Position Overview
Organization: Community Futures Development Corporation of Chatham-Kent
Title: Executive Director
Reports to: Board of Directors
Team: 4
Location: 124 Thames Street, Chatham, Ontario, N7L 2Y8 (hybrid work is available though in office will be a requirement for the majority of the week)
The Position
The longstanding and well-respected Executive Director is retiring, creating this vacancy. We are seeking a charismatic, energetic, and entrepreneurial leader to become the next Executive Director of Community Futures Development Corporation of Chatham-Kent. Reporting to the Board of Directors and inheriting a high performing team of four, our Executive Director will be accountable to representing the organization within the community. An able and energetic networker, our Executive Director will be visible and will be expected to be active in the community through attending community events and meeting with partners such as local banks and liaising with local government.
On a day-to-day basis, the Executive Director will oversee all administrative duties (with the support of an administrative assistant) as well as overseeing accounting and required government reporting procedures. They will work closely with their two part-time Business Development Coordinators (Loan Officers) to review and approve or reject applications. Once monthly they will meet with the volunteer board to present loans currently in cue for board approval and commentary.
Our Executive Director possibly has a lending background. Perhaps they have worked at a financial institution in the past and are looking for a role where they can operate with less ‘red tape’ and lead an organization that is grounded in altruism – as ultimately the organization exists to help local entrepreneurs thrive. Community Futures is different from a traditional lending institution as they pride themselves on their human connection with their clients. They are also able to partner with other lenders in the event a loan exceeds their loan threshold. They can get creative and can work with entrepreneurs to help them be successful outside of the loan – by helping them with their business plan, and overall financial literacy. If our Executive Director doesn’t have lending experience, they have been an entrepreneur themselves and understand the unique pressures business owners face. An empathy mindset will help our Executive Director succeed.
If our Executive Director isn’t from the Chatham-Kent community, they possess the personality where they can integrate with ease and can bring a fresh approach and perspective to the work.
Ideally our Executive Director has had experience reporting to a Board of Directors in the past – or they have sat on a Board themselves.
Above all, our Executive Director will be a committed servant leader who cares deeply about supporting the local community and playing a vital role in supporting the economic development of the region.
Community Futures Program
The Community Futures (CF) Program is a community-driven, economic development initiative designed to assist communities in Canada’s rural areas to develop and implement strategies for dealing with a changing economic environment.
Community Futures organizations offer a wide variety of programs and services supporting community economic development and small business growth:
- Strategic community planning and socio-economic development;
- Support for community-based projects;
- Business information and planning services;
- Access to capital for small-and medium-sized businesses and social enterprises
These community-based, not-for-profit organizations are staffed by professionals, and each are governed by a local volunteer board of directors familiar with their communities’ needs, concerns and future development priorities.
FedDev Ontario supports Community Futures Organizations and their respective regional networks that are located within rural eastern and southern Ontario.
Community Futures Ontario represents 60 Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) – 36 in southern Ontario and 24 in the north – that offer free business counselling, loans for start-up and expansion of small business, strategic planning on local projects and community economic development in rural areas.
The Chatham-Kent Community
Chatham Kent is in Southwestern Ontario, with access to both rural lifestyle and urban amenities, is a great place to call home. The region’s populations are centered around the communities of Chatham, Wallaceburg, Tilbury, Blenheim, Ridgetown, Wheatley and Dresden. The municipality was created in 1998. Known for long white sandy beaches, fishing, hiking trails and conservation areas, makes the region a popular vacation destination. The region is also home to two provincial parks. The annual car show, Retrofest attracts hundreds of classic car collectors. Downtown Chatham is home to the Chatham Capitol Theatre which opened in 1930, and is still home to world-class shows today. The region boasts a rich visual culture, both the Thames Art Gallery and ARTspace, located in the historic downtown, feature exhibitions showcasing local artists from the area, while also featuring other Canadian and international artists. Learn more by visiting www.chatham-kent.ca
Community Futures Development Corporation of Chatham-Kent
Community Futures Development Corporation of Chatham-Kent serves the local CK community and is staffed with a high-performance team of four. The organization partners closely with local lending institutions, the municipality as well as government at all levels. Under the leadership of their (retiring) outgoing and well-respected Executive Director, their profile has grown steadily within the CK community over the last 10 years. Our new Executive Director will be inheriting a very well run, financially strong, established Community Futures Office with the mandate to continue to grow the presence and profile of the organization within the community.
Mission
Community Futures is an organization whose mission is “to work in partnership with business, all levels of government and the community at large to actively promote, encourage and facilitate economic growth in Chatham-Kent.”
Core Values
Integrity and ethical
Direct, open, and honest communication
Commitment to entrepreneurs
Creative/innovative/risk-taking
Collaboration
Strategic Plan Priorities
- Strengthen partnerships and raise the organizations profile through networking and increased social media presence
- To support economic growth and job creation
- To promote the organizations services, recruit board members within the region and to embrace technology to streamline services while still maintaining a ‘human touch’
Primary Accountabilities
Board of Directors & Board Governance Accountability
- Ensure all Board and Committee meetings are well organized, that agendas and board packages are accurate, fairly reflect the organization’s financial position and activities that the information is distributed in a timely manner
- Ensuring accurate minutes are maintained for all board meetings inclusive of ‘ad-hoc’ committees
- Support the Board in accordance with the by-laws and governance framework
- Liase between Board and FedDev and ensure on behalf of the Board that the organization is adhering to its contribution agreements with FedDev and other funders
- Presents on a monthly basis to the Board loans currently in que that require Board approval, involving the Board when required on delayed loan payments and seeking Board advice/direction as required
- Monitor, evaluate and report regularly to the Board on process of strategic goals and objectives
- Makes recommendations to the Board regarding succession plans for staff
- Acting as an ex-officio member of the Board
Community Economic Development
- Respond to and track general enquiries and refer when appropriate
- Support the staff in providing information and counselling services to individuals looking to start a business in the service area and to existing businesses to assist them in maintaining or growing their business
- Supervise the Business Development Coordinators in helping clients solve their business challenges and find new opportunities for success by assisting them with research, planning, development and evaluation
- Recommend any changes to the services and programs offered by the organization that would improve and enhance client service and/or contribute to the clients success
- Developing and implementing Community Economic Development activities and opportunities as required with the assistance of the CED Committee or other community agencies
- Consulting with CED and ED practitioners from other communities to cultivate best practices
Finance, Reporting & Investment
- Oversee two part-time Business Development Coordinators (Loan Officers) and provide oversight and coaching of daily loan activities as required
- Oversee and/or prepare and submit required monthly government financial reports
- Implement accounting policies and procedures
- Prepare and submit budget for approval to the Board of Directors
- Administer and oversee the budget
- Ensure the negotiation of all contract services
- Ensuring the completion of the audited statements
- Overseeing and preparing the annual submission to the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev)
- Overseeing and preparing the Annual Report
- Assist applications for loans and making recommendations to the Board
- Evaluate the performance of business receiving financing and reporting performance evaluation to the Board
- Dealing with any client problems identified by the team
Team & Community Leadership
- Oversees, coaches and mentors existing team while providing annual performance reviews to staff along with any salary recommendations to the Board
- Working to develop succession plans for existing team to ensure seamless future transitions
- Plays lead role in any recruiting or training of new staff members
- Provides ongoing review and evaluation of progress against strategic goals
- Serves as an ambassador for the organization, both within the local CK community and within the Community Futures network, consistently and convincingly demonstrating the importance of the organizations mission
- Planning and participating in seminars or workshops as it relates to small business
- Speaking to interested community groups
- Hosting or participating in appropriate events within the community and with community partners
- Distributing printed information to local groups and agencies within the community
The Ideal Candidate
Our candidate will:
- Ideally possess a degree/diploma in business, commerce or finance or relevant work experience
- Ideally will have a lending background and/or understanding of business loans
- Ideally experience working within the nonprofit sector or will have Board experience
- Budgeting and financial management experience
- Experience in business counselling and knowledge of small business information and programs
- Ability to develop and successfully implement a workplan with measurable objectives
- Ideally will have experience within the CK community – and if not a comfort level to establish oneself as a active member of the community
- Excellent interpersonal skills with high EQ
- Time management skills, organizational skills
- Experience managing a high performing autonomous team
- Comfort level speaking in public
- Drivers license with a reliable vehicle
- Ability to work flexible hours as required
Compensation & Benefits
The hiring range for this position is $85,000-$115,000 plus a benefit and vacation package which will be shared with interested, qualified candidates.
Application Instructions
If you feel you meet or exceed the requirements outlined above, we would love to hear from you. Please note our successful candidate will need to be in the office (though remote work will be available). Please keep this in mind while applying that this is a requirement and expectation of the Board and the Community.
Please submit your CV along with a covering letter explaining why you should be a serious candidate to Lindsay Preston (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) at Preston Human Capital Group by no later than 5pm ET on July 5, 2024.
All applications are considered confidential. Community Futures Development Corporation values inclusivity and diversity in the workplace. We welcome and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds. We are committed to providing accessible employment practices that comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please notify us through your application.
Please note all inquiries and applications will be held in strict confidence and only qualified respondents will be contacted for interview. We thank you in advance for your interest.
