Chief Operating Officer

211 is a free and confidential service that easily connects people to the critical social and community supports they need. Whether it’s access to mental health support, financial assistance for those facing job loss, or programs for seniors, 211 is here to help all Ontarians. Available 24 hours a day, in more than 150 languages by phone, chat, text and web, 211 makes it easy for Ontarians to quickly access the complex network of government services and community programs they need for their unique situation.

Ontario 211 Services (O211S) is the steward for 211 in Ontario and is responsible and accountable to provincial funders for the delivery of 211 through a network of service providers. O211S works collaboratively with the service providers, local and provincial partners, government Ministries, and local United Ways to deliver 211’s System Navigation, System Mapping and System Design functions. O211S also works closely with United Way Centraide Canada and 211’s across the country to advance its system nationally.

It is within this context that Ontario 211 Services invites applications and nominations for its inaugural Chief Operating Officer.

Reporting to the Executive Director, O211S is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to join its team at this pivotal time in its history. The awareness and perceived value of 211 as a critical resource for Ontarians has never been higher and the opportunities for growth and impact are increasing at a rapid pace. The successful candidate will have an opportunity to help shape the future of the 211 system in Ontario, in partnership with key stakeholders across the province. The COO will play a critical role in the refinement, design, and implementation of an optimized 211 Ontario operating model and will drive the operationalization of the strategic plan with a human-centered focus. The COO has oversight of Human Resources, IT, and related vendor relationships.

This appointment calls for a confident, compassionate leader and change agent. You are a highly skilled operations professional with proven experience implementing strategic priorities, enterprise-wide transformations, and have successfully worked with and led a team to achieve ambitious goals. As the ideal candidate, you bring demonstrated senior management experience and proven ability to provide strategic leadership for the implementation of a new business and operating model. You have demonstrated experience managing financial and human resources, project management, and working collaboratively with partners and community stakeholders. Experience working in a non-profit is preferred. Candidates must have exceptional integrity and should be able to demonstrate the capacity to work collaboratively and virtually. As a truly transformative leader, the successful candidate must strive to deliver services that are person-centred, inclusive, integrated, intuitive, and impactful.

To apply or explore this impactful leadership opportunity with Ontario 211 Services, please submit a comprehensive resume along with a cover letter in confidence to Jane Griffith (jane@griffithgroup.ca) and Sam Walton (sam@griffithgroup.ca).

Ontario 211 Services hires based on merit and is strongly committed to diversity and equity within its community and to providing a welcoming and inclusive workplace. It especially welcomes applications from Black, Indigenous and People of Colour, women, persons with disabilities, people of all sexual orientations and genders, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

In accordance with the provincial legislation, accommodation will be provided by Griffith Group and Ontario 211 Services throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. If you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact jane@griffithgroup.ca and/or sam@griffithgroup.ca.

We thank all those who express interest in this opportunity, however only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.

Vice President, Marketing and Communications

Second Harvest is Canada’s largest food rescue organization and expert in perishable food recovery. Second Harvest rescues surplus, unsold food from across the supply chain and redistribute it to not-for-profits across the country to feed communities. Supported by hundreds of corporations, foundations, and the community at large, Second Harvest rescues and redistributes enough food to provide over 62,000 meals a day in Canada. Since 1985 it has rescued and delivered more than 177 million pounds of food, preventing over 75 million pounds of greenhouse gas equivalents from entering the atmosphere.

It is within this context that Second Harvest invites applications and nominations for its inaugural Vice President of Marketing and Communications.

The Vice President, Marketing and Communications (“Vice President”) is responsible for elevating Second Harvest’s overall marketing and communications portfolio. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Vice President plays a strategic role in developing and leading a new vision and structure for the team to execute on key marketing communications, creative brand direction, advertising, print, online, and social media initiatives, digital presence, and organization-wide communications support. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Vice President will be actively engaged in ongoing organizational management, strategic development of marketing and communications efforts, and is the subject matter expert. The position will also support overall development goals through cross-team collaboration on fundraising and food-raising initiatives. Success is measured by increased awareness resulting in more financial, food, and volunteer donations and ultimately the achievement of the organization’s overall goals. The Vice President will work closely with the CEO to lead and execute all thought leadership and Second Harvest’s policy positions for food rescue, and the organization’s editorial strategy and digital presence, including website, blog, social media, email communications, and newsletters. The Vice President will be responsible for Second Harvest’s overall brand strategy and execution, including portfolio management and overseeing development of communications materials, brand training and style guidelines, publications (annual reports, impact reports, etc.), online strategy, key messages, standard responses, etc. The Vice President also has a lead role in managing relationships with advertising agencies. As a key member of the Leadership Team, the Vice President will lead by example and contribute to interdepartmental strategic discussions and decisions for the organization, as well as annual planning and evaluation of departmental goals, targets, initiatives, KPIs, budgets, and monitoring expenditures against approved budget.

The successful candidate will have progressive leadership experience in integrated marketing, communications, and brand building, including in such areas as: external and internal communications, advertising, digital marketing communications, public relations/media, and community cultivation/engagement online. As the ideal candidate, you can motivate, lead, and inspire a team in a fast-paced environment, troubleshoot, think creatively, and solve problems. You have a demonstrated commitment to accountability, measuring outcomes, and a results-oriented culture. You have exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, coupled with a strong executive presence. You have extensive experience in cross-functional collaboration, partnering, and managing interpersonal relationships at all levels of an organization. You have excellent project and time management skills, including the ability to meet deadlines, handle a high volume of work, and keep others on track. Experience gained in the non-profit sector would be considered an asset, as would French-English bilingualism. This opportunity requires a decisive, driven, self-aware and collaborative leader with the ability to bring an organization’s key strategic priorities to market in a high quality, impactful manner that embraces Second Harvest’s work towards achieving its vision of – “No Waste. No Hunger.”

To apply or explore this leadership opportunity with Second Harvest, please submit a resume along with a cover letter in confidence to Jane Griffith (jane@griffithgroup.ca) and Sam Walton (sam@griffithgroup.ca).

Second Harvest encourages applications from individuals who self-identify as belonging to equity-deserving groups such as (but not limited to): racialized persons/persons of colour, women, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ2S+ persons.

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

In accordance with the provincial legislation, accommodation will be provided by Griffith Group and Second Harvest throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. If you require accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact jane@griffithgroup.ca and/or sam@griffithgroup.ca.

LGBTQ+ rainbow

Griffith Group Joins the Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce

Griffith Group Executive Search is pleased to announce that we have become members of the Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC), a coalition of LGBT+ businesses and entrepreneurs, allies, government liaisons, corporate members, community partners, and students of business advocating for and working towards a more inclusive Canadian economy – one connection at a time.

As a women-led firm and a member of the Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC), our lived experience as diverse individuals permeate how we conduct executive search. As we strive to live up to our values, it is critical we continually seek to support equity-seeking communities. We believe collaboration not only helps lead to transformation, but it is a key aspect of delivering an inclusive and equitable hiring process.

We are proud to announce our membership and for the continued opportunity to help champion change.

fists meeting together

The Griffith Group Celebrates International Women’s Day

The Griffith Group is proud to be a women-led executive search firm with the unique position to disrupt the status quo by empowering our clients to appoint diverse candidates to key leadership roles.

This is how we #ChoosetoChallenge

#InternationalWomensDay

Vice-Provost (Academic Planning, Policy & Faculty)

Reporting to and working closely with the Provost & Vice-President (Academic), The Vice-Provost (Academic Planning, Policy & Faculty), plays a leadership role in the broad areas of planning, policy and supervision of the Office of Faculty Relations.