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Job Description: La version française suit.

About the Organization

Founded in 1904, the Alliance Française de Vancouver (AFV) is a non-profit cultural organization and registered charity dedicated to promoting the French language, arts, and culture in British Columbia. In 2025, the organization became the Alliance Française Canada Pacific Society (AFCPS) following its merger with the Alliance Française de Victoria (founded in 1910), bringing together more than 120 years of history in support of Francophone and intercultural dialogue across Western Canada.

In 2024, AFV inaugurated a purpose-built, environmentally responsible cultural, educational, and community center in Vancouver, featuring:

- A qualified theatre (165 seats)
- An art gallery
- Artists' studios
- 16 classrooms
- A media library
- Flexible public spaces

This infrastructure enables the organization to provide French-language instruction to more than 4,000 students, delivering over 34,000 hours of instruction and administering more than 4,000 French-language certifications annually. The organization also showcases high-quality artistic works while supporting creation, production, and audience engagement across all artistic disciplines. Nearly 12,000 spectators attended its cultural programming in 2025.

A new campus in New Westminster will open in September. In early 2026, Alliance Française Victoria expanded its operations by opening additional classrooms, securing a long-term lease, and establishing a comprehensive partnership agreement with the Société Francophone de Victoria. In 2025, AFCPS operated with an annual budget of CAD $6.5 million, with significant growth recorded in 2026. Nearly 80 employees work across what will soon be three locations.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director/CEO is responsible for the strategic, administrative, financial, and operational leadership of Alliance Française Canada Pacific. The Executive Director ensures the fulfillment of the organization's mission, its financial sustainability, institutional development, and visibility among community, government, educational, and cultural partners. Acting as the organization's principal spokesperson, the Executive Director ensures that human, financial, and physical resources are aligned with the strategic directions approved by the Board of Directors. The successful candidate will provide leadership to a multidisciplinary management team overseeing education, culture, finance, philanthropy, marketing, human resources, and operations.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership and Governance
- Develop, recommend, and implement the organization's strategic plan.
- Advise the Board of Directors on strategic, organizational, financial, and institutional matters.
- Monitor strategic objectives and provide required performance reports.
- Support the work of Board committees.
- Develop a long-term vision that promotes organizational growth, relevance, and sustainability.
- Identify development opportunities and challenges that may affect AFCPS's mission.
- Ensure the application of governance best practices.

- Financial Management and Organizational Sustainability

- Ensure sound financial management of the organization.
- Lead the preparation of annual budgets and multi-year financial plans.
- Oversee budget forecasting and financial performance analysis.
- Manage cash flow and the organization's financial reserves.
- Present financial results and key performance indicators to the Board of Directors.
- Ensure compliance with tax, legal, and regulatory requirements.
- Oversee financial audits and implementation of audit recommendations.
- Evaluate the profitability and sustainability of programs, services, and activities.
- Develop revenue diversification strategies.

- Revenue Development and Funding

- Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy.
- Grow revenues generated through educational and cultural activities.
- Oversee applications for municipal, provincial, and federal grants.
- Develop financial partnerships with corporations, foundations, and public agencies.




- Participate in fundraising and philanthropic development activities.
- Ensure the maintenance and growth of earned revenues.
- Identify new sponsorship and strategic partnership opportunities.

- Operations and Facilities Management

- Oversee all multi-site operations, including Vancouver, Victoria, New Westminster, and future locations.
- Ensure the efficiency and quality of educational, cultural, and administrative services.
- Supervise facility maintenance, safety, and regulatory compliance.
- Lead infrastructure, renovation, and capital investment projects.
- Ensure compliance with health and safety standards.
- Implement control mechanisms that optimize organizational resources.
- Oversee major contracts and supplier relationships.
- Develop capital investment and asset renewal plans.

- Human Resources Leadership

- Lead and support the senior management team.
- Foster leadership development at all levels of the organization.
- Promote a culture of excellence, innovation, collaboration, and accountability.
- Oversee human resources policies and practices.
- Ensure effective recruitment, retention, and talent development.
- Foster a healthy, inclusive, and engaging workplace environment.
- Ensure compliance with employment laws and internal policies.
- Support succession planning initiatives.

- Educational and Cultural Development

- Ensure the quality and relevance of French as a Foreign Language (FLE) programming.
- Oversee the evolution of training programs and language certification services.
- Support the development of artistic and cultural programming.
- Promote educational innovation.
- Ensure alignment of activities with the mission of promoting Francophone cultures.
- Develop new initiatives that engage diverse audiences.

- Government Relations and Institutional Representation

- Serve as AFCPS's principal representative with municipal, provincial, and federal governments.
- Maintain strategic relationships with ministries, public agencies, and funding organizations.
- Participate in consultations and initiatives affecting Francophone communities and the cultural sector.
- Advocate for the interests of Alliance Française and the Francophone community of Western Canada.
- Represent the organization within the international Alliance Française network and with French and Canadian government entities.

- Communications and Public Profile

- Promote and strengthen the organization's positioning and reputation.
- Develop relationships with media outlets and strategic partners.
- Increase AFCPS's visibility at the regional, national, and international levels.
- Serve as an ambassador for the organization's mission and values.
- Participate in public, institutional, and community events.

- Risk Management and Compliance

- In collaboration with the Board of Directors, develop crisis management policies and lead their implementation as required.
- Ensure the identification, assessment, and mitigation of organizational risks.
- Implement business continuity plans.
- Ensure regulatory and contractual compliance.
- Oversee risk management, security, and asset protection policies.
- Lead organizational preparedness for crisis management.

Candidate Profile

Education

- University degree in Business Administration, Management, Finance, Governance, Public Policy, or a related field.
- Graduate degree (MBA, Master's degree, or equivalent) considered a strong asset.

Experience

- Minimum of 10 years of senior executive leadership experience.
- Significant experience within a nonprofit organization, cultural institution, educational institution, or public sector organization.
- Demonstrated expertise in financial management and organizational development.




- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams.
- Experience managing facilities and real estate assets.
- Experience in government relations and partnership development.
- Knowledge of the Alliance Française network, French as a Foreign Language (FLE), and the Francophone cultural sector is considered a significant asset.

Core Competencies

- Inspiring leadership and strategic vision.
- Strong governance and change management capabilities.
- Solid financial analysis skills.
- Highly developed political acumen, emotional intelligence, and diplomatic abilities.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to manage complex, multi-site environments.
- Strong sense of ethics and accountability.
- Proven ability to build sustainable partnerships.

Language Requirements

Mandatory Requirement: Professional fluency in both French and English, written and spoken, is required for this position. Candidates must meet this requirement to be considered.

Key Challenges

The Executive Director role at AFCPS presents significant challenges due to the complexity and scale of the organization's operations. The successful candidate will be responsible for effectively coordinating multiple services and locations while maintaining a high standard of service delivery for Alliance audiences and stakeholders.

In driving and implementing strategic priorities, the Executive Director must navigate an evolving environment marked by organizational growth and transformation. As the organization continues to expand, the role requires structuring and optimizing operations to support program growth while preserving the agility, accessibility, and people-centered mission that define AFCPS. The position also requires a collaborative and engaging leadership style capable of aligning teams around shared objectives and guiding the organization through continuous evolution and improvement.

Success Indicators

- Achievement of strategic objectives approved by the Board of Directors.
- Maintenance of a healthy and sustainable financial position.
- Growth of earned revenues and external funding sources.
- Increased participation in cultural and educational activities.
- Enhanced visibility and influence of AFCPS.
- Successful talent development and retention.
- Effective management of facilities and organizational assets.
- High levels of satisfaction among students, members, partners, employees, and funders.

Why Join This Organization?

Joining AFCPS as Executive Director represents a unique opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to an organization of significant importance to the Francophone community of British Columbia. The organization plays a critical role in French-language education, the promotion of bilingualism, cultural diversity, and Francophone cultures. This position offers the opportunity to actively contribute to the continued evolution and strengthening of services provided to the community.

The role also offers the opportunity to work within a respected organization supported by highly engaged teams and a culture deeply rooted in collaboration, inclusion, and respect for diversity. For an accomplished leader, this is an exciting challenge involving the structuring, optimization, and advancement of complex operations in support of a mission-driven organization.

Compensation & Benefits

- Competitive salary with a base salary range of $130,000 to $150,000, depending on the successful candidate's qualifications and experience.
- Four (4) weeks of paid vacation to start.
- Performance-based bonus potential as part of the overall compensation package.
- Employer-paid extended health and dental benefits.
- Defined contribution pension plan.
- Flexible work arrangements, where appropriate.
- Professional development and learning opportunities.
- Complimentary or discounted access to Alliance Française Canada Pacific programs and cultural events.

This recruitment is being led by Gerard Search on behalf of Alliance Française Canada Pacific.

Application deadline: We are accepting rolling applications until the position is filled. Check the status of the search process here.

📌 Directeur Général - Executive Director (Vancouver)
🏢 CareerBeacon
📍 Vancouver