Founded in 1987 as the Ontario Mineral Exploration Federation (OMEF), the Ontario Prospectors Association (OPA) is a not-for-profit organization that serves as the collective voice of the mineral exploration community across the province. Originally established to provide input during the drafting of Ontario’s Mining Act, OPA has since evolved into a key advocate for the sector. With over $1.1 billion invested in 2024, Ontario is a leading global jurisdiction for Mineral Exploration and Deposit Appraisal. OPA’s mission is to make Ontario the number one jurisdiction for mineral exploration investment in the world.

OPA is at a pivotal time of transformation. With a legacy of supporting grassroots exploration and advocating for prospectors across the province, OPA is poised to enhance its governance, expand its impact, and play a leading role in Ontario’s critical minerals future. The new Executive Director will work alongside a refreshed board structure to develop a new strategic plan, strengthen connections with a diverse and passionate membership base, and drive new revenue through signature events, sponsorships, and stakeholder partnerships. Working collaboratively with all stakeholders, the Executive Director will raise the profile of the OPA to make it a stronger, better-funded, more prestigious, and more persuasive voice for the mineral exploration community of Ontario.

The ideal candidate is a dynamic, strategic, and respected leader with a minimum of 20 years of relevant experience. They bring deep knowledge of the sector both within Ontario and internationally, and have established credibility across a broad network of stakeholders. Politically astute and highly relational, they excel at building and maintaining trust-based relationships with First Nations communities, government agencies, and industry partners—from prospectors to major multinational mining firms to service and supply providers. A compelling communicator and confident spokesperson, this individual is ready to lead the Ontario Prospectors Association through a pivotal period of transformation. They will focus on building the organization’s reputation, broadening its mandate across the sector, strengthening governance, engaging the next generation of the exploration community, and ensuring long-term financial sustainability.

The Board is open to where the successful candidate is based.

To Apply

To fill this position, Ontario Prospectors Association has partnered with leadership advisory firm Odgers. Applications are encouraged immediately and should be submitted online at https://careers.odgers.com/en-ca/30077.

For more information, please contact Gaiana Chan of Odgers. We would like to thank all applicants, but regret that we are only able to personally contact those individuals whose backgrounds best match the requirements for the role.

Equal Opportunity

Ontario Prospectors Association is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with the Accessible Canada Act, 2019 and all applicable provincial accessibility standards, upon request, accommodation will be provided by both Odgers and Ontario Prospectors Association throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.

Odgers is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all the work that we do. As part of our efforts to better understand our ability to reach as broad a pool of candidates as possible for our searches, our DEI team would like to encourage you to take a moment and access our Self-Declaration Form.