Job Purpose:   

Islamic Relief Canada is seeking a dynamic and experienced Managing Director of Inspire to lead and enhance our Inspire portfolio. Reporting directly to the CEO, the Managing Director will oversee all aspects of the program and drive the strategic vision, growth, and impact of Inspire in the years ahead.  

As a member of Islamic Relief Canada’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT), the Managing Director will also contribute to organizational strategy and key decision-making across the organization. In partnership with the SLT, this role will provide strategic leadership for the Inspire Department while supporting special initiatives and business development opportunities that advance IR Canada’s broader objectives. 

The ideal candidate combines strategic vision with a demonstrated ability to execute, holds a deep understanding of IR Canada’s values, and a passion for humanitarian work. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of Inspire and amplify its impact in support of Islamic Relief Canada’s mission. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:    

Strategic Leadership of Inspire Program 

• Oversee the strategy and execution of all Inspire project activities 

• Translate organizational strategy into actionable goals and measurable outcomesfor the Inspire department 

• Ensure budgetmanagement, compliance adherence, and regulatory oversight of Inspire program

• Representthe Inspire team and operationsin SLT discussions and cross-functional planning

• Contribute to organization-wide strategy discussions with avolunteer and programminglens, providing data to support recommendations 

Process Improvement 

• Help establish the overall vision for the Inspire program for the short- and long-term 

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement to enhance Inspire’s operations  

• Seek continuous feedback and identify, recommend, and implement improvements to the Inspire program to enhance impact and reach 

Team Management and Cross-Team Collaboration 

• Collaborate with other departments, including fundraising, programs, and operations, to develop strategies, align on goals, and support organizational objectives  

• Participate in cross-functional initiatives, contributing to strategic planning and decision-making  

• Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture within the Inspire team, promoting effective communication, teamwork, and accountability  

• Ensure alignment between Inspire team and the organization’s mission and strategic goals  

• Provide leadership, mentorship, and development opportunities to the Inspire team 

• Set performance objectives, provide regular feedback, and support professional growth 

Stakeholder Management 

• Create and maintain strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including volunteers, donors, international field offices, and community partners 

• Represent Islamic Relief Canada and the Inspire program at conferences, community events, partner meetings, and other external engagements

• Provide oversight of stakeholder engagement, ensuring alignment onInspire’sstrategic objectives, outcomes, and long-term direction while proactively addressing emerging opportunities and challenges

Risk Management & Safeguarding 

• Primary accountability for Inspire’s risk management, including providing oversight of Inspire’s risk register and ensuring risks are identified, assessed, mitigated, and monitored across all program activities 

• Establish and maintain robust volunteer safeguarding policies, protocols, and training to promote the safety, well-being, and security of participants throughout the volunteer lifecycle 

• Monitor emerging geopolitical, security, health, and operational risks that may affect program delivery and make recommendations to senior leadership regarding program adaptations or continuity plan 

Qualifications and Competencies:

Education and Experience 

• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive senior leadership experience, with responsibility for strategy development, program delivery, and team leadership 

• Experience within the charitable, nonprofit, humanitarian, or international development sector is considered a strong asset 

• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams, managing complex stakeholder relationships, and driving organizational change 

• Proven track record of overseeing international programs, volunteer engagement initiatives, or large-scale community-based programming 

• Experience supporting executive leadership and contributing to organization-wide strategic planning and decision-making 

• Post-secondary education in International Affairs, International Development, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, or a related field 

Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes 

• Exceptional communication, presentation, and executive stakeholder engagement skills  

• Demonstrated ability to build strong partnerships and collaborate effectively across diverse, cross-functional teams 

• Strong strategic thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to translate vision into action 

• Proven leadership and people management skills, including building, coaching, and developing high-performing teams in support of the organization's mission and values 

• Sound analytical abilities, business acumen, and operational judgment, with the capacity to balance strategic priorities with execution 

• Continuous improvement mindset, with a demonstratedtrack recordof driving process optimization and organizational effectiveness 

• Strong understanding of risk management, safeguarding, and compliance considerations within volunteer, humanitarian, or international programming environments 

• Knowledge of global humanitarian principles, international development practices, and volunteer engagement models is considered an asset 

Hybrid Work Policy:
IRC has a hybrid model where in-office requirements are based on distance from our Burlington headquarters or a regional office (Surrey, Edmonton, Calgary and Ottawa). Depending on where you live, this can range from two days a week to one day a month.