Executive Director | Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth

Open Doors Mental Health for Children Youth and Families (ODMH), formerly Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth (“ODLCY”) is an accredited child and youth mental health center delivering services throughout Lanark County, Ontario.  We are seeking a passionate leader with the management skills to lead the organization coupled with mentoring, communication, and team building skills to coach and foster outstanding relationships with staff, clients and funders.  Knowledge of children’s health initiatives, funding and Ontario systems is essential.

The Executive Director reports to the Board of Directors and is responsible for providing strategic direction and operational oversight of ODMH. Working closely with the Board and staff, the Executive Director informs and directs organizational strategy based on an extensive understanding of the provision of children and youth mental health services, community needs, stakeholder input and funder priorities and requirements.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated extensive and progressive experience in a non-profit, government-funded, or similar organization by showing the ability to build and maintain stakeholder relationships and to deliver on funder requirements such as data reporting and project/program development. Significant experience managing in the challenging healthcare field is a desired characteristic of the successful candidate.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications will be accepted until Friday, November 28, 2025. Please send questions and resumes in confidence to Erin Holl, Senior Consultant, Pesce and Associates Human Resources Consultants at eholl@pesceassociates.com.

Major Responsibilities include:

• Establish positive working relationships with government funders and stakeholders, advocating with various levels of government for ongoing funding and support
• Leadership and supervision of day-to-day operations and strategic direction for the organization
• Recruitment, orientation and performance evaluation of key staff
• Empower key staff to create positive workspaces in an efficient environment
• Ensuring compliance with all regulatory and government bodies
• Creating an environment that supports knowledge transfer and maintenance of critical corporate history and information
• Build and maintain relationships and networks that promote ODLCY’s image in a positive and community-oriented way
• Development/updating of policies and procedures
• Leading the development of budgets and capital planning to ensure that all reporting and compliance requirements are met
• Works closely with the Board of Directors on strategic planning, financial oversight and key aspects of operations.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in Social Work or academic equivalent, or graduate degree in Public/Hospital/Business Administration, with an undergraduate degree in Social/Health Sciences or other specialty relevant to the position.
• Minimum five years’ management and/or clinical experience in a field related to mental health/ social services.
• Proven experience in employee and labour relations, fiscal management, strategic planning, change management and risk management.
• Knowledge and experience with projects, programs and services with provincial or federal funding focused on health, mental health or education.
• Experience working in a not-for-profit organization.
• Demonstrated leadership and communication skills.
• Superb organizational, time management and multi-tasking skills.
• Customer-focused attitude, with an emphasis on building and maintaining relationships with clients and funders.
• Proven ability to generate creative solutions and new approaches to daily challenges.

We thank all candidates for their interest in this opportunity. Please note that only those candidates selected for an interview will receive a response to their application.

ODLCY welcomes those applicants with disability related needs and those who require accommodation during the recruitment process. Please provide notice of your need for accommodation to the Consultant upon scheduling of an interview.