المسمى الوظيفي

Role overview

Wendy Ellen Inc. is recruiting on behalf of its client, ECALA, for an Executive Director to guide adult foundational learning across Edmonton and Alberta. In this senior leadership role, you will act as the organization’s main representative and advocate while ensuring strong performance, financial stability, and meaningful community outcomes.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will lead strategy, governance support, government relations, grant administration, community partnerships, and day-to-day organizational oversight. The position also carries responsibility for stewarding more than $2.5 million in annual public and community funding that supports community adult learning programs and adult learners.

This opportunity is suited to a relationship-driven leader who can strengthen partnerships, support innovation in learning, and help demonstrate measurable impact for adult literacy, numeracy, digital literacy, English language learning, employability, and lifelong learning.

About the organization

ECALA works to expand and strengthen adult foundational learning by offering leadership, funding, advocacy, professional development, collaboration, and capacity-building support to community-based adult learning organizations. Through cooperation with government, community organizations, Indigenous communities, educational institutions, and other stakeholders, ECALA helps adults access learning that improves quality of life, employment readiness, participation in community life, and lifelong learning.

What the role involves

The Executive Director will be responsible for putting ECALA’s strategic priorities into action, supporting effective governance, managing organizational operations, overseeing public funding, and building strong relationships with ministries, grant recipients, partners, employers, and funders.

Strategic leadership and advocacy

Provide clear, forward-looking leadership aligned with ECALA’s mission, values, and board-approved strategy.
Build ECALA’s reputation as a leading voice for adult foundational learning in Edmonton and across Alberta.
Track emerging developments, opportunities, and challenges affecting adult learners and community learning organizations.
Promote greater awareness, investment, and support for adult foundational learning.
Encourage innovation, partnership, and continuous improvement across the organization and the wider sector.
Ensure decisions reflect equity, inclusion, accessibility, reconciliation, and learner-centered values.

Government relations and sector leadership

Develop and sustain effective relationships with municipal, provincial, federal, and Indigenous governments.
Act as the main contact point for government ministries, elected officials, funders, and sector partners.
Represent ECALA in meetings, conferences, community gatherings, and consultations.
Stay informed on policy changes and funding priorities that affect adult education and community learning.
Advocate for long-term investment in adult foundational learning programs and services.
Work with sector organizations and community partners to advance common goals and results.

Grant administration and community investment

Oversee the management of more than $2.5 million in annual operating and grant funding.
Ensure funding allocation processes are fair, transparent, evidence-based, and tied to strategic priorities.
Manage funding agreements, reporting obligations, monitoring, and accountability structures.
Support the board and committees in making sound funding decisions.
Assess grant-funded initiatives and track outcomes against organizational goals.
Ensure compliance with provincial funding agreements and Community Adult Learning Program requirements.

Organizational leadership

Guide, coach, and develop a committed high-performing team.
Create a workplace culture built on collaboration, accountability, inclusion, innovation, and ongoing learning.
Ensure effective planning, performance management, and succession planning.
Support staff development and strengthen organizational capacity.
Promote strong communication and teamwork throughout the organization.
Align organizational resources with strategic priorities.

Financial stewardship and risk management

Provide oversight for ECALA’s annual budget of more than $2.5 million.
Maintain strong financial management, internal controls, and accountability practices.
Prepare and present budgets, forecasts, and financial reports to the board.
Monitor performance against approved budgets and operational plans.
Ensure compliance with financial policies, legislation, contracts, and funding agreements.
Identify and manage risks while supporting long-term sustainability.

Governance and board relations

Serve as the board’s principal advisor.
Support strong governance through timely, accurate, and strategic reporting.
Assist the board with strategic planning, policy development, and oversight responsibilities.
Build productive working relationships with board members and committees.
Maintain a clear separation between governance and operations.
Carry out board decisions and strategic priorities effectively.

Community partnerships and stakeholder engagement

Build and maintain partnerships with community adult learning programs, Indigenous communities, settlement and immigrant-serving agencies, educational institutions, workforce development groups, community organizations, employers, industry partners, government funders, and philanthropic organizations.
Encourage collaboration among stakeholders to improve adult learning access and community impact.
Support community engagement and responsiveness to changing learner needs.

Impact measurement and accountability

Lead the development of performance measurement and evaluation systems.
Monitor, assess, and report on organizational and community outcomes.
Use data and evidence to guide decisions and support continuous improvement.
Show the effectiveness and value of public investment in adult learning.
Prepare reports for funders, stakeholders, and the board that clearly present outcomes and impact.

Qualifications

Education: A bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Adult Education, Community Development, Public Administration, Education, Non-Profit Management, or another related field is required. A master’s degree is an asset. Equivalent education and experience combinations may also be considered.

Experience: The role requires at least 7 years of progressive senior leadership experience in the non-profit, education, government, community development, or similar sectors. You should also have experience managing budgets and funding portfolios of $2.5 million or more, working with government-funded programs and grant agreements, collaborating with boards, leading change and planning, and developing teams. Experience with Indigenous communities and reconciliation work is strongly preferred, and knowledge of Alberta’s adult learning, literacy, community education, or workforce development sectors would be an advantage.

Core capabilities

The ideal candidate will be a strong relationship builder, strategic thinker, financial steward, collaborative leader, effective communicator, results-oriented professional, and a community champion who is passionate about adult learning and lifelong education.

Compensation and work details

This is a full-time permanent position based in Edmonton, Alberta, with a hybrid work arrangement. The salary range is $95,000 to $125,000 annually, depending on experience, and the package includes benefits.

Application information

Interested candidates are asked to send their resume by email to the contact provided in the posting.

Additional information

Wendy Ellen Inc. is a human resources consulting firm that partners with small and medium-sized organizations. The firm is assisting ECALA with this recruitment.

The organization is seeking someone who fits well with ECALA’s community learning mandate and can contribute to its long-term mission.

Executive Director