The Organization
Founded in 1971, Terra Centre for Teen Parents is a respected Edmonton-based non-profit organization dedicated to supporting pregnant and parenting teens and young families. Established by a group of determined young mothers who challenged societal barriers that prevented teen parents from completing their education and raising their children, Terra has spent more than five decades helping young parents build brighter futures for themselves and their families.
Today, Terra serves nearly 1,000 teen parents and their children annually through a comprehensive range of free, integrated supports designed to help young families achieve self-reliance, stability, and long-term success. Recognizing that every family's journey is unique, Terra provides individualized services that meet young parents where they are and support them through critical stages of their development.
The organization's holistic approach includes educational supports, housing assistance, mental health services, programs for young fathers, early learning and childcare, youth leadership initiatives, post-secondary transition support, and access to essential resources. Through a collaborative service model and strong partnerships across the community, Terra works alongside young parents to address barriers, strengthen parenting skills, and create opportunities for lasting success.
At its core, Terra is committed to creating generational impact. By empowering young parents and supporting healthy child development, the organization helps break cycles of adversity and create stronger outcomes for families and communities. Terra's work is guided by a belief in the potential of every young parent and the importance of providing the resources, support, and encouragement needed to help them thrive.
For more information about Terra Centre, please visit their website.
The Opportunity
- Reports to: Board of Directors
- Direct Reports (4): Director, Finance; Director, Programs (currently vacant); Manager, Communications and Community Engagement; and Executive Assistant.
- Location: Edmonton, AB
Mandate
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for providing visionary leadership and strategic direction to Terra Centre, ensuring the organization continues to deliver high-quality, impactful services to pregnant and parenting teens and young families.
The Executive Director serves as the organization's chief ambassador, fostering strong relationships with staff, funders, government, community partners, donors, and other key stakeholders while advancing Terra's mission, reputation, and long-term sustainability. Building on a strong legacy of service and community impact, the Executive Director will lead the organization through its next chapter of growth and innovation.
Working closely with the Board, the Executive Director is accountable for organizational performance, strategic planning, financial stewardship, fundraising, governance support, and operational excellence. The role requires balancing a strong external presence with effective internal leadership, ensuring that Terra remains financially sustainable, strategically focused, and responsive to the evolving needs of young families.
The Executive Director will champion Terra's collaborative, client-centred approach, strengthen partnerships across the community, and sustain a high-performing organizational culture rooted in accountability, inclusion, learning, and continuous improvement. Through thoughtful leadership and engagement, the Executive Director will ensure Terra continues to make a meaningful and measurable difference in the lives of young parents, their children, and future generations.
Key Accountabilities
Strategic Leadership
- Provide strategic leadership to Terra Centre during an organizational transition following the retirement of a long-serving Executive Director.
- Lead the organization with a strong focus on mission, values, and long-term sustainability.
- Apply a strategic lens to organizational priorities, ensuring resources are directed to areas of greatest impact.
- Review the new strategic plan, ensure alignment across the organization, and drive execution of key priorities.
Leadership and Organizational Development
- Mentor and strengthen the leadership team in managing change.
- Foster staff engagement and secure continued support of organizational transformation.
- Build a strong sense of connection and trust across the organization given leadership transition.
- Support organizational stability and culture as Terra continues to evolve.
Government Relations, Partnerships, and Community Engagement
- Serve as a visible ambassador for Terra and its mission.
- Build and strengthen relationships with government partners and funders.
- Strengthen Terra's relationship with Edmonton Public Schools and other key education partners.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with the C5 organizations and other community partners.
- Build on Terra Centre's reputation as a sector leader by anticipating emerging trends, advancing innovation, and sharing leading practices.
- Expand partnerships that support service delivery and organizational sustainability.
- Increase awareness of Terra's impact within the community.
Funding, Sustainability, and Impact
- Navigate a changing funding environment, including evolving government and post-pandemic funding mechanisms.
- Support efforts to diversify funding sources and strengthen organizational sustainability.
- Help communicate and quantify Terra's impact through participant outcomes, success stories, and organizational results.
- Champion continuous improvement of data capture and input measurement capabilities.
Change Leadership
- Lead the organization through a period of significant change and transition.
- Identify opportunities for innovation while balancing organizational capacity and resource constraints.
- Bring a future-focused perspective while respecting Terra's history, culture, and legacy.
First-Year Deliverables / Measures of Success
Success in the first year will be determined by the candidate’s ability to:
- Establish a strong, transparent working relationship with the Board, reinforcing confidence through consistent communication, clear reporting, and effective governance practices.
- Provide steady leadership to strengthen team alignment, foster a cohesive and respectful culture and reinforce a human-centred approach.
- Lead a process to align board, staff, and members around clear strategic priorities, reinforcing the organization’s role and value.
- Expand the diversified funding strategy, strengthening donor relationships while reinforcing government partnerships.
- Ensure strong financial oversight, disciplined budgeting and reporting, and consistent operational execution to support organizational effectiveness.
Candidate Profile
The successful candidate will have the following:
Education:
- Post-secondary education in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Social Sciences, or a related discipline.
- Equivalent combination of education and direct relevant leadership experience will be considered.
Experience:
- Senior leadership experience within a nonprofit or community-based organization with full organizational accountability.
- Strategic leadership and organizational transformation experience.
- Experience leading through change and fostering organizational sustainability.
- Fund development and revenue diversification experience.
- Government, community, and partnership development experience.
- Experience developing and supporting leaders.
Competencies and Attributes:
- Strategic Thinking and Execution: Ability to translate vision into clear priorities, focus resources effectively, and ensure strategic initiatives are aligned with organizational goals.
- Change Leadership: Ability to guide the organization through transition, build staff confidence, and create alignment during periods of change and uncertainty.
- Relationship Building and External Influence: Ability to develop strong relationships with government, community partners, funders, and stakeholders to advance Terra’s mission.
- Values-Based Leadership: Demonstrates authenticity, integrity, and commitment to Terra’s mission, values, and the communities it serves.
- Communication and Storytelling: Ability to clearly communicate organizational impact, share success stories, and build awareness among internal and external audiences.
- Financial and Resource Stewardship: Ability to make thoughtful decisions regarding resources, funding priorities, and organizational sustainability within financial constraints.
- Data-Informed Decision Making: Ability to use data, outcomes, and analytics to inform decisions and demonstrate Terra’s impact.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
The Terra Centre is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognizes that a diverse team benefits and is essential to service excellence. In accordance with provincial legislation, accommodation will be provided by Mullen Leadership and Terra Centre 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 [email protected]. In the subject line of your email, please include the organization’s name and the position title.
