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THE OPPORTUNITY
The Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA) has partnered with Strategisense Consulting to recruit its next Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of the Black business and professional landscape and collaborate closely with the Board to guide the overall leadership and management of the BBPA and ensure operations align seamlessly with its vision, mission, and values. The CEO will establish strategic partnerships and serve as a key driver for BBPA’s continued growth and transformative impact.
Please review this position brief for further details about the opportunity. For more information, please contact Jan Campbell by email at [email protected]. We assure you that your inquiry and/or application will be held in strict confidence.
To apply please submit your resume and cover letter as a single PDF attachment through this LinkedIn job posting or [email protected] with “BBPA Chief Executive Officer Recruitment” in the subject line by November 20th, 2023. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. We thank all applicants for their interest, but only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
ABOUT THE BBPA
Founded in 1983, the BBPA is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to promoting equity and opportunity for the Black community in business, employment, education, and economic development. At the BBPA, our commitment is to create a lasting impact within the Black community and for our members. We empower individuals and businesses to reach their highest potential, foster entrepreneurship, facilitate resource access, and recognize excellence to drive positive change.
Our brand as a national organization that serves Black businesses and professionals is now indelibly entrenched throughout Canada. For over 40 years, the BBPA Harry Jerome Awards has recognized and honoured achievements within the Canadian Black community.
Working alongside community leaders, we have played a pivotal role in co-founding the Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE), an organization that makes loans available as part of the Black Entrepreneurship Program. Furthermore, the BBPA led efforts to expand initiatives, working alongside The Diversity Institute and Future Skills Centre, which resulted in new projects such as BACEL, Capital Skills, and the RiseUP Pitch Competition. We have also championed programs in collaboration with other partners, such as the Financial Literacy program, as well as Business Advisory Implementation Development Services (BAIDS), the BBPA’s National Scholarship Program, and various other impactful initiatives.
We continue to achieve our goals because we are committed every day to implement innovative solutions-based strategies including initiatives that illuminate important issues facing the Black business community. It is within this context that the BBPA is seeking a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
POSITION PROFILE
The BBPA is seeking a CEO with a deep understanding of the Black business and professional landscape. The successful candidate will possess a strong background in strategic and operational leadership roles, a demonstrated track record in government relations, fundraising expertise, and a significant track record of leading transformative initiatives. Collaborating closely with the Vice President of National Partnerships, Outreach and Procurement and reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will play a pivotal role in advancing equity and opportunity for the Black community in business, employment, education, and economic development, aligning with BBPA’s overarching mission and vision.
The CEO is a highly skilled strategic leader who can navigate complex organizations, build capacity, adapt to competing priorities, and lead a team of 8 staff with two direct reports. The CEO is capable of thinking outside the box, bringing innovative ideas to fruition, and providing strategic direction at all levels, working collaboratively with internal and external partners across the organization.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Organization Mission and Strategy: Work with the Board, staff, and external stakeholders to ensure that the mission is fulfilled through strategic leadership and program oversight.
- Embody community leadership, contributing to the improvement of communities where BBPA operates and ensuring commitments are honoured.
- Act as the primary external spokesperson for the BBPA; establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring alignment with the BBPA’s values, vision, and mission.
Financial Performance and Viability: Develops resources to ensure the financial health of the organization.
- Design and implement effective fundraising strategies, safeguarding the BBPA’s financial health.
- Set up systems to identify and manage financial risks, ensuring these are within Board-established guidelines. Oversee internal controls for financial reporting.
Organization Operations: Ensures the effective management of resources to align the organization’s operations with the mission and values of the BBPA.
- Direct the creation of an annual operating plan that encompasses business plans, operational needs, organizational structure, staffing, and budgets, ensuring alignment with the BBPA’s Strategic plan.
- Supervise day-to-day operations of the BBPA, ensuring adherence to Board guidelines and compliance with all regulatory requirements, including financial and non-financial disclosures.
Organization Leadership and Team Development: Lead efforts to build a high-performing team, foster leadership development, and ensure effective organizational management aligned with BBPA’s mission and values.
- Champion team development efforts, including hiring, evaluating, and retaining competent staff.
- Work in synergy with the Human Resources Committee, ensuring an effective senior management team and supporting both emergency and permanent succession planning for critical roles.
EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
We understand that no single candidate will meet all the qualifications of the role. We have listed the essential qualifications here. Our hope is that candidates will either already possess these qualifications or be willing to develop into this role:
- Lived and professional experience in Black business and professional settings, especially within education and economic development contexts.
- The ability to work for and collaborate with Black communities always from a people-centric and values-based lens focused on respect and dignity for all.
- Master’s or advanced degree in relevant fields coupled with 7-10 years of pertinent senior management experience.
- Comprehensive understanding of challenges faced by Black communities and professionals, public sector funding, policy development, and multi-million-dollar budget oversight.
- Demonstrated success in fundraising campaigns, strategic financial decision-making, and an ability to innovate revenue sources.
- In-depth knowledge of government strategies, legislation, policies, and strong public speaking skills.
- Demonstrated leadership in team supervision, mentoring, and fostering a conducive work environment.
- Proven ability in policy creation, stakeholder interaction, organizational skills, and a deep understanding of equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-Black racism and oppression and a reputation for transforming cultures.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The salary is competitive and commensurate with experience, aligned with market rates. The compensation package includes 20 days of paid vacation.
WORKING CONDITIONS
This is a hybrid position that requires a minimum of 3 days per week at the head office in downtown Toronto. This role requires approximately 40% travel across Canada and involves frequent evening and weekend commitments.
HOW TO APPLY
As an inclusive and equitable employer, we are committed to providing a fully accessible recruitment process. Please contact us at any time during the recruitment process and let us know what accessible support you may need.
At this point, we hope you’re feeling excited about the job description you’re reading. Even if you don’t feel that you meet every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply. We’re eager to meet people who believe in our mission and can contribute to our team in a variety of ways – not just candidates who check all the boxes. We want people to feel comfortable expressing their true selves and to come, stay, and do their best work here.
Interested applicants can submit their resume and cover letter as a single PDF attachment through this LinkedIn job posting or [email protected] with “BBPA Chief Executive Officer Recruitment” in the subject line by November 20, 2023. We thank all those who apply for the position, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Accessibility accommodations are available for all parts of the recruitment process. Should you require any assistance during the application process, please advise by emailing [email protected].
About Strategisense Consulting
Strategisense Consulting is a highly sought-after learning, professional development, and talent strategy firm committed to supporting individuals and organizations to deepen the quality of their thinking and evolve the way they work – ultimately enhancing resilience and overall impact. Services include customized and signature learning programs, leadership and team coaching, talent strategy, executive search, and leadership strategy development.
