Position details: 0.6 time permanent

Compensation: Starting salary range based on FTE $58,700 to $67,000 ($35,220 to $40,200 at 0.6 time), depending on successful candidate’s level of experience. Significant annual increases will be applied during initial years of employment (the current top step pay rate after six years service for the relevant pay band is over $82,000 FTE). In addition, CCPA-BC provides generous holidays and employer-paid comprehensive extended health benefits. As a social justice organization, the CCPA-BC practices and supports healthy work-life balance in our workplace.

Applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds are welcomed.

About the position
This is a senior leadership position with responsibility for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives – BC Office’s operational and financial integrity. It exists to ensure the smooth internal functioning of the CCPA-BC as a charitable social justice organization with a unionized staff, and to support the organization in carrying out its mandate. This position works closely and collaboratively with the senior management team, reports to the Director, and supervises members of the finance & operations staff team. It has primary responsibility for meeting CCPA-BC’s financial, administrative, and human resources needs. It shares responsibility with other senior managers for financial and administrative oversight of major projects. This position is excluded (not part of the union). Specific responsibilities and duties include:

Financial systems and oversight:

• Coordinate and prepare annual organizational budget. Monitor, report on and address budget variances.
• Monitor (and improve as needed) internal financial management systems; review monthly financial statements, and ensure these are reconciled against operating and project budgets.
• Analyze CCPA-BC financial performance and systems, forecast and identify problems, and make recommendations to strengthen the organization’s long-term financial health.
• With other senior staff and project managers, monitor and report on fundraising targets (including member and donor contributions, grants, and tracking of project-specific funding). Ensure appropriate fundraising plans are in place and modified as needed, and that reporting obligations for all grants are fulfilled.
• Oversee payroll and benefits systems.

Human resources:

• This position is responsible for meeting CCPA-BC’s human resources needs in a manner that reflects CCPA-BC’s commitment to social justice, supports/enables a positive and empowering work environment, and protects the organization’s legal and financial wellbeing.
• Engage in collective bargaining on behalf of management, and interpret/apply the collective agreement on an ongoing basis.
• Ensure HR policies and procedures are in place, and that these are consistent with the collective agreement, and support/reflect the CCPA-BC’s unique workplace culture
• Provide direct supervision and active mentorship to other staff in the finance/admin department, and support collaborative team-based work styles.
• Provide advice, knowledge, training and support to other managers in the supervision of staff, application of HR policy/procedures, and resolution of performance problems or conflicts.
• With senior staff team, create a professional development/training and mentorship plan for CCPA-BC staff.

Organizational leadership:

• Bring an HR management style and employ practices that are consistent with the CCPA-BC’s organizational culture; play a leadership role in building trusting, collaborative and productive internal relationships.
• Participate in strategic planning processes, and develop financial and operational implementation plans to support the organization’s strategic goals.

Administration and office management:

• Ensure the smooth functioning of the organization’s internal administrative systems and daily operations. Work collaboratively with direct reports and the senior staff team to ensure effective operational and administrative practices are in place across the organization.
• Ensure all organizational needs related to office space and equipment are met.
• Provide backup assistance to admin and finance staff team when other team members are absent or to address workload.

Compliance with relevant legal frameworks:

• Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks, including those governing charities, the protection of privacy, and others.

Other:

• Carry out own administrative tasks such as copying and correspondence (this position does not have an administrative assistant assigned).

Note: Many of the activities involved in the finance and office management functions above are delegated to other members of the finance/operations staff team, but this position has responsibility for ensuring that appropriate systems are in place and that related activities are carried out effectively.

Competencies & skills required

• A background in human resources and financial management, preferably with non-profit organizations;
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice principles and an understanding of unionized work environments;
• A highly collaborative leadership style, and stellar interpersonal communication skills;
• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to design and implement administrative and financial systems;
• Excellent judgment, and a high degree of tact and discretion;
• Knowledge of the legal frameworks and best practices related to charities, non-profit management, and human resources; and,
• A high degree of commitment to the CCPA-BC’s vision and mission (see below).

The successful candidate will have a minimum of five years progressive management experience in one or more relevant organizations (such as non-profits, unions or progressive businesses), and relevant post-secondary education (such as a degree in non-profit management) or equivalent experience. A solid working knowledge of finances, budgets and human resources management is required.

About the CCPA-BC and our work environment
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives is an independent, non-partisan research institute concerned with issues of social, economic and environmental justice. The CCPA’s BC Office was founded in 1997, and is one of the province’s leading voices in public policy debates.

Our vision is of a socially, economically and environmentally just BC. We aim to make progressive ideas the driving force behind mainstream thinking, and to offer a new and hopeful vision to meet the key challenges of our time. We provide bold, innovative and accessible public policy analysis and solutions for British Columbians. We publish research, play a high-profile role in public policy debates, build the capacity of social change movements, create alliances, engage diverse communities in progressive policy development, and mentor the next generation of public intellectuals.

We pride ourselves on fostering a highly collaborative, friendly, and healthy work environment. CCPA-BC staff share a high degree of commitment to the organization and its success. Our workplace culture values inspiring leadership that draws the best from others, effective teamwork, respectful and inclusive relationships, excellence, solidarity with the groups and social movements we work with, and effective communication.

To apply & inquiries
Submit a cover letter, CV, and at least three references to Andrea Smith, Project Manager, by email andrea@policyalternatives.ca (please send PDFs only, filename beginning with your last name) or by mail/in person to CCPA-BC, 207 West Hastings St, Suite 1400, Vancouver, BC, V6B 1H7.

Inquires from qualified candidates are welcome. Please direct your request to Andrea Smith, andrea@policyalternatives.ca, or call 604-801-5121 x234.