President & Chief Executive Officer

The City of Hamilton is situated upon the traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas. This land is covered by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, which was an agreement between the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabek to share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. We further acknowledge that this land is covered by the Between the Lakes Purchase, 1792, between the Crown and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

Today, the City of Hamilton is home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island (North America) and we recognize that we must do more to learn about the rich history of this land so that we can better understand our roles as residents, neighbours, partners and caretakers.

Hamilton Community Foundation (HCF) is deeply humbled by, and grateful, to our Indigenous partners and would like to acknowledge their grace and work over the past two years in helping to shape this Declaration of Action on Truth and Reconciliation. We commit to ongoing reciprocal relationship and trust building, to implementation that will bring this Declaration to life, and to measuring progress in the short and long-term.

With the mission to drive positive change by connecting diverse people, ideas and resources, Hamilton Community Foundation (HCF) has grown to hold over $260 million in assets, and grants over $10 million a year to community. Founded in 1954 as Ontario’s first community foundation, HCF is a well-respected community leader in Hamilton, and a member of the Community Foundations of Canada, the national membership organization whose members contribute time, leadership and financial support to initiatives that benefit their community most, based on an intimate understanding of local needs and opportunities. Guided by an engaged Board, and a highly engaged and committed team, HCF is now in the third year of an ambitious five-year strategic plan that includes major initiatives in education, affordable housing, impact investing, equity, diversity and inclusion and relationships with Indigenous communities.

It is within this context that the Hamilton Community Foundation welcomes applications and nominations for the appointment of its next President & Chief Executive Officer, commencing fall 2024 or soon after.

Reporting to a volunteer Board of Directors, the President & CEO is responsible for the execution HCF’s mission, strategy and business plan. With oversight of the entirety of the organization, the President & CEO’s responsibilities include all aspects of HCF’s budget and financial direction, operational and governance policies, community leadership and investment, revenue and fund development activities, and with ensuring that the culture of HCF remains one of inspiration, engagement, and impact. The President & CEO, in conjunction with the Board, its sub-committees and staff, also provides judicious and diligent assessment of HCF’s investment portfolio, including oversight of the investment management of HCF’s financial assets. The President & CEO represents the organization, liaising and advocating with various levels of government, HCF’s community partners, and its donors to further the goals of the organization. Serving as the organization’s spokesperson, the President & CEO also convenes meetings, forums and discussion groups in support of building a collaborative approach to community leaders initiatives.

As the ideal candidate, you are a highly regarded and respected community-focused leader who has worked at a leadership level in an organization of similar complexity. You have a strong commitment to Hamilton Community Foundation’s mission and values and recognize its critical role investing its philanthropic capital in initiatives that will have a positive community impact. You have exceptional community engagement skills, financial and business acumen, experience and comfort with all aspects of fundraising, donor stewardship, grant making and community investment, and with organizational strategy. Experience working with or reporting to a Board of Directors is considered a strong asset.  Your peers describe you as a community-builder who empowers high performance, mission-driven, and results-oriented teams. You are a future-focused leader with the required skills to influence societal change and manage complex, multi-faceted dynamic relationships with leaders in Hamilton, across the province, and country. Candidates must have a demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, to Indigenous ways of knowing and being, and the necessary cultural competencies to lead a multi-generational, culturally diverse workforce.

To learn more about this impactful leadership opportunity within Hamilton Community Foundation, please submit a comprehensive resume along with a cover letter in confidence to Jane Griffith (jane@griffithgroup.ca) and/or Caroline McLean (caroline@griffithgroup.ca).

Hamilton Community Foundation welcomes and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including, but not limited to women, Indigenous persons, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and persons of all sexual orientations and/or gender identities.

All qualified candidates are welcome to apply; however, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Hamilton Community Foundation and Griffith Group are committed to an inclusive, accessible and a welcoming hiring process that provides reasonable accommodation to all applicants. Please advise Jane Griffith (jane@griffithgroup.ca) should you require any accommodation to participate in the recruitment and/or assessment processes.