Advancing the art, science and practice of landscape architecture.

The Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) is a non-profit, national, members-based professional organization dedicated to advancing the art, the science, and the practice of landscape architecture.

CSLA is the voice of the profession and an advocate for its members on issues such as urban revitalization, cultural heritage, sustainable development, and climate adaptation.

Landscape architects promote multidisciplinary and collaborative approaches to the creation of meaningful, enjoyable human environments, and to the sustainability of natural ecosystems and special places. Combining science with art, the profession provides insight and creative design to development and planning processes, responds to the needs of society, promotes respect for the values of the broader landscape and the environment, and minimizes impacts to natural systems.

The issues facing humanity, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, urbanization, health, and equity, require a multidisciplinary and comprehensive understanding through planning, design, and a stewardship ethos. Landscape architects must be part of the solutions for these global challenges – bringing their skills, knowledge and interdisciplinary, cross-cutting strategies to develop innovative responses and solutions.

After a significant period of foundational success and growth, CSLA seeks a new Executive Director (ED) to lead and manage the implementation of the mission, strategic and operational priorities, and services and programs of the CSLA.

This is a rare and compelling opportunity for an experienced executive leader to:

• Chart the future course of this important profession at a pivotal time;
• Partner with a creative and fun professional class;
• Advance the profession of landscape architecture;
• Lead a fully functioning, organized, and well-governed organization primed for growth;
• Advance the beauty, ecological performance, and experiences of our green living environments;
• Create the environment for the Board to do its best work in the service of the members they represent.

Read the full Candidate Brief here: https://thediscoverygroup.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CSLA-Brief-EN.pdf 

Desired Personal Traits

The CSLA ideally seeks: 

• A strategic, politically astute leader who can guide CSLA through evolution, innovation, and its next phase of growth.
• A bridge-builder and consensus-builder with strong facilitation and negotiation skills across Board, committees, volunteers, government, and partners. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a positive, engaging presence.
• Highly credible, ethical, and professional individual, able to elevate the profession’s reputation and organizational optics.
• Governance and regulatory understanding, including experience with legislation, professional regulation, and working with lawyers and government bodies.
• Strong operational and administrative capability, combining financial knowledge, organization, and process discipline.
• Independent, proactive self-starter who works effectively with minimal supervision and is accountable for results.
• Excellent judgement and critical thinking, able to adapt quickly and solve complex problems.
• Skilled people leader and volunteer manager who motivates, inspires, welcomes feedback, and works well with diverse personalities.
• Technically capable and creatively minded, able to generate strong ideas and execute them effectively.

 Required Qualifications and Competencies include:

• Significant relevant professional and leadership experience, ideally related to a professional member-based association or related organization.
• Strong governance knowledge and experience working with volunteer boards.
• Knowledge, interest, or willingness to learn about landscape architecture, planning, architecture, design, or related fields is an asset.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a virtual environment with constituents across Canada.
• Exceptional communications abilities are required, and ideally, the ED will have full professional competency in both official languages. 
• Human resource management, including coaching, mentoring and performance; able to work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.
• Strategic and operational plan development and implementation; able to lead the development of a strategic plan and effectively translate the goals and objectives into a set of cohesive, time- bound, measurable operational tasks needed for plan implementation.
• Collaborative problem solver and decision-maker; able to assess situations to determine the importance, urgency, and risks, and make clear, evidence-based decisions that are timely and in the best interests of the organization. 

Read the full Candidate Brief here: https://thediscoverygroup.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CSLA-Brief-EN.pdf 

Compensation & Benefits: 

The successful ED can expect a starting salary between $130,000 - $160,000.  Extensive benefits include an extended medical and dental health coverage plan, a pension matching program, a flexible schedule, including vacation and additional office closure during the winter holidays.

This is a fully remote, work-from-home role.

CSLA has a strong preference for candidates with full professional competency in both official languages.  However, interested candidates without this background are still encouraged to reach out and explore.