Executive Director, Elizabeth Fry Society of Nova Scotia

Executive Director, Elizabeth Fry Society of Mainland Nova Scotia (Halifax)

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Mainland Nova Scotia (EFMNS) is a non-profit, charitable organization devoted to improving the lives of marginalized groups of identified women, girls, non-binary, and gender diverse individuals who have been let down by broken systems that perpetuate inequality.

Our services aim to break the cycles that lead to criminalization by offering critical supports for transitional housing, programming both in jail and in the community to help develop essential life skills, and a range of court navigation services to provide underserved communities with the access to justice they deserve.

EFMNS currently has more than 60 employees, working out of four housing sites and three offices (Halifax, Dartmouth, and Truro). We also own a law firm called PATH Legal, which offers legal services in the areas of social justice and prison law, at low or no cost to qualifying clients.

The Executive Director (ED) provides visionary, strategic, and operational leadership to advance the mission of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Mainland Nova Scotia.

Reporting to the Board of Directors via the Board Chair, the ED is responsible for organizational sustainability, program effectiveness, staff leadership, and community impact, with a strong commitment to social justice, anti-oppression practice, and restorative approaches.

The ED is responsible for the overall administration and management of human and financial resources needed to achieve EFMNS’s mission and mandate. This position works in close collaboration and partnership with the Board of Directors and staff leadership to provide leadership and vision for the organization.

The ED reports directly to the Board of Directors via the Chair of the Board. The ED has three direct reports at the Director level.

• Provide organizational management and strategic direction consistent with EFMNS’s Vision, Mission, Core Values, and  Strategic Plan
• Make appropriate high-level, high-impact, and emergency decisions on behalf of EFMNS
• Champion anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, restorative, and feminist frameworks

• Manage, support, and oversee the Director of Programs, Director of Housing, and Director of Operations, who report directly to the ED
• Act as liaison for leadership of PATH Legal, a non-profit law firm owned by EFMNS
• Assist where needed with human resources, including the recruitment, training, support, and discipline of staff at the Manager and Coordinator level
• Encourage professional development and organize staff training and bonding opportunities, including leading an annual retreat
• Foster a healthy, inclusive, and supportive workplace culture, with a focus on staff retention and satisfaction
• Steer EFMNS with a relational leadership model

• High-level oversight of day-to-day operations and ensure effective delivery of programs and services
• Lead the creation of organizational policies and procedures to streamline and standardize operations and maintain high-quality service delivery
• Model compliance with EFMNS policies and procedures, and uphold organizational standards

• Lead the creation of the annual budget in collaboration with the Board Treasurer, Director of Operations, and Bookkeeper
• Ensure strong financial controls, reporting, and accountability
• Provide high-level oversight of funding agreements and ensure compliance with government and funder requirements
• Build and maintain relationships with funders, including individuals, government, and private foundations
• Identify opportunities for sustainable growth and diversification of funding

• Serve as an ex officio non-voting member of the EFMNS Board of Directors
• Maintain consistent, transparent, and proactive communication with the Board Chair, including a weekly check-in call
• Prepare and present oral and written reports for bi-monthly Board meetings, providing updates on operations, major developments, and progress on meeting the goals and objectives in the  Strategic Plan
• Participate in bi-monthly…