Description
THE ORGANIZATION: COMMUNITY LIVING BC
Community Living BC (CLBC) is the provincial crown corporation that funds supports and services to adults with developmental disabilities, as well as individuals who have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and who also have significant difficulty doing things on their own. CLBC was created in 2005 when individuals, families, service providers, and community groups came together with the government to create a separate agency to meet their unique needs. CLBC works to connect people to a network of community supports and funded services, to provide them with the right supports to have meaningful lives filled with possibilities in welcoming communities.
CLBC, which receives funding from the government, provides services to more than 26,000 individuals and welcomes approximately 1,000 new eligible individuals for services annually. Because of this ongoing growth, CLBC has careful processes to assess disability-related needs in an equitable way, to help connect people to effective existing supports and to fund services to as many families as possible within available funding. Recent CLBC accomplishments include introducing a new welcome and planning process for individuals and families, piloting a new L.I.F.E-based support service to advance employment and friendships, and implementing an innovative new Indigenous Relations program to improve services and advance reconciliation.
In collaboration with stakeholders, CLBC facilitates and manages a responsive, sustainable network of disability-related services that supplement other supports to assist adults with developmental disabilities and takes a holistic approach that reflects the needs, perspectives, and priorities of those it serves.
For more information, please see Community Living BC’s website and its new strategic plan.
THE OPPORTUNITY: DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Reporting to the VP, Governance and Communications, the Director, Communications and Community Engagement is responsible for leading the creation and implementation of major communications and community engagement initiatives in support of CLBC’s vision and that of the larger community. The Director oversees external and internal communications, supports relationships with Community Councils and the function of the Provincial Advisory Committee, and takes the lead in the development of media and public relations, proactive communication and ‘issues management’ strategies. The Director supervises and mentors Communications staff and works closely with internal and external stakeholders.
With an engaged Board and leadership team who are responding to the increased demand for CLBC’s services, the organization is poised for continued growth. This is an outstanding opportunity for a progressive communications and community engagement leader to design and implement a fresh, next generation communication strategy and associated platforms, as well as growing robust, authentic community engagement programs to ensure the people served are involved in improving CLBC’s services.
Strategic Communication
• Designs comprehensive communications plans that contribute to the successful implementation of the strategic plan and increase stakeholder awareness of CLBC’s vision, culture, mission, and priorities;
• Ensures that all communications tools and content, such as the web site, publications, and social media are consistent with the vision and direction of CLBC and maintains a common look and feel;
• Develops communication plans for all major change initiatives; and
• Manages information flow, content, approvals, and production of all internal and external publications.
Issues Management
• With the support of CLBC managers, proactively and continually identifies potential reputational issues for CLBC and suggests strategies to mitigate potential risks;
• Works closely with the senior leadership and managers to proactively manage issues as they arise; and
• Works closely with Government communications personnel to develop materials for the Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction to respond to issues raised in the Legislature and the media.
Community Engagement
• Works with the Manager, Community Engagement to develop annual engagement activities between the Board, Executive, and managers with self advocate, family, and service provider and community groups;
• Supports Integrated Service Managers to maintain active CLBC Community Councils including in provincial strategies to support recruitment of council members, the development of annual work plans that complement strategic plan initiatives, and evaluation of council activities;
• Supports the Provincial Advisory Committee to be successful in its advisory role to the CLBC Board by helping to plan and implement quarterly meetings and the annual joint board – PAC – IAC meeting;
• Leads engagement of the CLBC Editorial Board so that it is effective in providing self advocate input into CLBC communications and other CLBC initiatives; and
• Supports senior leaders, management and staff in project work and local community events to engage self advocates, family members, service providers, and other community groups.
Community Relations
• Supports management in communication efforts by developing a province-wide community relations strategy to assist field management and community councils in public relations activities at the local level;
• Oversees development and delivery of media plans for local projects and initiatives;
• Directs staff in meeting with local municipal government and MLAs, and supports managers in meeting leaders of Indigenous communities to ensure a positive image of CLBC and its partners in community; and
• Works closely with external stakeholders and partners to support opportunities for attending community events.
Media Relations
• Develops relationships with media and manages all external communications;
• Identifies and plans media announcements and events for CLBC; and
• Responds to media inquiries and works closely with senior leadership and Board on media responses and acting as a spokesperson as appropriate.
Internal Communications
• Determines means to effectively communicate with CLBC employees to facilitate staff participation in the broad communication of CLBC’s vision and guiding principles;
• Works with the VP and CEO and other stakeholders to develop regular updates for employees; and
• Manages and implements key tools including the intranet, internal newsletters, and announcements.
Other Related Duties
• Provides advice and subject matter expertise to senior management to ensure that communications strategies and plans are consistent with CLBC’s vision;
• Manages external vendors and obtains RFPs from designers, graphic and communications consultants, artists, photographers, printers, distribution and mailing houses;
• Oversees all hiring, recruiting and & succession planning for team members; supervises, supports, and mentors Communications staff through formal learning plans;
• Provides leadership, mentoring and coaching to direct reports to develop a high-functioning team; and
• Acts as a role model and change agent in support of CLBC’s strategy and values.
THE PERSON
The ideal candidate should be a leader who is well experienced with the complexities of the community living sector. Possessing an inclusive and collaborative leadership style, they build engagement with both staff and external stakeholders by creating a true team environment, leveraging the considerable expertise and strength that exists within the organization. The Director should also be decisive and possess sufficient business acumen and strategic planning ability to assist the organization with complex decisions and guide CLBC staff through challenging initiatives
Education and Experience
• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications or related area. Master’s degree desired;
• Minimum of 7 years experience in developing and implementing communications and community engagement strategies and formulating policies and programs;
• Experience working in developmental disability and/or community living sector considered an asset;
• Experience managing and leading communications in a complex unionized government environment;
• Extensive experience in “issues management” in a government environment;
• Experience in managing and building relationships with the media;
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Knowledge of strategic communications concepts, principles, methodology and techniques;
• Knowledge of current and emerging communications issues and trends;
• Knowledge and skill in communicating using a variety of electronic and social media;
• Exceptional oral, written and presentational communications and interpersonal skills;
• Sound budget preparation and management skills;
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage complex and diverse stakeholder relationships with government, service provider, and community partners to promote the successful implementation of the communications strategy and support the strategic plan;
• Proven ability to provide effective advice and counsel on strategic communications issues and to exercise effective judgment;
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with local, regional, and national media;
• Proven ability to establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with people at every level of the organization and key stakeholders both internal and external to CLBC;
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to handle pressure and work in a dynamic work environment, adapting to changing priorities and deadlines, emerging issues, and competing demands; and
• Proficient computer skills and knowledge of the application of information technology systems.
CLBC Core Competencies
STRATEGIC ORIENTATION - Strategic Orientation is the ability to link long-range visions and concepts to daily work, ranging from a simple understanding to a sophisticated awareness of the impact of the world at large on strategies and on choices.
TAKING ACCOUNTABILITY - Taking Accountability involves taking responsibility for one’s own actions in all aspects of your work at CLBC. It is demonstrated by following through on commitments; implementing decisions that have been agreed upon; taking ownership of activities at the required and appropriate levels; acknowledging and learning from mistakes without blaming; and recognizing the impact that one’s behaviour may have on others and addressing unintended outcomes.
RELATIONSHIP BUILDING - Relationship Building is working to build or maintain ethical relationships or networks or contacts with people who are, or may be, potentially helpful in achieving CLBC-related goals and establishing advantages. These people may include individuals and families, internal clients, counterparts, colleagues, etc. Relationship Building is working to foster and maintain ethical relationships or networks of stakeholders aligned to achieving CLBC-related goals.
SERVICE ORIENTATION - Service Orientation implies a desire to identify and serve all CLBC stakeholders, which may include the public, co-workers, other ministries/agencies, other government organizations, and non-government organizations. It means focusing one’s efforts on discovering and meeting the needs of the customer/client.
COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY - Communicating Effectively involves good interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written), careful listening, problem framing and use of presentation skills and technologies.
FLEXIBILITY & CHANGE MANAGEMENT - Flexibility/Change Management is the ability to support a change within the organization. People with this competency willingly embrace and champion change. They take advantage of every opportunity to explain their vision of the future to others and gain their buy-in.
PLANNING, ORGANIZING & COORDINATING - Planning, Organizing and Co-ordinating involves proactively planning, establishing priorities allocating resources, and meeting deadlines. It is expressed by developing and implementing increasingly complex plans. It also involves monitoring and adjusting work to accomplish goals and deliver to the organization’s mandate.
PROBLEM-SOLVING & JUDGEMENT - Problem Solving/Judgement is the ability to analyze problems systematically, organize information, identify key factors, identify underlying causes and generate solutions for CLBC.
FLEXIBILITY & CHANGE MANAGEMENT - Flexibility/Change Management is the ability to support a change within the organization. People with this competency willingly embrace and champion change. They take advantage of every opportunity to explain their vision of the future to others and gain their buy-in.
DEVELOPING OTHERS - Developing Others involves a genuine intent to foster the long-term learning or development of others through coaching, managing performance and mentoring. Its focus is on developmental intent and effect rather than on a formal role of training. For this competency to be considered, the individual’s actions should be driven by a genuine desire to develop others, rather than by a need to transfer adequate skills to complete tasks.
CLBC is committed to hiring based on merit with a focus on fostering diversity of thought. We welcome candidates who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and encourage applications from equity-seeking groups such as women, persons with diverse ethnic, racial or Indigenous backgrounds, gender identity and sexual orientation, and persons with a disability. However, all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.
COMPENSATION
A competitive compensation package will be provided including an attractive base salary and excellent benefits. Further details will be discussed in a personal interview.
To apply, please visit our website.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Julian Manchon or Tony Kirschner
LEADERS INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE SEARCH
#880—609 Granville Street
Vancouver, BC V7Y 1G5
Phone: (604) 688-8422 or Email: vancouver@leadersinternational.com
