About Our Client: For over 40 years, PARC (Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre) has been at the heart of Parkdale, providing a welcoming and inclusive community where individuals can rebuild their lives. Founded in 1977 as a response to the needs of adults living in Parkdale’s rooming and boarding houses, PARC has evolved into a vital resource offering member-driven programming, supportive housing, and essential services for people experiencing substance use and mental health challenges. PARC’s mission is to be a community where people rebuild their lives.  PARC envisions a future where everyone can live with dignity, safety, and the resources needed to achieve their potential. Guided by values of respect, dignity, and inclusion, PARC is committed to ending poverty, promoting human rights, and fostering a sense of belonging for all. Whether it’s through their drop-in centre, housing programs, or outreach support, PARC works tirelessly to ensure that every person who walks through their doors has the opportunity to contribute, grow, and find their place within their community.

Mandate:

Cohesion with the Parkdale neighborhood is a crucial factor in PARC’s ability to serve its community. In alignment with its 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, PARC is focused on:

Reimagining the way we work by listening, collaborating and co-designing solutions that benefit the entire community. Building our member community through outreach, delivery and advocacy Strengthening supportive housing with a focus on quality, safety and community Embedding equity and reconciliation in our work by advancing diversity, inclusion and harm-reduction

PARC is a proud United Way Greater Toronto anchor agency and is informally known as the “neighborhood’s living room,” which speaks to the central role the organization plays in the community.

PARC is deeply involved in local advocacy work to fight poverty and prioritize the needs of the community’s most vulnerable members. PARC is also the home and partner of the Parkdale People’s Economy, an initiative dedicated to building a just local economy.

The Executive Director of PARC plays a pivotal role in all of this work, setting the tone for the organization and effectively operationalizing the strategic plan. The Executive Director also provides strategic leadership, operational management, and public representation to ensure the organization’s success and alignment with its mission, vision, values, and strategy. Collaborating with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director participates in developing and implementing long-term goals and is the public face of PARC, enhancing its image and fostering key stakeholder relationships. The role also involves creating a healthy, engaging, and safe workplace for employees, volunteers, and contractors, while ensuring that high-quality programs and services are delivered to members in a welcoming and inclusive environment, meeting the expectations of the Board, members, and funders.

Responsibilities:

BOARD GOVERNANCE

Working with the proudly unique Board of Directors in order to fulfill PARC’s mission and strategic objectives. Informing the Board of Directors of internal and external issues that affect the organization Advising the Board of Directors on all aspects of the organization’s activities Fostering effective team work between the Board and the Executive Director and between the Executive Director and staff Providing support to the Board and its committees by preparing meeting agenda and supporting materials

 

MISSION, VISION & VALUES

Ensures that mission, vision and values of PARC are embedded in all policies, processes, programs, services and decision making Acts in accordance with mission, vision and values of PARC in all dealings Manages PARC in accordance with mission, vision and values of PARC. Participating in the development of the Strategic Plan Ensuring that Operating Plans are in place for all Programs, Services and support functions Ensuring that Resource Development Plans are in place to support PARC’S strategic goals

 

POLICIES, PROCEDURES, STANDARDS, AND PROCESSES

Ensuring the development, compliance, implementation, ongoing monitoring and continuous improvement of policies, standards and processes and Federal, Provincial and Municipal legislation and regulations Staying current on best practices as they relate to PARC

 

OPERATIONS

Ensuring the necessary resources (human, financial, physical, technological) are identified and requested in order to complete the work of PARC in an efficient and effective manner Ensuring that the proper monitoring and controls are in place to minimize errors, mitigate risk and progress towards the strategic goals Operating in accordance with lines of communication, accountabilities, expectations and authorities Leading the development of financial strategies that enable the achievement of strategic goals and ensure fiscal integrity Providing leadership and direction for the annual budget for PARC Ensuring compliance with financial policies and procedures Operating within the approved budget Ensuring reporting on financial status in a timely and accurate manner Ensuring that the risks to the organization’s people (clients, staff, management, volunteers), property, finances, goodwill, and image are identified and assessed Ensuring that the Board of Directors and the organization carries appropriate and adequate insurance coverage Establish, build and maintain funder partnerships (current and potential) in order to meet the needs of PARC’s members

 

PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

Ensuring that PARC is a healthy, engaging and safe workplace for all employees, members, volunteers and contractors Ensuring that HR Policies and Practices comply with Ontario and Federal legislation, regulations and codes and are aligned with current Collective Agreement Ensuring that the organization design is optimal and able to deliver on strategic goals Ensuring that all dealings with union are professional and all bargaining is conducted in good faith. Providing appropriate authority to direct reports so that work may be undertaken in a responsive and effective manner

SERVICE & PROGRAM DELIVERY

Ensuring a high level of service is delivered to all Members, aligned with PARC values Ensuring that programs are regularly monitored and evaluated for purposes of learning and improvement Staying current on best practices as they relate to PARC’s mission, vision and strategy

 

COMMUNITY RELATIONS

Commitment to fostering good relationships with partners, agencies, and groups Capacity to build and maintain networks and partnerships within the community and sectors Fostering relationships with elected representatives in service of PARC’s mission

 

COMMUNICATIONS

Ensuring effective, timely and accurate communication with the Board of Directors and providing all information necessary for the Board to function properly and to make informed decisions Ensuring that employees, volunteers and partners have the necessary information and communications support from the Programs & Community Development Ensuring that effective and productive inter-departmental relationships are established and maintained Representing PARC and enhancing PARC’s image publicly in a manner that reflects their values and promotes the mission and vision of PARC Building and maintaining strong professional relationships with Members, partners, suppliers and the general public in all dealings

 

Required Skills and Knowledge:

Demonstrated ability to work with a Board of Directors, advising on organizational activities, and leading the development and execution of strategic and operational plans. In-depth knowledge of governance practices, including policy and procedure development, regulatory compliance, and risk management. Strong financial management skills, including budget development, financial reporting, and resource allocation aligned with strategic goals. Proficiency in identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks related to organizational operations, finances, and reputation. Expertise in creating a healthy, safe, and engaging workplace, ensuring compliance with HR policies, labor laws, and collective agreements, and managing talent to meet strategic objectives. Experience implementing equitable and inclusive approaches while advancing community-building initiatives. Willingness to understand and champion the needs of Parkdale’s most vulnerable residents, especially those experiencing addictions, mental health challenges, poverty and homelessness. Demonstrated ability to build community through dedicated, compassionate, interpersonal work. Ability to oversee the design, delivery, and evaluation of programs and services that align with organizational values and meet member needs. Excellent communication skills, both internal and external, with experience in public representation, stakeholder engagement, and maintaining effective inter-departmental relationships. Strong advocacy skills with the ability to represent and promote the organization’s mission, vision, and values to various stakeholders. Experience with client-facing community service work is an asset. Immense amounts of patience, kindness, and a great sense of humour

Education and Experience:

A Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as Business Administration, Public Administration, Social Work, or Nonprofit Management is preferred. A minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in a nonprofit or community-based organization, with at least 5 years in a senior management role

 

Summit Search Group is a fair and equitable search firm. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process.

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Aman Sodi Email Aman Sodi View Aman's profile City Toronto, ON Industry Non-profit Position