Executive Director

The Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada (CIF-IFC) is seeking an enthusiastic individual to provide strategic and operational leadership as an Executive Director. Founded in 1908, the Institute is the largest and oldest national forestry organization in Canada - serving as the Voice of Forest Practitioners, the CIF-IFC represents foresters, forest technologists and technicians, ecologists, biologists, educators and many others with a professional connection to the forestry sector.

The successful candidate will be working cooperatively with a small team of staff, and accountable to a National Board of Directors while working collaboratively with a wide contingent of committees and regional sections throughout Canada.   

Reporting to a volunteer Executive Committee, the Executive Director’s Responsibilities are to:

• Implement the Institute’s Vision; facilitate the development of planning priorities and establish performance indicators.
• Manage a small team (of presently four staff) in a busy office, in addition to contractors and a large contingent of volunteers.
• Provide advice on governance and policy options to the National Board of Directors while engaging and supporting the Institute’s volunteers.
• Develop greater revenue programs through increased membership, sponsorship and grant opportunities.
• Accomplish the goals and objectives set by the National Board of Directors including financial results, marketing and membership growth, program management, publications as well as educational programming.
• Be responsible for advocacy on national forestry issues.
• Manage and develop existing and new membership services including government and public relations, education and publications.

Position Requirements

• Relevant university degree with Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation preferred;
• Five years experience in association management and policy governance. Knowledge of the forestry sector is highly desirable;
• Excellent communication skills (written, spoken) and negotiation skills;
• A successful track record in government relations and advocacy on behalf of an association (e.g., to allied organizations, educators, higher education and government agencies.);
• Prior success in engaging members and prospective members through inclusive communication strategies and effective outreach;
• In depth knowledge of financial strategies and finance-related performance metrics;
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement successful strategic plans;
• Experience spearheading and collaborating with national team-based initiatives;
• Bilingualism in both Canadian official languages is preferred, it is not a requirement;
• Personable, progressive and adaptive;
• Extensive national travel will be required, as well as the ability to work remotely as necessary, and to liaise with an office presently located in Mattawa, ON.

Individuals with the requisite experience are invited to apply, by submitting their resumé, a detailed cover letter precisely stating how they meet the position requirements, and also include a statement of compensation expectations. All documents can be submitted via email in confidence to Terry Clark at Real Board Solutions: terry@realboardsolutions.com  

While we thank all individuals who apply, only candidates who are being considered for interviews will be contacted.