Chief Executive Officer

About Employee Ownership Canada

Employee Ownership Canada (EOC), formerly ESOP Association Canada, is the national advocate for broad-based employee ownership. Representing a diverse group of employee-owned businesses, service providers, and supporters, EOC works to increase awareness and support for ownership models that keep companies rooted locally, preserve employment, and distribute wealth more broadly among workers and communities.

Canada is experiencing significant business succession changes, and recent legal advancements, including permanent tax status for Employee Ownership Trusts, have fueled momentum. EOC aims to capitalize on this foundation by expanding its membership, increasing national visibility, and establishing a stable financial future.

Role Opportunity

The organization seeks a visionary leader to guide EOC through this growth phase. This role involves strategic planning and practical execution, building upon existing foundations such as a clear plan for 2026, operational website, and membership database. The CEO will finalize strategic plans with the board, implement them, and direct future organizational growth.

The focus is entrepreneurial: transforming EOC into a financially self-sufficient, revenue-generating association deeply committed to its mission. This full-time position reports to the board and is fully remote within Canada.

Key Responsibilities

• Finalize and execute the existing strategic and annual operating plans in partnership with the board, adjusting as needed.
• Develop a three-to-five-year vision to ensure clear direction beyond the current plan horizon.
• Translate board guidance into priorities, budgets, workplans, and performance metrics; maintain backend systems such as the website and membership database.
• Define membership value proposition, commercial structure, pricing, and benefits to enhance paid membership appeal.
• Expand and nurture a national community of business owners, employee-owned companies, service providers, advisors, and supporters.
• Increase sustainable revenue through membership growth, annual conference, and partnerships, aiming for financial independence as foundational funding declines.
• Elevate the profile of employee ownership and EOC nationally by engaging business owners, advisors, and the public.
• Create and manage a national volunteer and ambassador network to promote awareness and engagement.
• Identify EOC’s unique role in the sector and foster collaboration with existing players, avoiding duplication of efforts.
• Serve as an effective spokesperson through public speaking engagements, webinars, and sector events.
• Oversee advocacy activities, ensuring active advocacy committee operation and community input alignment, coordinating with the board and external partners.
• Lead planning and execution of the annual conference and other member-focused events that align with the mission and financial goals.
• Own financial management including budgeting, forecasting, contract oversight, compliance with nonprofit governance, and privacy standards.
• Build and manage a growing team including contractors and volunteers, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, entrepreneurship, and mission focus.
• Provide the board with well-informed recommendations, updates, and involve it in key revenue and growth decisions.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit with experience developing early-stage organizations into sustainable, self-funded entities.
• Strong alignment with the employee ownership mission and capacity to represent the organization credibly.
• Proven skills in membership growth, value proposition design, pricing strategy, and turning programs into reliable revenue streams.
• Experience managing lean, distributed teams involving contractors and volunteers, adept at setting priorities and executing plans.
• Financial acumen with experience managing budgets and collaborating with boards and treasurers.
• Excellent relationship building and network management abilities to maintain active national engagement.
• Effective communicator comfortable balancing strategic vision with detailed execution amid ambiguity and change.

Desirable Assets

• Knowledge of employee ownership structures, business succession strategies, or related policy and market dynamics.
• Experience in senior roles within membership organizations, industry associations, nonprofits, or social-purpose entities.
• Familiarity with operating national organizations across multiple provinces.
• Understanding of nonprofit governance and volunteer board collaboration.

Additional Information

• Location: Remote across Canada; applicants from all regions encouraged.
• Travel: Approximately 5-15% travel within Canada for conferences and meetings.
• Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday to Friday with occasional weekend demands linked to travel.
• Compensation: Salary range of $120,000 to $150,000 annually, plus performance bonuses, vacation, and health/dental benefits.