Career Opportunity: Executive Director, Canadian Federation of Library Associations
December 4, 2019
The Canadian Federation of Library Associations / Fédération Canadienne des associations de bibliothèques (CFLA-FCAB) invites applications for the position of Executive Director. The Executive Director will provide the strategic and administrative leadership to build and sustain the Federation.
This position will execute the CFLA-FCAB’s vision and mission and oversee the administration, programs, and strategic plan of the Federation. This is a 5-year, renewable, full-time contract position. The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and, within established policy, acts as the principal representative of CFLA-FCAB.
The successful candidate will be an experienced professional with deep understanding of the library community, its values and issues, and able to advance the CFLA-FCAB mission and strategic priorities.
The CFLA-FCAB is the united voice of Canada’s libraries and works to influence public policy, advance library excellence, and raise the visibility of libraries in Canada to advance national intellectual, social, economic, and cultural success. Established in 2016, the CFLA-FCAB Board of Directors work collaboratively with member associations to advocate on behalf of public, school, and academic libraries, library workers, library trustees, and archives from coast to coast to coast.
Position Description
This leadership position requires an individual who will optimize the governance of the Federation, oversees organizational direction, manage the operations of the Federation, and champion the values of libraries to external stakeholders and the membership. The Executive Director will lead in the creation and execution of the operational plans for the CFLA-FCAB strategic priorities. The individual will leverage volunteer expert committees to strategically influence related public policy, develop relationships and build external stakeholder partnerships to leverage advocacy initiatives, oversee the planning and execution of a National Forum, and work with the Board of Directors to build new revenue to secure the Federation’s future.
Areas that require development and attention in the near term include developing a sustainable revenue model for CFLA-FCAB (the federation is currently resourced through funding from member associations across Canada); building relationships with members and stakeholders to create trust and alignment on issues; improving awareness of the CFLA-FCAB through effective strategies for communications; creating and operationalizing plans to successfully implement the new strategic plan and carry on existing programs (e.g., the National Forum); helping committees of expert volunteers to advance the work of CFLA-FCAB (e.g., issues management); and expanding membership.
The Executive Director interacts with a diverse group of individuals and organizations including senior association staff and elected executives, government representatives, elected officials, and members of the library and archives community. The Executive Director must be able to build relationships and trust, to create alignment on issues.
Position Requirements
The successful candidate will have proven leadership and administrative skills. Essential competencies include highly developed oral and written communication skills; adeptness at managing and motivating teams; strong financial literacy acumen; ability to forge and maintain relationships; proven diplomacy and consensus building skills. Preferred competencies include practical experience in government principles and relations; governance structures; and project management. The candidate must be able to work well with a wide-ranging community of stakeholders, and be able to adapt to a range of leadership styles and manage diverse opinions.
As a leader of a national organization, it is preferred that the candidate be able to functionally communicate in both official languages. Candidates who do not reside in the national capital region must be willing to travel to Ottawa as needed.
CFLA-FCAB is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse populations that are served through the work of our members.
Candidates are invited to apply, in confidence, with a cover letter, current résumé, and statement of compensation expectations to –
A more detailed job description is available upon request. For more information about the Federation, including the strategic plan, please visit cfla-fcab.ca
CFLA-FCAB will be supported in the assessment of applications by and candidates may receive communications from The Portage Group.
Review of applications will begin on Monday, January 6. Interviews are expected to take place January 27 in Toronto, ON. Position will remain open until filled.
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