Executive Director

Executive Director

Organization: Calgary Islamic School Society (CISS)

Location: On-site – 2711 39 Ave NE, Calgary, AB T1Y 4T8

Position Type: Full-time/contract position with an initial 24-month term

Reports To: CISS Board of Directors

Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience, starting at $90,000 annually.

Benefits: Details to be discussed with the successful candidate.

Position Summary

The Calgary Islamic School Society (CISS) is seeking a dynamic, mission-driven Executive Director (ED) to lead and manage the transitional, operational, and strategic initiatives of the organization. This newly established role is a key leadership position responsible for executing the Board’s vision, ensuring organizational excellence, and overseeing the successful delivery of the Alternative (Islamic Studies) Program in partnership with Prairie Rose School Division (PRSD).

The Executive Director will serve as the primary liaison between CISS and PRSD, while also overseeing school principals, administration, staff, facility management, strategic communications, and internal operations. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of Islamic education in Calgary while working in collaboration with a committed volunteer Board and a professional school system.

The Executive Director operates within Board-approved policies, budgets, and delegated authority.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Change Management

• Serve as the official liaison between the CISS Board of Directors and PRSD
• Collaborate closely with the Board Chair to plan, facilitate, and follow up on Board

meetings

• Facilitate the effective implementation of Board-approved decisions, strategic initiatives, and directives
• Provide support to the Board in establishing, reviewing, and strengthening governance frameworks, policies, procedures, and accountability systems
• Attend Board meetings and provide regular operational, financial, program, facilities, and risk updates to the Board
• Represent CISS in meetings with PRSD or stakeholders when requested

2. Alternative Program Leadership, Oversight, and Development

• Serve as CISS’s primary contact for PRSD and Alternative Program matters
• Work with PRSD, school principals, school administration, teachers, and CISS-appointed personnel to support program quality
• Provide strategic leadership for the continuous evaluation, enhancement, and long-term development of the Alternative Islamic Studies Program, ensuring program effectiveness and recommending improvements to the Board
• Oversee and or work with a board-appointed qualified curriculum specialist/consultant on a comprehensive review and improvement of the Alternative Islamic Studies Program
• Ensure that all aspects of the Alternative Islamic Studies Program align with and promote CISS's mission, vision, and Islamic educational values

3. Operations & Facilities

• Oversee daily operations and serve as the lead contact for all CISS administration, maintenance, internal systems, vendors, and staff
• Provide oversight to the Maintenance Director and support strategic priorities related

to day-to-day facility operations, maintenance, and long-term planning

• Coordinate CISS Board maintenance plans, capital upgrades, renovations, and facility improvement projects
• Monitor maintenance project timelines, vendor performance, quality of work, adherence

to safety standards, and budget compliance

4. Financial Oversight

• Collaborate with and assist the CISS Board Chief Financial Officer in the monitoring and preparing of regular financial reports and of the annual operating budget and updates to the Board and community
• Support the implementation of sound financial practices by ensuring fiscal accountability, appropriate documentation, and adherence to financial controls and policies
• Track expenses against the approved budget and prepare regular variance reports

5. Communications & Community Relations

• Represent CISS publicly in a professional manner that reflects its mission, values, and community expectations
• Establish and maintain effective communication channels with parents, staff, donors,

volunteers, and the broader community

• Oversee the CISS website, social media platforms, public updates, and organizational communications
• Deliver regular updates to parents and stakeholders, fostering transparency, trust, and community engagement
• Assist with donor relations, stakeholder engagement, and community outreach initiatives
• Handle sensitive communications with discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment

6. Human Resources & Organizational Culture

• Foster a professional, respectful, and service-oriented culture rooted in Islamic values
• Develop and implement performance expectations and evaluation processes for CISS-administered principals and staff
• Support Alternative Program staff development, role clarity, accountability, professional growth, and succession planning
• Collaborate with principals on the hiring, discipline, performance improvement, or termination decisions of the Alternative Program staff
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion in personnel and organizational matters

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum of 7 years of progressive senior leadership experience in non-profit organizations, education, operations, community-based programming, or related management settings
• Degree or diploma in Business Administration, Education, Non-profit, Management, Public Administration, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience in staff leadership, budget management, project oversight, vendor management, and stakeholder engagement
• Experience working within a Board, committee, or governance structure
• Strong understanding of educational systems, program administration, curriculum development, or alternative education programming
• Demonstrated financial literacy, including experience with budget development, monitoring, financial controls, and reporting
• Exceptional leadership, communication, organizational, and project management skills
• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential matters with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment
• Successful completion of a Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check

Preferred

• Experience in Islamic schools, faith-based organizations, or community-based educational settings
• Familiarity with Alberta's education system, including alternative education programs and relationships with school divisions.
• Understanding of and respect for Islamic educational values and the mission and vision of CISS
• Experience with facilities management, capital projects, communications, public relations, or policy development
• Experience working with donors, volunteers, community stakeholders, and partnership development

Core Competencies

• Strategic Leadership and Execution
• People Leadership and Team Development
• Communication, Transparency, and Relationship Building
• Financial Stewardship and Budget Oversight
• Stakeholder Engagement and Community Relations
• Operational Excellence and Organizational Management
• Governance and Collaborative Decision-Making
• Educational Leadership and Cultural Competence
• Mission Alignment and Islamic Values-Based Leadership

Employment Conditions

• Full-time 24 months term, on-site position
• Occasional evening or weekend meetings may be required
• Minimal local travel may be required
• Subject to annual performance review by the CISS Board
• Must work within Board-approved policies, budgets, and authority limits

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter outlining their experience, leadership approach, and alignment with CISS’s mission to ***email_hidden***

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

CISS thanks all applicants for their interest. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.