Executive Director, Banyan Software Foundation & Head of Impact

Banyan Software • Toronto, ON

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Banyan Software Foundation, endowed with $100 million in Banyan stock, leverages technology to build a greener and more equitable world. The Foundation's governance and initial operating systems are being established now, and this role will own the Foundation's long-term vision and strategic direction. The Executive Director & Head of Impact will be its primary voice, both internally with employees and portfolio company leaders, and externally with grantees, partners, and the broader community. This role is for someone who leads with vision and tells the story well, setting the strategic direction for a $100 million mandate, making disciplined calls about where the Foundation invests its capital, time, and attention, and personally driving the pace of execution. The role is based in Toronto, with access to Banyan's corporate functions. Initially, the role will not involve building or managing a team of direct reports within the Foundation, as the individual will be its sole strategic owner, personally accountable for its frameworks, grantee relationships, and voice. The culture is entrepreneurial and decentralized, spanning over 100 operating companies, and a key part of the mandate is to make the Foundation's mission real within this culture by mobilizing employees and portfolio company leadership. The role requires a visible presence, including at events like the Global Leadership Conference, where telling the Foundation's story credibly is central to the job.

Requirements

• A demonstrated track record of independently defining and owning a long-term strategic vision.
• Proven ability to represent an organization's mission with clarity and credibility to internal and external audiences, and comfort operating as its public-facing voice.
• Experience embedding a mission-driven or purpose-led initiative within a broader organization and mobilizing others around it, ideally within a decentralized or entrepreneurial structure.
• A track record of building or evolving governance, systems, or program models from ambiguity, and personally driving execution with pace and accountability.
• Sound judgment allocating limited time, capital, and organizational attention against impact, risk, and evidence, rather than defaulting to established playbooks.
• Comfort operating as the sole strategic owner of a function, supported by shared corporate services rather than a dedicated team.

Nice To Haves

• Background in philanthropy or grantmaking, including originating or advocating for grant strategy.
• Corporate social impact, ESG, or cause-marketing background, provided there is clear evidence of independent vision, builder orientation, and spokesperson strength.
• Experience designing non-traditional program formats such as competitions, awards, or challenge models, including managing PR strategy and recruiting judges or evaluation panels.
• Demonstrated use of AI or other technology tools to advance mission-driven programs or embed impact internally within a business.
• A transition from management or strategy consulting into nonprofit or social-impact leadership.

Responsibilities

• Define the Foundation's long-term vision, funding thesis, and strategic direction.
• Set direction with real autonomy in early, ambiguous conditions, rather than executing a pre-set plan.
• Make disciplined calls about where the Foundation invests capital, time, and organizational attention, balancing impact, risk, and evidence.
• Serve as the Foundation's primary internal and external spokesperson.
• Build trust and credibility with Banyan employees, portfolio company leaders, grantees, and external partners.
• Represent the Foundation in high-visibility settings, including Banyan's Global Leadership Conference.
• Develop and deliver the narrative that captures the Foundation's mission and its measurable impact.
• Design and evolve the Foundation's program model, including formats that depart from traditional grant applications, for example a competition or challenge format, managing the associated PR strategy and any judging panel.
• Oversee governance, compliance, and financial management in partnership with Banyan's finance function.
• Steward resources responsibly and transparently.
• Embed the Foundation's mission within Banyan's entrepreneurial, purpose-driven culture.
• Mobilize employees and portfolio company leaders to contribute time, skills, and voice to the Foundation's work.
• Partner with Banyan's Employee Communications & Engagement team on internal campaigns and events.
• Measure and communicate impact regularly to internal and external audiences.
• Apply technology and AI tools where they meaningfully advance program design, measurement, or the Foundation's internal reach.

Benefits

• Access to Banyan's corporate functions
• Support from corporate marketing, communications, and finance teams
• A mission with a built-in audience of over 100 operating companies and their employees
• Genuine latitude on program design

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: No Education Listed