Chief Executive Officer

About Pacific Public Health Foundation

Public health matters to us all. It touches every one of our lives and protects us from some of the biggest crises of our time. It is also ripe with opportunities to leave a legacy for the generations of tomorrow by addressing determinants of health, advancing equity, driving innovative initiatives that deliver the evidence to support healthy public policy, and creating an effective and responsive public health system that will foster healthy and resilient communities.

In BC, Pacific Public Health Foundation raises funds for public health research, helps facilitate and implement programs, and supports evidence to drive policies to inform immediate and measurable health impacts in communities across BC.  Our programs and projects are grounded in the most pressing public health priorities for BC, like the toxic drug poisoning crisis, emerging pandemics, Indigenous health, and climate change effects. The Foundation works in partnership with, but is distinct from, the BC Centre for Disease Control, as well as the broader public health sector and communities in BC, to improve population health in BC and beyond.

We are the only charitable foundation in BC actively fundraising for public health initiatives. As an independent, non-governmental organization we focus on authentic, trust-based philanthropy.  We engage and invest in innovative, collaborative, and evidence-based initiatives that improve population health. Our unique and nimble role allows the Foundation’s staff of nine and an excellent board to deploy philanthropy, funding, partnerships, engagement, and advocacy to achieve better public health outcomes.

We are in a crucial time for public health in BC. Therefore, it is exciting for the Foundation to be recruiting its next Chief Executive Officer to lead the growth and evolution of this essential organization. Paramount among the CEO’s tasks is to diversify its funding sources, refine its role with its partners, and leverage recent investments the Board has made to spur growth.

This is a compelling opportunity for a committed and passionate leader to:

• Execute the Foundation’s exceptional strategic plan;
• Leverage and catalyze the Foundation’s deep relationships across partner organizations;
• Support the Foundation’s critical fundraising strategy, tactics, and infrastructure;
• Solidify the Foundation’s role in the public health organizational ecosystem;
• Make a tremendous difference in the lives of people across BC. 

Job Requirements:

The CEO reports to and works in collaboration with the Board of Directors, and has overall strategic, leadership, development, programmatic, operational, and financial responsibilities. The CEO fulfills the strategic plan and priorities, organizational and financial growth and sustainability, and is responsible for the consistent achievement of the mission, vision, and mandate of the Foundation. The CEO enables the Foundation to successfully grow its reputation, influence and impact as a public health charity.

Candidate Profile

The new CEO will ideally possess the following competencies and traits:

• A strong sense of public health subject matter, or the willingness to engage deeply with it.
• Experience initiating, managing, and negotiating varied relationships with partner organizations; for instance, a background working with the Ministry of Health, health authorities, or research organizations would be particularly useful.
• Able to quickly grasp nuance and political sensitivities; can see potential, creates collaborations, and catalyzes relationships with partners.
• Exceptional and persuasive communications skills in the service of partner development, fundraising relationships, and consensus-building.
• A laser focus and ability to prioritize time and work on the Foundation’s key needs and strategic goals:  relationship building, fundraising strategy, and leadership.
• An adept fundraising skillset allowing for guiding the team and understanding how the Foundation’s functional areas are interactive and interdependent.
• A nimble relationship-builder and networker, able to work with major donors in the community and promote the Foundation’s mission.
• A trusting and empowering staff leader, fostering a supportive environment where team members can thrive and grow while still maintaining strong standards of accountability.
• Strong emotional intelligence; adept at deploying appreciative inquiry, open-mindedness, and a solutions-focused mindset. Perceptible authenticity and integrity.
• Skilled at supporting and leveraging an accomplished, connected, and enthusiastic board.
• Focus on relevancy and able to pivot as needed; adaptable, proactive, and has foresight.

Qualifications & Skills

The new CEO will ideally possess:

• Significant experience in a social profit sector leadership role, particularly in an organization with a strong fundraising mandate. 
• Proven experience planning and executing organizational growth. 
• Keen alignment and demonstrated passion for public health and commitment to equity. 
• Agile intellect and professional confidence in formulating solutions tailored to partner needs. 
• Strong writing skills, and communication abilities generally. 
• A high level of emotional intelligence. 
• Skilled recruiter and manager of staff. 
• University or college level education, or equivalent experience and courses. 
• Willingness and ability to travel locally and provincially. 

How to Apply:

This search is being led by Pacific Public Health Foundation’s search partner, Christoph Clodius at The Discovery Group, at christoph@thediscoverygroup.ca. Please be in touch if you or someone you know is interested or curious. We welcome questions and enquiries.

Application Timing and Selection Process

All submissions should be received by March 21, 2025. Please apply to Christoph with a cover letter/expression of interest and resume/CV, in the same document.

Compensation & Benefits.

The CEO’s salary range is $140,000 - 160,000.  As the Foundation is still in its growth stages and does not yet have a benefits plan, so an additional 18% of salary will be paid to support the CEO’s choice of benefit and retirement planning.

Location.

This is a full-time permanent hybrid position based at the Foundation’s offices in the West 12th Avenue health corridor in Vancouver.

Please see the full Candidate Brief: https://thediscoverygroup.ca/portfolio/pacific-public-health-foundation/