Executive Director

About the opportunity

Maxwell Management Group is recruiting an Executive Director for Aurora Children's Centre (ACC), a well-established not-for-profit childcare organization with locations in Aurora and East Gwillimbury. ACC serves children from toddler through school age with full-day childcare, preschool, before- and after-school programs and summer camps.

Position overview

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director provides strategic and operational leadership across both sites. The mandate is to preserve a stable, respected organization while strengthening financial sustainability, supporting staff and families and preparing ACC for thoughtful long-term growth.

Strategic and operational leadership

• Provide overall direction while maintaining operational stability and continuity.
• Oversee day-to-day operations across both childcare locations.
• Maintain high-quality programming and regulatory compliance.
• Support safe, welcoming environments for children, families and staff.

Financial leadership

• Lead budgeting, financial planning and reporting.
• Strengthen financial sustainability and provide clear information to the Board for decision-making.
• Navigate evolving government funding frameworks, including sector-specific funding models.

People and culture

• Support recruitment, retention and development of a strong team.
• Maintain a respectful, collaborative and nurturing organizational culture.
• Establish a supportive leadership presence across both sites.

Governance and community relationships

• Build an effective working relationship with the Board of Directors.
• Support good governance while maintaining clear operational accountability.
• Maintain strong relationships with families, community partners and stakeholders.
• Protect the organization's reputation and support continued enrollment demand.

Systems and continuous improvement

• Improve the use of systems, technology and operating processes.
• Strengthen reporting and organizational effectiveness.
• Position ACC for sustainable, long-term development without disrupting what is already working well.

• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience in a not-for-profit or community-based organization; childcare or education experience is preferred.
• Experience working with or supporting a Board of Directors.
• Strong operational and financial-management capability, including budgeting and oversight.
• Experience in regulated or publicly funded environments.
• Proven ability to lead teams and build collaborative relationships.
• Strong communication, sound judgement and practical decision-making.
• Valid Ontario driver's licence and access to a vehicle for travel between sites.
• Childcare / early-learning experience is an asset.
• Familiarity with CWELCC, RECE designation or related training, the Child Care and Early Years Act, or Lillio is an asset.

Aurora, ON. Published annual salary range: $95,000–$115,000, with a comprehensive benefits package including group health coverage, EAP and four weeks of vacation to start. Named recruiter: Hilary Anderson.