The Opportunity

MS Canada is seeking an experienced and innovative leader for the position of Senior Director, Community (Western Canada), who will be instrumental in enhancing community engagement throughout the western region, including British Columbia, the Yukon, Alberta, and the Northwest Territories. The focus of this position is to facilitate connectivity, deepen engagement and amplify collective impact for those living with and affected by MS throughout the region.

The successful candidate will possess a deep understanding of communities in Western Canada and will identify potential connection points and advise on regional strategies that drive effective relationship management across the MS community.

The Senior Director will be adept at building trust and leading through influence to achieve positive outcomes. An exceptional communicator, the incumbent will navigate relationships inclusively with a diverse range of constituents.

Reporting to the Vice President of People and Community, the Senior Director will collaborate with teams across the entire organization bringing a visionary approach, that leverages innovative strategies and thoughtful relationship management. They will acknowledge, understand, and support the multiple ways constituents connect with MS Canada.

About MS Canada

This is an exciting time to join MS Canada as we move forward with our bold vision of a world free of MS. With a mission to connect and empower the MS community and to create positive change, MS Canada provides essential services to people with MS and their families and funds research to find pathways to cures.

Canada has one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the world, with an estimated 90,000 Canadians living with the disease. On average, 12 Canadians are diagnosed with MS every day. Most people are diagnosed with MS between the ages of 20 and 49 and the unpredictable effects of the disease will last for the rest of their lives. At MS Canada, we are privileged to be a part of a determined community who are working tirelessly to create a world free of MS with thousands of volunteers engaged in and advancing our programs, fundraising events, public awareness campaigns and advocacy activities.

MS Canada is governed by a board of directors and hundreds of leadership volunteers, who are driving collective action across the country. Leadership volunteers act as important connections to our grassroots, leading community-based initiatives with passion and commitment.

Our strategic vision not only builds upon the work of the entire MS community but also brings a new chapter to move forward with our mission of connecting and empowering the MS community to create positive change that helps supports our vision of a world free of MS.

Through discoveries, innovation, and collective action, we will work together to alleviate the uncertainty that MS causes, help provide accessible options for disease management and reach out to partners to eliminate physical and social barriers in our communities.

Our strategy lays out the roadmap in our journey to create a world free of MS, and we hope it also provides inspiration for all in the MS community to connect and collaborate in order to advance treatment and care, enhance well-being, understand and halt disease progression, and prevent MS from happening. Discover. Innovate. Act.

Community Engagement at MS Canada

MS Canada recognizes the multiple ways that members of the MS community connect with MS Canada and are impacted by our work. In 2019, we introduced a new approach and model for community engagement. Since then, our community engagement priorities have continued to support community involvement in making change for people affected by MS.

The core purpose of community engagement at MS Canada is to strengthen community networks, increase our presence, and drive meaningful engagement. Through strategic partnerships we  drive revenue, amplify our voice, expand our programs, and ensure support for people affected by MS – always respecting individual preferences for involvement.

Volunteers are essential to MS Canada’s impact, contributing to change in communities across Canada and advancing research towards better treatments and ultimately, a cure. Our Leadership Volunteers act as important connections, leading community-based initiatives in fundraising, mission-driven programs, and public awareness. They are a pivotal part of our community engagement strategy, empowering local action and amplifying our mission. 

Community Hubs

Led by groups of two or more volunteers, Community Hubs are volunteer-powered networks of connection that contribute to MS Canada’s mission, committed to fostering local impact by connecting people affected by MS to the information, resources, and support that MS Canada offers – but most importantly, building a community that empowers, supports, and drives positive change for everyone touched by MS.

Fundraising at MS Canada

The core support of MS Canada has been from tens of thousands of dedicated individuals, companies and foundations in communities across Canada. In 2023, MS Canada raised over $42 million through a diverse fundraising portfolio of community fundraising events, major gifts, direct marketing, and other fundraising initiatives.

In 2023, MS Canada reinvested funds raised and drawn from reserves in the following programs:

• $22.6 million in MS research, programs, and advocacy
• $18.9 million in community fundraising activities
• $4.4 million in administration

Events at MS Canada

MS Bike is an experience-driven event that brings the community together in exciting ways to help create a world free of MS. In 2023, 2,770 cyclists joined MS Bike totaling over 647,868 km across Canada.

MS Walk is more than just a walk for charity, it’s a chance to honour the strength of those living with MS and show that your commitment extends beyond words. Registered Walkers, along with their friends and family will get active in their communities and walk to fundraise and show their support for Canadians impacted by MS.

In 2023, 10,800 people came together and walked 43,200 km at our 54 MS Walks Events both through in-person and virtual formats.

WeChallenge MS is a nationwide movement turning people’s ordinary hobbies into extraordinary actions. Canadians with a passion to fundraise for the MS cause in their own way – whether streaming, walking, baking and/or even knitting – are supported through a digital platform that helps them organize, promote and raise awareness for their own fundraising activity.

Mission at MS Canada

Help for People with MS

As we take steps toward a world without MS, we're concentrating our work on three key areas: 

Support: Canadians affected by MS need a support system they can access right away. To make an immediate impact, we deliver programs and services for physical and mental wellness, peer support, equipment assistance, and education directly to the community.  

Advocacy: Canada has one of the highest rates of MS globally, with an average of 12 new diagnoses every day. To raise awareness of the impact of this disease and help those living with MS to enjoy a better quality of life, we encourage collective action. We reach out to governments, partners, and other organizations, highlighting the need for better healthcare, financial support for people with MS, and public programs and practices that benefit the MS community. 

Research: The more we know about this complex disease, the closer we can get to finding a cure. Each year, we invest about $10 million in biological and clinical research aimed to prevent MS, stop the disease from getting worse, develop treatments, and enhance the well-being of those living with MS. We share accurate information on MS research so anyone can access knowledge and apply it to their personal journeys.  

What is MS

MS is a neurological disease of the central nervous system which includes the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is considered an episodic disability meaning that the severity and duration of symptoms and disability can vary. It can also be progressive. The disease attacks myelin, the protective covering of the nerves, causing inflammation and often damaging the myelin. Myelin is necessary for the transmission of nerve impulses through nerve fibres. If damage to myelin is slight, nerve impulses travel with minor interruptions; however, if the damage is substantial and if scar tissue replaces the myelin, nerve impulses may be completely disrupted, and the nerve fibres themselves can be damaged.

MS is unpredictable and may cause symptoms such as extreme fatigue, lack of coordination, weakness, tingling, impaired sensation, vision problems, bladder problems, cognitive impairment and mood changes. Its effects can be physical, emotional, and financial. Currently, there is no cure, but each day researchers are learning more about what causes MS and are zeroing in on ways to prevent it.

We are here to help. No one needs to face MS alone. In communities across Canada, MS Canada provides information, support, educational events, and other resources for people living with MS and their families.

Researchers funded by MS Canada are working to find the cause of MS, develop better treatments that improve quality of life, and ultimately cure the disease for everyone who is affected by it.

Additional Information & Resources

About MS Canada

Board of Directors

Community Events

Imagine Canada Standards

Impact Reports

Financial Information

Mission and Values

MS Bike

MS Walk

Policies

Strategic Plan

We Challenge MS

Key Responsibilities

Regional representation and strategy execution

• Provides strategic leadership for the regional portfolio that includes BC, Yukon, Alberta and the Northwest Territories, including driving the identification and execution of proactive approaches to expand networks and generate revenue through effective planning, advising, and evaluation. 
• Executes the organization’s strategy within the region while championing the regional priorities in strategy development across the organization.
• In partnership with colleagues, acts as a regional spokesperson as needed. 
• Acts as a trusted adviser on complex community problems, innovative initiatives, and critical decisions.
• Facilitates regional activities in partnership with organizational leaders and other portfolios, ensuring alignment and impact.
• Engages with MS Community members by developing, attending, and leading regional activities that foster connection and support. 
• Applies a visionary mindset to anticipate future needs, explore multiple pathways, and invests time in strategic planning, discovery, and reflection to drive sound decisions and efficient execution.
• Thinks beyond the confines of traditional ways of doing things to recognize opportunities and find new and better approaches, with an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset.

Engaging Community

• Deepens and broadens MS community member engagement and outreach; and stewards a portfolio of high-value community leaders, fundraisers, and volunteers.
• Collaborates across the organization to build and maintain external relationships that advance impact in volunteerism, fundraising, regional partnerships, awareness, and advocacy. 
• Engages, supports, and encourages Community Hubs throughout the region, deepening and broadening reach and impact.
• Identifies, engages, and collaborates with diverse local, regional, community, public and private sector partners and decision makers to educate, inspire, and influence policies and other outcomes, in partnership with the Advocacy team.
• In collaboration with the Marketing and Communications team, and in alignment with communication goals, engages in the promotion of all aspects of MS Canada’s mission, including public awareness and collective action activities aligned with organizational goals and priorities.
• In partnership with Fundraising teams, develops and cultivates an active pipeline of corporate partners, sponsors, major donors, and other opportunities in the region to secure revenue for the organization’s mission.
• Collaborates with fundraising teams on fundraising events, donor relationships, partner relationships, and other fundraising opportunities and initiatives in the region.

Internal relations

• Builds and maintains internal relationships, fostering a culture that supports cross-functional team collaboration throughout the organization, removing barriers for collective success.
• Collaborates with organization leaders in aligning regional goals with enterprise objectives.
• Takes a planful approach to influencing others by identifying interests, common goals, and potential barriers. 
• Works across the organization to support relationship development and connectivity of constituents as appropriate. 
• Maintains an understanding of goals and objectives of portfolios across the organization and fosters relationships that builds on an integrated approach to engaging community in the region. 

Qualifications & Competencies

• Progressive experience in community engagement, volunteer management, business development and/ or philanthropy in the not-for-profit sector. 
• Demonstrated strategic leadership, collaborating with senior executives and other key constituents to drive business goals, execute plans, and achieve results.
• Excellent relationship-building and communication skills, working with community members in a cooperative and supportive manner to achieve shared goals.
• Skilled in engaging and collaborating with diverse local, regional, community, public, and private sector partners to educate, inspire and influence policies and outcomes.
• Proven ability to effectively influence others, facilitating the sharing of ideas and information. 
• Ability to lead public awareness campaigns and social action activities, effectively communicating the organization’s mission across various environments.
• Cultivates and embodies a culture that views uncertainty as an opportunity and supports change and innovation.
• Actively values and encourages diverse perspectives to achieve impact.
• Has a track record of creative problem-solving and implementing innovative solutions. 
• Willing and able to travel throughout the region and work occasional evenings and weekends as needed. 

For More Information

KCI Search + Talent has been retained to conduct this search on behalf of MS Canada. For more information about this exciting leadership opportunity, please contact Mia Gardiner, Senior Consultant, Search + Talent by email at MS-BC@kcitalent.com.

Interested candidates should submit their resume and a cover letter of interest no later than June 30, 2025. All enquiries and nominations will be kept in strict confidence.

To view full position brief, please visit www.kcitalent.com 

The hiring salary range for this position is $125,000 - $135,000 as well as comprehensive health benefits, a health spending and wellness account, and RRSP match.

The Senior Director, Community (Western Canada) is a hybrid role with an expectation that the incumbent is located in British Columbia. Travel across BC/Yukon and Alberta/ NWT for events, meetings, and donor and volunteer engagement will be required in this role.

MS Canada has a bold vision for the future. We have a team of dedicated professionals who share a common goal to create a world free of MS. We strive to be an employer of choice and provide a working environment that values diversity, teamwork, and professional development. MS Canada embraces diversity and encourages all qualified applicants to apply. We are committed to accessibility for all candidates and will accommodate applicants in need of assistance. Please contact us should you need accommodation.

This position is a position of trust. The incumbent will be required to complete the screening process including completion of a criminal background and credit check in compliance with the National Screening Measures Policy.