About us
West Coast LEAF (WCL) is a respected legal advocacy organization working for gender justice through litigation, law reform, and public legal education in BC and nationally. With substantive equality as one of our foundational values, we work to make our legal systems more accessible and responsive to those who have been marginalized, disadvantaged, or historically ignored. We’re a passionate group of advocates working to make positive systemic change.
WCL is undergoing a leadership transition, with the upcoming departure of its current long-serving Executive Director, and is simultaneously navigating a challenging funding environment and other organizational changes. We are seeking an experienced Executive Director to provide strategic interim leadership during this important period of organizational development. A one-year position, this role offers the opportunity to guide WCL through a thoughtful transition and renewal process.
About you
You’re an experienced senior leader who’s ready to step into a pivotal moment. As Interim Executive Director, you’ll work closely with our Board and staff team to strengthen our organizational foundations, implement key improvements, and help position us for long-term stability. This is a full-time leadership role that calls for someone who brings both heart and strategy—a deep commitment to intersectional gender justice, along with the skills and confidence to lead through change.
You’re excited by the opportunity to lead an organization through transformation and renewal, and you thrive in times that call for clarity, steadiness, and decisive action. You have a clear, collaborative leadership style and a steady hand when navigating complex decisions while keeping people connected and engaged. You’re energized by financial stewardship and the challenge of aligning resources with mission, and you take pride in a track record of successful fundraising.
You have knowledge of unionized labour relations and are comfortable navigating that context as part of management. Finally, you’re a relationship-builder—someone who communicates with clarity and care, builds trust across teams and communities, and leads with integrity and purpose.
In this role you will:
- Provide clear leadership during a period of organizational restructuring and renewal
- Assess current programs and operations to strengthen WCL’s foundations
- Navigate complex decisions to enhance organizational stability
- Champion our mission and values while adapting our approach for greater impact
- Support our staff team through organizational transition
- Work effectively with our newly-unionized staff, maintaining respectful labour relations while making necessary changes
- Support professional development that aligns with our evolving organizational needs
- Conduct thorough financial analysis and take steps to improve organizational financial health
- Develop and execute strategies to diversify revenue streams and reduce financial risk
- Review and strengthen the organization’s financial area, including operational efficiency, cash flow management, financial reporting practices, and strategic financial planning
- Explore cost-effective operational improvements including overseeing a potential office relocation
- Work closely with the Board and its Transition Committee on organizational development plans
- Assess and strengthen our fundraising approach to ensure revenue growth
- Deepen existing donor relationships while identifying new funding opportunities
- Develop compelling cases for support that reflect our core program areas
- Work with development staff to strengthen WCL’s individual donor base, including through systems for donor stewardship and long-term relationship building
- Continue WCL’s ongoing work towards decolonization by continuing the implementation of our Changing Tides plan
- Sustain strong, reciprocal relationships with key partner organizations and community leaders and ensure programs are responsive to community needs
Knowledge, skills, and experience
- Strong senior leadership experience, preferably in the non-profit sector, with a demonstrated ability to lead organizations through change and renewal.
- A clear, collaborative, and decisive leadership style that supports alignment, accountability, and team engagement.
- Skilled in navigating complex and difficult decisions while maintaining trust and cohesion across the organization.
- Significant experience in financial management, including budgeting, financial planning, and aligning resources with strategic goals.
- Knowledge of unionized labour relations, with the ability to work effectively in a unionized environment as part of management.
- Demonstrated strength in building and maintaining relationships with staff, board members, funders, and community partners.
- A strong commitment to intersectional gender and social justice, embedded in both strategic thinking and day-to-day leadership
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with diverse audiences.
- A proven track record of leading organizations through periods of change and renewal is considered a strong asset.
- Experience with successful fundraising strategies and outcomes is an asset, particularly in support of organizational sustainability.
Note: You do not need to be a lawyer or have worked primarily on gender justice issues in order to be considered for this role.
Job details:
- Contract: One-year, full-time employment contract
- Compensation: $132,000 annual salary
- Vacation and benefits: 4 weeks vacation plus annual holiday closure; employer-paid extended health benefits; health spending account.
- Hours: 37.5-hour work week plus additional hours as needed, including occasional weekends and evenings
- Location: Hybrid, with at least 3 days per week on-site in our downtown Vancouver offices
- Application Deadline: Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025
How to apply:
Send us a resume and cover email to juliane@hrwest.ca telling us:
- A bit about who you are
- Why the position is of interest to you
- What skills, knowledge, experience and heart you bring to this work
- Work experiences that have shaped your leadership journey
Please include “Interim Executive Director” in the subject line and send your resume and a cover letter by email.
West Coast LEAF is strongly committed to diversity, and acknowledges the expertise applicants may bring relating to their Indigeneity, race, place of origin, immigration status, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, family status, and socio-economic status. We encourage applicants to self-identify any personal characteristics or experiences that would support our commitment to bringing diverse perspectives to the organization if they feel comfortable doing so. Applications are held in the strictest confidence.
APPLY HERE