Job Posting: CoopZone Executive Director Part-time

The Co-operative is seeking a bilingual (English and French) individual interested in the challenge to expand the reach of CoopZone, working with the board of directors. The position is currently a minimum of 10 hours per week, but the successful candidate will be tasked with growing the financial base, which in turn will increase the hours and remuneration of the position, preferably to 20 hours per week.

This position is the only employee of the Co-operative and is responsible for business administration and development, servicing and expanding the membership base, liaising with other co-operative sector organizations, and ensuring that existing programs are well presented and attended.

The Co-operative works entirely on-line; there is no office. The current Executive Director’s home has been the organization’s address. The hours are flexible.

The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of co-operatives and co-operative development across Canada, as well as experience leading a co-operative/non-profit organization.

The main functions of CoopZone are networking among members, information sharing, seeking to ensure that qualified developers are available for co-ops in development, and maintaining a web site with information about co-op development: www.coopzone.coop.  To this end, CoopZone offers a high-caliber distance training and mentoring course series in co-operative development, led by a Course Director on contract, and holds peer-led professional development webinars for members.

In addition to active co-operative developers, membership includes the CoopZone Legal Network and other professional service providers.

Principal Responsibilities

Leadership: Participate with the Board of Directors in providing strategic leadership to the organization.

• Work with the board to develop strategic plan and translate it into a workplan with measurable outcomes;
• Identify, assess and inform the Board of Directors of external issues that affect the organization including matters related to governments and sector initiatives;
• Facilitate and support board and committees;
• Facilitate and support the Legal Network.

Operational Planning & Management: Oversee the efficient and effective day-to-day operation of the organization.

• Maintain the membership, including applications, invoicing and collecting annual dues;
• Maintain the listserv;
• Prepare and distribute regular newsletter;
• Maintain the web-site;
• Organize and promote regular educational webinars;
• Education Program: collaborate with the course director to ensure successful delivery of courses.

Financial Planning & Management and Fund Development: Manage revenues and costs to strengthen the financial health of the organization.

• Ensure appropriate financial administration, record-keeping and budgeting;
• Ensure the financial health of the organization, including fundraising and grant-writing;
• Provide quarterly financial reports to the Treasurer and the Board.

Risk Planning & Management: Ensures the effective management and mitigation of risks

• Ensure legal filings for the co-operative are current;
• Maintain all required legal records;
• Ensure privacy law requirements are met;
• Ensure any required insurance is in place

Member & Sector Relations: Ensures the organization has a visible and effective public image and relationship with its members, sector partners, and the public.

• Organize member events (conferences, electronic information sessions, etc.);
• Organize the Annual General Meeting;
• Maintain a dynamic social media presence;
• Represent the co-operative at sector events, in collaboration with the board;
• Engage with the sector on co-op development issues;
• Maintain a strong engagement with CMC.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• knowledge of co-operatives and the co-op sector, including the unique characteristics of Quebec co-ops
• bilingual – able to speak and write well in both French and English
• practical co-op development experience, or at least familiarity with the development process
• excellent computer skills (specifically, WordPress, WORD, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Social media familiarity
• Strong financial skills (understanding of bookkeeping, internal financial controls, budgeting)
• experience managing a non-profit
• fundraising, grant-writing experience
• excellent interpersonal skills
• comfortable speaking in public, representing the organization in public
• event management
• marketing and promotion experience
• ability to organize meetings – agenda preparation, minutes, preparation of materials
• well-organized; self-starter
• government relations experience (preferred, but not essential)

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This is a part-time opportunity, ¼ - time to start, with the expectation that the time commitment and remuneration will grow.
• The location of work is flexible.

Resumés should be sent to CoopZone President, Pascal Billard, pascal4955 at gmail.com, by Dec. 22, 2017.