Lions McInnes House is a unique community program in Brantford, Ontario. The Lions McInnes House (The Group Home for Deafblind Persons, Brantford Inc.) is an apartment setting that provides intervenor services to individuals with deafblindness to promote independence in their home and the community .
We design individualized programs focusing on specific needs, likes and dislikes of each adult with deafblindness. These programs are designed to provide their preferred method of communication, so that they may understand their environment and community while promoting the highest quality of life and independence.
Position Summary
Under the governance, delegation and authority of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is the public face of Lions McInnes House (LMH), and its chief executive, responsible for all facets of the operation including organizational strategy, policy and program development and delivery, Organizational Development, Government relations, grants & reporting, outreach and community liaison, management of human, financial and other resources, and advocacy.
Position Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership:
- Acts as an advocate of LMH’s Vision and Mission.
- Leverages opportunities as they arise, leading and motivating stakeholders in the execution of organizational strategy, vision, mission, and mandate.
- With the support of the management team, participates and provides insight into the planning of short and long-term goals and strategies of the agency with all relevant stakeholders in the deafblind community.
- Upholds and acts as a role model demonstrating the ethics and goals of the agency.
- Recognizes, harnesses, and channels the strengths of staff and Board members to inspire pride and good work in the agency and achieve corporate objectives.
- Leads, contributes, and advocates for services for the deafblind community.
- Holds a clear vision of the organization which is shared by the board and staff.
- Demonstrates the ability to lead the organization toward shared vision.
- Distinguishes and articulates connection between personal and organizational vision.
- Keeps an awareness of the organization as well as the complexity of its parts.
Client Relations:
- Schedule and attend medical appointments and provide community support as needed
- Act as liaison with family/advocates, staff, management, medical personnel and community contacts
Agency Management:
- Establishes and maintains systems to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and quality of agencies plans, programs and services.
- Develops, implements and oversees relevant policies, procedures and practices that reflect legislative and funder requirements, regulations and agency expectations when necessary.
- Implements change for continuous improvement and agency succession planning.
Board Support and Development:
- Works in close collaboration with the Board and provides insight into the development of annual objectives and strategic plans to guide the agency.
- Advises the Board of issues (internal and external) and policy decisions that may affect the agency or stakeholders.
- Plans, organizes, participates and follows-up on Board and committee meetings, and provides relevant staff support when required.
- Ensure that minutes and reports following board meetings are prepared and distributed in preparation for the next meeting.
- Acts as a resource to Board members with respect to various issues.
- Encourages Board members to actively and constructively participate in Board meetings, committees and events to positively impact the deafblind community.
- Establishes and implements a development plan that includes recruitment, orientation, education, assessment and succession policies and procedures for the Board of Directors.
Financial Planning and Accountability:
- Develops and obtains Board approval for all annual operating, capital and fundraising budgets.
- Ensures LMH operates programs and services within approved budgets.
- Approves expenditures within the authority delegated by the Board.
- Establishes and implements financial controls to ensure operational efficiencies.
- Oversees the day-to-day financial and accounting requirements of the organization.
- In partnership with the Finance Board Member, provides the Board with comprehensive reports on the revenues and expenditures of the agency.
- Schedules and participates in the annual auditing process.
- Prepares, reviews and/or approves interim and year-end reconciliation reports for submission to governmental agencies.
- In collaboration with the association’s Finance Committee be responsible for the fiscal integrity of LMH, to include submission to the Board of a proposed annual budget and financial statements, which accurately reflect the financial condition of the association.
- Responsible for fiscal management that generally anticipates operating within the approved budget, ensures maximum resources utilization, and maintenance of the organization in a positive financial position.
- Approves expenditures within the authority delegated by the Board/Executive Committee;
- Oversees the financial management of all projects approved by the Board, including ensuring that reporting responsibilities are met;
- Ensures that the association complies with legislation the Canada Not-for- profit Corporations Act and any other applicable provincial and federal laws.
Risk Management:
- Identifies/evaluates potential risks, implementing measures, policies, procedures or practices to address and mitigate harm/risk.
- Communicates areas of risk and plans to mitigate risk to all relevant parties when necessary.
- Ensures that the Board of Directors and the agency have appropriate and adequate insurance coverage in place.
Human Resources Management:
- Establishes and ensures positive, healthy and safe work environments are in place for all staff.
- Ensures the appropriate processes are followed for the acquisition, enhancement and separation of staff.
- Actively supports direct reports through monitoring, attention to performance issues and annual performance appraisals.
- Supports management staff as an advisor and coach with respect to employee relations issues, working collaboratively, improving performance and taking a positive approach to conflict resolution.
- Works with the management team to ensure new hires have the appropriate tools, training and orientation to be successful at LMH.
- Oversees and approves manager payroll and associated attendance (vacation, lieu time, sick days, etc.)
- Manages and oversees schedules for Intervenors to ensure proper coverage for clients
- Leads and contributes in staff meetings and training opportunities.
- Ensure regular performance evaluations are held and that sound human resource practices are in place.
Stakeholder Relations/Public Relations:
- Acts as key organizational representative in strategic partnerships building with community organizations and sector partners and associations.
- Leads and/or participates in agency tours and information sessions as required.
- Serves as LMH’s primary spokesperson to the association’s constituents, the media and the general public.
- Responsible for the enhancement of LMH’s image by being active and visible within the community, other professional associations, public and private organizations.
- Publicize the activities of the organization, its programs, and goals.
- Approve all written public relations material prepared for the organization.
- Cultivate a professional image and act as the association’s ambassador, advocate and voice of authority, both internally and externally to strengthen the organizations profile.
- Ensures that the association’s website is maintained.
- Creates shared understanding of organizational values, goals, and unique niche.
- Understands how to craft meaningful messages to the association’s key audiences.
Information Management:
- As agency Privacy Officer, ensures the safekeeping and appropriate distribution of information and records. Deals with all privacy and confidentiality breaches in a timely and effective manner.
- Ensures that all stakeholders are informed of issues affecting the agency in a timely manner.
Service Delivery Management
- Ensure that programs and services reflect organizational values and achieve the mission of LMH
- Define goals and objectives for the programs of the organization and facilitate the successful completion of these goals to ensure success
- Regularly oversee and/or perform evaluation of programs to ensure that the meet quality standards of the organization
Union Relations
- Participate in the grievance process as staff issues arise
- Manage negotiations during the collective bargaining process
- Attend labour management meetings
- Work with the Union Business Agent to discuss alignment and compliance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement
- Consult with labour lawyer on labour relation concerns, as required
- Oversee administration by coordinating labour management meeting minutes and sign off and prost approved union communications for staff.
Skills and Qualifications
- Undergraduate degree in social/community services or business management etc. Related degrees in disability/policy work will also be considered an asset.
- Minimum 10 years demonstrated experience working in a community or non-profit service setting including experience in program development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
- Minimum 5 years in a management role, responsible for day-to-day operations of a community-based service driven environment.
- High level strategic thinking and planning. Ability to envision and convey the associations strategic future to the board, members and external organizations and agencies.
- In-depth knowledge of deafblind, community related services is an asset.
- Demonstrated advocacy and leadership in the social services/non-profit sector.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, including public speaking.
- Strong interpersonal, finance/budgeting and planning skills.
- Exceptional analytical, problem solving, organizational and time management skills.
- Demonstrated ability to initiate, prioritize work, work under pressure, and meet multiple deadlines with various stakeholders in a multi-faceted environment.
- Proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft applications in addition to being.
- Solid organizational abilities, including planning, delegating, program development and task facilitating.
- Strong financial management skills including budget preparation, analysis, decision making and reporting.
For consideration, please apply online. As part of our commitment to inclusivity, diversity, equity and accessibility, our goal is a workforce built on respect that reflects the communities we serve. We thank all applicants for their interest in MaxPeople but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
We are proud to be in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), 2005 and the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation. We are happy to honor accommodations at any part of the recruitment process and invite you to let us know how we can help.
