Position Type: Part-Time Independent Contractor
Estimated Effort: 60 to 70 hours per month (varies seasonally, with peak hours occurring prior to training courses, major conferences and the Annual General Meeting)
Tenure: 3-year contract with an annual review and an option to renew
Reports To: President and Board of Directors
About SWANA Ontario
SWANA Ontario advances the professionalism of the solid waste management field in Ontario by offering valuable connections, professional development and resources. Our vision is to be recognized as a direct and key influence in improving environmental, health, safety and operational outcomes in Ontario’s waste management sector. We are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors representing municipal, private and consulting partners within the Waste Management industry across the province.
Position Overview The Executive Director serves as the administrative, financial and operational backbone of SWANA Ontario. Working closely with the President, Executive Committee and Board, this individual translates high-level strategic vision into actionable operational plans, stewarding SWANA Ontario's financial health, managing professional training development and serving as the primary liaison for members, partners and SWANA Headquarters.
Preferred Knowledge Requirements
- Minimum 5 years experience in the Waste Management industry
- Knowledge of the Waste Management regulatory environment
- Knowledge of not-for-profit governance principles
- Previous event, conference and/or training program planning and organization
- Strong records management experience
- Proficiency with productivity suites (e.g., Microsoft 365, Google Workspace), virtual meeting/webinar platforms (e.g., Zoom, Teams), membership management, databases, email marketing tools and financial/accounting software
Key Roles and Responsibilities
1. Strategic Facilitation and Board Governance
- Mission and Vision Alignment: Ensures SWANA Ontario activities align with approved Mission and Vision.
- Governance and Succession Planning: Supports board governance, tracks board terms and succession planning and maintains continuity of leadership and institutional knowledge.
- Board Administration: Coordinates Board meetings, agendas, minutes, action-item tracking, annual reporting including SWANA Ontario and Not-For-Profit required reporting.
- Strategic and Action Planning Support: Coordinates strategic and business planning activities and monitors implementation of agreed-upon strategic initiatives.
- Committee Liaison and Support: Actively liaises with all Committee Chairs and provides oversight and administrative support to ensure effective operation and achievement of objectives.
2. Financial Stewardship and Compliance
- Financial Management and Budgeting:
Develops annual and quarterly operating budgets, monitors reserves, tracks portfolio performance, provides financial forecasting for new and proposed SWANA Ontario initiatives and supports the Treasurer and Finance Committee.
- Accounting and Financial Administration: Maintains financial records, manages accounts payable and receivable, processes expenses and oversees collections of outstanding accounts, including membership dues from SWANA Headquarters.
- Audit, Reporting and Compliance: Coordinates with SWANA Ontario accountants on year-end financial reporting, tax filings, Annual General Meeting financial materials and ensures compliance with by-laws, policies and applicable not-for-profit regulations.
- Contract and Vendor Oversight: Oversees all active SWANA Ontario contracts and relationships with bookkeepers, accountants and course developers.
3. Training and Career development Delivery
- Course and Education Management: Schedules, administers and manages the logistics for a consistent yearly calendar of webinars, safety seminars and key industry training courses, including booking technical instructors and guest speakers.
- Logistics, Venues and Registration: Handles virtual learning platform setups, secures facility contracts for in-person training and manages the end-to-end student registration process and records.
- Partnership and Content Development: Maintains educational partnerships. Coordinate with others to ensure training materials are up to date based on current federal and provincial regulations and industry best practices and administers training joint ventures and partnerships with other Canadian Chapters.
- Decadal Conference and Event Management: Partners directly with the designated Conference Chair to lead and manage all logistics, venue coordination, volunteer coordination, budgeting and execution for the Annual General Meeting and SWANA Ontario's major milestone conference (hosted once every ten years and last hosted in 2024).
- Scholarship Administration: Facilitates the application, review, evaluation and award process for SWANA Ontario scholarship programs alongside the scholarship committee.
4. Public Relations, Headquarters Liaison and Communications
- Membership and Stakeholder Relations: Serves as the primary public-facing point of contact for SWANA Ontario, responds to member inquiries,
maintains membership records and liaises with SWANA Headquarters and industry partners.
- Canadian SWANA Chapters Committee: Coordinates and participates in Canadian SWANA Chapter Executive meetings. Maintains on-going communication with the four other Canadian Chapter Executive Directors.
- SWANA Headquarters Board: Works with the SWANA Ontario’s Advisory Council member to ensure SWANA Ontario viewpoints are presented to SWANA Headquarters.
- Government Relations and Stakeholder Advocacy: Coordinates collaboration, advocacy and legislative outreach efforts with provincial ministries and parallel industry associations.
- Communications and Marketing: Manages all SWANA Ontario messaging across digital channels (website, social media, newsletters) and reviews outgoing communications to ensure consistency with SWANA Ontario branding, policies and tone.
To Apply:
Interested candidates and independent contractors are invited to submit their application package electronically.
Please include the following items in your submission as one PDF document:
- CV / Resume: Detail your relevant experience in waste management, non-profit governance and administrative leadership.
- Cover Letter (Optional): Summarize your suitability for the role and highlight your experience managing similar operational or administration responsibilities.
- Proposed Hourly Rate: Indicate your expected hourly rate in CAD (exclusive of HST). Note: SWANA Ontario anticipates a billable rate within the range of $50.00 to $70.00 per hour, commensurate with depth of experience, industry expertise and organizational capabilities.
- Contractor Profile / Statement of Independence: Confirm that you currently operate as an independent contractor (or through an established consulting firm/sole proprietorship) or are prepared to establish yourself as an independent entity prior to the contract start date and will maintain your own home office infrastructure, business registrations, insurance and responsibility for statutory withholdings.
- Submission Details: Please send your complete application package via email to Peter Kryger at
[email protected] and Alida Kusch at
[email protected] with the subject line: Application: SWANA Ontario Executive Director
- Application Deadline: Friday, October 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM EDT
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at SWANA Ontario
SWANA Ontario is committed to equity and inclusivity. If you require accommodation during the interview process, please let us know.
Technology Enablement and the use of AI
Please be advised that SWANA Ontario uses AI-assisted tools to support aspects of our recruitment process to increase efficiency and fairness. While AI supports the process, all hiring decisions are made by our Board. By applying, you acknowledge and consent to this use.
📌 SWANA Ontario Executive Director / Chapter Administrator (Canada)
🏢 SWANA Ontario
📍 Canada