices support Excel’s long-term ability to serve clients.
• Housing and Capital Stewardship: Experience overseeing significant infrastructure, housing, real estate or capital assets, with the ability to think strategically about capacity, asset management and long-term sustainability.
• Change and Executive Leadership: A collaborative, empowering leadership style with the ability to create alignment through change, build the capacity of senior leaders and establish clear expectations and accountability.
• Board, Government and Relationship Management: The judgement and credibility to work effectively with the Board, government, funders, regulators, community partners and other interest holders, while representing Excel as a respected advocate for the people it serves.
• Integrity and Emotional Intelligence: Uncompromising integrity, empathy, humility and resilience, combined with the confidence to make difficult decisions and balance the needs of clients, employees and the organization.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The Excel Society is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognizes that a diverse team is essential to service excellence. In accordance with provincial legislation, accommodation will be provided by Mullen and Excel Society throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

Application Instructions

If this opportunity excites you, please send an application package, including your resume and cover letter, to connect@mullenleadership.com. In the subject line of your email, please include the organization’s name and the position title.