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Director of Engagement
Location: Simon Fraser University (SFU) – Burnaby, Surrey, and Vancouver (multi-location)
Compensation: $62,000 – $65,000 (commensurate with experience)
Hours of Work: ~40 hours per week
Contract Length: three years
Start Date: May 27th, 2024
Application Deadline: April 28th, 2024 at 11:59pm
About Embark Sustainability
Embark Sustainability Society is an independent, student-centred not-for-profit based out of Simon Fraser University that catalyzes student sustainability (un)learning journeys for the next generation of leaders. Our work is supported by the 35,000+ undergraduate and graduate student members that we represent. We focus on climate and food justice in our programs and initiatives and we do this by fostering a culture that enables self expression, honours lived experiences, and centres interpersonal relationships.
Our Work Culture
At Embark Sustainability, we strive to support staff in being themselves and exploring what that means within the context of our work. We do this by fostering a work culture that enables self-expression and exploration, honouring individuals’ understandings based on the combination of their background, claimed and unclaimed identities, and experiences. This is important because we believe perspectives that forward multiple truths will strengthen sustainability solutions while challenging normative assumptions of who possesses knowledge and which approach is best. We assert that systems change requires various ways of thinking. If you share these values, we strongly encourage you to apply to join our team.
About the Role
The Director of Engagement is responsible for the management and development of Embark Sustainability’s annual programming while supporting student-leadership and development in various stages of involvement at the organization. Building on the work of the role of Program’s Manager in previous years, 2024-2027 will bring a suite of new and deeper partnerships which will bring forward innovative programming. The Director of Engagement approaches program design, delivery, and evaluation with an equity-focused lens. The Director of Engagement acts as a supervisor and is responsible for the growth and development of the Gardens Manager, priority area team and Embark Sustainability’s suite of volunteers. It’s important that you have strong interpersonal skills and to first and foremost lead with empathy.
This position will lead the organization in collaboration with the Director of Development. As co-director of Embark Sustainability, this position collaboratively oversees the strategic direction, operations, stewardship and overall management of Embark Sustainability while keeping in line with the vision and mission of the organization and the Theory of Change as laid out by the Board of Directors. The Director of Engagement approaches leadership with a strong understanding of justice and equity that is practiced internally in organizational culture and in relationship with community, seeking varied perspectives so that Embark Sustainability can continually evolve to most effectively serve its members. This role is well-suited for an innovative, energetic, and detailed leader with strong people skills. If you find yourself often being your friend group’s de-facto organizer of trips or activities, we’d love to hear from you.
Perks
Benefits package including medical, dental, and more
Health spending account
2-zone Metro Vancouver Transit Pass
12 paid health and wellness days
Hybrid work environment
A team that protects work-life balance and sees staff as unique individuals
Professional development opportunities
Autonomy to be creative and develop new projects
Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership and Vision
- In collaboration with the director of development and the board, develop a vision and strategic plan to guide the organization
- Facilitate the co creation of an operational plan that advances the strategic direction set by the board
- Provide leadership and advocate on critical issues affecting food and climate equity for SFU students
- Conduct official correspondence on behalf of or jointly with the board
Board Relations
- Foster effective teamwork between the board and co-directors and between the co-directors and staff. Act as a professional advisor to the board of directors
- Identify, assess, and inform the board of relevant internal and external issues
- Draft and revise policies with the board, review and recommend changes as needed
- Serve as an ex-officio, non-voting member of board meetings, JEDDI, Governance and Director Development committees or task forces
Operations
- Oversee day-to-day operations of the society
- Oversee our involvement in university-led operational sustainability initiatives
- Oversee the planning, implementation and evaluation of the organization’s offerings. Collaborate with the director of development to facilitate team annual operational planning and goal setting
- Provide insights, advice, and recommendations as needed in developing student-centred offerings that enact the organization’s Theory of Change
- Support the director of development in the oversight of Embark Sustainability’s financial accounts, act as a signing authority and legal representative
Program Planning and Administration
- Develop an annual programs calendar including reasonable timelines for program delivery, including submitting creative briefs
Implement Embark Sustainability’s staple and novel programs in alignment with the organization’s vision, mission, and priority areas
Set goals and objectives for programs in alignment with goals identified by the organization’s annual operational plan - Lead Embark Sustainability’s outreach activities and passive programming across all SFU campuses, including tabling and Games Lounge at SFU Surrey
Oversee the programs administration of the society, including but not limited to:- Preparing materials for outreach/tabling and all events
Booking rooms, ordering catering, or preparing virtual logistics as needed
Maintaining Embark Studio space cleanliness - Contributing to the writing of program descriptions and highlights for our annual report and website updates
- Preparing materials for outreach/tabling and all events
- Oversee programs collaborations of the society, including but not limited to:
- Building community relationships that support our members’ learning and expand perspectives shared in our programs
- Seeking out opportunities to connect with community groups (e.g. tabling at events); organize volunteers and resources for such events
- Involving collaborators when appropriate, communicating with relevant partners about upcoming programs and events
HR and Team Management
- With support of the director of development, determine staffing requirements for organizational operations and oversee recruitment and hiring processes
- Continuously work to improve employee satisfaction and foster a healthy workplace environment at Embark Sustainability. Work closely with Embark Sustainability staff to embed a culture of continuous learning
- Directly supervise the positions of Gardens Manager and part-time student staff
- Manage the employee life cycle for those under your supervision (i.e., recruiting, hiring, onboarding, training, and offboarding), including but not limited to:
- conducting performance evaluations;
- supporting staff with planning, organization, and execution of activities;
- supporting JEDDI literacy and professional skills development; and
- assessing and approving vacation requests.
Collaboration and Accountability
- Develop a role work plan with SMART goals, maintain timesheet
- Plan and participate in regular team meetings and frequent one on one collaborations with the director of development
- Ensure the society meets the expectations of its student members through evaluation and consultation
- Provide a written summary of impact and activities, keeping events records including evaluation and feedback
- Monitor progress and evaluate outcomes of all programs, including qualitative and quantitative reporting of programs for use in grant applications, reports, and summaries
Desired Qualifications
- Transparent and high-integrity leader
- Project manager with at least two years of cumulative experience in program planning, delivery, and evaluation
- Organizational or staff management experience, with a track record of supporting individuals and teams in acquiring new skills
- An excellent facilitator and charismatic communicator comfortable with public speaking, connecting with people from different backgrounds, and holding space for complexity
- Knowledgeable in board governance and able to advise, develop, and collaborate with student and alumni board directors
- Well-versed in the breadth and depth of climate and food work, including the nuances of centring equity and justice in dialogue and building towards solutions
- Understands how climate and food justice intersect with other forms of justice, and thinks critically about the ways traditional environmental spaces often alienate Indigenous, Black, racialized, immigrant and refugee youth among other equity-deserving groups
- Self-motivated, takes initiative, and works effectively and within a team
- Detail-oriented, organized, and able to set and meet deadlines
- Responsible, reliable, and consistent in carrying out work duties
- Interested in working within a student learning-oriented organization
- Collaborative and enjoys working with individuals and groups with diverse interests
- Comfortable navigating Google Drive, G Suite, Zoom, Slack, and other online platforms to enable collaboration
Application Process
Please submit your application information using the form on this webpage. If we can take further action to make our application process accessible to you, please contact info@embarksustainability.org. Examples of accommodation include, but are not limited to:
- Application deadline extension
- Alternative application method (email)
- Alternative interview times or formats (online, in person, etc)
Screening
Embark anonymizes all applications prior to being screened by the hiring committee. Personal details such as name, email, and addresses are removed to help reduce bias. Educational credentials, job/volunteer titles or descriptions of experience are not removed. As this role supports Embark Sustainability’s membership to explore anti-oppressive approaches to systems change, lived experience navigating systems of oppression is of high relevance and value to the work at hand. We encourage you to include lived experience in your application if you would like it to be brought into consideration. Only applicants invited to interview will be contacted.
Interview
Successful candidates will be invited to interview with the hiring committee composed of two Embark staff members and one board member. The interviews will be conducted online unless otherwise requested. All candidates who participate in the interview stage will be contacted on whether or not they are still being considered.
Selection
Candidates who make it on as finalists will be asked to provide two references, with at least one being a professional reference. References will be asked to have a short call or answer a brief email questionnaire. If you require accommodation when navigating the application process, please contact info@embarksustainability.org.
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