Organizational Lead - Equity

Organizational Lead

• Equity. Position: Organizational Lead – Equity Job Type: Permanent Hours: 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday. *This role will have occasional evening and weekend work Hiring Salary range: 38.73 – 43.10 per hour Anticipated Start Date: November 9, 2026 Please apply by October 23, 2026 Hiring Declarations Compass Early Learning and Care does not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to make hiring decisions. We value authentic applications that accurately reflect each candidate's skills, experience, and qualifications. Applicants are responsible for ensuring all information submitted is truthful and represents their own work and experience.

About Us

Compass Early Learning and Care (CELC) has been in operation since 1981 and is one of the largest not-for-profit child care organizations serving East-Central Ontario. With over 700 Staff and 80 Home childcare providers, we offer 46 high-quality licensed childcare centres and over 80 licensed homes serving over 4,000 families For over forty years, Compass ELC has been dedicated to early learning and child care.

We believe in creating nurturing environments that celebrate children's curiosity and whole selves. Our organization fosters a culture of growth, collaboration, and inclusivity, where every team member has the opportunity to thrive. We are committed to supporting children and families in our community. Job Posting Declarations: Compass Early Learning and Care does not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to make hiring decisions.

We value authentic applications that accurately reflect each candidate's skills, experience, and qualifications. Applicants are responsible for ensuring all information submitted is truthful and represents their own work and experience. This posting is for a new position within our organization. About Compass Early Learning and Care: Compass Early Learning and Care (CELC) has been in operation since 1981 and is one of the largest not-for-profit childcare organizations serving East-Central Ontario.

With over 700 Staff and 80 Home childcare providers, we offer 46 high-quality licensed childcare centers and over 50 licensed homes serving over 4,000 families For over forty years, Compass ELC has been dedicated to early learning and childcare. We believe in creating nurturing environments that celebrate children's curiosity and whole selves.

Our organization fosters a culture of growth, collaboration, and inclusivity, where every team member has the opportunity to thrive. We are committed to supporting children and families in our community. Please see our attached Vision Framework for more information: Please see our attached Women and Gender Equity Project About the Role: CELC’s vision is to make equity part of everything we do.

The Organizational Lead – Equity will help guide the organization’s equity strategy and support the team in making equity a shared responsibility across their work. This role will champion the use of data to identify opportunities and make meaningful shifts in policy, practice and professional learning. The Organizational Lead

• Equity is not expected to do this work alone, they will work collaboratively with team members, helping build their confidence and capacity to lead equity-focused work in their own roles and programs. The specifics of this role’s accountabilities will be developed in collaboration with the successful candidate, taking into account their strengths, experience, and ideas.

Key responsibilities

Steward the development, implementation, and evaluation of CELC’s EDI strategy. Support and facilitate CELC’s Equity Committee. Support organizational leaders and Equity Committee members to strengthen their equity leadership and integrate equity principles into decision-making, practice, and organizational culture. Build relationships across Compass to understand challenges, barriers, and opportunities for growth, and collaborate with the Stewards Circle and Equity Committee to support meaningful organizational change.

Support the collection and analysis of equity-related data and use findings to inform equity priorities, policies, and organizational strategies. Track impact of EDI strategy; identify areas for continued learning; share insights and results regularly with the Stewards Circle and Equity Committee. Provide guidance and support on equity, inclusion, belonging, human rights, workplace culture, and navigating complex or sensitive conversations.

Support CELC’s policy writing and analysis process to strengthen equitable policies and practices. Advise and collaborate with People and Culture and the Organizational Lead for Pedagogy to identify EDI-related professional learning opportunities, and bring an EDI lens to new and existing CELC training, external training, coaching, and consultation offerings.

Engage, advocate, and partner with external stakeholders in the community, staying current on best practices for childcare and workplace equity. Advocate for equitable immigration practices and credentialing alongside People and Culture. Initiate and lead equity-related projects that fall outside the scope of other stewards.

Provide leadership, support, and supervision to equity-focused staff as needed. Represent Compass's commitment to equity and belonging with internal teams, community partners, funders, and sector networks.

Benefits

Competitive wages (Living wage employer) (Provincial Wage Enhancements) (Shift Premiums) Mandatory Defined Pension Plan - 3% employee contribution and 3% employer contribution. Health and dental benefits, paramedical coverage and EFAP (Sparrow) Health Savings Account (HSA)- $500.00 per year Professional Development Opportunities (internal and External) (12 hours per year compensated in time in lieu of completed outside work hours) Reduced Child Care Expenses (20% discount) when working a minimum of 15 hours Paid RECE membership dues.

Paid Time Off - starting at 4% vacation accrued annually on hours worked and 4% personal sick time accrued annually on hours worked Unpaid Time - an option for permanent staff to purchase up to 4 weeks of unpaid time that is prorated off of 24 pays About You: We encourage you to apply if you are: Are an innovative and collaborative leader with a strengths-based mindset.

Are passionate about people, relationships, and creating environments where everyone can thrive. Are an excellent listener who approaches conversations with empathy, curiosity, and respect. Have strong facilitation and relationship-building skills. Enjoy bringing people together to build understanding, connection, and shared purpose.

Are comfortable working independently while also collaborating across teams in a large and evolving organization. Are committed to continuous learning and personal growth, particularly in the areas of equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility. Skills, Knowledge and Qualifications Post-secondary degree or diploma in relevant discipline (human resources, people and culture, equity studies, human rights, sociology, etc.)

or equivalent combination of education and related experience. 5+ years of experience leading or supporting EDI strategies, programs, and employee engagement initiatives for transformational change. Demonstrated experience helping organizations strengthen equity, accessibility, inclusion, and belonging. Demonstrated experience in group facilitation, facilitating organizational change and transition.

Strong knowledge of EDI principles, anti-racism practices, and inclusive workplace strategies. Thorough understanding and working knowledge of the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and Anti-Racism Act. Proven ability to build partnerships, nurture relationships, and collaborate effectively across teams and stakeholder groups.

Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities while staying current on emerging EDI trends and leading practices. Skilled at engaging in matters that require sensitivity and empathy across a diverse community; excellent judgment and discretion. Experience coaching and supporting others as they build their understanding of equity, inclusion, belonging, accessibility, and anti-oppressive practice.

Lived experience of marginalization and/or experience working in allyship across intersectional identities. Experience working in the non-profit sector. Familiar with the Early Learning and Care sector Job Requirements: A satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check is required upon hire. Ability to travel occasionally to Compass locations throughout the region.

Comfortable using Microsoft Teams, Microsoft 365 applications, video conferencing platforms, and programs such as Excel, PowerPoint, and Word. How to Apply: Please send your resume and cover letter to our HR team via our Bamboo Careers Page: https://compasselc.bamboohr.com/careers . To address issues of systemic inequity within our communities, we strongly encourage individuals from communities and groups that have historically been disadvantaged and/or marginalized, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous Peoples of Canada, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, individuals who identify as women and/or gender diverse, 2SLGBTQ+ persons, and persons with lived or living experience of homelessness to apply.

In keeping with Compass Early Learning & Care's commitment to providing service in a manner that is accessible to all, reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants upon request. We are committed to reducing barriers to employment, and we encourage you to bring your true or whole self and way of being to the interview process.

We welcome differences and we are happy to make meetings accessible based on your needs. Please contact our Human Relations Coordinator – Hiring and Recruitment at: 705-749-3488 ext. 217, rheath@compasselc.com . Inclusivity and Accessibility: To address issues of systemic inequity within our communities, we strongly encourage individuals from communities and groups that have historically been disadvantaged and/or marginalized, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous Peoples of Canada, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, individuals who identify as women and/or gender diverse, 2SLGBTQ+ persons, and persons with lived or living experience of homelessness to apply.

We are committed to reducing barriers to employment, providing accommodations upon request and ensuring an accessible interview process. We encourage you to bring your true or whole self and way of being to the interview process. CC900 Admin