Executive Director — The Baking Association of Canada (BAC)

Location: Remote / Work-from-home office (Canada-wide); Ottawa-based candidates preferred — with travel required approximately 5–6 times per year for Board meetings, government relations activities, and industry events

Engagement Type: Full-time contract position (independent contractor engagement, not a salaried employee role)

Start Date: Spring 2027

Compensation: Negotiable, commensurate with experience

Reports to: Chairman of the Board

Organization Type: National, not-for-profit trade association

Languages: English required; French speaking strongly preferred

About The Baking Association of Canada The Baking Association of Canada (BAC) is the national voice of Canada's baking industry, representing bakers and allied trades from coast to coast — from independent retail and wholesale bakeries to large-scale industrial bakers, suppliers, and industry partners. BAC advocates on behalf of its members before federal and provincial governments, provides members with the information and resources they need to run successful businesses, and serves as the unifying body connecting bakers, suppliers, and retailers across the country.

BAC is a small but dedicated organization, and the Executive Director will lead a close-knit team in delivering on the association's mission.

As BAC prepares for a planned leadership transition, we are seeking an experienced, driven, and personable Executive Director to lead the association into its next chapter.

About the Role The Executive Director (ED) serves as the association's chief executive officer. Working independently, the ED is responsible for managing the full range of issues and activities necessary to achieve BAC's strategic goals and objectives on behalf of its membership. This is a contract engagement offering the flexibility of a supported home-based office, balanced with regular national travel to represent BAC's interests in person.

Key Responsibilities

- Serve as chief executive officer of the association, reporting directly to the Chairman of the Board and executing the Board's strategic direction.
- Lead and manage BAC's small staff team and oversee day-to-day operations.




- Set and drive the association's long-range strategic plan in line with membership priorities.
- Act as BAC's principal advocate and point of contact with federal and provincial governments.
- Monitor regulatory, policy, and trade developments — including inter-provincial and international trade — affecting the baking sector, and coordinate BAC's response on members' behalf.
- Ensure the priorities and challenges of the full membership base — from large industrial bakers to SMEs, suppliers, and retail bakers — are reflected in the association's work.
- Cultivate coalitions and partnerships with allied associations, provincial bodies, and other interest groups.
- Prepare government submissions, briefs, and communications, and act as BAC's public spokesperson.
- Support the Board, committees, and volunteer leadership — including Regional Chapters — in effective governance and decision-making.
- Own the association's budgeting, financial planning, and financial controls.
- Plan and deliver with the team, BAC's member events, meetings, and conferences.
- Pursue grant and other funding opportunities to support association programs.

Candidate ProfileEducation & Experience
- Minimum undergraduate university degree, in management, food science, or a related field.
- Five to seven years of management and/or government relations experience, preferably within the food industry or an association environment.
- Skilled and/or commercial baking experience preferred.

Professional Skills

Social media literacy and comfort using AI tools are assumed baseline skills for this role.

- A hands-on, "generalist" manager able to budget time and resources and prioritize according to membership and organizational priorities.
- Strong service orientation, with sound judgment on when and how deeply to engage on a given issue.
- Skilled at networking and building coalitions,



with creativity in finding allies on issues important to the industry.
- Comfortable working with volunteers, committees, and the Board — using their time well and recognizing their role as leaders and spokespeople.
- Skilled at building and maintaining government contacts, and at translating policy and programs into plain language for members.
- Strong understanding of government decision-making structures and food industry regulatory issues; familiarity with inter-provincial and international trade.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including government briefs and submissions, and strong public speaking ability.
- Skilled negotiator, able to design solutions and develop strategy and tactics to advance issues with government.
- Financially astute, with strong short- and long-term budgeting and planning skills; computer literacy is essential.
- Experience in event planning; familiarity with grant writing is an asset.

Personal Attributes

- Unquestioned personal and professional integrity.
- A confident, enthusiastic presence able to quickly build credibility and trust with volunteers, government contacts, and other interest groups — particularly provincial associations.
- High energy level, capable of working long hours with a strong sense of urgency to achieve results.
- Genuine care for the industry and its members.
- Undivided dedication to BAC and its members: able to commit full-time focus to the role, with no other paid commitments during the engagement.
- A strong personality, able to advocate firmly for members' interests while protecting the long-term credibility of the association.
- Strong interpersonal skills — a collegial, participative, and respected team player.
- A warm, sincere, and sensitive temperament, with a positive sense of humour.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates are invited to apply directly through LinkedIn, including a resume and cover letter. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The Baking Association of Canada is an equal opportunity organization and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates.

Only those candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.

📌 Executive Director Non Profit Association (Canada)
🏢 Baking Association of Canada (BAC)
📍 Canada