Become the Vanier Institute’s new Executive Director!

The Vanier Institute of the Family has hired Evenings & Weekends Consulting to conduct the recruitment process for the next Executive Director. For more information about this opportunity, please contact Laëtitia Eyssartel, Co-Managing Director at Evenings & Weekends Consulting, by email at or apply here.

** Pour la version en français, cliquez ici.

About the Vanier Institute of the Family

https://vanierinstitute.ca/

The Vanier Institute of the Family is a national, independent think tank 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 families, we share evidence and strengthen the understanding of families in Canada, in all their diversities, to support evidence-informed decisions that promote family wellbeing. Through research, publications, partnerships and collaborations, presentations, and social media, we elevate the national understanding of families in Canada. Our culture is one of respect and inclusivity. 

Our Vision: A Canada that recognizes and supports the central role of families in society and invests in strengthening and being inclusive of their diverse expressions.

Our Mission: To advance the understanding of wellbeing of families in Canada in all their diversities, recognizing that families are at the core of a healthy and inclusive society.

Our Values: Integrity, Diversity & Inclusion, Responsiveness, Capacity Development, and Collaboration

Our Theory of Change can be found here. 

You can meet our Board & Staff here.

About the Executive Director role 

As the new Executive Director (ED), you will lead a small but passionate and dedicated team. You will work with Board members and staff to advance and operationalize the newly developed theory of change and to achieve the short and long-term aspirations of the organization. 

This is an exciting role for a collaborative, strategic, and thoughtful leader who is passionate about advancing the wellbeing of families in Canada, including deepening understanding of their diverse experiences and needs, and advocating to meet those needs.

Working with an extensive network of partners, contributors, funders, and academics and government officials at all levels, the ED will advocate to strengthen evidence-based policy that enhances family wellbeing in Canada. As a key ambassador and representative of the organization, the ED will continue to raise the organization’s profile nationally and heighten engagement with our research partners, our funding partners, and all our key audiences and constituencies.

The successful candidate will report to the Vanier Institute of the Family’s Board of Directors. 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Strategic Leadership

• Provide oversight and strategic direction to the staff team and make recommendations to the Board on the strategic direction of the Institute’s programs

• Enable the team to develop and operationalize strategic plan and priorities

• Work with the Board to implement mitigation strategies regarding potential liability and risks

• In collaboration with the Chair, oversee preparation of the Board’s meeting agendas and ensure the Board package is prepared and issued in a timely manner

• Attend Board and committee meetings and regularly report progress to the Board regarding goals, objectives, and other relevant matters 

Program Oversight

• Develop program and project strategy, and ensure program development and implementation aligns with the vision, mission, and strategy of the Institute

• Lead the design and implementation of core projects and programs related to advancing, activating, and mobilizing knowledge related to families and their realities in Canada, including resource planning and life cycle management in collaboration with the program team and with the support of the Director of Corporate Services.

• Promote discussion and facilitate awareness of key issues related to the wellbeing of families in Canada among leading researchers, policymakers, and organizations with an interest in families

• Participate in projects and programs led by partners related to family diversity and wellbeing 

Community Relations & Advocacy

• Build and nurture relationships with partners and the community, including academics, researchers, government departments, politicians, funders, affiliates, and other family-centred groups/entities

• Serve as an ambassador and representative of the organization, and raise awareness and profile of the Institute locally, nationally, and internationally and heighten engagement with our research partners, funding partners, and key stakeholders

• Design and implement strategies to further advance equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (both internally and externally) 

• Advise the Board regarding emerging issues and policies related to families

Human Resources & Operations

• Work with the Director of Corporate Services to ensure day-to-day operations of the Institute effectively support the overall functioning of the organization

• In collaboration with the Director of Corporate Services, prepare the Annual General Meeting (AGM), and develop an annual Board-approved plan for the development and success of senior management

• In collaboration with the Director of Corporate Services, ensure that all CRA, Corporations Canada, and other regulatory filings, including Imagine Canada accreditation and fundraising standards, are met, and reporting deadlines achieved

• Work collaboratively, and motivate, coach and support a high performing team (six staff members)

• Work with the Director of Corporate Services to ensure human resources policies, procedures, and plans foster a positive, collaborative, and welcoming work environment 

• Oversee the development and execution of staff recruitment, retention, and recognition strategies

Job Requirements:

• Well-developed leadership skills with the ability to work collaboratively with others, while motivating and building trust with a small team

• Prior experience working within the family science sector and/or an extensive understanding of relevant research and academic sectors 

• A strong ability to build relationships and effective and reciprocal partnerships with a wide range of constituency groups, including academics, researchers, politicians, government entities, and organizations doing work related to families and their wellbeing

• Experience working and advocating to deepen understanding of the diversity of families in Canada and their wellbeing

• A strong commitment to advancing equity, accessibility, and inclusivity both internally and in the way programs and activities are designed and led

• A strong ability to synthesize and translate evidence-based research into accessible language understood by a wide range of constituency groups

• Prior experience in a leadership capacity in the not-for-profit sector, including working with a Board of Directors

• An ability to think strategically and advance organizational priorities

• A graduate degree in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of education and life experience

• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills to assess challenges, develop solutions, and mitigate risk

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills (English), including an ability to present to the media and other constituency groups

• Ability to hold work related conversations in French and/or a willingness to learn conversational French

Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada.

Salary range: $175,000-$210,000* based on 37.5 hours per week 

*Salary will be adjusted within the range based on the successful candidate’s skills and relevant experience.

Benefits: A defined-contribution pension plan, extended health benefits (at start), phone allowance 

Location:  Ottawa region—Hybrid. While part of this role can be done remotely, strong preference will be given to candidates able to regularly work out of the Ottawa office. Travel within Canada may sometimes be required. The Vanier Institute is prepared to contribute to reasonable costs of relocation for the selected candidate

Vacation and paid time off: 4 weeks of vacation, an office closure between Christmas and New Year, and an extensive paid time off policy for protected leaves (sick days, bereavement leave, etc.)

Term: Full-time Indefinite

Posting Details

The posting closes on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 10 a.m. EST.

The Vanier Institute of the Family is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion within our recruitment practices, and to continue expanding the diversity of our staff team to better represent the families we serve. We actively encourage applications from members of equity-deserving communities. 

If you don’t tick all the requirements outlined above but are deeply excited by this role, we would still love to hear from you. 

If you require any accommodations for the job application process, do not hesitate to contact .

About Evenings & Weekends Consulting

Evenings & Weekends Consulting was created to support emerging organizations, activist groups, charities, labour unions, academic institutions, and community groups by combining our experience and expertise with theirs, as we work together to solve problems, seize opportunities, and make good change happen. 

As a values-driven consultancy, we are committed to advancing equity, justice, and social change through ongoing collaboration.​

We recognize that every situation, campaign, initiative, and project is different, so we approach each with the uniqueness and curiosity that it deserves. Our clients get innovative and effective solutions tailored to their specific needs.