Chief Executive Officer

Our client, Banyan Community Services (Banyan), is seeking its next Chief Executive Officer: an experienced, values-driven leader ready to guide a well-established, multi-service organization through its next phase of development.

ABOUT BANYAN

Founded in 1978, Banyan is a not-for-profit organization providing services to children, youth, adults and families across Hamilton, Niagara, Brant, Haldimand, Norfolk and Wellington. Its work includes youth justice, out-of-home care, family services, adult supports, community programs and other specialized services for individuals with complex needs.

Banyan brings a strong foundation, a committed workforce and a clear sense of purpose. The current CEO is retiring after a successful tenure, creating an opportunity for a seasoned executive to build on what is working while helping Banyan respond thoughtfully to the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Mission: Providing client-centred, quality care to individuals and families with complex needs. Supporting people to build independence, resilience, life skills and connection to community through a multidisciplinary approach.

Vision: A transformational partner in the journey to build safe, inclusive and barrier free communities.

Values:

• Respect & Dignity
• Integrity & Ethical Conduct
• Equity & Inclusion
• Advocacy & Social Justice
• Accountability & Transparency

LEAD WHAT COMES NEXT

Banyan Community Services has done the hard work of building a strong foundation. Now it is looking for a CEO to decide, with its people and partners, what its next chapter should be.

This is not a turnaround. Banyan's 2024 to 2026 strategic plan has achieved the majority of its objectives, with some work continuing. The incoming CEO will inherit a solid strategic foundation, and the opportunity to assess the organization's position, engage its people and stakeholders, and shape the next strategic direction from a position of strength.

If you are a thoughtful, accountable executive who wants to understand an organization deeply, make sound decisions, and lead its continued evolution, this role was written for you.

WORK THAT MATTERS

Banyan's work is complex because the needs it addresses are complex. Its services support people at significant points in their lives, including young people involved with the justice system, children and families, adults requiring support, and communities navigating difficult circumstances.

Banyan is known for responding to emerging needs and providing accessible, high-quality services to individuals and families with complex needs. As CEO, you will lead an organization where service quality, workforce leadership, financial stewardship and community impact are closely connected, and you will help sustain a reputation that took years to earn.

Banyan at a Glance

• Reporting to: the Board of Directors
• Scope: overall leadership, management and performance of Banyan and its related Foundation
• People: approximately 250 to 300 full-time employees, plus relief and contract staff
• Operations: a range of services in a 24/7 environment
• Budget: approximately $20 million annually
• Your senior team: capable leaders across operations, finance and administration, people and culture, community programs, policy and performance, and program and infrastructure modernization

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Lead modernization that people can trust.

Banyan is undertaking significant modernization within its youth justice services, including changes to facilities, program models, technology, staffing and operating practices. You will provide the executive leadership that holds it together, balancing service quality, workforce considerations, financial realities, regulatory requirements and implementation timelines.

Build financial and organizational sustainability.

Banyan operates in a highly regulated, predominantly government-funded environment. With the Board and senior team, you will maintain strong financial oversight, manage risk, evaluate growth opportunities and ensure that organizational commitments are aligned with sustainable funding.

Be the credible, constructive face of Banyan.

Government relationships are central to Banyan's work. You will represent the organization with provincial, federal and regional government partners, as well as police, probation, community leaders, sector associations and other stakeholders.

Lead and develop an experienced senior team.

You will provide clarity, accountability and support to a strong leadership team, creating the conditions for collaboration and strong execution while ensuring that responsibilities and decision-making remain clear.

Keep innovation grounded.

You will ensure that new ideas remain grounded in sound business judgment, service quality and measurable outcomes.

Help shape future revenue and fund development.

Historically, Banyan's youth justice programming has been fully government funded, while social enterprise programs contribute revenue supporting charitable programs. As part of future strategic planning, the organization may explore additional revenue and stewardship opportunities where there is a clear strategic rationale and appropriate return on investment.

A Board Partnership Built on Trust

Banyan operates under a policy-governance model. The CEO is accountable to the Board for the overall operation of the organization within established policies.

The Board values a relationship with its CEO that is collaborative, respectful and appropriately independent. It expects regular communication, sound context for significant decisions, transparency and, above all, no surprises.

You will be comfortable working with a Board while maintaining a clear distinction between governance and management. You will know when to engage the Board, how to provide useful strategic context, and how to take ownership of operational decisions.

YOU MAY RECOGNIZE YOURSELF HERE

This role will appeal to an established executive who brings substantial leadership experience and the maturity to operate effectively in a complex, highly accountable environment. You may already have:

• Served as a CEO, Executive Director or senior executive, ideally within a nonprofit, public-sector or human-services organization
• Led organizations that operate within government-funded, regulated and/or unionized environments
• Worked effectively with a Board of Directors, including policy governance and clear governance-management boundaries
• Applied strong financial and business acumen, interpreting financial information, assessing risk and making disciplined resource decisions
• Led organizational change and modernization, particularly where change affects people, operations, technology, funding and service delivery
• Built a strong understanding of risk management, quality, performance and accountability
• Built trust while holding people and the organization accountable for results
• Used strong communication, negotiation, listening and influencing skills
• Simplified complex issues without oversimplifying them
• Balanced a collaborative leadership style with the confidence to make difficult decisions
• Shown personal integrity, self-awareness, resilience, flexibility and sound judgment
• Earned a master's degree in business administration or a related field

The Values You Will Lead From

Banyan's values provide an important foundation for this work: respect and dignity, integrity and ethical conduct, equity and inclusion, advocacy and social justice, and accountability and transparency.

For a seasoned executive, this is the opportunity to lead an organization with an established reputation and meaningful social purpose, while helping determine what its next chapter should look like.

Workplace Environment

This is a full-time role primarily on-site in Hamilton, Ontario, with regular travel to Banyan locations, community meetings, government and Ministry meetings, and conferences.

The CEO is expected to maintain a visible presence within the organization and the communities Banyan serves. Given the nature of its 24/7 services, this is a leadership role that requires accessibility, engagement and a willingness to be present where the work is taking place.

Banyan Community Services is committed to equity, inclusion, diversity and barrier-free access, and to confronting discriminatory and racist incidents and behaviours.

APPLY FOR THIS ROLE

Cause Leadership Inc. is managing this leadership search on behalf of Banyan Community Services.

Applications are being accepted immediately. Please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your passion and qualifications for this role no later than November 16, 2026.

This search will remain open until a successful candidate is selected. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.