President & Chief Executive Officer
Founded in 1918, CNIB is a non-profit organization driven to change what it is to be blind today. CNIB delivers innovative programs and powerful advocacy that empower people impacted by blindness to live their dreams and tear down barriers to inclusion. The organization is supported by a network of volunteers, donors, and partners across Canada. The organization has a tremendous impact in the lives of people impacted by blindness throughout Canada, of all ages and walks of life – serving 40,000 people who are blind, Deafblind, or who have low vision from coast to coast to coast.
With annual revenue of $121 million and over 800 employees, CNIB invests directly into programs for Canadians who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision. CNIB has ambitious plans in the years ahead, having recently launched its 2023-2028 strategic plan, The Way Forward. The plan is a manifesto for the future, with the ultimate goal of creating a completely barrier-free society in the decades ahead.
Reporting to CNIB’s Board of Directors and the Board of Directors of DBCS (Deafblind Community Services), the President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is responsible for the overall strategic, operational, and financial management of CNIB. The CEO will lead at a critical time in CNIB’s history, growth and transformation, driving the development and execution of comprehensive strategic plans that effectively integrate the organization’s operations, initiatives, and goals. This includes fostering synergies, ensuring operational efficiency, and aligning strategic objectives across all organizational levels.
Through our Stronger Together partnership, the President and CEO will also work closely with the leadership team of our partner organization, Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada (VLRC). With inclusive leadership and effective management, the CEO will help ensure CNIB, VLRC and DBCS work collaboratively towards a shared goal of enhancing the lives of people who are blind, Deafblind, or who have low vision, maintaining the highest standards of service delivery, and achieving a significant, lasting impact in the communities we serve.
The Board of Directors is seeking an accomplished, collaborative, dynamic, and strategic individual who cares deeply about CNIB’s cause and the causes of CNIB’s partner organizations, VLRC and DBCS. Ultimately, the successful candidate must be passionate about creating a more equitable world, and committed to addressing the needs, challenges, and goals of Canadians who are blind, Deafblind and low vision. As the ideal candidate, you bring leadership experience at the executive/C-Suite level, with exceptional strategic thinking and planning abilities and a track record of collaboratively leading and facilitating organizational transformation and growth in a complex, multi-layered environment. Experience in stakeholder engagement, including government relations and partnerships, maintaining and building national and global alliances, managing multi-million-dollar budgets and large teams, and outstanding interpersonal and communication skills will be critical to your success. Knowledge of accessibility and inclusion issues facing individuals who are blind, Deafblind and low vision, demonstrated success in fundraising and resource development, and the ability to travel extensively throughout Canada and globally when required, round out your skill set. Applications from Canada and internationally meeting these qualifications will be considered.
In addition to standard background checks, both a criminal record check and a Vulnerable Sector Check will be conducted on finalists.
To Apply
To fill this position, CNIB has partnered with leadership advisory firm Odgers Berndtson. Applications are encouraged immediately and should be submitted online with a résumé and cover letter ideally by March 28, 2024 at Odgers Berndtson
For more information, please contact Kyle Mechar of Odgers Berndtson at Kyle.Mechar@Odgersberndtson.com
We would like to thank all applicants but regret that we are only able to personally contact those individuals whose backgrounds best match the requirements for the role.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
CNIB is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with the Accessible Canada Act, 2019 and all applicable provincial accessibility standards, upon request, accommodation will be provided by both Odgers Berndtson and CNIB throughout the recruitment, selection, and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.
Odgers Berndtson is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all the work that we do. As part of our efforts to better understand our ability to reach as broad a pool of candidates as possible for our searches, our DEI team would like to encourage you to take a moment and access our Self-Declaration Form.