President & Chief Executive Officer in Edmonton

The Excel Society is a purpose-driven organization devoted to enriching the lives of individuals with disabilities and complex mental health needs in Edmonton and Calgary. At the heart of its work is a deep and unwavering commitment to the people it serves. Through exceptional Community Living and Support Services, Excel ensures individuals are not simply cared for but are supported to live and age with dignity in environments where they are accepted, valued and fully integrated into their communities. With a spirit of innovation and compassion, Excel Society offers a broad range of programs tailored to meet the unique needs of Albertans. In partnership with individuals and their families or guardians, Excel delivers holistic support across care, housing and community living. Guided by a client-first philosophy, Excel has become a leader in its field – offering transformative, life-enhancing services that inspire hope, independence, and connection.

The Excel Society is seeking a strategic, collaborative and mission-inspired President & Chief Executive Officer to lead the organization into its next chapter. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO is responsible for advancing Excel’s mission through effective strategy execution, leadership of its programs and services, and oversight of organizational operations. The CEO provides leadership across service delivery, housing and capital management, financial stewardship, organizational effectiveness and the long‑term sustainability of the Society and its related entities.

The CEO will be entrusted to advance Excel’s legacy by:

• Championing exceptional, person‑centred care and service.
• Leading the development and execution of organizational strategy.
• Ensuring strong operational, financial and organizational performance.
• Providing strategic oversight of Excel’s housing and real‑estate portfolio.
• Supporting the continued growth and evolution of Excel’s programs and services.
• Strengthening relationships with government, funders, community partners and other interest holders.
• Building organizational capacity through strong executive leadership, succession planning and talent development.
• Working collaboratively with the Board to support effective governance and informed decision‑making.

Key Accountabilities:

• Exceptional Care: Champion Excel’s mission, vision and values and foster a culture where high-quality, person‑centred services remain central to the organization’s work.
• Strategic Leadership: Lead multi‑year strategic planning and translate the organization’s priorities into clear plans, accountabilities and results.
• Operational Excellence: Provide executive oversight across Excel’s programs and services, strengthening organizational effectiveness, consistency, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Housing and Capital Management: Provide strategic oversight of Excel’s housing and real‑estate portfolio, ensuring its assets, capacity and long‑term plans remain aligned with client needs, service system requirements, organizational priorities and long‑term sustainability.
• Financial Stewardship: Ensure Excel operates within approved financial and budgetary guidelines while maintaining a strong focus on long‑term organizational sustainability.
• Executive Leadership: Lead and empower the senior leadership team, creating clarity, accountability and alignment while supporting succession planning, leadership development and talent retention across the organization.
• Risk and Compliance: Ensure appropriate systems are in place to manage operational, financial, reputational, safety, cybersecurity and other organizational risks, and to meet legislative, regulatory, contractual and accreditation requirements.
• Relationship Building and Government Relations: Build and maintain strong relationships with government, funders, regulators, service providers, community organizations and other interest holders. Represent Excel as a credible and respected advocate for the people it serves.
• Board Governance: Serve as the primary advisor to the Board, providing timely and meaningful information on operations, finances, risks and opportunities, and supporting effective governance and informed decision‑making.

First‑Year Deliverables / Measures of Success:

• Build strong, trusted relationships with the Board, senior leadership team, employees and key external partners.
• Maintain Excel’s commitment to exceptional care while strengthening organizational effectiveness, accountability and sustainability.
• Lead the development of a new strategic plan and establish clear priorities for Excel’s next chapter.
• Advance the continued growth of Excel’s operations in Calgary and provide leadership to major capital or facility initiatives.
• Strengthen organizational processes, performance measures and reporting, including completing work underway to better understand funding across Excel’s different portfolios.
• Establish greater clarity around Excel’s long‑term housing and capital strategy while building alignment and engagement across the organization.

The successful candidate will have the following:

• Education: An undergraduate degree in a relevant field is required. A master’s degree is preferred; however, an equivalent combination of education, significant senior leadership experience and business experience will be considered.
• Experience: The successful candidate will bring significant senior leadership experience in a complex, multi‑faced organization, with demonstrated strength in operational leadership, financial stewardship, organizational sustainability and leading through other senior leaders. They will have experience developing and executing strategy, leading organizational growth and change, and working with or reporting to a Board of Directors. Experience with infrastructure, housing, real‑estate or significant capital assets will be important given the breadth of Excel’s operations. The successful candidate will be an accomplished relationship builder with experience working with government, funders, community partners and other interest holders. Experience in continuing care, disability services, healthcare, social services or a related environment, as well as an understanding of regulated and contract‑funded service environments, would be considered an asset.
• Competencies and Attributes: Mission and Client‑Centred Leadership; Strategic and Operational Leadership; Business and Financial Acumen; Housing and Capital Stewardship; Change and Executive Leadership; Board, Government and Relationship Management; Integrity and Emotional Intelligence.

The Excel Society is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognizes that a diverse team is essential to service excellence. In accordance with provincial legislation, accommodation will be provided by Mullen and Excel Society throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.