Interm Executive Director

Location: St. John's

Full-Time, Fixed-Term Position (13 Months)
Interim Executive Director
Cathedral Basilica Foundation NL
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
The Cathedral Basilica Foundation NL is an independent registered charity entrusted with the stewardship, preservation, and sustainable future of the historic Basilica Block in downtown St. John’s.

The Foundation is responsible for the care and management of the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, the Palace Commons, historic grounds, and associated heritage spaces. Working at the intersection of heritage preservation, community engagement, arts and culture, tourism, philanthropy, and property stewardship, the Foundation is building a sustainable future for one of Newfoundland and Labrador’s most significant historic places.

The Opportunity
The Cathedral Basilica Foundation NL is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and highly organized leader to serve as Interim Executive Director during a maternity leave.

This is a fixed-term maternity leave replacement beginning December 1, 2026 and continuing through December 31, 2027. The successful candidate will work alongside the current Executive Director during an initial transition and knowledge-transfer period before assuming full responsibility for the day-to-day leadership and operations of the Foundation during the Executive Director’s maternity leave.

This is an exciting opportunity for an individual who is comfortable leading a dynamic charitable organization with a broad mandate and a diverse range of stakeholders. The Interim Executive Director will work closely with the Board of Directors, staff, tenants, community partners, donors, contractors, and other stakeholders to ensure continuity of operations and continued progress on the Foundation’s strategic priorities.

Key Responsibilities

Providing day-to-day leadership and oversight of the Foundation’s operations, staff, facilities, programs, and administrative functions;

Supporting the implementation of the Foundation’s Strategic Plan and priorities established by the Board;

Working closely with the Board Chair, Executive Committee, Board committees, and Directors to support effective governance and decision-making;

Preparing reports, briefing materials, agendas, and other information required by the Board;

Providing leadership and supervision to Foundation staff and fostering a positive, collaborative working environment;

Overseeing the ongoing stewardship, maintenance, security, and use of the Foundation’s historic buildings and grounds in collaboration with staff, contractors, consultants, and partners;

Managing relationships with tenants, renters, community organizations, arts and cultural partners, tourism partners, and other users of Foundation properties;

Supporting fundraising, donor stewardship, grant applications, sponsor ships, and other revenue-development initiatives;

Overseeing public programming, tours, events, venue rentals, and community engagement activities;

Working with the Treasurer, staff, and external professionals to support responsible financial management, budgeting, reporting, and organizational accountability;

Supporting communications, marketing, and the continued development of the Foundation’s public profile;

Maintaining productive relationships with government, heritage organizations, community partners, and other key stakeholders;

Ensuring appropriate organizational policies, procedures, records, agreements, and reporting requirements are maintained; and

Responding to emerging operational matters and other responsibilities that arise in the management of a complex heritage property and charitable organization.

Transition Period
The successful candidate will begin on December 1, 2026 and work alongside the current Executive…