Executive Director

To view full job description and apply, please visit: https://www.nanaimohospice.com/career-opportunities

Dying, caregiving and grieving are three of life’s greatest challenges. Nanaimo Community Hospice Society (NCHS) believes that everyone struggling with these challenges regardless of age, means or culture deserves support. With compassion and dignity our volunteers and professional staff offer free programs, resources and education to our clients when and where it is needed the most. NCHS has served our community since 1981.

The Executive Director is appointed by the Board of Directors to fully manage the affairs of NCHS. The Board and Executive Director govern following the Complementary Governance Model. The Executive Director makes themselves aware of the history of NCHS, understands and respects the role of volunteers, their importance, the value they bring and leads by example. The Executive Director provides leadership at Hospice to achieve the mission of delivering high-quality, community-based palliative and end of life care to clients and their families.

The Executive Director represents NCHS and holds memberships with the Canadian Hospice Care Association, British Columbia Hospice Palliative Care Association and Vancouver Island Federation of Hospices. The Executive Director is accountable to the Board of Directors for the management and full operations of NCHS including, but not limited to: financial, Human Resources, and legal matters according to the by-laws and policies established by the Board.

The Executive Director represents and promotes the mission of NCHS and is the principal contact for media and public relations work. The Board of Directors conducts an annual performance evaluation with the Executive Director.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Board of Directors/Committees:

• Upholds the guiding principles of the Complementary Model of Board Governance as practiced by the Board of Directors;
• Provides Board Orientation to new Board members in conjunction with other Board members and staff;
• Provides consultation and staff support as necessary to the Board of Directors and its committees;
• Informs the Board of Directors or the appropriate committees of issues that may impact NCHS and its reputation;
• Identifies emerging needs and opportunities for program and policy development;
• Provides relevant information/statements monthly (financial and operational) to the Board of Directors;
• Works with the Board Chair to prepare agenda and meeting packages, draft minutes, and participate in all Board meetings;
• Actively participates with the Board in strategic planning to inform and guide decisions and activities of NCHS.

• Ensures adherence to NCHS Constitution, Bylaws and Policies;
• Advises the Board and appropriate Committee on policies and procedures that may require updating;
• Ensures the integrity of all NCHS records and documents;
• Ensures the security of NCHS databases regarding clients, donors, members, and financial records;
• Conducts the official correspondence of NCHS;
• Maintains NCHS membership in good standing with regional, provincial and national Hospice associations as appropriate;
• Ensures the timely filing of all legal and regulatory documents and monitors compliance with relevant laws and regulations inclusive of reports for the Canadian Revenue Agency and the Province as required by the Society’s Act and NCHS Constitution and Bylaws.

• Ensures operating costs are kept as low as possible thus maximizing the funds available for delivery of core programs;
• Oversees the integrity of the accounting/bookkeeping/payroll and banking/investing functions;
• Oversees the preparation of the annual budget for review by the Treasurer/Finance Committee for subsequent approval by the Board of Directors;
• Ensures all Departments are operating within prescribed budgets;
• Meets regularly with the Finance Committee/Treasurer, and prepares regular financial reports for the Board;
• Ensures the bookkeeping and accounting practices adhere to Generally Accepted Accounting Practices;
• Meets with the Auditor to plan annual reviews and oversees the finalization of the reviews for approval by the Board and presentation at the Annual General Meeting.

• Ensures NCHS meets the best practice standards set for Hospice care;
• Ensures NCHS resource development follows ethical fundraising practices;
• Oversees the development of the annual fundraising plan. Reviews the results annually to identify future opportunities and assess if needs are met;
• Oversees and supports the planning and execution of campaigns including the creation of appropriate campaign literature;
• Ensures integrity of collection of donations and record keeping, including campaign pledges and receipting;
• Ensures fund development activities are maintained that will attract sufficient financial resources (that at a minimum) allow NCHS to meet its annual operational needs. This is to be done in a manner that clearly demonstrates and honours the intentions of NCHS donors;
• Works closely with staff and volunteers to ensure inspired innovation and coordination of events for the purpose of generating funds and creating community awareness;
• Ensures that grant applications in support of identified programs, operational and/or capital objectives are developed and submitted as required (eg. VIHA, United Way, Gaming, City of Nanaimo, etc);
• Works closely with key Social Enterprise personnel to ensure continual success in terms of financial performance, volunteer fulfillment and positive community engagement;
• Ensures that newly identified funding opportunities are thoroughly assessed and effectively pursued as appropriate;
• Ensures that a donor base is maintained that is able to generate reports to assist with all aspects of fundraising and donor appreciation;
• Ensures that direct communication with existing and potential donors, and other friends of NCHS, are maintained as to foster positive relations in support of ongoing donor and community development.

• Conveys NCHS key messages to business leaders, government, other agencies and the community-at-large;
• Oversees the creation and implementation of an annual communication plan. Reviews the plan annually to ensure priorities are addressed;
• Approves the production of all marketing and promotional materials for resource development consistent with the NCHS brand;
• Promotes and fosters good relations with the media;
• Acts as the principal spokesperson for NCHS including preparation of key messages. This responsibility is shared with the Board President or other Board members if the Executive Director is not available;
• Represents the interests and philosophy of NCHS by being actively involved in public relations and community engagement;
• Ensures an effective marketing strategy is crafted, implemented, reviewed and modified to ensure on-going community awareness of NCHS programs and services;
• Ensures that a community newsletter with design and content reflecting the values of NCHS is produced and distributed twice annually;
• Establishes an effective practice of clear and appropriate lines of communication (including social media) amongst Board members, volunteers, staff, clients and their families, professional care partners, donors, community agencies, government officials, and the general public;
• Actively develops and maintains purposeful relationships with affiliated agencies and organizations. Ensures key staff are fully engaged in such relationships specific to their areas of expertise/responsibilities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Superior budgeting and financial management skills and understanding of not-for-profit financial policies and procedures;
• Strong knowledge of fundraising methods, practices and ethics including cultivation and stewardship of major donors, direct mail and donor centric fundraising;
• Knowledge of the operations and legal requirement of non-profit societies;
• Extensive knowledge of integrated communication planning and carrying out communication campaigns;
• Ability to work effectively with community leaders and donors while demonstrating visionary leadership, cooperative teamwork, and commitment to building strong relationships and strategic partnerships;
• Ability to motivate and manage staff including delegating tasks and responsibilities and setting up reporting structures to ensure continuous progress;
• Knowledge of program management and evidence-based outcome measurement;
• Strong history of working successfully with volunteers and volunteer management;
• Possesses an understanding of local needs and national trends as well as compelling commitment to the delivery of NCHS services;
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication skills including written communications and public speaking;
• Demonstrated facilitative leadership skills (mediation, teaching and listening);
• Demonstrated competence in following through with commitments.

Other Requirements:

• Other duties as required;
• Ability to work flexible hours to attend Board/Committee meetings or community functions as required.

Qualifications:

Mandatory:

• Relevant university degree and/or comparable combination of education and experience;
• A minimum of 5 years of prior relevant work experience with demonstrated management ability at an executive level, with a preference in a health care environment, expertise in the management of Human Resources and finances, strong public relation skills, understanding of hospice/palliative care and a demonstrated background with non-profit organizations;
• Competent computer skills (Microsoft Professional Office Programs and donor management systems).

An Asset:

• A Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) designation;
• Knowledge of the local community.