Hestia House has been a safe refuge for women and children experiencing intimate partner or domestic violence in Saint John, New Brunswick since 1981. Hestia House has a vision of building a community where all women and children feel safe in their relationships and homes. The organization seeks to accomplish this by nurturing a trauma and violence-informed environment where women and children find safety, healing, and the strength to envision and create a hopeful, self-sufficient future.
Hestia House is currently seeking an energetic Executive Director to support the strategic implementation of the organization’s vision and mission. Reporting to the Chairperson of the Board, the Executive Director provides strategic and managerial oversight in all areas of the organization’s operations. Hestia House values collaboration, partnerships, inclusivity, trauma and violence-informed approaches, and professionalism, and is seeking a leader with a proven track record demonstrating these values.
The chosen candidate will provide strategic and innovative leadership to the organization, mobilize required resources, and ensure best practices in quality service delivery. This individual will also provide financial and operational leadership across the organization.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
ORGANIZATIONAL GOVERNANCE
- Bridge the vision, mission and values set by the Board of Directors into actionable implementation plans.
- Support the work of the Board of Directors and the Board’s subcommittees to ensure congruity between governance and operations.
- In conjunction with the Board of Directors and staff, develop strategic and operational plans.
- Identify and evaluate the risks to the organization’s people (clients, staff, management, and volunteers), property, finances, goodwill, and image, and implement measures to manage such risks.
- Ensure communication between the Board of Directors, operational staff and stakeholders is consistent, transparent and timely.
FINANCE
- Prepare the annual operational budget and present it to the Board of Directors for approval.
- Manage the budgetary function, and present monthly budget updates to the management teams and Board of Directors.
- Administer the organization’s funds according to the approved budget and monitor the monthly cash flow.
- Approve expenditures within the authority delegated by the Board.
- Oversee the grant writing function to support growth areas of the organization.
- Manage financial accountability, reporting, and tracking of external grants.
- Oversee the fundraising function of the organization which includes internal events, external partners, and supporting the Board of Directors in meeting capital fundraising targets.
HUMAN RESOURCES AND CULTURE
- With the support of the Human Resource Committee of the Board, establish organizational policies and procedures and ensure consistent adherence to said policies.
- Ensure employee training and professional development targets are met and create a culture of continuous learning.
- Conduct interviews and fill job vacancies as required.
- Complete annual performance reviews for employees, maintain staff records, and oversee vacation time/overtime.
- Ensure hirings and terminations are consistent with the vision, mission and values of the organization.
- Complete all payroll functions for the organization.
- Foster positive organizational culture and ensure employees feel supported and safe in their work.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
- Ensure the organization and all employees are aware of and adhere to current and relevant legislation, i.e., Occupational Health and Safety, Food Premise Act, Accessibility Act.
- Develop and implement a crisis management plan.
- Ensure all safety measures, including security system and fire system, are maintained and operational.
EXTERNAL RELATIONS
- Represent Hestia House when interacting with other agencies, organizations, and the general public. Be comfortable being ‘the face’ of Hestia House.
- Liaise with other transition houses in New Brunswick and represent the house on the Domestic Violence Association of New Brunswick.
- Advocate for the mission of the house with all levels of governments.
- Establish good working relationships with community groups, funders, politicians, and other organizations within the same field.
QUALIFICATIONS
- A post-secondary degree or diploma in a related field is required. A graduate degree is preferred.
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience within a leadership position.
- Strong capacity to bring a vision to life both internally and externally.
- Proven competence in managing a team of employees in a high stress, trauma-exposed environment.
- Exceptional communications skills.
- Demonstrated understanding of the complex nature of the intimate partner violence sector and interest in developing continuous learning pathways for the organization.
- Demonstrated ability to manage key external relationships, including with donors, business partners, government agencies, and political leaders on all three levels.
- Ability to identify key issues facing the organization and strategically overcome internal and external challenges.
- Demonstrated public relations skills including presentations, media coverage, and the development of written/verbal communication strategies.
- Proficiency in fiscal management, business finance, capital fundraising, contracts, and partnerships.
- Knowledge of New Brunswick Employment Standards.
How to apply
Interested applicants are encouraged to email their cover letter and a curriculum vitae to Hestia House’s Board of Directors Chairperson Sarah Rouse at by June 19, 2026. We thank all applicants; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Pay: From $78,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
Work Location: In person
