Executive Director - Vanier Institute Family​/Institut Vanier de la famille

Overview

Vanier Institute of the Family
Executive Director

The Vanier Institute of the Family ("Vanier Institute") seeks a visionary leader for the role of Executive Director. If you share a passion for the role of families within Canada and enjoy operating in a multi-stakeholder, partnership-driven environment, consider lending your organizational leadership expertise and innovation skillset to this dynamic and unique role.

The Vanier Institute is a national charitable organization committed to enhancing family wellbeing by making information about families accessible and actionable. Positioned at the centre of networks of researchers, educators, policymakers, and organizations with an interest in and knowledge of families, we share evidence and strengthen the understanding of families in Canada, in all their diversities, to support evidence-based decisions that promote family wellbeing.

Known as a trusted, evidence-based and non-partisan source of information and research on families in Canada, the Vanier Institute is poised for increased visibility and impact through proactive knowledge mobilization and by acting as a leader, connector, and convenor of conversations about families in Canada. Reporting to a Board of Directors, the Executive Director ("ED") is responsible for the strategic leadership, team development and successful management of the organization.

The ED operates as a leading voice on families and a key spokesperson for the organization, championing its vision and mission and enhancing media and public relations, policy influence, and communications to raise awareness of the Vanier Institute and its work. Internally, the ED leads and supports an empowered team of approximately seven, fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and impact-driven environment.

With a focus on effective change management, the new ED will help the Vanier Institute revitalize its strategy and seize opportunities to: develop new partnerships across multiple sectors, diversify funding sources (including leveraging its endowment), deepen its media/public presence, and expand its audience nationally.

As the ideal candidate, you bring 7+ years of executive leadership, experience within a not-for-profit organization or government, a track record of building strong partnerships, and experience reporting to (or working directly with) a Board of Directors. A background in family studies, social sciences, or a closely adjacent field, as well as literacy in evaluating research, is required. Experience influencing social policy is strongly preferred, as are language abilities in both English and French.

You have a proven approach to developing relationships and are equipped to lead a dynamic organization through collaboration and trust during a period of change, innovation, and growth.

This position requires a hybrid presence in Ottawa. Candidates located outside of the Ottawa/Gatineau area must be willing to travel to Ottawa regularly or consider relocation. The target hiring salary for this ED role is $180,000 per year, commensurate with experience.

To submit your application in confidence, please email your resume (and cover letter, optional) to:

Applications will be considered as they are received until the role is filled.

If you do not precisely meet all of the criteria described in the paragraphs above but have equivalent experience and share our vision of a Canada that recognizes and supports the central role of families in society and invests in strengthening and being inclusive of their diverse expressions, we encourage you to apply.

The Vanier Institute is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from equity-deserving groups. It is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities. Please contact  if you require accommodation during any aspect of the recruitment process and we will collaborate with you to address your needs.

Pursuit Advisory Partners has not used AI in the creation of this job posting, nor will AI be used in the screening, evaluation, or selection of candidates for this search.