Chair, Board of Directors

Are you an energetic community member, passionate about supporting a charity? Does helping wildlife align with your values? If so, this may be the position for you!

Position: Chair, Board of Directors
‍Reports To: Membership of Wildlife Rescue Association of BC
Primary Board Liaison: Co-Executive Director(s)
‍Average Hours: Approximately 5 hours per month, with additional time required in advance of Board and Annual meetings.

About Wildlife Rescue Association of BC

Wildlife Rescue Association of BC is a charitable non-profit organization dedicated to the rehabilitation of wildlife affected by human activity and to public education on co-existing with urban wildlife.

Founded in 1979, Wildlife Rescue operates one of the busiest wildlife rehabilitation facilities in Canada. From its wildlife hospital on the south side of Burnaby Lake, the organization treats animals from across the Lower Mainland, throughout British Columbia, and beyond.  As the demand for wildlife rehabilitation continues to grow, Wildlife Rescue is strengthening its governance, leadership, and community relationships to support the next stage of its mission.

The Opportunity

Wildlife Rescue Association of BC is seeking a thoughtful, collaborative, and governance-minded leader to serve as Chair of the Board of Directors.

The Board Chair plays a key leadership role in supporting effective governance, facilitating productive board discussion, maintaining a strong working relationship with the Co-Executive Directors, and helping ensure the organization remains focused on its mission, strategic priorities, and long-term sustainability.

This is an important volunteer leadership opportunity for someone who is committed to wildlife welfare, non-profit governance, and community impact.

About the Board

The Board of Directors provides governance leadership and oversight for Wildlife Rescue Association of BC. The Board is responsible for ensuring accountability to the organization’s members, supporting strategic direction, overseeing organizational performance, and upholding the Society’s bylaws and governance obligations.

Board members are passionate about Wildlife Rescue’s mission and are committed to the organization’s values of caring, collaboration, creativity, and respect.

The Board meets remotely approximately 10 times per year and works through committees to support key areas of governance, including strategic planning, policy development, board recruitment, financial oversight, risk management, and evaluation of the Co-Executive Directors.

Role of the Board Chair

The Chair is the most senior officer of the Board of Directors and serves as a key leadership figure within the Society. The Chair helps ensure the Board operates effectively, respectfully, and in alignment with the organization’s mission, bylaws, strategic plan, and governance responsibilities.

The Chair also acts as the primary Board contact for the Co-Executive Directors and may represent Wildlife Rescue to members, partners, donors, and the broader community.

Key Responsibilities

The Board Chair will:

• Provide leadership to the Board and support effective governance practices.
• Chair Board and membership meetings, ensuring inclusive, focused, and productive discussion.
• Work with the Co-Executive Directors to develop Board meeting agendas and materials.
• Ensure the Board operates in accordance with Wildlife Rescue’s Constitution, Bylaws, policies, and the BC Societies Act.
• Support the Board in monitoring progress against the strategic plan and organizational priorities.
• Foster a healthy, respectful, and engaged Board culture.
• Work with committee chairs to help clarify priorities, support follow-through, and ensure accountability.
• Serve as an ex officio voting member of Board committees.
• Support board recruitment, succession planning, and director development.
• Lead or support Board and senior leadership evaluation processes.
• Act as a signing officer where authorized by the Board.
• Represent Wildlife Rescue as an ambassador and spokesperson when appropriate.
• Champion the organization’s mission, vision, values, and culture of philanthropy.
• Delegate responsibilities to other directors as appropriate.

General Board Responsibilities

As a member of the Board, the Chair will also be expected to:

• Act in the best interests of Wildlife Rescue Association of BC.
• Uphold the organization’s mission, vision, values, bylaws, and governance policies.
• Attend and participate in Board and membership meetings.
• Maintain confidentiality and avoid conflicts of interest.
• Contribute to strategic planning, organizational oversight, and policy development.
• Support the recruitment, evaluation, and ongoing development of the Board.
• Participate in one or more Board committees as needed.
• Represent Wildlife Rescue positively within personal and professional networks.
• Support the organization’s fundraising and philanthropy efforts.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will bring prior governance experience and a collaborative leadership style. They will be comfortable facilitating discussion, building consensus, and helping a volunteer Board stay focused, accountable, and effective.

The successful candidate will ideally bring many of the following:

• Previous experience serving on or working closely with a non-profit or charitable Board.
• Prior experience in a Board Chair, Vice Chair, committee chair, senior leadership, or governance-related role.
• Strong understanding of the role of a governance Board.
• Ability to facilitate inclusive and productive meetings.
• Sound judgment, diplomacy, and strong communication skills.
• Experience supporting strategic planning, policy development, and organizational oversight.
• Familiarity with non-profit governance, risk management, compliance, and the BC Societies Act.
• Ability to build positive relationships with Board members, senior staff, volunteers, donors, partners, and community stakeholders.
• Commitment to confidentiality, accountability, and ethical leadership.
• Genuine alignment with Wildlife Rescue’s mission, values, and culture of philanthropy.

Term and Time Commitment

The Board Chair role renews every two years. In Wildlife Rescue’s governance model, the Vice Chair may move into the Chair role, and the outgoing Chair will serve as Past Chair for an additional two years.

Candidates are asked to consider a minimum four-year commitment from the time of appointment or election.

The expected time commitment is approximately 5 hours per month, with additional time required in advance of Board meetings for preparation, agenda planning, and communication with the Co-Executive Directors.

Why Join Wildlife Rescue Association of BC

This is a meaningful opportunity to contribute to one of Canada’s busiest wildlife rehabilitation organizations at an important stage in its growth and evolution.

The Board Chair will help support a dedicated organization that provides critical care for injured, orphaned, and distressed wildlife, while also educating the public and strengthening the connection between people, communities, and the natural world.

How to Apply

Wildlife Rescue Association of BC has retained BigFish Executive Search to support the recruitment process for this volunteer Board Chair position.  Interested applicants are invited to submit their resume in Word format to:

Sarah Dickin
BigFish Executive Search
sarah@bigfishexecutivesearch.com

Wildlife Rescue Association of BC and BigFish Executive Search thank all applicants for their interest.

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