Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Are you a visionary leader with an entrepreneurial spirit, ready to shape the future of employee ownership in Canada?

Employee Ownership Canada (EOC) is working with Raise to find its first full-time CEO. They are the leading advocate for broad-based employee ownership in Canada, representing a rapidly growing sector of employee-owned businesses and service providers. Originally known as ESOP Association Canada (Employee Share Ownership Plan) since the 1990s, the organization has been a central hub for employee ownership expertise, promoting various ownership models. 

Following the recent passage of landmark Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) federal legislation, which is expected to significantly increase the number of employee-owned firms, the ESOP Association Canada merged with the Canadian Employee Ownership Coalition (CEOC), the group that led the legislative advocacy. Now rebranded as Employee Ownership Canada, the merged organization has successfully raised the seed funding required to become a first-class industry association that will aggressively expand the employee ownership sector.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Employee Ownership Canada (EOC) seeks a visionary and entrepreneurial Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to leverage new federal legislation and tax incentives, transforming the organization into a world-class industry association. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will set strategic goals, manage organizational activities, and ensure legal compliance. Key responsibilities include growing membership, advancing public policy goals, and building awareness of all employee-ownership models within the business and advisory communities. The role also involves leading communications to promote the EOT model, refreshing the brand, serving as a media spokesperson, and managing the organization’s finances. Additionally, the CEO will enhance membership frameworks, boost membership, and strategize events and conferences to increase interest and revenue, with fundraising through sponsorships and value-added services being essential.

Accountabilities/Responsibilities

• Entrepreneurially build out the organization from its existing infrastructure into a professional industry association.
• Develop strategic plans, including a multi-year government relations strategy, and monitor KPIs.
• Ensure EOC stays on top of political developments that impact the sector as or before they happen.
• Tailor advocacy efforts to political parties and departments for maximum impact.
• Navigate parliamentary procedures, political parties, party platforms and election cycles to effectively advance employee ownership policies.
• Expertly match advocacy timing with important milestones like Budgets and legislative cycles.
• Expand networks with relevant politicians, political staffers, and civil servants.
• Secure timely meetings with important decision-makers on a regular basis.
• Secure the permanency of the federal EOT capital gains tax exemption.
• Build productive relationships with relevant industries and their associations for collaboration.
• Increase membership annually to meet targets agreed upon with the Board.
• Develop a new membership structure, including tiers, and pricing.
• Develop and execute an awareness strategy to turbocharge the awareness of the new Employee Ownership Trust model across Canada.
• Undertake a rebranding exercise, including a website refresh.
• Deliver expert speeches and strategic deputations to politicians and committees.
• Foster an active employee ownership community through a newsletter and events, and respond to member inquiries.
• Organize announcements for newly formed EOTs to attract earned media and attendance of politicians.
• Plan profitable annual conferences and awareness events.
• Hire and manage EOC staff as required to meet strategic objectives. 
• Keep the Board aware of important developments and leverage their expertise as required.
• Ensure compliance with Ontario’s Not-for-Profit Corporations Act and various lobbying Acts.

The Details

This is a full-time, permanent position that allows you to work remotely from your home office. As the CEO, you will help determine if the EOC requires a physical office presence in the future. You will travel approximately 5-15% of the time across Canada for conferences and meetings. The standard work schedule is Monday to Friday, with occasional weekend work to accommodate travel. The role offers a competitive base salary of $130,000 to $180,000 per year, based on experience, along with a performance-based bonus plan, vacation, and comprehensive health and dental benefits. This role offers a unique opportunity for a new CEO to build something from the ground up, assemble a team, and be at the forefront of charting a historic path in economic ownership

Qualifications

The ideal CEO for Employee Ownership Canada (EOC) will have exceptional leadership skills in collaboration, inclusion, and mentoring, paired with a strategic, entrepreneurial mindset. Experience navigating government and political institutions to achieve objectives will be essential for interfacing with complex organizations like the Department of Finance and the Canada Revenue Agency. Strong communication skills are crucial, including clear articulation, logical presentation, and public speaking. The candidate should effectively manage competing member priorities, ensuring the association's value is recognized. A passion for networking and building connections is vital for promoting EOC and recruiting new members. Assertiveness, integrity, and strategic planning experience are also key.

• Experience leading and managing transformational change in an organization.
• 7+ years of experience working in some combination of industry associations, government, politics, or other relevant fields.
• Demonstrated ability of identifying long-term goals, finding creative and strategic solutions to complex problems.
• A detailed understanding of how government works and the ability to navigate political dynamics and government bureaucracy to maintain the priority and currency of EOC with government stakeholders.
• Experience developing and maintaining strategic and collaborative relationships with a wide range of government civil servants, politicians, political staffers and other relevant non-profits/associations.
• Demonstrated ability as a negotiator, facilitator, industry champion, and networker.
• Proficiency and experience at managing multiple, and potentially competing, member priorities, ensuring that all members continue to see the value of a strong association. 

Qualifications That Are Considered an Asset 

• Fluency in French is considered a large asset.
• Strong understanding of business fundamentals (e.g., degree in business, finance, or experience in business management).
• Experience working within a heavily regulated sector such as banking, finance, energy, mining, alcohol, transportation, etc.
• Legal and/or finance background.
• An existing network within the government with the ability to call upon this network as required.

Your Application

We value diversity and inclusion and encourage all qualified people to apply; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.