Chief Executive Officer

The CEO for Manitoba Women’s Enterprise Centre, operating as WeMB, is a high-impact, high visibility role in our community for someone passionate about the role self-identifying women+ play in driving the Manitoba economy. We seek a dynamic leader to guide WeMB through its next phase of growth, transforming how we support women+ in building sustainable, profitable businesses that contribute to strengthening our communities and economies.

Summary
The CEO for Manitoba Women’s Enterprise Centre, operating as WeMB, is a high-impact, high visibility role in our community for someone passionate about the role self-identifying women+ play in driving the Manitoba economy. We seek a dynamic leader to guide WeMB through its next phase of growth, transforming how we support women+ in building sustainable, profitable businesses that contribute to strengthening our communities and economies.

Description
Our ideal candidate will be a strategic leader with vision, who takes a collaborative approach and who is committed to supporting Manitoba women+ successfully start, operate and grow their own business. In this pivotal role, this leader will work to influence, inspire and shape the future of the organization and make a meaningful impact within the entrepreneurial ecosystem at all levels.

WeMB is a non-profit organization that delivers a wide range of business resources that has been supporting entrepreneurial women+ in Manitoba for 30 years. WeMB was the very first federally funded Women’s Enterprise Initiative (WEI) in Western Canada. With the support of Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) and other funding channels, we are committed to supporting all self-identifying women+ (cis, trans, 2S, and gender-diverse) to become successful entrepreneurs by offering a supportive, women-led community and services aimed at making their success our priority. We work together,#ToGetHerStronger.

The CEO Role
With your high-level business acumen and understanding of non-profit organizations, you will report to the Board of Directors to carry out our organization’s mandate, mission, and strategic objectives to ensure the future sustainability of and growth of the organization.

Strategic Planning and Evaluation

• In co-operation with the Board, provide direction and leadership in the development of priorities, organizational strategy, and long-range plans. Also work to guide the WeMB team by developing and continually evaluating annual targets, funding, and plans to meet the organization's overall strategic objectives.
• Oversee and collaborate with the leadership team on their activities to ensure they are adhering to plans and revising those plans when necessary. Ensure that programs are regularly evaluated and adjusted to meet client needs in a changing business environment.

Board and Staff Liaison

• Work collaboratively with the Board and actively leverage the Board as advisors that can support the CEO to have an even greater impact.
• Execute effective communication practices to keep the Board and staff updated on progress toward strategic goals, and provide all necessary information for Board members to make informed decisions.
• Work with the Board to ensure governance policies are kept up-to-date, and the relationship of staff and board members is clear.
• Work closely and openly with the leadership team, the Board and its committees, ensuring ongoing communication of risks, issues, and successes.

Government Relations Management and Advocacy

• Actively work with all levels of government to advance and advocate for the cause of women’s entrepreneurship and work with organizations and agencies that help to determine government policy regarding entrepreneurship.
• Responsible for securing and maintaining funding, identifying new funding opportunities, overseeing funding initiatives, identifying resource requirements, establishing funding strategies, submitting proposals and ensuring contractual obligations are fulfilled.

Program and Service Delivery

• Provide strategic oversight of WeMB’s programs and services, ensuring their quality, alignment, and responsiveness with organizational goals and stakeholder needs. Foster a culture of continuous improvement and adaptability, while guiding the design, marketing, and promotion of initiatives in collaboration with the WeMB team.

Financial, Tax, Risk and Facilities Management

• Oversee the sound financial management of the organization to ensure its long-term sustainability.
• Develop and report on yearly budgets, ensure financial policies and risk management policies are in place and adhered to, oversee WeMB’s operational and loan accounts and that annual audits are conducted and any recommendations are implemented.
• Identify, assess, monitor, and limit risk exposure associated with financial, operational, cybersecurity, and reputational challenges through implementation of strategies to minimize or mitigate their impact on the organization.

Devotion to WeMB’s Public Relations Network

• Ensure that WeMB’s mission, vision, and values programs and service are consistently presented in a strong, positive image to stakeholders through the delivery of exemplary programs and service and by maintaining a high level of community involvement and actively promoting WeMB’s brand and mission at a local and national level.
• Build trust with women entrepreneurs in Manitoba and stakeholders at various levels including government, industry, community and corporate sponsors, and other key stakeholders.

Provide Human Resources and Team Leadership Support

• Provide leadership, guidance and support to all staff ensuring that our human resource policies promote a healthy, respectful and equitable workplace and provide staff with feedback for continuous improvement and developmental opportunities.
• Continue to build an environment where the team is engaged in the WeMB’s work, has an impact and has fun while they do it.

Qualifications and Assets
Our team is looking for a candidate who is strategic with strong interpersonal skills, and a reliable track record. We value someone with a growth-oriented mindset and creative approach to problem solving, ready to deliver excellence in all areas of the role.

Experience

• Strategic thinking – ability to set the direction for the centre’s long-term vision within the context of today’s political, social, economic, and technological realities.
• Exceptional business acumen and a history of providing visionary leadership at an executive level in an evolving environment.
• Strong financial acumen that enables the design and oversight of an effective budget.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the not-for-profit sector.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with a proven ability to build, lead and motivate a high-performance team.
• Ability to interpret and deliver on contractual agreements.
• Experience working with a Board of Directors.
• Experience working with government and funding bodies.
• Experience in obtaining project funding and proposal writing.
• Proven ability to develop a strong network and create collaborative partnerships.
• Experience building sponsorship.
• Business or entrepreneurial experience would be an asset.

Leadership Qualities

• Innovative and creative, entrepreneurial nature.
• Effective analytical and organizational skills.
• Leadership qualities in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources planning, team building and coordination of people and resources.
• Confidence and professional diplomacy while effectively relating to people at all levels (internally and externally) including stakeholder and client relations, advocacy, public relations, and collaborative government relations.
• Constantly expanding knowledge of current trends and economic leading indicators.
• Adaptable with the ability to lead effective change within the organization.
• Professional and positive interpersonal skills – effective listener and ability to resolve conflict.
• Strong verbal and written skills.

Education

• A post-secondary education in a business-related field of study or equivalent past experience.

Deadline
The deadline for submission is December 4, 2024.

To learn more about WeMB and our mission and values visit our website: https://www.wemb.ca/about-us/what-we-do

To apply for this position, please send your resume and cover letter in confidence to: ***************@gmail.com

We thank all those that apply, however only those under further consideration will be contacted.

We believe in the strength found in diversity. WeMB is committed to principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion. We are committed to making intentional steps toward building inclusive teams that better reflect the communities and the organizations we serve and operate within. We believe that inclusion is not just about making room at the table but about seeking out talent through a diversity lens. We welcome interest from systemically marginalized groups including Indigenous Peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning, intersex, asexual and other diverse sexual identities).

If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact ***************@gmail.com.