Executive Lead at Nova Scotia Black Community Housing Council

Search conducted by Placemaking 4G at p4g.ca on behalf of Nova Scotia Black Community Housing Council (NSBCHC).

Statement of Intention

We are committed to ensuring this role is grounded in and accountable to the African Nova Scotian community. As such, this is a preferential hire, with priority given to candidates of African descent, particularly African Nova Scotian applicants. Lived experience, cultural grounding, and strong community connection are essential to leading this work with integrity and respect.

We also recognize that identities are intersectional and shape how people experience both barriers and opportunities. Applicants who hold additional equity-deserving identities, including those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+, gender diverse, living with disability, or newcomers to Canada, are warmly welcomed. If you are comfortable, you are invited to share this information and your pronouns in your application.

To support an intentional and inclusive hiring experience, we have partnered with the P4G search team. They will listen, accommodate your needs, and ensure the process is thoughtful, respectful, and grounded in care.

About the Nova Scotia Black Community Housing Council

The African Nova Scotian Housing Strategy (ANSHS) was developed to advance housing equity and opportunity for African Nova Scotian (ANS) communities across the province. Guided by principles of self-determination, equity, land justice, and community-led development, the Strategy envisions a Nova Scotia where African Nova Scotians have a level playing field in accessing safe, quality housing and in building generational wealth through home and land ownership.

Led by the Nova Scotia Black Community Housing Council (NSBCHC), the Strategy brings together government, non-profit, and community partners to implement transformative change through four Big Moves:

ANS Community Land Trust Strategy

ANS Housing Hub

ANS Community Bank and Incubator

ANS Housing Development Toolkit

VISION is a province where the Black community is on a level playing field to access quality housing of all types and enhanced access to wealth-generating opportunities such as home- and land-ownership in historic ANS communities.

WORK dives deep into the specific experiences of African Nova Scotians. Through community conversations and statistical analysis, we uncovered key gaps and areas for innovation.

The Opportunity

This is a pivotal leadership role at the intersection of community, housing, and systems change. The Executive Lead will guide the implementation of the ANS Housing Strategy and support its evolution into a coordinated, sustainable, community-rooted organization that advances housing justice and opportunity for African Nova Scotians.

Early priorities include strengthening relationships across the province, supporting the development of clear governance, and helping establish foundational processes with the Board and Steering Committee. The Strategy is the anchor of the work. The Executive Lead’s primary responsibility is advancing the Four Big Moves while co-developing the organizational structures needed to support them.

While the organization is in its early stages, the Executive Lead will not be expected to carry the full operational load. As the Strategy progresses, capacity will expand through staff, partners, and consultants, ensuring responsibilities are shared and aligned with the organization’s needs and stage of development.

Community presence will remain central but intentional. Given the province-wide landscape of historic ANS communities, engagement will be directed where it can build trust, strengthen relationships, and support implementation across both rural and urban contexts.

With support from the Board, partners, and growing capacity, the Executive Lead will help bring the Strategy into coordinated action and lay the foundation for sustainable community impact.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate brings a balance of strategic leadership, cultural and community connection, and practical operational experience. They understand the historic and ongoing housing inequities facing Black communities in Nova Scotia, and they deeply value the responsibility of earning trust through action.

They can build a brand-new organization from the ground up while moving between strategic thinking, community engagement, and hands-on coordination. They are comfortable wearing many hats, keeping work moving in complex environments, and building frameworks, timelines, and pathways to guide a growing body of work.

How You Would Contribute

Strategy, Implementation, and Governance

• Lead the overall implementation of the ANS Housing Strategy, ensuring progress on its Big Moves and nine change areas.
• Translate strategic directions into action plans, milestones, and measurable outcomes (three-month and six-month frameworks, project-charter style plans).
• Develop and oversee the organization’s foundational structure, core policies, people, and operational systems.
• Establish the initial governance and decision-making frameworks in partnership with the Board and Steering Committee. These will be living documents that evolve as the organization grows.
• Balance long-term strategic vision with the immediate work of building a new organization.

Community Presence and Partnerships

• Build and maintain authentic, trust-based relationships with ANS communities, knowing trust must be earned through transparency, follow-through, and visible action.
• Engage rural and urban communities to ensure the Strategy reflects the full provincial landscape.
• Strengthen partnerships with governments, funders, financial institutions, land trusts, academic partners, and community housing providers.
• Adapt communication styles across audiences, community members, Council, Board, Elders, youth, partners, and hold the relational work as core to the role.

Program Development and Oversight

• Support the design and implementation of key Strategy initiatives: Housing Hub, Community Bank and Incubator, Housing Development Toolkit.
• Oversee pilots, research, and capacity-building that advance ANS-led housing models, including homesteading, community living, and approaches rooted in ANS history and traditions.
• Establish systems for evaluating progress, tracking impact, and sharing results with the community, partners, and provincial networks.

Financial Stewardship and Sustainability

• Collaborate with the board on and contribute to a multi-stream funding strategy including government partnerships, grants, and social financing tools.
• Ensure sound fiscal management, transparent reporting, and alignment with funder expectations.
• Build the organization’s long-term sustainability and revenue-generating capacity.

Organizational Leadership and Culture

• Establish and nurture a strong, inclusive culture grounded in Black excellence, trust, accountability, and community leadership.
• Recruit, mentor, and support a growing team.
• Promote wellness, steady growth, and operational readiness (“start small and work our way up”).
• Embed equity, anti-racism, and Afrocentric principles into governance, operations, and community engagement.

Advocacy and Communications

• Serve as a visible and trusted spokesperson for the Strategy and broader housing justice issues.
• Build public understanding about the Strategy’s purpose, scope, and progress — especially for communities still learning about this work.
• Advocate for systemic change in housing, land use, and finance policies affecting ANS communities.

What You’ll Bring

• At least 10 years of progressive leadership experience in community development, urban or regional planning, affordable housing, non-profit management, or related fields.
• Experience working in grassroots, start-up, or community-led environments.
• Post-secondary education in business, community development, urban planning, non-profit leadership, or a related discipline — equivalent lived or professional experience will be considered.
• Experience building or evolving governance structures, decision-making frameworks, and partnership models.
• Ability to lead through ambiguity, navigate complexity, and adapt to evolving priorities.
• Proven ability to oversee organizational operations, including budgeting, staffing, consultant relationships, and collaboration with a Board of Directors.
• Comfort with basic software programs, databases, and organizational tools.
• Experience leading community-based initiatives that build trust, mobilize participation, and strengthen relationships.
• Ability to adjust communication styles to different audiences, including community members, Elders, youth, partners, Council, and Board members.
• Deep knowledge of housing inequities, displacement, systemic racism, and the history of land and housing in African Nova Scotian communities.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to collaborate across diverse partners and sectors.
• Demonstrated dedication to anti-racism, equity, and community-led decision-making.
• Education or training related to African Nova Scotian or Black Canadian Studies, Reconciliation, Real Estate Development, or Cultural/Community Planning.
• Experience working with Black-led or Indigenous-led organizations.
• Understanding of land trust models, community ownership frameworks, and municipal or provincial housing policy.
• Familiarity with the cultural and social landscape of African Nova Scotian communities, both urban and rural.

The Package

Salary: $110,000 – $130,000. Compensation is based on education, skills and experience.

Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia, with travel around Nova Scotia.

What to Expect

At Placemaking 4G, we believe recruitment should be relational and affirming. Our goal is to ensure candidates feel respected, informed, and supported throughout the process.

• All applications are carefully reviewed, and every cover letter is read.
• Shortlisted candidates will be invited to connect with a Lead Placemaker from P4G for an initial conversation.
• Selected candidates will proceed to a virtual interview with P4G and representatives from the organization.
• Finalists may be invited to participate in a second-round interview or skills activity.
• P4G will support reference checks and assist in the final offer presentation.

Application Details

Applications will be accepted until 12:00 pm AT (noon) on January 10, 2026.

Please be sure to include a cover letter that speaks to your experience, but we also want to get a glimpse of your personality.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $110,000.00-$130,000.00 per year

Work Location: Remote