The Program
At Taproot Community Support Services, we’re a 100 percent employee-owned organization through an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). Every employee is an owner from their first day, with a voice in shaping Taproot’s future and the opportunity to share in employee ownership dividends.
As a Certified B Corporation, we harness business for good. Since 1983 we’ve grown steadily, now delivering support across Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario through more than 90 contracts.
Our 800-plus employee-owners live by five shared values: we are stronger together, we lead with optimism, we embrace challenges, we respect every voice, and we go above and beyond. Guided by these principles, we deliver more than 125 community-based services each year. We walk alongside about 1,600 children, youth, families, and people with diverse abilities, with revenues exceeding $70 million.
In Your Role You Will
Strategic Leadership and Planning
- Lead strategic planning for Alberta Children and Family Services (CFS) and Diverse Abilities Services (PDD), ensuring plans are practical, aligned with organizational priorities, responsive to sector needs, and supportive of thoughtful change.
- Support program development, service quality, accreditation, and compliance with agency policies, contracts, and applicable standards.
- Identify thoughtful growth opportunities, including new funding sources, RFPs, partnerships, and program expansions, while ensuring teams are thriving and ready for expansion.
- Advance Taproot’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation by supporting culturally safe, respectful, and relationship-based approaches across services, partnerships, and leadership practices.
- Support the CEO with clear, timely reporting and presentations for the Board of Directors and Board Committees.
- Champion change management, continuous improvement, and practical innovation in a way that is steady, grounded, and people-centered.
Operational Oversight
- Oversee the daily operations of approximately $25 million in CFS and PDD services, including supported living, outreach, Acquired Brain Injury supports, family preservation and intervention, FASD supports, and outreach programs.
- Work closely with leaders and HR partners to address workforce pressures, including retention, staff well-being, labour relations, and other people-related complexities.
- Champion the CARE support model with teams and integrate its principles into day-to-day operations.
- Ensure services meet government regulations, legal requirements, accreditation standards, contract obligations, and organizational policies.
- Lead and support the Alberta accreditation process in partnership with operational teams.
Fiscal Awareness and Revenue Growth
- Maintain a clear understanding of the financial picture across Alberta sectors, including revenue, expenses, contract requirements, and emerging budget pressures.
- Keep a close eye on budgets, identify financial risks and opportunities early, and pursue funding, RFP, contract, or growth opportunities that support sustainability and service expansion.
- Engage with government officials at Alberta Child and Family Services and Alberta’s Ministry of Community and Social Services as required and as opportunities arise.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Serve as a trusted senior contact for government funders and sector partners.
- Represent Taproot in sector-related meetings, conferences, and community events, including the Alberta Council of Disability Services and ALIGN.
- Build and maintain strong, respectful relationships with stakeholders that support service quality, sustainability, and thoughtful growth.
Team Leadership and Development
- Coach and mentor program directors and managers, supporting strong decision-making, accountability, and operational excellence.
- Build leadership capacity across Alberta teams and support a motivated, capable, and values-aligned workforce.
- Foster a team culture where people feel respected, included, and supported to contribute their strengths.
- Provide steady guidance through operational challenges and sector change while fostering a culture of collaboration, learning, and shared accountability.
The Position
The Executive Director, Alberta, is a senior leadership role that guides the direction for Taproot’s Child and Family Services (CFS) and Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) sectors across Alberta. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, this position provides strategic and operational leadership, with responsibility for service quality, sector planning, fiscal stewardship, stakeholder relationships, and thoughtful growth.
This role is ideal for a steady, relationship-driven leader who enjoys supporting teams, working through complex operational realities, strengthening partnerships, and building leadership capacity. The Executive Director will play an important role in encouraging innovation and identifying opportunities that help services remain sustainable, responsive, and aligned with community needs. Although the position is based in Edmonton, the program leadership and oversight encompasses many small communities throughout Northen Alberta.
The successful candidate should be comfortable engaging respectfully with local Elders and Knowledge Keepers, and Indigenous communities, including First Nations and Métis Settlements.
Schedule:
One (1) permanent full-time position with a weekly schedule of 40 hours.
This position is based out of the Edmonton office and follows a hybrid remote model. Travel is expected to be approximately 20%, with additional travel likely in the first year to support relationship building.
Mandatory Pre-Employment Screenings and Checks
***Prior to confirmation of employment, all applicants must provide a copy of a current Criminal Record Check and/or Government Screening Letter. These checks vary depending on province and sector and will be communicated by the Program Hiring Team.
As An Ideal Candidate You Possess
You are a strategic, relationship-driven leader who brings sound judgment, sector knowledge, and a steady approach to complex operational environments. You are comfortable leading through change, supporting strong teams, building trusted relationships with funders and community partners, and bringing fresh thinking to services that are ready to evolve. You approach challenges with curiosity, professionalism, and resilience, and you care deeply about strengthening services for children, youth, adults, families, and communities.
Core Competencies and Skills:
- Strategic Thinking: Ability to connect organizational priorities with sector needs, see opportunities for improvement, and turn strategy into practical action.
- Leadership Impact: Strong coaching, mentoring, and people leadership skills that help teams do their best work.
- Sector Knowledge: Strong understanding of child and family services, PDD services, government contracts, and related service systems.
- Operational and Financial Acumen: Experience overseeing complex operations, monitoring budgets, using financial information, and managing risk.
- Relationship Building: Ability to build trust with government funders, staff, community partners, and other key stakeholders.
- Adaptability, Innovation, and Resilience: Ability to lead in a dynamic environment, support change, encourage fresh thinking, respond to sensitive issues thoughtfully, and remain steady under pressure.
- Inclusive and Values-Led Leadership: Ability to create an environment where people feel respected, included, and able to contribute, while supporting equitable and person-centered approaches across teams and services.
- Cultural Humility and Reconciliation: Demonstrated commitment to learning, reflection, and action that supports Truth and Reconciliation, cultural safety, and respectful relationships with Indigenous children, youth, families, communities, and partners.
In addition, you bring:
- A post-secondary degree or diploma in business, management, human services, education, or another related field. A master’s degree would be an asset.
- Experience in the non-profit, charitable, education, healthcare, social services, community services, public, or private sector is strongly preferred.
- An equivalent combination of education and executive leadership experience may be considered.
- At least seven years of progressive leadership experience in social services or a similar sector.
- Proven success in strategic planning, program development, operational oversight, change management, and continuous improvement.
- A collaborative, relationship-driven approach to leadership.
- Familiarity with Alberta PDD, CFS, and related sector stakeholders.
Most importantly, you are a team player who values collaboration, enjoys learning, and wants to help build a workplace where people support one another and take pride in the impact of their work.
What Taproot Community Support Services Does
At Taproot, your passion for helping others can truly make a difference. As an employee-owned company, we value collaboration, learning, and innovation. Our strength-based approach guides both our care and how we support each other. Join a team where your voice matters, and together, we're building a company we're proud of.
Our Employees Enjoy
- Employee ownership from day one through our EOT, with opportunity for profit-sharing dividends
- Work/life balance
- Learning and career development opportunities
- Competitive wages and salaries
- Paid vacation and benefits for eligible employees
- Defined benefit pension plan (Municipal Pension Plan) for eligible employees within British Columbia
- Matching RRSP plan for eligible employees in Alberta
- Professional development opportunities and job-related training
- Employee and Family Assistance Program
- Long Service Milestone rewards
- Employee referral bonus program
- A values-driven workplace — as a Certified B Corp, we're committed to using business as a force for good
Website reference
For more information on Taproot Community Support Services visit our website: taproot.ca
Closing Statement
No candidate will meet every single desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to learn more about you! Please apply.
Equal-Opportunity Employer
Our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment is unwavering. We believe that varied backgrounds and experiences fuel innovation and success. As an equal-opportunity employer, we prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion across all operations. We're seeking candidates passionate about contributing to our multicultural teams and enriching our workplace with their unique insights and cultural sensitivity.
We encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply and join us in fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment.
No telephone calls please. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be notified.
