Position title: Executive Director
Reports to: Board of Directors
Location: PYS Office: Peterborough (459 Reid Street)
Category: Management ($100,000 to $115,000)
Applications: Send CV and cover letter to Peter Haastrup, Chair of PYS Board of Directors hr@pysonline.ca by November 24st 2025
Start date: January 12, 2026
Who We Are:
Peterborough Youth Services (PYS) is a mental health and youth justice organization serving children, youth and families. We provide a range of accessible, collaborative and responsive services for the improvement of client and community safety and wellbeing, including the following:
* PYS’ Youth Justice Programs provide community-based services, including clinical and non-clinical supports, to high-risk young offenders and their families, to assist in rehabilitation and reintegration into their home communities with the intention of reducing re-offending.
* The Day Treatment program provides intensive mental health and wellness services to youth gr.9-12 and their families.
* The Clinical Counselling Team at PYS provides brief, time-limited and longer-term therapeutic counselling for youth between 10 – 18 years of age.
* The Community Response Team provides crisis response, outreach, case management/service navigation, to youth and caregivers between 0 – 18 years of age
* Targeted support is also provided to youth up to age 25 who face barriers in accessing mental health supports through the Enhanced Youth Outreach Worker role
PYS holds the following core values: Excellence, Employee Well-being, Responsive Collaboration, Inclusivity/Equity and Dignity. Our vision is to be a thriving organization leading through collaboration to deliver high quality, equitable service.
Commitment to Inclusion and Belonging:
We acknowledge that Peterborough Youth Services (PYS) is in Nogojiwanong, which is located within the Williams Treaty, Treaty 20, and is Mississauga Anishinaabeg territory. PYS also provides support to other communities which are the traditional territory of the Anishnabek, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois), and Ojibway/Chippewa peoples, and now home to many diverse nations. We respectfully recognize the presence of Indigenous peoples, both in the past and present, and we commit to action, education, meaningful dialogue and necessary change.
As an employer, we are dedicated and committed to cultivating an inclusive workplace and building teams that reflect the communities we serve. We work to promote a diverse antiracist, inclusive, accessible, skill based, respectful, and equitable workplace. We invite all interested individuals to apply and actively seek to attract, develop and retain talent from diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and other individuals from the global majority, people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, those from various socio-economic backgrounds, and life experience. We strive to cultivate an inclusive culture that advances equity and supports the success and wellbeing of all employees.
Executive Director Role:
The Executive Director provides strategic direction, leadership, and vision to the agency, as well as oversight and responsibility for agency operations and assets, with an employee group of 26, a three storey office building, and an annual budget of $2 million.
The executive director works with the Board to ensure effective governance, with Ministries and regulatory bodies to ensure accountability, and with community stakeholders to foster strong community relations consistent with the aims of this organization.
The executive director leads the management team to facilitate organizational change, growth and program development as well as operational and programmatic excellence aligned with the Board’s strategic plan, applicable standards, and agreements with funders.
Primary Responsibilities
* Work with Board to develop and implement PYS Mission, Vision, Values and Strategic Plans.
* Work with Management team to develop evidence informed Operational Plans, to manage operations, service delivery, data, human resources, quality improvement, finances and risks.
* Lead labour relations, collective bargaining, promoting a positive workplace culture.
* Ensure agency compliance with Ministry, Sector, Accreditation and Legislated standards.
* Foster community relations and network participation as representative for PYS.
* Foster leadership development, collaboration, and shared accountability among management.
* Support resource mobilization and ensure fiscal sustainability with Board and Finance team.
* Report regularly to the Board, staff and stakeholders on progress and outcomes.
Key Activities
Provide Leadership
* Model and demonstrate commitment to agency values – Excellence, Employee Wellbeing, Responsive Collaboration, Inclusivity, Equity, Dignity
* In addition to the Board Chair, act as a spokesperson for the organization.
* Represent the organization at community networks and activities to enhance the organization’s community profile.
* Identify, assess, and inform the Board of Directors of internal and external issues, concerns and opportunities that affect the organization.
Operational Planning and Management
* Develop an operational plan which incorporates strategic plan goals and objectives that work towards the strategic direction of the organization.
* Present policies for the approval of the board and prepare procedures to implement the organizational policies; review existing policies as required and recommend changes to the board as appropriate.
* Ensure that all data (personnel, client, service activity, financial) are collected and stored securely and utilized with informed consent for reporting and for evidence based planning and decision making.
* As PYS Privacy Officer, ensure all information is securely stored and privacy/confidentiality is maintained.
Program Planning and Management
* Lead the management team in designing, planning, implementation and evaluation of the organization’s programs, services and special projects.
* Ensure systems are in place to monitor and support the effective delivery of PYS programs and services, to maintain and to improve quality.
Human Resources Planning and Management
* Oversee the implementation of the human resources policies, procedures and practices.
* Maintain a positive, healthy and safe work environment in accordance with applicable legislation and regulations.
* Oversee the recruitment, professional development and succession of staff with the skills, competencies and abilities to fulfill their responsibilities and to further the organization’s mission.
Financial Planning and Management
* Work with the Board of Directors and the Management team to prepare a comprehensive annual budget and to secure adequate funding.
* Negotiate with funders and community partners to ensure that the agency has the resources it needs to accomplish the mission.
* Research funding sources, oversee the development of fundraising plans, write funding proposals to sustain or increase the funds of the organization.
* Administer the funds of the organization according to the approved budget, monitor cash flow, report regularly to Board, Managers and Employees on revenues and expenditures.
Community Relations/Advocacy
* Establish strong working relationships and collaborative arrangements with community partner agencies, groups, funders, politicians, and other organizations to help achieve the goals of the organization.
* Participate in community planning bodies relevant to the Mission and client populations served by Peterborough Youth Services.
Risk Management
* Identify, evaluate and mitigate risks to the organization’s people (clients, staff, management, and volunteers), property, finances, goodwill and image. Implement risk management protocols to monitor and track this process.
* Ensure that the Board of Directors and the organization carry appropriate and adequate insurance coverage.
Qualifications, Knowledge and Skills
Education
* MBA, MSW or relevant master’s degree (preferred).
Experience
* 5-10 years experience in a senior leadership role, preferably in a similar environment.
* Demonstrated experience managing budgets with a strong understanding of financial strategies.
* Demonstrated experience developing and implementing successful strategic plans.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
* Knowledge of all federal and provincial legislation applicable to voluntary sector organizations including employment standards, human rights, occupational health and safety, charities, taxation, CPP, EI, health coverage etc.
* Knowledge of current community challenges and opportunities, inclusive of the diversity of community experiences and needs, relative to the mission of the organization.
* Strong leadership abilities, to integrate effective accountability and performance measures within an inclusive, responsive collaborative framework.
* Understanding of ethical behaviour and business practices to ensure that their behaviour and the behaviour of others is consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization.
* Communicate Effectively: Ability to speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
* Ability to develop new and unique ways to improve operations of the organization and to create new opportunities.
* Ability to anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders to meet or exceed their expectations within the organizational parameters.
* Ability to assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the organization.
* Ability to set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress toward goals, and track details, data, information and activities.
If you are interested in being considered for this position, please submit a CV and cover letter by email to Peter Haastrup, chair of PYS Board of Directors, hr@pysonline.ca on or before November 24, 2025. Only those applicants receiving further consideration will be contacted.
We are committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibilities for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process, (including alternate format materials, accessible meeting rooms or other accommodation), please notify glangill@pysonline.ca
#J-18808-Ljbffr