Executive Director

About MDS Canada
The Mennonite Disaster Service Canada (MDSC) staff team mobilizes hundreds of volunteers to respond to disasters in Canada and the United States. Although small, MDSC is growing because of the increasing frequency and scope of disasters in Canada, and an increasing interest in voluntary service with MDS.

Job Overview
Are you a highly motivated leader with a passion for faith in action? As Executive Director, you will provide transformational leadership and implement the board’s strategic direction. You will live out organizational values — faith in action, caring relationships and working together — in how you work and lead.

While MDS Canada enjoys a strong donor base, you will create an intentional donor engagement strategy to cultivate and grow our donor relationships. And as we anticipate continued growth, you will work at developing strategies and systems with flexibility to support our growth and manage the ebb and flow of disaster response in Canada.

View the job opportunity profile for more detail!

First review of applications: June 30, 2025

Start date: April 1, 2026, negotiable

Competitive salary

Benefits: Health, dental, matching RRSP contributions, employee assistance program

Submit Resume

Primary Responsibilities
The ED is responsible to give overall strategic leadership to MDS Canada’s board and staff.

Reporting Relationship
Reports to the MDS Canada (MDSC) Board Executive through the Canadian Board Chair.

Responsibilities
Board
Provide transformational leadership to the board, implementing its strategic direction by

a) Ensuring ongoing orientation and training of the board in fiduciary responsibility, knowledge of MDS, and governance skills

b) Bringing board agenda items that keep our vision, mission, and core values at the centre of our work

c) Ensuring relevant, measurable goals that align with the board’s strategic plan for MDS Canada

d) Suggesting or bringing proposed policy that gives clear guidance to staff and operations

e) Plan the following meetings in consultation with the Board Chair:

i) Board of Directors

ii) Board Executive

iii) Membership meetings

f) Engage with MDS US board and executive as per our Partners in Mission agreement

Staff
Create and implement a staffing plan including:

a) Keeping employment policies current and in compliance with labour laws and regulations

b) All aspects of managing staff including hiring, orientation, professional development, evaluations and end-of-employment

c) Staying as closely aligned with MDS US HR policy as possible

d) Work together with MDS US staff as per our Partners in Mission agreement

Constituency
Engage constituency proactively including:

a) Act as the primary voice for MDSC with constituency, partners, government and media

b) Communicate the vision and mission of MDS to constituents and stakeholders, from an Anabaptist faith perspective, including preaching and teaching in church settings

c) Work to develop relationships that inspire people to volunteer with MDS

d) Develop and implement a strategic donor engagement plan to strengthen MDSC’s financial resources

Administration
Execute administrative tasks including:

a) Review financial statements and documents

b) Approve expenditures

c) Ensure good risk management practices

d) Grant acquisition

Qualifications
Commitment to the Anabaptist faith and peace position and an active member in an Anabaptist church
Demonstrated commitment to the Mennonite World Conference Anabaptist Shared Convictions
Understands and is committed to MDS values, program and constituency
Availability and willingness to travel throughout Canada and the U.S. approximately 30% time
5 years of experience developing and executing organizational strategies
College or graduate level degree with at least 5 years of senior management experience
At least 3 years experience managing human resource functions including personnel, compensation, and recruiting
At least two years of experience in multicultural settings
Demonstrated experience working with volunteers and volunteer groups
Knowledge and understanding of Anabaptist and other disaster response organizations in both Canada and the U.S.
Successful experience working with boards
Some knowledge of labour/HR law and not-for-profit agency law an asset
Experience with planning and/or implementing a donor engagement strategy an asset
Essential Skills
Transformational leadership within an Anabaptist context
A caring relational style
Strong analytical and problem solving skills
Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people
Excellence in organizational and project management with the ability to coach staff and manage teams
Strong written and verbal communications skills
A persuasive and passionate communicator with excellent public speaking, interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
Self-motivated
Demonstrated computer proficiency including familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite
Submit your resume and cover letter to jobsca@mds.org. The first review of applications will begin June 30, 2025.

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