As the world's leading animal photojournalism agency, We Animals (WA) advocates for animals through photojournalism. Our global investigations and stories expose our complex relationships with animals, create ethical and cultural shifts in society, and empower human capacity for compassion and change. To support our mission, we investigate industries, mentor photographers, operate a stock site to share our visual content, and engage with media and NGO partners to shift attitudes, industries, and policy.We are seeking an Interim Executive Director for an 18-month contract to cover parental leave. The Executive Director (ED) provides overall leadership and operational oversight for We Animals. Reporting to the Board of Directors and working closely with the Founder and President, the Executive Director ensures the organization's work is aligned with its mission and that the organization is financially sustainable and operationally sound.The Interim Executive Director's primary mandate is to provide steady organizational leadership, maintain momentum on existing strategic priorities, and support a smooth transition before and after the parental leave period.Type of employment: Contract position at 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, with a flexible hourly scheduleReports to: Board of DirectorsDirect reports: Director of Development, Director of Visual Content, Director of Marketing and Communications, Operations ManagerCollaborates with: Founder and PresidentTeam size: 11.9 FTELocation: Remote, with a preference for candidates whose working hours allow for at least 3-4 hours of regular overlap with Eastern Time. We particularly encourage candidates based in Canada, the Americas, the UK, Ireland, Portugal, and similar time zones to apply. Candidates outside these regions may also be considered where scheduling and employment arrangements are workable.Expected end of contract: May 24, 2028Apply by: September 4, 2026 at 12:00pm EDTNote: We Animals is a Canadian nonprofit. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in their country of residence. For candidates outside Canada, employment may be supported through an Employer of Record where feasible.As an ideal candidate for this role, you:Are a steady, thoughtful, and experienced nonprofit leader who can step into an established organization and build trust quicklyBalance strategic thinking with a willingness to handle the practical work required in an evolving nonprofitCan maintain momentum on existing priorities while exercising sound judgment when circumstances changeAre confident working with budgets, financial forecasts, organizational risk, and competing resource prioritiesApproach organizational culture with care, consistency, and an understanding of how leadership decisions affect a remote teamCan work collaboratively with a Founder and President, Board of Directors, and senior leadership team while maintaining clear roles and decision-making responsibilitiesAre an effective people manager who sets clear expectations, supports staff well-being, addresses challenges directly, and holds people accountableThink analytically and from a systems perspective, identifying practical improvements without creating unnecessary complexityCommunicate clearly and transparently, including when navigating sensitive personnel, financial, or organizational mattersAre organized, responsive, and comfortable managing several areas of responsibility at onceUnderstand that successful interim leadership includes preserving institutional knowledge and preparing the organization for a smooth handoverMission Alignment: This role requires more than technical skill; it requires deep philosophical alignment. We Animals is dedicated to ending the use of animals by humans—whether for food, fashion, entertainment, experimentation, or tradition. Please read our Mission, Values,



and Purpose carefully before applying to ensure this is the right fit for your professional and personal ethics.PurposeThe Interim Executive Director will provide experienced, steady leadership during an 18-month parental leave. The purpose of the role is to maintain organizational stability, support the team, and ensure continued progress on We Animals' existing strategic and financial priorities.Working with the Board, Founder and President, and senior leadership team, the Interim Executive Director will oversee organisational planning, people and culture, financial management, fundraising oversight, governance, risk, and operations. This is primarily a continuity and implementation role, rather than a mandate to significantly restructure or redirect the organisation, although the Interim Executive Director will be expected to identify and respond to emerging needs and opportunities.The Interim Executive Director will also support thoughtful transitions at the beginning and end of the contract, ensuring that key decisions, relationships, organisational knowledge, and areas of work are well documented and handed over.ResponsibilitiesOrganizational Strategy & Effectiveness – 20%Lead the implementation of WA's multi-year strategic plansFacilitate annual planning with staff, engaging external consultants when needed, and present plans to the Board for approvalAlign team and departmental work with strategic goals and set explicit operational KPIs and impact goalsCollaborate with the Board and executive team to assess and pursue strategic opportunitiesOversee operational efficiency and external impact measurement and evaluationDirectly supervise team members including Director of Development, Director of Visual Content, Director of Marketing and Communications, and the Operations ManagerFoster a culture of trust, accountability, and well-being that aligns with WA valuesHuman Resources & Organizational Planning – 20%Oversee HR/employee policies and ensure compliance with applicable employment laws and regulationsManage current organizational structure; plan for future iterationsOversee recruitment, onboarding, and offboarding processesManage staff compensation structure subject to HR committee input/oversight and Board approval through the budget processHandle sensitive personnel issues and elevate to the Founder/President and/or the Board when necessarySupport succession planning and leadership developmentSet performance expectations and manage evaluations across departmentsIdentify staff training and development needs and implement solutionsDevelop and manage the organization's annual operating budget, subject to approval by the boardOversee bookkeeping, reporting, and financial systems with the Operations ManagerLiaise with the external accountant and audit firm to ensure accurate financial reporting and filingsMonitor and report on financial status and manage organisational financial risk with input from the Audit and Finance CommitteeApprove budgets and timelines; oversee the execution of projectsOversee the development and implementation of the organization's fundraising strategyCollaborate with fundraising staff to develop major grant applications and campaignsMaintain relationships with institutional funders through account management and reportingGovernance & Compliance – 7%Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, and reporting requirementsCollaborate with the Board to review strategy, finances,



and organisational stabilityPrepare board meeting materials and support quarterly board meetings and the AGMMaintain engagement with and support recruitment for a diverse and effective BoardRisk Management & Operations – 3%Monitor and manage organisational risks, including legal, reputational, and cybersecuritySupport or lead the implementation of operational systems and infrastructure improvementsAdditional Duties As RequiredRepresent WA at events and in partnership conversations when appropriateAttend HR, Audit and Finance Committee meetingsQualificationsAt least 7 years of progressive experience in nonprofit leadership, operations, organisational management, or a related fieldAt least 3 years of experience in a senior leadership role with responsibility for people, budgets, organisational planning, and cross-departmental decision-makingDemonstrated experience managing and supporting senior staff or departmental leadersExperience developing and managing organisational or departmental budgets, reviewing financial reports, forecasting, and supporting financial decision-makingExperience working with a nonprofit Board of Directors and preparing clear materials for governance and committee meetingsStrong understanding of nonprofit operations, organisational risk, and good governance practicesExperience overseeing human resources, including performance management, recruitment, organisational planning, compensation, and sensitive personnel mattersExperience overseeing fundraising strategy and working with fundraising staff, institutional funders, grant applications, reporting, or donor stewardshipDemonstrated ability to implement strategic and annual plans, establish priorities, and monitor progressStrong project management and organisational skills, with a track record of moving complex work from planning through completionExcellent written and verbal English communication skillsDemonstrated ability to work effectively in a remote, asynchronous team operating across multiple time zonesExperience using digital communication, project management, and collaboration tools. We use Asana, Slack, and Google Workspace.Values alignment: a demonstrable understanding of, and commitment to, our organisational philosophy regarding animal advocacy. You must be comfortable working in an environment that challenges the status quo of human-animal relationships.Alignment with vegan values and the ability to represent We Animals' values publicly and with partnersAbility to travel at least once per year for a team retreat and/or relevant organisational eventsStrong assets:Previous experience as an Executive Director, Interim Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer, or comparable nonprofit leaderExperience leading a remote organisation of a similar size and complexityExperience joining an organisation in an interim, transition, or parental leave capacityFamiliarity with Canadian nonprofit governance, employment requirements, and regulatory complianceExperience managing staff or organisational arrangements across multiple countries, including through an Employer of RecordFamiliarity with fiscal sponsorship and cross-border funding arrangementsAn understanding of animal advocacy and/or photojournalismInterest and experience with AI tools in nonprofit operations, organisational planning, or managementPerks of Working with UsFlexible hoursThree weeks' paid vacation (prorated based on hours worked) plus an extended holiday closure periodBenefits packagePaid training opportunities and professional development allowanceA friendly, funny, talented, and caring teamMore About UsWe are a federally incorporated non-profit based in Toronto, Canada. We are a small (14 staff members (~11.9 FTE) fully remote team distributed across different time zones in North America and Europe. We offer a flexible working schedule, professional development opportunities, and operate with autonomy to support diverse needs and working styles. #J-18808-Ljbffr

📌 Interim Executive Director (18-Month Contract – Parental Leave Coverage) (Toronto)
🏢 We Animals
📍 Toronto