METRO VANCOUVER BC

Position: Operations and Administration Manager
Organization: Wild Bird Trust of BC (WBT)
Location: Maplewood Flats, North Vancouver, BC

Compensation: $68,000 salaried, 4-day work week
Professional development opportunities available; three weeks of holidays to start; some evenings, weekends, and remote work options.

The Manager will help with regular operations and administrative systems for a mid-sized non-profit active in the landback and conservation space. The Wild Bird Trust of BC has co-managers sharing different leadership roles in the organisation as we work for decolonizing conservation and place-based redress at Maplewood Flats at Tsleil-Waututh Nation. You will be joining one of the first non-profits in BC that has transferred governance to local First Nations, and completed a significant period of growth from 2017-2024. As the manager responsible for internal systems, you will help focus the management team and sustain the charitable organization.

The Wild Bird Trust of BC is a dynamic and progressive non-profit conservation organization working to protect bird habitat and advance reconciliation and redress with Tsleil-Waututh Nation at the only wildlife sanctuary in the Vancouver harbour. The Operations & Administration Manager carries the responsibility of managing the resources and programs of the Society. You will play the primary director role for day-to-day systems, help sustain programs and services, coordinate the management team, and co-work to produce timely reports and planning documents to support the organization. You will support organizational priorities established by the Board of Directors, and you are primarily responsible for ensuring the financial stability and sustainability of the Trust, HR systems, social enterprise plant nursery, public programs, and restoration and landback projects. You will provide critical leadership in the transition away from western science models towards Indigenous governance.

Core tasks

Administration: 20%

• Coordinates research and development of policies and procedures manual (emphasizing decolonization principles) for use by the organization in perpetuity.
• Direct the administration of social enterprises and systems.
• Engage contractors as required.
• Support and supervise finance systems as managed by the Financial Manager.
• Provides support for the board and committees as requested, and supervises the Site & Restoration Manager, Finance Manager, Organizer, program staff, and Board Clerk.

Fundraising: 30%

• Leads on writing annual and project grants, and directs and leverages staff and committees’ contributions towards successful grant applications. Coordinates activities of Finance Manager towards a robust grants portfolio.
• Collaborates with the Finance Manager to review and analyze donor & membership systems and recommend areas for development and improvement.
• Promotes and builds relationships with funders towards grant submissions and reports, including Tsleil-Waututh Nation, Canada, various BC ministries, BC Gaming, Metro Vancouver and municipalities, United Way, Real Estate Foundation of BC, EcoCanada, and others.

Operations: 25%

• Human Resources: Staff liaison to Human Resources Committee. Drafts job descriptions and postings; drafts HR Policy Manual with HR Committee for board approval; onboard, supervise, train and offboard staff; manages contracts. (Estimated at 10% of duties.)
• Direct and supervise staff and volunteer systems for the purpose of delivering robust public education programming.
• Oversee Nature House facilities, maintenance staff, and operations including rental program, security, maintenance and supplies. (External operations are managed by the Restoration & Site Manager.)
• Communications: Direct and supervise Communications staff who carry the responsibility to maintain and improve communications systems and protocols (including social media, engagement, website, Wingspan, etc).

Programs & Services: 15%

• Directs the delivery of programs, including land-based education, exhibits and displays, and ensures Coast Salish pedagogical approaches and systems are enacted and sustained.
• Direct Restoration & Site Manager to ensure outdoor infrastructure, programs and services are sustained, including Coast Salish Nursery and propagation systems.
• Direct existing staff, and proposed new and contract staff roles, as well as volunteers and committees and working groups, for delivering programs and services as required.

Relationships: 10%

• Ensure the right policies that comply with regulatory requirements are enacted and sustained, including risk mitigation systems, and insurance requirements.
• Explore and liaise with prospective partnership opportunities as mandated or directed by Board
• Direct suppliers and contractors as required.
• Maintain external relations with Tsleil-Waututh Nation departments; CAP; Steering Committee (TWN, Port, DNV, ECCC); and public outreach

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES & QUALIFICATIONS

• • Knowledge of environmental issues in Canada, with an interest in Indigenous Knowledge and Two-Eyed Seeing.
  • Experience working with, supporting, and motivating a volunteer board of directors, including diverse backgrounds, personalities and levels of skill and knowledge.
  • A minimum 2-5 years non-profit management experience.
  • Demonstrated management and administrative skills in a not-for-profit setting, including budgeting.
  • Skilled in research and strategic planning, and in creative problem-solving.
  • Ability to identify challenges and opportunities, create effective plans, and deliver results.
  • Proven ability to develop and manage projects.
  • A high level of personal and professional integrity.
  • Effective manager of people, providing leadership and mentorship to staff, within a respectful workplace setting.
  • Effective in establishing and maintaining strong partnerships and relationships.
  • Experience in fundraising within a non-profit setting.
  • Successful track record and extensive experience with grant writing.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including an ability to facilitate discussions, make presentations, and to synthesize and edit documents of varying technical detail.
  • Self-directed person with exceptional time management skills, and the ability to work autonomously.
  • Relevant post-secondary education is preferred, though consideration may be given to an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Application process: 

Submit your resume and cover letter (PDF or Word) by filling out this form on, or before Thursday, October 10th, or until filled. We strongly encourage applications by Coast Salish People.

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