Chief Executive Officer

The Opportunity

The National Autism Network is seeking its Chief Executive Officer who will provide strategic and operational leadership and management of the Network.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will oversee day-to-day business operations; cultivate national partnerships; provide support to the councils and committees, and strengthen the Network’s impact through inclusive engagement, advocacy, and systems change. The CEO will be responsible for ensuring financial stability, optimal workflow and project oversight to successfully deliver on the complex, federally funded project commitments.

With a deep connection to the Autistic community and a passion for centering lived experience, the CEO will be an inclusive and collaborative leader, fostering engagement, empowerment, and accountability leading a capable and dedicated, remote-first team.

The CEO will be a key spokesperson and ambassador representing the Network with external partners and interest holders; liaising with government bodies and other organization, and ensuring the Network’s presence and influence are effectively established and maintained across multiple sectors.

The CEO will champion a rights-based approach across the Network, ensuring that the voices and lived experiences of Autistic people, family members, and caregivers are reflected in the organization’s priorities, advocacy, and impact.

The salary range for this role is $115,000 – $133,900 plus a comprehensive benefits package.

This position is offered as an initial full-time contract through March 2029. The successful candidate will play a key role in developing a sustainable long-term funding model, with the potential for the position to become permanent or be extended based on the organization's evolving needs and funding.

The National Autism Network is a remote-first workplace. Collaboration occurs virtually. There is occasional evening or weekend work and periodic travel within Canada for in-person meetings, conferences, stakeholder engagement, or community events.

The National Autism Network is a bilingual organization committed to providing public communications and resources in both French and English. Internal communications, operations, and interviews are currently conducted in English.

About The National Autism Network

The National Autism Network is a new, independent, community-led organization working to help shape a more inclusive future for Autistic people, families, and caregivers across Canada. It was created to ensure that Autistic people and their families play a central role in shaping community priorities and driving action to bring Canada’s Autism Strategy to life.

The Network brings together Autistic individuals, families, subject matter experts, and interest-holders from across the country to help shape a future where Autistic people can truly thrive in Canada. Supported through funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Network was established to ensure that the people most impacted by autism-related policies and services are not simply consulted—they are leading the conversation.

Every day, the Network works to bring community voices into national decision-making. We gather and analyze feedback, identify priorities and gaps, develop recommendations, and provide advice to governments and other partners on the implementation of Canada's Autism Strategy.

As an independent, not-for-profit organization, we serve as a bridge between the autism community and decision-makers. While we do not deliver programs or services, we help influence policies, systems, and initiatives by ensuring they are informed by lived and living experience. We also collaborate with governments, researchers, and organizations across sectors to support meaningful and lasting change.

Accessibility, inclusion, and neuro-affirming practices are embedded in everything we do. We are committed to ensuring that all perspectives are welcomed and respected, including those of non-speaking Autistic people, individuals who communicate in alternative ways, people with co-occurring intellectual and developmental disabilities, and communities that have historically been underrepresented in policy conversations.

Mission

Driven by Autistic people and their families, the National Autism Network informs Canada’s Autism Strategy and helps shape a future where Autistic people thrive.

Vision

A Canada where the lived and living experiences of Autistic people and their families shape policies, systems, and communities to foster full inclusion, equity, and opportunity at every stage of life

Our Values

Centers Lived and Living experiences: Creates space for Autistic people, families, caregivers, researchers, and community partners across the country to share their knowledge and shape decision-making

Supports Lifespan Needs: Promotes inclusive policies and supports from early childhood through adulthood and into older age

Champions Authentic Community Leadership: Ensures Autistic leadership across Canada plays an active and central role in the conversations that guide policy.

Prioritizes Inclusive Engagement: Champions equity and equal representation by ensuring that the perspectives of Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and Urban Indigenous), rural and remote communities, people with co-occurring conditions, non-speaking Autistic people, and racialized and historically marginalized groups are included and valued

Strengthens Cross-Sector Collaboration: Encourages on-going collaboration to build coordinated, sustainable solutions rooted in authentic experiences

Drives Systemic Change: Influences national priorities and policies by centering on real community input to shape decision-making

Additional Information

National Autism Network Website

About Us

Meet the Team

Board of Directors, Councils and Committees

Events & Activities

FAQ

Resources

Canada’s Autism Strategy

Key Areas of Accountability

Strategy, Governance & Planning

• Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership across all areas of the Network’s operations, ensuring activities, administration, and project systems align with its mission, values, and Board-approved priorities.
• Lead high-level strategic and multi-year organizational planning to ensure long-term compliance, sustainability, and growth.
• Establish organizational systems and performance measures aligned with established goals.
• Engage regularly with the Board and committees of the Board, supporting Directors to provide meaningful input to the strategic governance of the Network.
• Ensure effective policies and procedures are in place to guide operations.
• Advance objectives and build trust through transparency and connectedness, ensuring information is clear and accessible.
• Provide for the development of an annual operating plan that is aligned with the Project Workplan and Timetable in the Charitable Grant and Further Distribution of Funding Agreement with The Sinneave Family Foundation.

People Leadership & Culture

• Attract and retain a skilled and knowledgeable team with the energy and passion to make the mission and vision a reality.
• Articulate the Network’s mandate and priorities in a manner that generates enthusiasm, and common purpose across the organization.
• Foster an inclusive culture that promotes ethical practices, encourages individual integrity, and fulfills social responsibility.
• Create and maintain collaborative relationships within and between teams by sharing knowledge, building consensus towards objectives, and creating collective goals.
• Align people and resources to strategic and operational priorities.
• Lead a proactive performance management process that ensures accountability and acknowledges and appreciates team and individual successes and contributions.
• Model and build a culture of respect, understanding, personal values, clear accountability, and the latitude to perform at their best.
• Create a positive environment where mistakes are regarded as learning opportunities, feedback is freely exchanged, and expertise is shared and appreciated.
• Support opportunities for training, learning, and professional development aligned with role and organizational needs.

Partnerships, Government Relations, and Community Engagement

• Represent the Network, and the autism community. Engage with the public, media, collaborators, and all levels of government to share the Network’s mission and work.
• Proactively facilitate knowledge sharing across partners to maximize collective impact.
• Build and maintain relationships with government partners at all levels, and with peer organizations, to advance shared priorities and influence public policy.
• Expand the Network’s national presence and visibility across health, education, social services, and disability sectors.
• Foster strategic partnerships and business and revenue development opportunities that enhance the Network’s impact and resources, promoting organizational growth and long-term viability.
• Maintain a broad understanding and awareness of political, social, cultural, geographical, and relevant contexts.

Finance, Operations, and Risk Management

• Oversee the successful execution of the organization's complex, federally funded project commitments keeping timelines, data workflows, and contractual reporting metrics strictly on track.
• Oversee the Network’s resources, organizational structures, and ensure the quality-oriented, safe, efficient and cost-effective use of resources.
• Maintain strict financial oversight for the organization’s resources, including budget development, financial forecasting, and reporting. Ensure compliance with the terms of all funding agreements. 
• Establish key annual deliverables based on the annual operating plan and project implementation plan.
• Ensure agreements and reporting structures are in place for all partnerships as well as internal control processes including programming, budgeting, measuring, reporting and evaluating.
• Ensure the Network's information technology strategy supports current and future organizational needs.
• Ensure there are effective risk management policies and practices in place including adequate internal control systems for assets, liabilities, and expenditures.
• Establish and maintain clear, predictable, and optimized internal communication channels and workflows to ensure a highly functional remote-first environment.
• Bring attention to external issues that could impact the organization.

Personal Attributes and Abilities

• Neuroinclusive Leadership: Strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to collaborative, people-first leadership that favors clarity and safe communication over rigid, top-down management styles.
• Systems-Oriented Thinker: Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to design efficient workflows, address operational gaps, and strengthen internal systems.
• Adaptability: Comfort with change and navigating evolving organizational contexts while maintaining a calm, reliable, and a stabilizing presence for the remote workforce.
• Judgment: Sound decision-making grounded in evidence, metrics, and organizational values.
• Accountability & Dependability: Track record of consistency, transparency, and operational reliability in executive leadership roles.
• Initiative: Proactive leadership and the ability to anticipate opportunities, challenges, and needs.

Qualifications and Competencies

• Senior leadership experience, preferably in the non-profit or community sector.
• Deep understanding of autism, neurodiversity, and the experiences of Autistic people and their families in Canada; informed by lived experience, close connection to the community, and/or significant professional experience. 
• Lived experience as an Autistic person is considered a significant asset.
• Demonstrated capability in successfully leading and empowering fully remote, neurodiverse teams using inclusive and accessible management practices.
• Familiarity with non-profit governance structures and experience working effectively with a Board of Directors, volunteer leadership, and committees.
• Experience managing complex, project-based initiatives, with the ability to systematically track deliverables and align staff capacity with milestones. 
• Proven ability to build inclusive, high-impact teams and leadership that empowers employees to thrive.
• Strong internal communicator who builds trust, articulates clear expectations, provides regular feedback, and instills accountability.
• Strong business/financial acumen with experience managing organizational budgets, financial forecasting, and ensuring fiscal responsibility.
• Ability to analyze information from a variety of sources, employ appropriate analytical thought processes to resolve issues, assess risk, and capitalize on opportunities.
• Demonstrate objectivity and diplomacy with experience navigating conflicting interests.
• Ability to identify and develop business opportunities and implement plans that support long-term revenue growth and organizational sustainability.
• Experience serving as a visible ambassador and spokesperson for an organization, with public relations and communications expertise.
• Background in advocacy, policy development, and stakeholder engagement in areas such as health, education, or social services is an asset.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and cultural safety when working with BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+, and other equity-deserving communities.
• French language skills are considered an asset.

For More Information

KCI Search + Talent has been retained to conduct this search on behalf of the National Autism Network. For more information about this opportunity, please contact Ellie Rusonik, Senior Vice President/Practice Lead, KCI Search + Talent by email at: NationalAutismN.      

Interested candidates should send their resume and letter of interest to the email address listed above by Sept 17, 2026.  All inquiries and applications will be held in strict confidence.

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

The National Autism Network is an inclusive employer that is committed to fostering a safe and equitable workplace where everyone is empowered to succeed and be their authentic selves.

If you require accommodation, please notify the Search Consultant and they will work with you to meet your needs.

This posting is for a current vacancy. Artificial intelligence will not be used to screen resumes nor assess candidates in this search.