Chief Executive Officer - Non-Profit Social Services (Hamilton)

About Our Client

Our client is a well-established, mission-driven social services organization with a strong reputation for delivering essential supports across a multi-site, multi-program footprint in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. With a workforce of over 300 employees, the organization operates in a highly regulated environment, providing services that require 24/7 operational continuity, robust quality standards, and responsive leadership. Over the past decade, the organization has experienced significant growth and diversification of services and funding, building a platform that is both stable and poised for continued evolution. Guided by a committed volunteer Board, the organization is recognized as a flagship provider in the social services sector. This CEO opportunity represents a rare chance to lead a values-based organization through a period of strategic renewal, operational strengthening, and external engagement.

Position Scope

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO is the organization’s most senior leader and is responsible and accountable for overall management, operational performance, and the achievement of strategic priorities within Board-approved policy parameters. The CEO serves as an exemplary and visible leader, mobilizing staff and partners to advance the organization’s mission, uphold best practices, and ensure the consistent delivery of high-quality services. In this role, the CEO provides leadership to a complex, multi-program organization of over 300 staff operating across multiple locations, while directly overseeing a senior leadership team of 5–10 direct reports. The CEO is responsible for stewarding a diverse funding model that includes significant public-sector relationships, along with associated performance, accountability, and reporting requirements. Operating within a unionized environment with multiple bargaining units, the CEO plays a key role in navigating ongoing labour relations matters. Externally, the CEO maintains a strong and visible presence, leading relationships with government, funders, community partners, and broader sector stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Policy, Strategy & Direction

• Lead the development of strategic priorities and policy recommendations to support the Board’s governance of organizational objectives.
• Ensure clear, timely reporting of organizational performance to the Board to enable accountability, evaluation, and course correction as required.
• Translate Board direction into executable plans, aligning people, resources, risk controls, and change management to achieve outcomes.
• Guide the organization through strategic plan renewal and stakeholder engagement processes over the next 12–18 months.

Community & Government Relations / External Leadership

• Build and sustain high-trust relationships with funders, government stakeholders, and community partners; represent the organization with credibility and diplomacy.
• Identify and pursue strategic partnerships that respond to emerging community needs and improve coordination and access.
• Influence and advocate effectively—using data and other evidence, business cases, etc.—to support sustainable service models and funding.
• Serve as a visible leader who exemplifies mission and values in all relationships.

Organizational Oversight (Programs, Operations & Service Excellence)

• Lead the senior team to ensure effective delivery of programs/services and sustained operational performance across a multi-site environment.
• Ensure the organization meets or exceeds requirements of all funding, regulatory, and accrediting bodies.
• Strengthen cross-functional coordination, process efficiency, and service excellence—balancing responsiveness with disciplined prioritization.
• Lead culture-building and change management across portfolios and functions.

Quality, Risk and Organizational Safety

• Oversee organizational risk management, ensuring compliance and proactive mitigation of legal, operational, financial, reputational, and safety risks.
• Advance quality improvement systems, performance monitoring, and governance-level reporting to support decision-making and accountability.
• Promote a healthy, inclusive workplace by ensuring adherence to workplace safety, human rights, and related legislative requirements.

Resource Stewardship (Financial, People and Information)

• Provide executive oversight for financial stewardship, asset protection, and resource allocation aligned to strategy and operational needs.
• Strengthen HR systems for recruitment, performance management, talent development, retention, and workforce planning.
• Lead labour relations strategy in collaboration with the Board and senior team, including bargaining preparation, communications strategy, and sustained relationship management.
• Modernize operational enablement (systems, technology, reporting processes) to improve efficiency and decision support.

Education and Experience

• An undergraduate degree, complemented by a master’s degree (social service or business field) is required.
• Proven senior executive leadership (CEO/ED or equivalent) within a complex, multi-program organization (ideally $8-10M+).
• Demonstrated success working with and supporting a policy-focused Board of Directors, including governance reporting, risk oversight, and strategic facilitation.
• Strong financial acumen and experience navigating public-sector funding agreements, accountability frameworks, and performance reporting.
• Experience leading in environments with union presence and labour relations complexity.
• Track record of leading organizational change, strengthening culture, and improving people practices in dynamic, high-pressure environments.
• Comfort operating in regulated settings with accreditation and compliance expectations.

Compensation

$155,000 – $170,000 base salary, pension, benefits and 4 weeks of vacation.

AI Disclosure

AI will not be used in the recruitment process.

Vacancy Disclosure

This is replacing an existing vacancy.

Application Information

Application Deadline: Friday July 3rd 2026 at 5pm ET.

Summit Search Group is a fair and equitable search firm. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process.