EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - ISHTAR WOMEN’S RESOURCE SOCIETY

An Executive Search conducted by Nelson/Kraft and Associates Ltd.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Ishtar honours, embraces and celebrates the power, resilience, courage and knowledge of all women. We are working collaboratively for systemic change where equity means inclusion, opportunity and accessibility for all. We work together locally for a world where all women and girls are safe emotionally, mentally, financially, physically, sexually, spiritually and culturally.

Ishtar Women’s Resource Society is seeking an Executive Director.  This position requires an in-depth understanding of women’s issues, the non-profit sector and a strong passionate desire to support women and children who are experiencing domestic violence in our communities.  The Executive Director is entrusted with the successful fulfillment of the mission, vision, values and strategic priorities of the organization.

OUR STORY

n 1972 in Langley, BC, there were no safe shelters for women who were fleeing from domestic violence. A group of women responded to this need by opening Ishtar House. Since then, Ishtar Women’s Resource Society has grown with the addition of Libra House and with the development of multiple programs to meet the evolving needs of women and their children who access our services.

We have a responsibility to use our power and privilege to stand beside all women to ensure they are treated with dignity and respect. This solidarity is vital in the elimination of violence against women.

OUR MISSION

Feminist leaders and their allies advocating change  through service to women and children who have experienced violence and abuse by providing safe space. We engage, empower and educate individuals and the community.

To learn more, please visit our website at:

http://www.ishtarsociety.org/

OUR VISION

Feminist leaders working together locally to eliminate violence against women globally.

OUR VALUES

In our everyday practice, we are held accountable by the values that connect us; Integrity, Honesty, Trust and Respect. These values guide our relationship with each other and our work with women and children.

THE JOB

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive Director is responsible for the leadership, management, and delivery of programs, services, and initiatives which support Ishtar Women’s Resource Society’s mission, vision and values statement.  The Executive Director operates within the strategic direction set by the Board of Directors. 

The scope of accountability encompasses ongoing development and management of IWRS including: capital projects, housing and property management, client programs and services, operations and administration, finance, human resources, community relations and advocacy, communications, education, risk management, and fund development.

DEMONSTRATED WORK PRACTICES AND COMPETENCIES

Be Adaptable:  Demonstrate a willingness to adapt to circumstances and to be versatile and tolerant in a changing work environment while maintaining effectiveness and efficiency.

Be Flexible: Able to work effectively with marginalized and vulnerable populations and the often-accompanying mental health and substance use issues as well as diverse sexual orientations and gender identity populations.

Be Engaging: Understand the value of developing strong interpersonal relationships with staff, volunteers, members and Board members; actively pursue opportunities to engage in direct, personal, unstructured dialog.

Behave Ethically:  Understand ethical behaviour and business practices and ensure that own behaviour and the behaviour of others is consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization.

Communicate Effectively:  Speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.

Focus on Member Role: Understand and promote the unique foundational and ongoing role of the Society’s membership and its Board in the day-to-day governance and operation of the Society.

Innovate and Be Creative: Develop new and unique ways to improve operations of the organization and to create new opportunities.

Lead: Positively influence others to achieve results that are in the best interest of the organization while enhancing employee or volunteer job satisfaction.

Make Decisions: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks involved, and make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the organization.

Organize: Set priorities, develop work schedules, monitor progress towards goals, and track details, data, information and activities.

Plan: Determine strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create and implement action plans, and evaluate the process and results.

Solve Problems: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate viable solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.

Think Strategically: Assess options and actions based on trends and conditions in the environment, and the vision, mission, and values of the organization.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Board of Directors

• Reports directly to the Board of Directors and carries out their set mandate.
• Responsible for leading Ishtar in a manner that supports and guides the organization’s mission as defined by the Board of Directors.
• Responsible for communicating effectively with the Board and providing, in a timely and accurate manner, all information necessary for the Board to function properly and to make informed decisions.
• Attends and participates at Board meetings as a non-voting member.

Financial Performance and Viability

• Develop resources sufficient to ensure the financial health of the organization.
• Responsible for fundraising and developing other revenues necessary to support Ishtar’s mission.
• Responsible for the fiscal integrity of Ishtar, to include submission to the Board of a proposed annual budget and quarterly financial statements, which accurately reflect the financial condition of the organization and accuracy of the Year End Audit.
• Responsible for fiscal management that generally anticipates operating within the approved budget, ensures maximum resource utilization, and maintenance of the organization in a positive financial position.
• Planning and operation of annual budget.

Organization Mission and Strategy

• Work with board and staff to ensure that the mission is fulfilled through programs, strategic planning and community outreach.
• Responsible for implementation of Ishtar’s programs that carry out the organization’s mission.
• Responsible for strategic planning to ensure that Ishtar can successfully fulfill its mission into the future.
• Responsible for the enhancement of Ishtar’s image by being active and visible in the community and by working closely with other professional, civic and private organizations.

Organization Operations

• Oversee and implement appropriate resources to ensure that the operations of the organization are appropriate.
• Serve as Ishtar’s primary spokesperson to the organization’s constituents, the media and the general public.
• Responsible for the hiring and retention of competent, qualified staff.
• Responsible for effective administration of Ishtar’s operations. Establish and maintain relationships with various organizations and utilize those relationships to strategically enhance Ishtar’s mission.
• Oversee marketing and other communications efforts.
• Establish employment and administrative policies and procedures for all functions and for the day-to-day operation of the non-profit.
• Review and approve contracts for services.
• Responsible for signing all notes, agreements, and other instruments made and entered into and on behalf of the organization.
• Other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.

QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

Preferably, the ideal candidate will hold a master’s degree in a relevant field and seven or more years of senior leadership management experience.  This experience must be in a non-profit health or social services sector organization with a minimum annual operating budget exceeding $1.5 million.

The preferred candidate will understand multiple feminist perspectives and theories impacting women who are experiencing violence.  She will have experience in the transitional housing, abuse against women and children, or victim services sector.  Knowledge of leadership and management principles as they relate to non-profit organizations in the health/social services sector, as well as demonstrated experience in financial and fiscal management, project and housing management, and human resources management within a unionized environment are required.

In this key leadership role, the Executive Director will demonstrate a willingness to adapt in a changing work environment; will understand and exemplify ethical behaviour and business practices; and will work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATION REQUIRED

• Must hold a valid Class 5 drivers license
• Criminal Records check required
• Proficiency in the use MS Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook as well as financial and fiscal management programs.

LOCATION: Langley, BC

APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 2, 2020

Please note, qualified candidates for this search must be a Canadian resident at the time of application.