Experiential / outdoor education programs, Recreation management

Position: Executive Director
Organization: Nova Scotia Sea School
Work Location: Remote work; operations based in Halifax and/or Lunenburg; expectation for considerable in-person work particularly during the summer season

Summary: The Nova Scotia Sea School is seeking an experienced and passionate professional to join our crew as Executive Director. Become part of an enthusiastic group of community minded professionals who work to serve a diverse group of youth. Be a steward of our strategic vision and help guide us through our 31st year and beyond!

Application deadline: Wednesday February 12, 9am AST
Start Date: April 1, 2025

Our commitment to equitable hiring practices: Sea School is committed long-term to improving diversity within its leadership and participantship in a meaningful and structural way. We welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and racialized people, Persons with Disabilities, Women, Persons from the 2SLGBTQ+ community, religious minority communities and/or other communities where they are under-represented. Reach out if you'd like to hear more about Sea School's commitments, goals, intentions, and partnerships with regards to diversity in sailing and in outdoor communities. If you are an applicant who is part of an underserved population, we invite you to self-identify.

Job Overview:

Reporting to the NS Sea School Board of Directors, the Executive Director will manage the strategic operations and fund development of the organization including board governance, fund development, financial management, partnerships, HR management, facilities and capital oversight. All of these duties require strong organization, flexibility, excellent communication skills, responsiveness to unexpected scenarios and commitment to follow through. This role demands proficiency in verbal and written communication, working with diverse groups of individuals and responsiveness in a fast-paced environment.

Candidates can expect to join a crew of enthusiastic outdoor professionals who work to serve a diversity of youth. Our summer season, starting in May and continuing until September, is our most intensive period, where you can expect to work weekends / evenings and be on call for a portion of July / August. This time period is an ‘all hands on deck’ approach where you and the staff team will support the implementation and logistics of leadership training programs and youth expeditions. For the remaining months of the year, you can expect to focus more on administrative work, fund development, partnership development, and support for programs.

Tasks / Duties:

Key Responsibilities:

• Operational Management: Oversee budget, cash flow, audits, and reporting to the Board of Directors. Supervise the Program Director and manage staff recruitment, performance, and risk management.
• Fund Development: Develop and implement fundraising strategies, secure individual and corporate donations, manage grants, and organize annual events.
• Strategic Planning & Partnerships: Lead the development and execution of the organizational strategic plan, build key partnerships, and engage stakeholders and the board.
• Facilities & Risk Management: Manage properties, ensure safety standards, develop risk management policies, and oversee staff training and emergency response plans.

Prerequisites:

Required Qualifications:

• Post-secondary education or equivalent work experience in one of: recreation management, parks and tourism, health promotion, business administration, or bachelor of education.
• Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience including strategic planning, fund development, budget development and management, operations and risk management, and staff supervision.
• Experience in non-profit and /or recreation program / or camp administration.
• Excellent communication skills including written communication (grant proposals, letters, communication with partners and stakeholders, etc.), presentation and facilitation skills (meeting facilitation, staff training and presentations, etc.), and conflict resolution experience.
• Proven commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Facility with technology including a strong understanding of all aspects of Google drive, google docs and social media applications.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience with board of directors either as a board member or reporting to a board.
• Experience working directly with youth and vulnerable or underrepresented youth.
• Experience with outdoor program design, pedagogy and evaluation.
• Experience with facility and equipment management.

Professional Qualities:

• Ability to think strategically, and maintain high level oversight
• Ability to bring strategy to life
• Excellent relationship building and community engagement skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Independent worker with high motivation and drive
• Comfortable with both hands-on and office / computer related work duties
• Ability to consistently provide a positive and team oriented attitude
• Flexible and adaptable to changes in priorities and / or logistical needs
• Problem solving and creative troubleshooting skills
• Demonstrated skills with risk management and emergency response

Work Conditions Prerequisites:

• Valid driver’s license with access to a car for program logistics and travel to meetings
• Own / use a mobile phone (50% of monthly cost will be covered by Sea School)
• Standard First Aid / Wilderness First Aid or willing to acquire this upon hiring
• Prepared to participate in training and respond to major and minor incidents alongside staff and volunteers
• Prepared to work weekends, evenings and periodic overnights (overtime covered as time in lieu) during peak program times
• Prepared to be ‘on call’ 24 hrs / day for a portion of the program season (training will be provided)
• Able to provide a Child Abuse Registry and Criminal Record check with a Vulnerable Sector search upon hiring

Hours of Work: 37.5 hrs/wk

Compensation: $75,000 - $85,000 per annum based on experience; 3 weeks vacation plus 2 paid weeks during the office closure at end of December, eligible after 6 months; cost-shared benefits package; overtime is compensated with time in lieu;)

Application deadline: Wednesday February 12th at 9:00am AST.

Apply with a cover letter and resume. Attention, ED Recruitment Committee: applications@seaschool.org

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

 

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About the Nova Scotia Sea School
(for more information visit seaschool.org)

The Sea School offers primarily teenagers, ages 12 to 18, adventure experiences that transform how they see themselves, the world around them and their capacity to contribute to our society. From the simple experience of life on a small boat or building something with their hands, youth gain the confidence and awareness to make important decisions about their lives. The Sea School delivers multi-day expeditions on sailboats, on remote islands learning wilderness skills and in heritage places doing boat building and seamanship skill development. Each year the school impacts over 200 teenagers on programs, and works with over 40 community partners. A large portion of our participants are supported through our flexible payment structure and fundraising initiatives. www.seaschool.org