President & CEO

- Employer
- Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education
- Location
- Remote
- Salary
- $130,000 - $160,000
- Starts
- Closes
- Job Category
- Executive
- Job Type
- Full-time
THE OPPORTUNITY
For 30 years, CCAE has been the leading national organization committed to providing exemplary programs and services that support advancement at educational institutions, and advancement professionals who work within them, to fulfill their aspirations. CCAE is a non-profit organization that is staff-led and supported by deeply engaged volunteers. CCAE’s Board of Directors is seeking a visionary President & CEO (CEO) to lead in the unwavering pursuit of the advancement of education through innovative partnerships, professional development and connected networks.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the President & CEO works closely with advancement professionals, volunteers, sponsors, and key stakeholders across the country to ensure a strong, effective organization and engaged membership. Principally responsible for leading the strategic vision and overall operations of the organization, the CEO will ensure the delivery of the CCAE mission and financial sustainability. Through effective collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, the CEO will inspire confidence and trust, and will further strengthen the CCAE reputation for being the Canadian leader in the advancement of education, as they form relationships and partnerships across Canada and internationally.
The President & CEO is responsible for providing strategic leadership to CCAE in alignment with the organization’s vision, mission, and strategic plan, and will oversee the coordination of comprehensive educational strategies and programs that are aligned with CCAE’s objectives and priorities. The new leader will be responsible for the development, execution, and evaluation of a comprehensive array of member benefits, programs, and services to build an engaged community and support the sector in developing and building the talent pipeline. In doing so the CEO will ensure that CCAE continues to serve as a valuable resource for advancement professionals in their career journey.
As our leader and chief ambassador, the CEO will be passionate about the advancement of education and a consummate relationship builder, overseeing relationships with our membership, key partners, and the exemplary staff team and professional association management company. The CEO will be a proven leader with an established track record of accomplishment at a senior level with event management and program delivery expertise. A credible, compassionate leader with unquestioned integrity who supports an equitable, diverse, and inclusive culture, with a deep commitment to the communities we serve. The ideal candidate will also bring knowledge of the education and or charitable sector, understanding of professional association management and outstanding interpersonal, leadership, team building and communication skills.
ABOUT CCAE
For 30 years, CCAE has been the leading national organization committed to providing exemplary programs and services that support advancement at educational institutions, and advancement professionals who work within them, to fulfill their aspirations. We provide opportunities for networking, professional learning and mutual support.
CCAE features peer to peer learning to share best practices among Canadian advancement professionals. CCAE members represent universities, colleges, polytechnics, institutes, and independent schools from across the country.
Advancement areas are integral to the development of innovative ideas and cultivating relationships across the education sector. Advancement Professionals include those who work in areas such as alumni relations, communications, marketing, fundraising & development, enrolment, public relations, and government relations.
Vision
An inspired and connected community of professionals working to advance education in Canada.
Mission
Strengthening the capacity and amplifying the impact of educational advancement in Canada.
Guiding Principles
As a catalyst for professional learning and a cultivator of connections across the educational advancement sector in Canada, CCAE is guided by principles that inform all, and are woven throughout, activities and initiatives. CCAE is dedicated to curating and delivering exemplary programs, resources, and services that are:
- Inclusive, respectful, and representative of a diversity of experiences, languages (French and English), perspectives, interests, and identities.
- Excellent, and create value for advancement professionals, partners and sponsors.
- Innovative, relevant, and data informed.
- Collaborative, engaged, and responsive to the sector.
- Guided by best practices in sustainability and environmental protection.
CCAE understands its role as a Canadian not-for-profit organization and is committed to transparency in its governance, ethics, communication practices and social impact reporting. CCAE aims to meet or exceed all legal and fiduciary requirements governing not-for-profit organizations in ways that are visible to stakeholders.
Recurring programs and services that CCAE provides to its members include.
- The CCAE National Conference held annually in May in a different city each year, attracting between 250-300 attendees.
- The Prix d’excellence awards that invite submissions to 24 categories and engages more than 70 volunteers to adjudicate the winners.
- Fellowships, awards, and scholarships.
- The “CASE Insights on Philanthropy (Canada) in partnership with CCAE Survey” that includes more than 50 participating members.
- An array of in-person and virtual educational sessions across the country.
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND & RESOURCES
- About CCAE
- Strategic Plan 2023-2027
- National Conference & Summits
- CASE Insights on Philanthropy (Canada) with CCAE
- CCAE Bylaws
- Financial Statement 2022
- Professional Resources
KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Generative Growth (35%)
REVENUE GENERATION
- Engage a range of sponsors to secure sustainable revenue streams.
- Recommend membership fee structures and amounts to the Board; retain and grow membership.
- Set and achieve revenue targets for professional learning events, summits and conferences.
- Develop additional revenue streams to allow CCAE to sustain and expand its membership benefits and services, and ensure stability of the organization.
MEMBERSHIP MANAGEMENT
- Develop and oversee membership infrastructure to support membership strategies and programs.
- Coordinate with association management company the annual membership renewals, followed with regular reminder notices and personal contact as per CCAE by-law timelines.
- Provide regular membership statistics and reports to the Board. This information will be added to the historical spreadsheet of past members for use by CCAE staff and the board.
VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT
- Work with the Director, Strategic Education and Engagement to provide specialized advice on volunteer management methods, processes, messaging and effectiveness to assist members with their volunteer aspirations.
- Develop infrastructure and oversee development and implementation of programs and services to support the CCAE’s volunteer management strategies, and Advisory committees, session presenters, awards committees, conference and event organization.
- Establish metrics and evaluation processes for volunteer management consistent with benchmarks and targets established by CCAE, and ensure appropriate processes exist for effective measurement.
- Create and maintain volunteer management resources and materials for use by CCAE to ensure appropriate tools are in place to capture and report on volunteer participation, recognition, initiatives and activities.
HUMAN RESOURCES
- Develop, implement and evaluate human resources and related policies, programs and procedures, and advise CCAE Board on human resources matters.
- Handle all employee compensation, benefits, development of policies and guidelines, and performance management and professional development.
- Negotiate the Association Management Company (AMC) agreement and supervise the association management company to ensure excellence service in fulfilling their contract with CCAE.
- Provide guidance and leadership with respect to CCAE’s operational strategies, policies, procedures and processes.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
- Implement sponsor recognition within a framework of equitable benefits.
- Work closely with, and direct, the association management company in all aspects of the organization’s financial management, including investment portfolio.
- Review monthly financial statements and present to the Finance & Audit Committee.
- Work closely with the Finance & Audit Committee to prepare the annual operating budget.
- Review and approve the preparation of financial records and documents for the year end audit, including the CRA return.
Inspire & Engage Communities (25%)
PROGRAM AND EVENT MANAGEMENT
- Oversee and support the responsibilities of the CCAE Director, Strategic Education & Engagement.
- Oversee strategic programs including, but not limited to the annual National Conference, Summits, virtual deliveries, and eLearning webinars.
- Provide professional support and guidance for all CCAE educational program development, speaker recruitment, financial management and evaluation.
- Attend CCAE education program activities (in-person and virtual), serving as the host/emcee.
COMMUNICATION
- Oversee and support the responsibilities of the Director, Strategic Communications & Marketing.
- Provide professional support and guidance for all CCAE communications including social media, electronic and written documents.
- Maintain contact with senior advancement professionals via monthly e-newsletter and personal contact.
Elevate the Profession (20%)
BOARD GOVERNANCE
- Effective reporting to the CCAE Board of Directors on operations and program delivery to meet the overall vision and implementation of the strategic plan.
- Support the Board and other volunteer led committees to fulfil their roles in support of the organizational mission and mandate.
- Coordinate all logistical requirements for board and committee meetings whether they are offered virtually or in-person.
- Prepare materials for the meetings as directed by the Board Chair and Committee Chairs including meeting notice, agenda and supporting documents, and reports as requested.
- Support the CCAE Board and membership in all logistical requirements for Annual General Meeting (AGM) and prepare materials for the AGM meeting notice, agenda and supporting documents, and reports as required.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDS/PRIX D’EXCELLENCE AWARDS/ TD INSURANCE MELOCHE MONNEX FELLOWSHIPS IN ADVANCEMENT/FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM/SCHOLARSHIPS
- Direct and work with CCAE staff and association management company in the nomination/submission and financial processes related to all CCAE’s membership awards programs.
- Recruit selection committees for all awards programs (except the Prix d’Excellence).
- Identify, recruit, recognize and steward program sponsors.
Strategic Alliances (20%)
- Work closely with like organizations such as CASE, ISAP, Universities Canada, CICan, CAIS.
- Lead contact and decision-maker on behalf of CCAE, in partnership with CASE, for the “CASE Insights on Philanthropy (Canada) in partnership with CCAE Survey”.
- Lead and develop innovative and new partnerships that drive and deliver on the CCAE mandate and create new strategic opportunities for the organization.
- Work with complementary regional, national, global organizations to achieve CCAE mission.
QUALIFICATIONS AND KEY COMPETENCIES
The position requires superior relationship building skills, highly developed judgment, discretionary decision-making ability and ability to manage competing interests while ensuring a high level of service to members, partners and stakeholders.
A high level of concentration is required for continuous planning, and for dealing with multiple projects with competing priorities. Professional judgment is used to review own and other’s work, and when providing expert counsel. The position entails a flexible schedule for availability on evenings and weekends. Regular travel is required.
Leadership/Vision
The demonstrated ability to build a shared, compelling and credible vision of the future, influencing people to ensure outcomes that support achieving the vision.
- Passionate about the advancement of education.
- Strategic and analytical.
- Fosters an atmosphere of collaborative problem solving.
- Influence others to share and commit to a common vision.
- Fosters positive work and learning environments.
- Values and considers differing points of view before making a decision.
- Lead by example and oversee the implementation of the organization’s strategic and operational plans, including change management and people management.
- Supports development and continuous improvement.
Innovation & Creativity
The demonstrated ability to initiate, implement, and support innovation and institutional change and enhance programs and services.
- Maintains and shares information through advice and guidance for strategies and best practice.
- Drives innovation and challenges the status-quo.
- Advocates innovation and creativity, even when risk is involved.
- Adapts and maintains productivity in an atmosphere of changing practices.
- Demonstrates emotional maturity and resiliency in difficult circumstances.
- Engages and supports others in the change process.
Results Orientation
Focuses on results and completing objectives within the framework defined by the CCAE Board and the organization’s strategic plan.
- Is a creative problem solver.
- Readily accepts and responds to challenges.
- Directly confronts problems and persists in finding solutions.
- Makes timely decisions.
- Identifies shared interests to develop positive outcomes.
- Makes data-driven decisions.
Personal Effectiveness
Demonstrates an ability to reflect, clarify and commit to what is important, take responsibility for growth and development, and contribute to positive and productive work and learning environments.
- Accountable, accepts ownership and responsibility for outcomes.
- Represents the organization as a person of competence and integrity, demonstrates integrity and ethical conduct in words and deeds.
- Seeks out and appreciates feedback, demonstrating a commitment to learning.
- Shares expertise willingly and is sought out as a resource for others.
Communication
The demonstrated ability to convey information and ideas to individuals in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand, retain, and respond to the message.
- Effective communicator and strong presenter and public speaker.
- Listens actively to understand others’ points of view.
- Provides useful and valuable information to others.
- Understands and demonstrates the need for confidentiality and discretion.
Relationship Building
The demonstrated ability to develop the rapport necessary to build, maintain and/or strengthen partnerships and relationships inside and outside of CCAE.
- Proactively seeks out and promotes positive relationships.
- Builds opportunities through collaboration and partnerships.
- Maximizes opportunities to achieve outcomes through or with others.
- Demonstrates understanding, respect and concern for others.
- Participates willingly and openly supports team decisions.
- Bachelor’s degree or other higher education in an area of study applicable to the role, or an equivalent combination of education and expertise.
- A minimum of 8+ progressive leadership experience.
- Bilingualism is an asset.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
KCI Search + Talent has been retained to conduct this search on behalf of the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education. For more information, please contact Helena Debnam or Sylvie Battisti at KCI Search + Talent, at CCAE@kcitalent.com. All inquiries and applications will be held in strict confidence.
Please note that the hiring salary range for this position is $130,000 - $160,000 accompanied by a performance bonus and a comprehensive range of benefits. CCAE is a national organization and as such the role is fully remote and we welcome applicants from across Canada. This position entails a flexible schedule for availability on evenings and weekends. Regular travel is required. Bilingualism is an asset.
Please note the deadline for submission is September 22, 2023. Candidates should send a résumé and letter of interest to CCAE@kcitalent.com.
To view the full Executive Brief, please visit: www.kcitalent.com
CCAE is dedicated to ensuring we are an inclusive, equitable, respectful organization and that we reflect the diversity of our members. Applications are welcomed from individuals within visible minorities such as people of colour, Indigenous/Aboriginal Peoples, women, people of any sexual orientation or gender identity, and persons with disabilities. If you require accessibility or other accommodations, CCAE will work with you to ensure these needs are met. All standards and privacy regulations from the Government of Canada’s self-declaration guidelines will be followed by CCAE.