Child Care Now, Canada’s national child care advocacy association, is seeking a dynamic and experienced Executive Director (ED) to lead the organization in its next phase of growth and impact on the development of a publicly funded and managed universal and primarily not-for-profit system of child care in Canada.

Reporting to and working closely with a volunteer Board of Directors elected from across Canada, the ED is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction, and management of the organization. The ED serves as the primary spokesperson for Child Care Now and plays a central role in advancing its mission through effective advocacy, fundraising, coalition-building, and active ongoing engagement with the child care sector, policy-makers, and the public.

Terms of Employment

It is preferred that the Executive Director live in or close to Ottawa, Ontario.

The annual salary range is $110,000 - $120,000.

Child Care Now strives to be a family-friendly organization by providing:

Flexible work schedule (to be determined in consultation with the Board of Directors),
Telework support,
An employer-paid single or family extended benefit plan,
Generous family leave, vacation entitlements, and other time off.

The Hiring Committee welcomes applicants who may wish to assume this role on a term or contract basis for at least two years.

Expected start date by September 30, 2026 (ideally by September 15, 2026)

About Child Care Now

Founded in 1982, Child Care Now is Canada’s non-partisan national child care advocacy association. As a membership-based organization of individuals and organizations across the country, Child Care Now leads and coordinates pan-Canadian advocacy for a publicly funded and publicly managed, high-quality, universally accessible, not-for-profit system of early learning and child care for children from birth to age 12. Working in partnership with the many actors in Canada’s child care sector and with a broad cross-section of allied organizations, Child Care Now advances public

policy solutions that strengthen families, promote gender equity, and build inclusive communities.

Key Responsibilities

Advocacy

Design and execute national advocacy strategies to advance a universal child care system
Build and maintain strong relationships with federal, provincial, and territorial governments
Advance strategic policy proposals and represent the organization in high-level policy discussions

Public Communications & Media

Serve as the public spokesperson for the organization
Lead media relations, public communications, and messaging strategies
Represent Child Care Now at conferences, events, and in national forums

Fundraising & Organizational Sustainability

Lead fundraising strategies, including grants, partnerships, and donor development
Ensure financial sustainability and responsible resource management

Coalition & Membership Development

Strengthen and expand a diverse and broad coalition of supporters
Engage and grow the organization’s membership base
Foster strong relationships with partner organizations and stakeholders

Strategic Leadership & Governance

Lead the development and implementation of organizational strategic plans
Ensure strong governance practices in collaboration with the Board of Directors
Ensure compliance with all legal, financial, and regulatory obligations

Organizational Leadership & Management

Lead, support, and manage a small, distributed team across Canada
Promote a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing organizational culture

Qualifications

Experience & Knowledge

Significant experience in advocacy, ideally at a national level
Demonstrated expertise in policy-maker relations and public policy development
Strong background in early learning and child care policy and related social and economic policy, as well as feminist and intersectional analysis
Experience in organizational leadership, including managing staff and working with a Board

Skills & Competencies

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking
Strong media relations and public engagement skills
Proven ability to design and lead effective advocacy campaigns
Sills in fundraising and organizational sustainability
Ability to work with membership-based organizations and coalitions
Abilities in organizational administration and governance

Assets

French language proficiency

How to Apply

Applicants must send a covering letter with a resumé to info@childcarenow.ca by June 30, 2026 (please put “Executive Director Application” in the subject line).

Child Care Now (Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada)

Open Positions

Child Care Now is seeking an Executive Director