About the OPFFA
The Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association (OPFFA) was founded in 1997.
It currently serves as the representative voice for Ontario’s career fire fighters, providing capacity building (members events, training and education, information management, bargaining/labour relations assistance), political action management (lobbying and issues management), government relations (provincial government, stakeholders, media, IAFF) and member community relations (memorials, charitable initiatives, awards, financial assistance) for more than 12,000 professional full-time fire fighters representing 82 municipalities and two airports across Ontario.
All Local Professional Fire Fighter Associations are chartered members of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), the parent body for the OPFFA.
As part of its more than 316,000 members, the IAFF represents more than 25,400 professional fire fighters across nine provinces and two territories in Canada.
More information is at www.ontariofirefighters.org
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Principal Officers, the Executive Director will serve as the OPFFA’s chief of staff and office general manager, providing administrative support to the Board of Directors and Its committees while managing day-to-day operations, ensuring an engaged staff and a productive, functional office environment.
The Executive Director will collaborate with Board members to provide leadership and direction for the organization, overseeing design, delivery, and quality of programs and services, staying abreast of trends related to the organization’s services, and anticipating future trends likely to impact its work.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Overseeing day-to-day administrative operations, including supervising, evaluating, guiding and directing three staff (Director of Communications & Advocacy, Events Coordinator, Finance Coordinator), effectively managing and implementing all service areas and service offerings and managing compliance with legal and regulatory requirements in accordance with the Constitution, Policies, and Procedures and recommending changes to fill gaps and improve or streamline services and processes.
- Reporting on key internal and external events and trends that may impact the OPFFA and the Board’s work, ensuring all relevant, required items are brought to the Board.
- Collaborating with the Board of Directors to deliver on Vision, Mission, Strategic Objectives, projects, and priorities in a consistent, strong, and positive manner and identifying, evaluating, and mitigating risks to the organization’s people, property, finances, and image.
- Collaborating with the Board of Directors to create and maintain a strategic plan for the organization to achieve strategic outcomes approved by the Board.
- Executing Board Secretary functions, supporting the President and Secretary-Treasurer in drafting/editing communications, managing meetings, materials and documents for the Board, Convention and Conference preparation.
- Managing and sustaining government relations and providing support for political and strategic matters.
- Preparing and presenting the annual operating budget to the Board, overseeing financial management, auditing, and reporting, ensuring compliance with accepted accounting principles and business management practices.
- Providing prompt, thorough and accurate financial information to keep the Board appropriately informed of the position.
- Supporting the OPFFA’s work with external agencies such as the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office, Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs, Association of Municipalities of Ontario, OMERS, OPFFA Non-Profit Realty Corporation and Burn Fund, and providing appropriate communications and media support.
Required Skills, Qualities, and Experience
- University degree or college diploma and 10-15 years of experience with 5-7 years in an administrative leadership position with excellent organizational management skills, including financial and human resource management.
- Experience working in government or government relations would be an asset, as well as training, education and/or direct experience in lobbying, labour relations, collective bargaining, grievance management, arbitrations, occupational health and safety, and WSIB claims management.
- Solid understanding of board governance and related processes to support effective decision-making within a Board environment and amongst association membership.
- Proactive problem solving and research capability.
- Strong technical skills specifically in a Microsoft Office 365 environment (SharePoint, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and database management.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills with a talent for drafting and editing communications, proposals and reports and delivering formal presentations to large groups.
- Strong political acumen, excellent relationship management and networking skills and experience in media relations.
- Experience with CRM tools, website management software, social media and digital marketing tools (an asset).
- Proven ability to work in a collaborative leadership model that appropriately positions and supports the Board, sometimes working with challenging personalities in stressful circumstances in an active association environment, while managing competing interests and priorities.
- The ability to understand and assess key legislation and a progressive understanding of issues in Ontario labour relations, fire fighter culture, and operations would be an asset.
How to Apply
To apply to this exciting role, email your resume to:
Patrick Rowan, Partner
prowan@feldmandaxon.com
We thank all of those who apply; however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.
The OPFFA values diversity and inclusion and encourages individuals to apply who can bring the value of their experiences to support diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Accessibility accommodations are available for all phases of the recruitment and selection process.