Head, Northern

Job Overview  Position:
Head, Northern Organization:
Weston Family Foundation

Location:

Toronto, Ontario Full-time, Permanent. Reports to Executive Director and dotted line to Northern Committee of the Board.
The Weston Family Foundation champions health research and biodiversity conservation, focusing on the nation’s northern peatlands and other ecosystems. The Head, Northern will lead the design and execution of innovative programs to yield real-world, economically sound biodiversity outcomes at-scale.
Responsibilities   Strategic Portfolio Development
Serve as senior strategic lead overseeing the $16M+ annual portfolio focused on bolstering Canada’s northern biodiversity.
Develop evidence‑based, ambitious theories of change and associated programs focused on protecting the Northern Peatlands and other key ecosystems at-scale.
Identify high‑risk / high‑reward projects that show strong potential for scaling and follow‑on funding or investment.
Provide sound judgment, acumen and knowledge to support the Northern Committee’s explorations and decision‑making.
Support the Executive Director and leadership in ongoing Foundation‑wide strategic framework and identify synergistic opportunities across the broader organization.
Relationship Management
Act as the primary relationship manager to the Northern Committee, working closely with the Committee Chair to prioritize discussions, represent the Committee’s work at Board meetings, develop agendas, pre‑read materials and presentations.
Guide discussions to support decision‑making and cultivate the Northern Committee’s high‑profile, expert advisory body.
Convene a highly influential network of partners and key external stakeholders, including government, land stewards, Indigenous and northern communities, and grantees.
Serve as ambassador on behalf of the Northern portfolio to the rest of the Foundation team.
Northern Committee Operational Oversight
Manage the Foundation’s $16M+ budget, annual expenses and grant agreements.
Manage junior Northern Committee program staff and oversee the development and design of program materials.
Prepare governance materials required for Committee meetings, Board meetings and team meetings.
Attend relevant events, conferences or other forums to further strategic imperatives or represent the Committee’s work as required.
Grants Management
Manage the Foundation’s $16M+ annual portfolio of programs and grants, including soliciting or co‑developing projects, analyzing proposals, managing external adjudications, synthesizing results and providing recommendations.
Provide guidance and feedback to prospective and current grantees, monitoring progress and evaluating outcomes.
Oversee grant agreements and release of funds.
Communications
Collaborate with the Senior Director of Communications to support external communications, including foundation website, press releases, social media and third‑party communication projects.
Coordinate knowledge mobilization activities such as round tables, government engagements and other outreach.
Candidate Qualifications  Degree in environmental conservation, natural resource management, environmental economics, or environmental policy (direct experience in Canada’s north is a strong asset).
Minimum 10 years of varied senior experience across multiple disciplines, including but not limited to protected area establishment, land‑use planning and negotiations, environmental policy, ecological stewardship and management, environmental financing, and sustainable resource development.
Demonstrated experience in entrepreneurial environments, research and innovation, government, industry and charitable or not‑for‑profit sectors.
Fiscal experience managing multi‑million‑dollar budgets.
Successful track record in national program design and execution.
Working knowledge of performance measurement, evaluation and monitoring.
Strong governance experience, including direct work with Boards.
Acumen and ability to manage multi‑stakeholder relationships that are credible, relevant and impactful.
Candidate Attributes   A dynamic, professional, persuasive leader with excellent people skills.
A big thinker with a strategic mindset,…