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Career Opportunity

Executive Director, Elizabeth Fry Society of Mainland Nova Scotia (Halifax)

Organization Overview

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Mainland Nova Scotia (EFMNS) is a non-profit, charitable organization devoted to improving the lives of marginalized groups of identified women, girls, non-binary, and gender diverse individuals who have been let down by broken systems that perpetuate inequality.

Our services aim to break the cycles that lead to criminalization by offering critical supports for transitional housing, programming both in jail and in the community to help develop essential life skills, and a range of court navigation services to provide underserved communities with the access to justice they deserve.

EFMNS currently has more than 60 employees, working out of four housing sites and three offices (Halifax, Dartmouth, and Truro). We also own a law firm called PATH Legal, which offers legal services in the areas of social justice and prison law, at low or no cost to qualifying clients.

Position Summary

The Executive Director (ED) provides visionary, strategic, and operational leadership to advance the mission of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Mainland Nova Scotia.

Reporting to the Board of Directors via the Board Chair, the ED is responsible for organizational sustainability, program effectiveness, staff leadership, and community impact, with a strong commitment to social justice, anti-oppression practice, and restorative approaches.

Key Responsibilities

The ED is responsible for the overall administration and management of human and financial resources needed to achieve EFMNS’s mission and mandate. This position works in close collaboration and partnership with the Board of Directors and staff leadership to provide leadership and vision for the organization.

The ED reports directly to the Board of Directors via the Chair of the Board. The ED has three direct reports at the Director level.

Leadership & Strategy

  • Provide organizational management and strategic direction consistent with EFMNS’s Vision, Mission, Core Values, and 2025-2028 Strategic Plan
  • Make appropriate high-level, high-impact, and emergency decisions on behalf of EFMNS
  • Champion anti-oppressive, trauma-informed, restorative, and feminist frameworks

Staff Leadership & Organizational Culture

  • Manage, support, and oversee the Director of Programs, Director of Housing, and Director of Operations, who report directly to the ED
  • Act as liaison for leadership of PATH Legal, a non-profit law firm owned by EFMNS
  • Assist where needed with human resources, including the recruitment, training, support, and discipline of staff at the Manager and Coordinator level
  • Encourage professional development and organize staff training and bonding opportunities, including leading an annual retreat
  • Foster a healthy, inclusive, and supportive workplace culture, with a focus on staff retention and satisfaction
  • Steer EFMNS with a relational leadership model

Operations & Program Oversight

  • High-level oversight of day-to-day operations and ensure effective delivery of programs and services
  • Lead the creation of organizational policies and procedures to streamline and standardize operations and maintain high-quality service delivery
  • Model compliance with EFMNS policies and procedures, and uphold organizational standards

Financial & Fund Management

  • Lead the creation of the annual budget in collaboration with the Board Treasurer, Director of Operations, and Bookkeeper
  • Ensure strong financial controls, reporting, and accountability
  • Provide high-level oversight of funding agreements and ensure compliance with government and funder requirements
  • Build and maintain relationships with funders, including individuals, government, and private foundations
  • Identify opportunities for sustainable growth and diversification of funding

Board Relationship

  • Serve as an ex officio non-voting member of the EFMNS Board of Directors
  • Maintain consistent, transparent, and proactive communication with the Board Chair, including a weekly check-in call
  • Prepare and present oral and written reports for bi-monthly Board meetings, providing updates on operations, major developments, and progress on meeting the goals and objectives in the 2025-2028 Strategic Plan
  •  Participate in bi-monthly meetings with the Board Officers as a member of the Executive Team, alongside the Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary
  • Collaborate with the Board to establish strategic plans on a three-year rotation, ensuring staff perspective and operational considerations are taken into account
  • Participate in an annual performance review and goal-setting exercise

Community Engagement & Advocacy

  • Build partnerships with aligned organizations to maximize community impact, reduce duplicity, and provide targeted resources to all clients
  • Promote education and awareness on issues affecting EFMNS clients
  • Serve as the public representative and spokesperson for the organization
  • Build partnerships with members of community agencies, government, and justice system
  • Represent and advocate for EFMNS’s interests to lawmakers
  • Advocate for systemic change on issues affecting criminalized and marginalized women and gender-diverse people

Qualifications

Required

  • Authorized to work legally in Canada
  • Demonstrated commitment to social justice, equity, and anti-oppressive practice
  • Professional or personal experience working with marginalized populations, ideally including people who have been criminalized and incarcerated
  • Strong organizational leadership skills
  • Excellent communication and advocacy skills

Preferred

  • 5+ years of senior leadership experience
  • Experience in the criminal justice, housing, or non-profit sectors
  • Experience in building and maintaining relationships with funders, supporters, lawmakers, and media
  • Experience working with or reporting to a Board of Directors
  • Lived experience relevant to the organization’s mission (valued and considered an asset)
  • Post-secondary education in social work, law, public administration, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and lived/professional experience

If you feel you are a good fit for this role but do not meet all requirements and preferences, you are nonetheless encouraged to apply.

Working for EFMNS

Compensation & Benefits

  • Salary range: $105,000-115,000 commensurate with experience and professional qualifications
  • Benefits: Full health benefits
  • Vacation: 4 weeks per year
  • Optional: Participation in a group savings plan

Working Conditions

  • Anticipated start: January 2027
  • Location: In-person at EFMNS Downtown Halifax location
    • Preferred workplaces of Dartmouth or Truro may be possible to accommodate
    • May consider requests to work remotely one day per week after a minimum of 6 months in role
    • No relocation assistance available
  • Travel: Once monthly to Truro office, other travel within Nova Scotia possible
  • Hours: Full-time (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm) with occasional evenings or weekends as required to participate in Board meetings or address urgent matters

Application Process

Equity & Inclusion

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Mainland Nova Scotia is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from individuals with lived experience, including those who have been impacted by the criminal justice system, as well as Indigenous, African Nova Scotian/Black, and racialized individuals, people with disabilities, newcomers, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

How to Apply

Please submit:

  • Resume/CV
  • Cover letter outlining your interest and relevant experience
  • Optional: Letters of reference

Applications should be sent to: Cydney Kane (Chair, Board of Directors) at boardchair@efrymns.ca

Deadline: June 30, 2026

Only applicants selected to move forward in the hiring process will be contacted. We thank all interested applicants for their time and interest.

Learn More

To learn more about EFMNS, please check out our website and follow us on social media!

Link to Job Posting: https://www.efrymns.ca/opportunities

Job Deadline/Expiry Date: 06/30/2026

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