Executive Director

Executive Director

Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre (NOIC)

Location: Thunder Bay, ON

Reports to: Board of Directors

About the Organization

The Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre (NOIC) is a non-profit organization and an active

partner to motivated businesses and entrepreneurs, providing tailored resources and hands-on

business support focused on commercializing innovation in the region. Through personalized

support and a deep understanding of our clients' goals, NOIC accelerates business growth,

economic diversity, and innovation across Northwestern Ontario.

Position Summary

The Executive Director (ED) provides strategic leadership as the public face of the

organization, guiding its mission to support innovative businesses. The ED is responsible for

client relations, stakeholder engagement, marketing, HR leadership, and overall team

direction, ensuring all projects and initiatives reflect NOIC's values and advance regional

innovation.

Working closely with the Director of Finance (DF), the ED leads the external-facing and

programmatic aspects of the organization, while maintaining strong internal alignment and

accountability. The ED's primary mandate is ensuring the organization's long-term success in

a way that aligns with its mission, vision and values. Other key responsibilities include

program development, strategic project oversight, oversight of the DF's financial

management, staffing, and ensuring effective delivery of client support services, including

business advisory support to innovative companies in Northwestern Ontario.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Provide visionary leadership to advance NOIC's mission and long-term goals.
• Collaborate with the Board and DF to develop and execute the strategic plan.
• Lead the organization's culture, values, and team performance.
• Represent NOIC as the primary spokesperson to clients, partners, and the public.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the lead relationship manager for NOIC's clients, partners, and community
• stakeholders.
• Oversee and deliver business advisory services, ensuring quality, innovation, and client satisfaction.
• Identify new partnership and funding opportunities to support business development and innovation.
• Lead strategic initiatives to increase visibility and reputation of NOIC across Northwestern Ontario.

HR Management & Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and manage staff and contractors.
• Oversee recruitment, performance management, and professional development.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, and high-performing team culture.

Program Oversight & Marketing

• Oversee the design, implementation, management and success of all NOIC programs.
• Direct marketing and communications efforts to promote NOIC's services and achievements.
• Develop outreach and engagement strategies to reach emerging innovators and entrepreneurs.

Governance & Reporting

• Keep the Board informed on strategic priorities, risks, and emerging opportunities.
• Collaborate with the DF to ensure program and financial reporting align with funder and Board expectations.
• Oversees the development and submission of funder reports, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and timely delivery
• Acts as the primary liaison between the organization, government funders, and other key stakeholders on governance and accountability matters.

Shared Leadership and Collaboration

• The ED and DF share executive leadership responsibilities, each focusing on their respective areas of expertise.
• The ED reports directly to the Board of Directors, and the DF reports directly to the ED, however these roles will collaborate to ensure alignment between strategic vision (ED-led) and operational execution (DF-led).
• The ED and DF will collaborate to develop annual strategic priorities, budgets, and performance metrics, presenting unified recommendations to the Board.
• Each leader will serve as acting head of the organization in the other's absence, ensuring continuous leadership coverage.

Qualifications

• University degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field (Master's preferred).
• Minimum 3 years of progressive leadership experience, ideally in innovation, entrepreneurship, or non-profit sectors.
• Proven experience leading client-focused teams and building partnerships.
• Skilled in delivering financial and business advisory services to diverse clients
• Strong communication, public speaking, and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to inspire teams, manage diverse stakeholders, and advance strategic initiatives.
• Understanding of innovation ecosystems, regional economic development, and funding programs.
• High integrity, diplomacy, confidentiality, accountability and emotional intelligence.
• Effective leadership skills, with a strong focus on mentoring and motivating staff.
• Knowledge of personnel policies, practices, and procedures.
• Sound understanding of risk management.
• Sound analytical thinking, planning, prioritization, and execution skills.
• Attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy.
• Able to effectively communicate in English, both verbally and in writing.

Not required, but the ideal candidate will also have some of the following

qualifications:

• An intermediate level of French proficiency.

• Experience supporting rural, remote and Indigenous entrepreneurs and communities.

• Knowledge of broadband and cellular infrastructure and funding agencies.

Working Conditions

• On-site at NOIC, Thunder Bay.
• Travel within Northwestern Ontario as required (approx. 10%).
• Some evening/weekend engagements for events and networking.
• Ability to attend and conduct presentations.
• Manual dexterity is required to use a computer and peripherals.
• Overtime as required.

Salary Range: $110, 000 - $130,000

Please submit your cover letter and resume via email to:

Judy Sander

Deadline for submission is
November 13th, 2025

Only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.