Strategic Initiatives Manager

UNITED WAY BC IS PROUD TO BE RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF CANADA'S TOP 100 EMPLOYERS FOR 2026!

ABOUT US – WHY WE’RE HERE

Across British Columbia, communities are facing urgent and complex social challenges. United Way BC is committed to delivering lasting, community-driven impact in partnership with diverse populations across the province including Indigenous communities whose territories we live and work on. From Vancouver Island to the Lower Mainland, and across the Thompson Nicola Cariboo, Southern Interior, Trail and District, and East Kootenay regions, we walk alongside communities to create meaningful and equitable change.

Our mission is to strengthen vital connections that support people in need in our communities.

Our vision is to create a healthy, caring and inclusive community.

How do we deliver on our mission and vision – by delivering resources and support for those who need it most, and by living our values of being collaborative, compassionate, strategic, responsive, accountable, and inspiring.

For a more in-depth to look into our work and programs, please visit:

ABOUT YOU

You are a collaborative and strategic leader with strong relationship-building skills and a commitment to community impact. You bring sound judgment, humility, and accountability, and are able to build trust-based partnerships while working effectively within organizational systems and priorities.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

Reporting to the Senior Director, Community Impact & Investment, this role leads the implementation of strategic priorities across the organization and in community. It works across teams and partners to turn strategy into action, strengthen organizational capacity, and ensure community priorities are reflected in planning, partnerships, and decision-making.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Responsibilities: Grant Management

• Support and coordinate a grant lifecycle from early concept development and funding strategy through application, adjudication, disbursement, and reporting
• Develop or support grant guidelines, application materials, review criteria, and internal processes to ensure clarity, fairness, and alignment with organizational priorities
• Lead the application intake, eligibility screening, adjudication processes, and communication with applicants and reviewers
• Lead grant reviews, recommendations, approvals, and funding decisions, ensuring accurate documentation and timely follow-through
• Monitor grant agreements, payment schedules, disbursements, reporting requirements, and compliance obligations throughout the funding period
• Track grant performance, risks, and outcomes, and provide analysis and reporting to support stewardship, learning, and continuous improvement

Key Responsibilities: Partnerships & Leadership

• Liaise with internal teams, partner organizations, and community agencies to support alignment, coordination, and shared understanding of goals and priorities
• Lead and support the implementation of provincial strategies and initiatives, translating strategic direction into coordinated workplans, priorities, and actions
• Supervise and support a staff team across the province, setting expectations, clarifying priorities, and fostering accountability, collaboration, and development
• Delegate work appropriately to ensure effective execution of priorities, timely follow-through, and alignment with organizational goals and available resources
• Facilitate and participate in networks, working groups, and partnerships that advance strategic priorities and strengthen coordinated action
• Represent the organization on relevant committees, task forces, and sector tables as appropriate
• Provide guidance, coaching, and support to staff to strengthen effective practices, clarify priorities, and advance shared goals

Key Responsibilities: Evaluation & Capacity Building

• Develop and implement evaluation, learning, and measurement approaches for strategic initiatives using a range of methods and existing organizational frameworks
• Promote collaboration, engagement, and shared learning across initiatives, teams, and partners to strengthen planning, accountability, and community impact
• Analyze data, insights, and outcomes to inform decision-making, investment approaches, and continuous improvement
• Engage with sector networks, community organizations, and other stakeholders to identify emerging practices, contribute to knowledge building, and inform organizational strategy

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

Education

• University Degree in Social Sciences, Public Administration, Community Development, or a related field
• Combination of education and experience will be considered

Experience

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector or similar setting
• Experience working in community engagement and grant making is considered an asset
• We value candidates who bring lived and professional experience working with diverse communities and a strong understanding of equity, inclusion, and community-informed practice.

Skills

• Strong leadership, supervision, and coaching skills, with the ability to support and coordinate the work of a staff team across the province
• Demonstrated ability to lead strategic initiatives and translate broad direction into workplans, priorities, delegated tasks, and measurable outcomes
• Knowledge of evaluation, learning, and data-informed practice, including the ability to use qualitative and quantitative information to support planning, reporting, and continuous improvement
• Experience leading grant processes, including application development, adjudication, documentation, disbursement, monitoring, and reporting
• Strong project management, planning, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, and stakeholders effectively
• Excellent relationship-building, facilitation, and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across teams, partners, and community networks
• Sound judgment, problem-solving ability, and discretion when working in complex, dynamic, or sensitive environments
• Ability to analyze trends, risks, and outcomes and provide clear recommendations to support decision-making and stewardship
• Proficiency with relevant technology and systems, including Microsoft 365 and other tools used for planning, collaboration, documentation, reporting, and accountability

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Some outside of regular business hours to attend meetings and events
• Requires some travel and access to reliable transportation

CHARACTERISTICS

For success at UWBC and in this role, certain demonstrable characteristics will be required:

• A commitment to building healthy, caring and inclusive communities, internally and externally
• Embodying the organization’s core values to be collaborative, compassionate, strategic, responsive, accountable and inspiring
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and comfortably operate in it
• Drive to succeed as an individual and as a team member

At UWBC, we don’t just accept difference - we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, programs, donors, and the communities we live and work in. At UWBC, we encourage all applicants regardless of age, sex, gender identity, colour, religion, sexual orientation, or any other basis to apply.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women, people of colour and indigenous people are less likely to apply to roles unless they meet every qualification. At UWBC, we are dedicated to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, so if you are excited about this role, but your experience and qualifications are not perfectly aligned, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this, or other roles.

This is a bargaining unit role with CUPE Local 1760. This position is at pay grade 40, which is $96,369.00 annually, if you are within Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley region and $92,510.60 annually, if you are outside Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley region.

Candidates must live within 80 KMs (commuting distance) from any of our offices as this position is currently a hybrid role and office attendance is required.

Interested candidates are invited to apply by submitting a cover letter and resume to job competition C-2026-22.

We kindly ask for no phone calls, please. Due to the high number of applications UWBC receive, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. We thank all applicants for their interest in UWBC.