Executive Director

Lead with Purpose

Help shape compassionate care across Northwestern Ontario.

Hospice Northwest Services is seeking a dynamic, thoughtful, and mission-driven Executive Director to lead our next chapter. This isn’t just a leadership role — it’s a meaningful opportunity to guide a respected not-for-profit organization as we grow our impact across grief support, palliative care, and community education.

We’re looking for a confident, collaborative leader who sees systems clearly, leads with heart, and believes in the power of grassroots community care.

About Us

Hospice Northwest is a volunteer-driven, community-first organization that supports individuals and families living with, dying from, or affected by illness and loss. Through grief programs, palliative support, caregiver resources, and regional outreach, we offer high-quality, culturally safe care across Thunder Bay and surrounding communities.

We’ve doubled our client base over the past six years and built nationally recognized programs like HUUG (Helping Us Understand Grief program for youth) and Gashkendamide’e (Be Grieved From the Heart) Loss and Support program, a two-day Elder led workshop delivered in a culturally relevant and spirituality-based manner. And we’re not slowing down. Our 2025–2028 Strategic Plan is focused on expanding community partnerships, advancing equity in care, and shaping a new residential hospice home.

We’ve built something strong. Now we need the right leader to carry it forward.

This Role Might Be for You If

• You’re energized by building teams, developing strategy, and aligning people toward meaningful goals.
• You lead with both empathy and clarity.
• You’re equally comfortable in Board meetings, community events, and one-on-one check-ins.
• You believe dying and grieving deserve as much care and dignity as any other part of life.
• You see opportunity in complexity, and possibility in collaboration.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading our people — Supporting, empowering, and sustaining a passionate team of staff and 100+ trained volunteers.
• Stewarding our mission — Championing a culture rooted in compassion, courage, and client dignity.
• Advancing our vision — Driving forward our 2025–2028 strategic priorities, including leadership of a future Community Residential Hospice.
• Strengthening relationships — Collaborating with our Board, funders, health system partners, and regional communities.
• Ensuring sustainability — Overseeing operations, budgets, fundraising strategies, and risk management with focus and care.
• Telling our story — Advocating for grief support and hospice care at every level — local to provincial.

What We’re Looking For

• Senior leadership experience in the non-profit or healthcare sectors.
• Experience managing teams and programs with empathy and accountability.
• Proven ability to develop strategy, manage budgets, and oversee operations.
• Understanding of grief, loss, palliative care, or community-based health (personal or professional).
• Exceptional communication skills and comfort in public-facing roles.
• Commitment to equity, truth and reconciliation, and inclusive leadership.
• Comfort navigating government relations, funding models, and stakeholder partnerships.

Bonus points for experience with:

• Board governance and policy
• Fund development or grant writing
• Rural and Northern health systems
• Organizational change and growth leadership

What Success Looks Like in 12 Months

• You’ve built trusted relationships with staff, Board members, and community partners.
• The team feels aligned, heard, and supported.
• You’re advancing key priorities of our strategic plan with clarity and momentum.
• You’ve strengthened our fundraising and sustainability strategies.
• You’ve helped us stay deeply connected to the needs of our clients — and to the community we serve.

What We Offer

• A supportive, value-driven team and culture.
• The chance to lead meaningful, human-centered work.
• A flexible work environment based in Thunder Bay.
• Competitive salary and benefits package aligned with sector benchmarks.
• The opportunity to influence systems and build legacy in Northwestern Ontario.

How to Apply

Please send your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your interest in the role to:melissa@compassleadership.ca

Application deadline: July 15, 2025

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Hospice Northwest Services is committed to equity and inclusion and welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds, especially those with lived experience of grief, caregiving, or health system navigation.

A Final Word

You don’t need to be the “perfect candidate” on paper. If this role speaks to your values, your leadership instincts, and your desire to build something meaningful — we hope you’ll apply.