Strategy Director

Description:

Practice and Research Together (PART) is a nationally recognized, membership-based non-profit organization committed to promoting evidence-informed practice in the child welfare sector across Canada. By bridging the gap between research and practice, PART ensures that child welfare professionals at all levels — from frontline practitioners to policy makers — are equipped with timely, relevant, and practical knowledge.

To support its continued growth and impact, PART is seeking a Strategy Director on a 15-month contract to lead long-term visioning, strategic planning, sustainability initiatives, and high-level stakeholder engagement. This senior leadership role offers a unique opportunity to influence systemic change, drive innovation, and contribute to the wellbeing of children and families across the country.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Planning & Vision Development

• Conduct a comprehensive organizational analysis, identifying key sectoral trends and challenges.

• Develop and articulate a bold, future-focused strategic vision for PART.

• Lead the formulation and execution of a multi-year strategic plan, aligning organizational goals with opportunities in child welfare and knowledge mobilization.

• Apply data-driven insights to shape strategy and influence decision-making.

2. Sustainability & Funding Strategy

• Evaluate the organization's financial sustainability and advise on diversification of revenue streams.

• Identify new funding sources, develop innovative fundraising strategies, and support grant writing initiatives.

• Build partnerships with government, corporate, philanthropic, and community-based organizations to secure long-term financial support.

3. Strategic Communication & Organizational Alignment

• Create and implement a comprehensive communication strategy for internal and external stakeholders.

• Align board, staff, and partners with the strategic direction, ensuring clarity of purpose and collective commitment.

• Collaborate with the Executive Director and PART team to increase visibility and stakeholder engagement.

4. Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Building

• Cultivate and strengthen relationships with a broad range of stakeholders, including governmental agencies, research institutions, and sector leaders.

• Advocate for the value of knowledge translation in child welfare and ensure PART’s presence in policy and sectoral dialogues.

• Act as a liaison to funders and partners, promoting collaboration and co-investment in PART’s mission.

5. Risk Management & Organizational Leadership

• Identify organizational risks and challenges, and proactively develop mitigation and contingency plans.

• Lead mid-scale projects tied to sustainability and growth.

• Provide visionary and practical leadership to cross-functional teams in a dynamic non-profit environment.

Qualifications:

Experience:

• 5–7 years of leadership experience in strategic planning, preferably in social services, education, or governance-based or membership-based organizations.

• Proven success in business development, organizational growth, and leading strategic initiatives.

• Experience working with non-profit boards and managing sustainability-related projects.

• Demonstrated ability to foster stakeholder relationships and navigate complex partnerships.

Skills:

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to analyze trends, envision long-term goals, and align operations with strategy.

• Leadership: Proven capacity to lead teams, drive change, and inspire commitment.

• Communication: Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills with the ability to influence, align, and engage diverse stakeholders.

• Financial Acumen: Understanding of revenue modeling, budgeting, and financial sustainability in a non-profit context.

• Project Management: Strong ability to lead cross-functional initiatives, ensuring timely and successful execution.

• Risk Management: Skilled in identifying potential threats and developing adaptive strategies to mitigate impact.

• Sector Knowledge: Familiarity with child welfare, social policy, and knowledge mobilization practices in Canada.

Education:

• Graduate degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Public Administration, or related field.

• Advanced degrees such as MBA, MPA, or Master in Strategy preferred.

• A combination of relevant education and significant experience will be considered.