Manager, Business Support & Strategic Initiatives

Manager, Business Support & Strategic Initiatives

Location: Downtown Toronto, ON
Work Model: Hybrid – Minimum 3 Days In-Office per Week
Salary: $90,000 Annually
Employment Type: Full-Time, Temporary Contract (14 Months)

Anticipated Start Date: November 30, 2026 – training up to 2 weeks and then contract January 4, 2027 (for 14 months)

About the Opportunity:

Staffworks is recruiting on behalf of our client, the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA), for an experienced and highly organized Manager, Business Support & Strategic Initiatives.

OALA is a self-governing professional association dedicated to advancing the profession of landscape architecture, regulating the title ‘landscape architect’, maintaining professional standards, and protecting the public interest.

This is an excellent opportunity for a collaborative and strategic professional to play a key role in supporting organizational leadership, governance, and the delivery of important initiatives.

Reporting to the Registrar, the successful candidate will assume specific responsibilities of the Executive Director during a maternity leave, ensuring continuity of operations, effective program delivery, and progress toward the Association's strategic priorities.

The ideal candidate brings strong leadership, sound judgment, excellent organizational skills, and experience working with boards, committees, and diverse stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning & Organizational Leadership

• Support the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of OALA's Strategic Plan and organizational priorities.
• Assist with developing operational plans, performance indicators, and reports to support informed decision-making.
• Identify emerging trends, organizational risks, and opportunities, providing strategic recommendations as appropriate.
• Work collaboratively with the Registrar and staff to ensure effective organizational operations and service delivery.

Governance & Committee Support

• Provide operational and administrative support to OALA's Council, assigned committees, and task forces.
• Assist with preparing meeting agendas, reports, correspondence, and governance documentation.
• Support the coordination of the Annual General Meeting, special meetings, and other governance activities.
• Maintain accurate records and support compliance with organizational policies, by-laws, and applicable legislation.

Operations, Programs & People Management

• Oversee and coordinate assigned programs, initiatives, and organizational activities.
• Supervise designated staff and support performance management, goal setting, and professional development.
• Support the planning and execution of association events, awards programs, and some member engagement initiatives.
• Collaborate with internal team, volunteers, and external partners to ensure effective program delivery.
• Support program evaluation, administrative improvements, and organizational accountability.

Professional Practice, Ethics & Compliance

• Support the administration of professional practice and ethics matters, including the complaints process.
• Coordinate with the Registrar, relevant committees, and legal counsel to ensure matters are handled appropriately.
• Maintain confidential records, correspondence, and reports while ensuring adherence to established procedures and by-laws.

Stakeholder Relations & Communications

• Represent OALA at meetings, events, and industry functions as required.
• Support government relations, public relations, and stakeholder engagement initiatives.
• Maintain positive working relationships with professional associations, government representatives, volunteers, and external partners.
• Collaborate with consultants and internal stakeholders to implement approved communications and advocacy strategies.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Post-secondary degree in Business Administration or a related field and/or a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in association management or an executive-level association role.
• Experience working with boards, councils, committees, or volunteer-led organizations.
• Strong understanding of organizational governance, strategic planning, and operational administration.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder relationship management skills.
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience, with the ability to motivate and support staff.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage competing priorities.
• Understanding of government relations, public policy, or advocacy.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Teams, Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to a collaborative team environment.
• Flexibility to attend occasional events or meetings outside regular business hours and travel as required.

Additional Assets

• Experience working within a professional association, regulatory organization, or not-for-profit environment.
• Knowledge of the landscape architecture profession.
• Experience supporting public relations and external communications initiatives.
• Experience with budgeting, financial oversight, and organizational reporting.
• Experience managing websites or working with web management software.

Work Environment

This position follows a hybrid work arrangement, requiring a minimum of three days per week at OALA's Downtown Toronto office.

The successful candidate must be able to commute to the office within 1.5 hours and be available for occasional off-site meetings, events, and related travel.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Opportunity to contribute to the leadership and strategic direction of an established professional association.
• Broad exposure to governance, operations, stakeholder relations, and strategic initiatives.
• Collaborative environment working closely with organizational leadership and Council.
• Hybrid work arrangement in Downtown Toronto.
• Competitive annual salary of $90,000.

If you are an experienced professional who thrives in a collaborative environment and enjoys balancing strategic priorities with hands-on operational leadership, we encourage you to apply.

Staffworks is proud to partner with the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA) on this recruitment opportunity.

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.

**Staffworks may use AI-enabled tools to assist with recruitment activities while maintaining recruiter involvement and respecting applicable privacy and employment regulations.**