About Parkdale Food Centre

Parkdale Food Centre (PFC) is an Ottawa-based charity that believes in a community where everyone has the means, dignity, and opportunity to live a healthy and connected life.

We share good food, strengthen relationships and advocate for meaningful change to build healthier and more connected communities.

Our programming includes: a grocery program, a community kitchen, youth empowerment, and advocacy initiatives. Through our programming, we work to increase access to healthy, culturally appropriate food while promoting dignity, choice, and inclusion.

At our core, we are a social justice organization that uses good food to build community resilience. We take a strength-based approach to our work and believe everyone has something to contribute.

We also share meals! Free lunches twice a week are a major perk!

The Opportunity

Parkdale Food Centre is seeking an experienced and values-driven Executive Director to lead the organization through its next phase of growth and impact.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for providing strategic leadership, organizational oversight, and community representation while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the organization. The Executive Director works closely with staff, volunteers, community members, donors, and partner organizations to advance PFC's mission and strengthen its role as a leader in food security.

The successful candidate will be a collaborative and compassionate leader with strong business acumen and fundraising expertise, who understands the importance of community ties and displays a willingness to nurture existing ties and develop new ones across diverse and stakeholder groups.

The position is based at the Parkdale Food Centre but may require work at off-site locations. There may occasionally be a requirement to work evenings and weekends for events and other commitments. Due to the nature of Parkdale Food Centre’s mission, this role involves working with the unhoused, or people experiencing addiction, poverty, and mental illness.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Governance

• Provide visionary leadership to advance the organization's mission, strategic priorities, and long-term sustainability.
• Lead, support, and develop the management team while fostering accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Identify emerging opportunities, risks, and community needs that may impact organizational priorities and services.
• Support the Board of Directors in fulfilling its governance responsibilities through timely reporting, strategic analysis, and effective communication.
• Collaborate with the Board and staff to develop, implement, and monitor strategic and operational plans.
• Participate in Board and committee meetings, including Finance Committee meetings, as required.
• Lead organizational planning related to facility, expansion, or relocation opportunities.
• Promote policies, practices, and training initiatives that ensure a safe, equitable, inclusive, and respectful environment for staff, volunteers, and community members.

Fundraising and Financial Stewardship

• Work closely with the Director of Operations and Board to develop annual budgets, monitor financial performance, and support organizational sustainability.
• Lead the development and execution of fundraising strategies.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with major donors, foundations, corporations, government funders, and community supporters.\
• Support the identification, development, and submission of grant and funding opportunities.
• Ensure sound financial management practices, effective risk management, and responsible stewardship of organizational resources.

Operations and People Leadership

• Ensure programs and services are delivered effectively, efficiently, and in alignment with organizational goals and community needs.
• Recruit, develop, mentor, and evaluate staff while supporting professional growth and succession planning.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performing workplace culture grounded in collaboration, respect, and accountability.
• Ensure compliance with applicable legislation, employment standards, organizational policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Support organizational effectiveness through strong operational planning and performance management.

Community Engagement and External Relations

• Serve as the primary spokesperson and ambassador for the organization.
• Build and strengthen relationships with government representatives, community organizations, sector networks, funders, and strategic partners.
• Represent Parkdale Food Centre within the community and at public events, meetings, and sector forums.
• Advocate for policies and initiatives that advance food security, poverty reduction, and community well-being.
• Experience working with various vulnerable populations, inclusive of those who may suffer from mental illness, homelessness, and other societal inequities.
• Enhance the organization's visibility, reputation, and influence within Ottawa and beyond.

Qualifications

Education

• University degree in nonprofit management, business administration, public administration, social sciences, or a related field.
• A combination of equivalent education, training, and lived experience will also be considered.

Experience & Core Competencies

• Minimum 7 to 10 years of progressive senior leadership experience within the charitable, nonprofit, public, or community sector.
• Demonstrated experience working with or reporting to a Board of Directors.
• Proven success in fundraising, donor stewardship, and government or foundation funding.
• Experience leading teams and fostering a positive organizational culture.
• Experience developing and managing organizational budgets.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

What We Offer

• A comprehensive benefits package with a generous time off allowance.
• Meaningful work supporting a mission-driven, community organization.
• The opportunity to contribute directly to organizational effectiveness and growth.
• A collaborative and supportive team environment.

PFC is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible workplace. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates, including those from diverse backgrounds. Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process upon request.

To support an efficient and fair recruitment process, PFC may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help manage and organize candidate information. These tools are used to assist our hiring team. Final decisions are always made by people.

PFC complies with current employment standards that restrict the use of Canadian work experience requirements in job postings. Applicants will not be assessed based on whether their experience was obtained in Canada. All hiring decisions are based solely on relevant qualifications and role-specific competencies.

This posting is for an existing vacancy and is open to both internal and external candidates.