Strategic Initiatives Manager

United Way British Columbia

$92K — $96K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • University degree in Social Sciences, Public Administration, Community Development or a related field; equivalent education and experience considered
  • At least 5 years of experience in the non-profit sector or similar environment
  • Experience in community engagement and grant making is an asset
  • Lived and professional experience with diverse communities, emphasizing equity and inclusion
  • Strong leadership and supervisory skills for managing a provincial staff team

Responsibilities

  • Coordinate the entire grant lifecycle from concept to reporting
  • Develop grant guidelines and application materials for clarity and alignment with priorities
  • Lead grant application processes, including adjudication and communication
  • Oversee grant reviews and funding decisions with accurate documentation
  • Monitor compliance and reporting requirements throughout grant funding
  • Collaborate with organizations to ensure alignment and shared goals
  • Develop evaluation approaches to measure initiatives' impact

Benefits

  • Hybrid work model with flexibility
  • Opportunity for professional development
  • Engagement with diverse communities
  • Ability to make significant community impact
  • Supportive organizational culture with shared values
Full Job Description
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


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.

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