Executive Director

THE POSITION

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will build on Egale’s proud 40-year history to steward the next phase of organizational growth and impact. The Executive Director will be responsible for overall strategic and operational leadership of Egale, ensuring that the organization is thriving, efficient, resilient, and firmly grounded in an anti-oppression framework.

 In close collaboration with the Board, staff, community partners, funders, and other stakeholders, the Executive Director will:

• Lead the implementation of Egale’s strategic plan.
• Strengthen and scale Egale’s programs, operations, and organizational culture.
• Advance fundraising and fiscal sustainability.
• Serve as a leading public voice on 2SLGBTQI equity, human rights, and justice.
• Deepen Egale’s impact across Canada and globally through partnerships, advocacy, and systems change.

This is a mission-critical leadership role at a pivotal time for 2SLGBTQI communities and for the broader human rights landscape.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1.    Strategy, Vision & Leadership

• Lead the implementation of a multi-year strategic plan that further defines Egale’s priorities and impact agenda, in collaboration with staff, board, funders, advisors, and peer organizations.
• Enhance Egale’s role in building 2SLGBTQI equity movements with a sustainable financial and organizational infrastructure, in partnership with regional, national, and international organizations.
• Lead the senior management team in stewarding Egale’s mission, programs, and operations, including program design and annual operating goals, ensuring that all activities advance Egale’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Conduct periodic evaluations of existing work and systematically assess opportunities for new initiatives, measuring alignment with Egale’s vision, mission, and strategic plan.
• Identify, assess, and inform the Board of Directors of internal and external issues affecting Egale; serve as a trusted advisor to the Board on all aspects of the organization’s activities and context.
• Provide effective staff support to the Board, including preparation for Board and committee meetings, and facilitation of the Board’s work as a governing, strategic, and fundraising body.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with funders, governments (federal, provincial, municipal), and other organizations working in related sectors to achieve Egale’s goals.

2. Organizational Development & Culture

• Ensure the organizational structure supports sustainable expansion and growth while centering staff well-being and reinforcing an anti-oppression framework in all aspects of Egale’s work.
• Advance racial, gender, disability justice, and other equity priorities throughout Egale’s culture, structures, policies, practices, and operations.
• Dedicate appropriate resources and expertise to build and sustain a strong, values-aligned human resources function.
• Refine, strengthen, and implement policies and procedures that reflect Egale’s mission, values, and commitments to equity and inclusion.
• Center mentoring and coaching of the management and senior teams, providing support to build cohesive, high-performing, and values-driven teams.
• Support the development of a leadership stream and pathways for diverse staff across the organization.
• Prioritize professional development, learning, and mentoring, cultivating the next generation of leaders within Egale and the broader movement.
• Champion a healthy, psychologically safe, and inclusive workplace that lives Egale’s values in everyday decision-making, practices, and behaviours.

3. Fundraising & Fiscal Stewardship

• Lead and actively engage in Egale’s fundraising efforts across revenue streams (individual donors, institutional funders, governments, corporate partners, foundations, and international funds).
• In partnership with the Board and staff, develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders to expand and diversify Egale’s base of support.
• Leverage Egale’s external presence and brand to grow fundraising initiatives and partnerships.
• Increase and diversify unrestricted funding sources and grow Egale’s reserves and endowment to support long-term sustainability.
• Oversee effective and efficient management of the organization’s financial resources, ensuring fiscal stability, accountability, and long-term sustainability.
• Working closely with the Director of Finance and Administration, ensure robust financial and administrative systems and sound bookkeeping, accounting procedures, and internal controls are in place and consistently followed.
• Establish oversight mechanisms to ensure ongoing compliance with all applicable legal, accounting, regulatory, and reporting requirements.
• Provide the Board with comprehensive, regular, and transparent reports on the organization’s financial performance, including revenues, expenditures, risks, and opportunities.

4. Communications, Public Leadership & Outreach

• Serve as the primary external spokesperson for Egale, representing the organization in media, public events, conferences, and other forums.
• Represent Egale to a broad range of stakeholders including community partners, funding partners, donors, international organizations, and advisors.
• Serve as an advisor and thought partner to governments, private foundations, corporate partners, and other institutions on issues impacting 2SLGBTQI communities.
• Ensure clear, consistent, and values-aligned communication within the organization and across all external channels.
• Support the development of narratives, campaigns, and communication strategies that centre 2SLGBTQI voices and lived experiences.

5. Government Relations & Advocacy

• Working closely with the Managing Director and other senior leaders, help ensure that government policies, regulations, and legislation reflect the needs and rights of 2SLGBTQI peoples in Canada.
• Identify strategic opportunities for collaboration and coalition-building to increase Egale’s visibility and influence in Ottawa and other government centres.
• Actively participate in government consultations, advisory bodies, and strategic forums; provide critical insight on issues impacting 2SLGBTQI communities in Canada and abroad.
• Monitor legislative, policy, and regulatory activity that may affect 2SLGBTQI communities and related human rights frameworks.
• Develop and oversee a government engagement strategy and advocacy plan aligned with Egale’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Guide the development and communication of public policy positions on issues impacting 2SLGBTQI people.

YEAR ONE PRIORITIES

 Within the first 12–18 months, the Executive Director will be expected to:

• Build Trust & Relationships
• Establish strong, trust-based relationships with the Board, senior leadership team, staff, community partners, and key funders.
• Demonstrate deep alignment with Egale’s values and commitments to 2SLGBTQI communities and anti-oppression.
• Deepen Strategic Clarity & Focus
• Gain a comprehensive understanding of Egale’s programs, operations, and financial position.
• Confirm and/or refine Egale’s strategic priorities and impact metrics in partnership with the Board and leadership team.
• Strengthen Organizational Infrastructure & Culture
• Assess Egale’s organizational structure, policies, and culture; identify opportunities to strengthen alignment, clarity, and accountability.
• Advance concrete actions to embed racial, gender, disability, and intersecting justice commitments across all areas.
• Advance Financial Sustainability & Fundraising
• Review Egale’s fundraising strategy, revenue mix, and donor relationships; identify opportunities to diversify and grow unrestricted revenue.
• Lead the development or refinement of a multi-year fundraising and financial sustainability plan.
• Enhance Visibility, Advocacy & Partnerships
• Increase Egale’s visibility and influence with key stakeholders, including government, funders, community organizations, and media.
• Strengthen strategic partnerships at national and international levels in service of Egale’s mission.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will bring a combination of lived experience, professional expertise, and values alignment. Egale recognizes that leadership can be built in multiple ways and encourages candidates to highlight both formal and informal pathways to their experience.

Core Qualifications

• A deep, demonstrated commitment to Egale’s mission, vision, and values, including 2SLGBTQI rights, equity, and justice.
• Significant senior leadership experience in non-profit, charitable, advocacy, public sector, or related settings, including managing remote and/or distributed teams.
• Experience building and growing strong organizational cultures rooted in racial, gender, disability, and intersectional justice, and in anti-oppressive practice.
• Demonstrated experience with non-profit organizational development, including scaling operational infrastructure, systems, and processes to support growth.
• Experience working in a unionized environment, including collaboration with union representatives and familiarity with collective agreements and labour relations.
• Strategic fundraising experience, including cultivating and stewarding individual donors, institutional funders, and/or government partners, and soliciting major gifts or multi-year commitments.
• Experience working with or reporting to a non-profit Board, and a solid understanding of governance, Board development, and effective decision-making processes.
• Proven ability to develop, oversee, and manage complex budgets that may include restricted government grants, individual gifts, international funds, investments, and/or fiscal sponsorships.
• Demonstrated experience leading the creation, implementation, and evaluation of strategic plans.
• Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to speak and write clearly, persuasively, and inclusively to diverse audiences.
• Enthusiasm and availability for significant domestic and international travel, as required by the role.
• Commitment to lifelong learning, and a strong desire to mentor, coach, and support staff at all levels.
• Bilingual in French and English (oral and written).

Assets (Non-Exhaustive)

• Experience leading organizations or initiatives serving 2SLGBTQI communities, or other equity-seeking and marginalized communities.
• Experience in public policy, government relations, or advocacy at the federal or provincial/territorial level.
• Experience working in intersectional spaces (e.g., anti-racism, disability justice, migrant justice, Indigenous rights, etc.).
• Lived experience as a member of 2SLGBTQI communities and/or other marginalized communities.
• Egale understands that candidates may meet these requirements through a combination of formal education, professional experience, and lived experience. We encourage candidates to clearly outline how their background aligns with the role and the organization’s needs. 

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES & LEADERSHIP STYLE

• Deep integrity, humility, and authenticity.
• Highly collaborative, inclusive, and consensus-building leadership style.
• Strong critical thinking skills; able to navigate complexity, ambiguity, and change with steadiness.
• Courageous and principled decision-maker, particularly when faced with difficult or politically sensitive issues.
• Emotionally intelligent, empathetic, and able to hold space for diverse perspectives and lived experiences.
• Results-oriented and accountable, balanced with care for people and process.
• Skilled at building trust, repairing harm, and fostering psychological safety. 

COMPENSATION

Egale offers a competitive compensation package aligned with the scope of the role and the non-profit sector, including:

• A competitive base salary.
• Participation in Egale’s benefits program.
• Paid time off and leave policies that reflect Egale’s commitment to staff well-being.

Specific total compensation details will be discussed with candidates during the interview process and will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates are invited to submit the following:

• Current resume
• Cover letter outlining your interest in the role, alignment with Egale’s mission and values, and key experiences that prepare you for this position

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

OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY

Egale is committed to building a diverse team and an inclusive workplace where members of traditionally marginalized communities feel welcomed, valued, and empowered to apply.

We recognize that a diverse workforce and volunteer base are essential to advancing our mission, and we are committed to taking proactive steps to address historical and ongoing barriers related to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, language, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and other forms of systemic discrimination.

We strongly encourage applications from people who identify as members of equity-deserving communities, including but not limited to 2SLGBTQI communities, Black, Indigenous, and racialized people, people with disabilities, and people with lived experience related to Egale’s work.

Egale welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. If you have questions or requests for accommodation, please email accessiblecareers@egale.ca.

ABOUT US

Egale Canada was founded in 1986 in response to the critical need for increased rights and protections for 2SLGBTQI people. Through legal advocacy in the courts, and by winning the hearts and minds of people across the country, Egale has long played a significant role in advancing the rights of 2SLGBTQI people and combatting discrimination.

Egale is Canada’s leading organization for 2SLGBTQI people and issues. We improve and save lives through research, education, awareness, and by advocating for human rights and equality in Canada and around the world.

Our work helps create societies and systems that reflect the universal truth that all persons are equal and none is other.