Job Posting: Act Five Executive Director
The Invitation
Welcome to 75 Blake Street, the home base of Act Five, where young adults are practicing together a life of following Jesus as they step into new experiences, communities, and contexts through ordinary rhythms, adventure, service and invitations to a full life.
We have a permanent home, a deeply committed staff team, a carefully crafted strategic plan, and a robust vision with a growing community of supporters and excellent programs.
We are seeking an Executive Director who can carry Act Five through its next chapter.
About act Five
Beginning as a collaboration among five Christian high schools and launching as a pilot project with Redeemer University, Act Five has grown into an independent charitable organization governed by its own Board of Directors. Today, Act Five is at the leading edge of a compelling model of Christian formation for young adults.
Act Five equips young adults to follow Jesus and participate in God’s Kingdom in every sphere of life. Through immersive learning, intentional community, service, and adventure, participants integrate faith with everyday life whether studying Scripture, learning from Indigenous leaders, serving alongside global and local partners, traveling through the wilderness or sharing ordinary rhythms of life together.
Act Five offers two distinct programs: a Gap Year Program and a Residency Program.
The Gap Year Program is an eight-month, full-time experience for 18–20-year-olds. From September through April, students live in community at 75 Blake Street while taking courses, serving others, discerning future pathways, and being stretched through wilderness and cross-cultural learning opportunities.
The Residency Program serves young adults aged 21–30 who are navigating life after post-secondary education while working, studying, or discerning next steps. Residents participate in the rhythms of the community home while pursuing their own vocational and educational pathways.
79 Gap Year graduates and 150+ total young adults have lived at 75 Blake St and carry the story forward, embodying Christ in new communities, churches, workplaces, and neighbourhoods.
Act Five’s mission of discipleship in community extends beyond Blake Street through a growing number of external actions called Act Five Initiatives. These include “Serve & Observe” trips for high school groups, public lecture series, storytelling nights, an Alumni Ambassador program, and the Act Five Podcast. Learn more at our virtual Front Porch.
Act Five is growing and establishing itself. As our initiatives have grown, our momentum continues to draw a community of supporters who believe in where we are going. Our operating revenue has grown by over 22% in the past two years and a capital campaign is well underway, with almost $1.5 million raised to enable Act Five to purchase and renovate 75 Blake Street as our permanent home.
We are seeking an Executive Director to join us, to carry momentum forward, to build community with us and to lead our organization.
Position Overview
While Act Five has an amazing staff team, the Executive Director serves as Act Five’s lead external voice, internal team lead, primary fundraiser, and organizational steward. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the E.D. ensures the mission, values and theological identity are protected and embodied at the highest level.
This is a full-time, in-person role based in Hamilton, Ontario.
The ED does not live in the home but allocates appropriate time to genuine participation in Act Five’s community life such as joining the table for Spaghetti Wednesdays or traveling alongside programming when appropriate.
Core responsibilities include:
- Fundraising and donor stewardship: Lead Act Five’s fundraising efforts by cultivating donor relationships, advancing the capital campaign, growing the donor community, and communicating Act Five’s vision with clarity and conviction.
- Organizational leadership: Lead and support a staff team of 7–9 by providing coaching, support, and professional development, while strengthening organizational systems, financial stewardship, regulatory compliance, and operational effectiveness.
- Core Program stewardship: Ensure the Gap Year and Residency programs remain faithful to Act Five’s mission, continue to grow in accessibility and enrolment, and are delivered with excellence.
- Vision and strategy: Partner with the Board and staff to discern and advance Act Five’s future, including the development of a second property, a Study Centre, and other strategic opportunities and initiatives.
- Board partnership: Work closely with the Board of Directors to ensure strong governance, financial stewardship, and organizational health.
- Congruence & Culture: Embody Act Five’s core values and desire to be shaped and challenged by the life we are inviting young people to share, while also stewarding the strong culture that has made Act Five distinctive in its early years.
- Christian integrity: Uphold Act Five’s Statement of Faith and participate in the life of a local church (actfive.ca/statement-of-faith),
who you are
You are a person whose leadership flows from a deeply integrated Christian faith. Following Jesus shapes how you lead, relate, make decisions, and navigate challenge.
You are a strategic thinker with the patience to build for the long term. You know how to discern future possibilities while faithfully attending to the work required today.
You are a relational leader. People trust you because they feel seen, encouraged, and genuinely cared for. You build teams that flourish and create environments where others can do their best work.
You delight in young adults and enjoy being present with them – not as someone who always has the answers, but as someone who listens well, asks thoughtful questions, and models faithful discipleship. Whether around a dinner table or in a canoe, you are comfortable sharing life together.
You are resilient, humble, and courageous. You can make difficult decisions with both conviction and grace, balancing accountability with compassion.
You are energized by inviting others into an intentional mission. You understand that fundraising is ultimately about cultivating relationships and inspiring people to invest in God’s work through Act Five.
You collaborate with the Board of Directors to strengthen governance and support their leadership, while also contributing to financial stewardship and relationship-building with external partners.
You possess a robust Christian theological imagination that embraces lived realities, while also deeply rooted in the story of Scripture.
Qualifications
- A vibrant and integrated Christian faith.
- Demonstrated success in fundraising, donor development, or major gift cultivation.
- Experience leading people, developing healthy organizational culture, and managing teams.
- Strong organizational and operational leadership.
- Financial literacy, including the ability to understand budgets and financial statements and connect financial decisions to organizational strategy.
- Excellent communication and storytelling skills.
- Sound judgment, decisiveness, humility, and emotional maturity.
- A genuine enjoyment of mentoring and walking alongside young adults.
Assets that would strengthen your application
- An Master’s level degree or higher in theology, education, leadership or a related field of study
- Experience in nonprofit, educational, or faith-based leadership
- Experience leading major fundraising initiatives
- Connections to other ministry and educational organizations and institutions.
- An existing network within Christian philanthropic communities.
- Connections to Hamilton or Southern Ontario and an appreciation for Act Five’s place-based mission.
Compensation
This is a role with a competitive salary, a full benefits package including a defined-benefit pension plan and a natural rhythm that includes genuine rest seasons.
Salary | $90,000–$110,000 depending on experience |
Benefits | Christian Education Health Plan (health, dental, life insurance, disability) |
Pension | Christian Education Pension Plan — defined benefit, employer-matched. |
Vacation | 20 days paid vacation (negotiable); minimum 10 days during the May–August off-season. |
Location | Hamilton, Ontario; full-time, in-person. Southern Ontario connections are a strong asset |
Start Date | Anticipated late 2026 or early 2027; flexible for the right candidate |
What you can expect from us
- A thoughtful transition, including formal briefings & advisory support from the outgoing ED and board, and time to build relationships with staff, donors, and partners before full responsibilities transfer.
- A strong, capable staff team who want a genuine partner and leader in the ED role.
- A board that takes its governance role seriously and will give you clarity, support, and appropriate independence to lead well.
- Honesty about the full picture: the opportunities, the challenges, and the financial realities.
How to Apply
Applications are being received through Act Five’s search process. Please submit a cover letter, articulation of faith, and resume (no more than five pages combined) to: hiring@actfive.ca
Your cover letter should tell us about you, why Act Five, and why now. In this letter we are less interested in credentials than in the person behind them.
Your articulation of faith should include your personal statement of faith and your vision for Christian discipleship.
Your resume should include your credentials and experiences that support Act Five’s vision and mission.
All applicants will be acknowledged but only selected candidates will be invited to an interview with Act Five’s board. Personal information submitted will be used only for employment opportunities in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act. Act Five is an equal-opportunity employer committed to the principles of inclusion and diversity.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage submissions to be made by August 14, 2026.
Questions? Please reach out to the Search Committee hiring@actfive.ca or visit actfive.ca for more information.
