Assistant Director Social Policy & Projects

Requisition ID: 42417 

Organization

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

Main Purpose and Function

We are seeking an Assistant Director who will report to the Managing Director, Social Policy and Projects and provide strategic leadership in high-profile, complex public policy areas within the department, many of which require strong relationship building with the Provincial Government and other organizations, agencies and partners. The Assistant Director may provide leadership and/or support to any of the department’s areas of focus, which may include but are not limited to anti-racism, equity, and accessibility; community and gender safety; youth violence prevention; childcare; social infrastructure and food systems; community economic development and poverty reduction; mental health and substance use; the renewal and ongoing advancement of the Healthy City Strategy, the City’s overarching social sustainability plan; the social grants program, which disburses approximately $8M in social grants annually to roughly 150 organizations; social data and research, which generates key social data utilized by Social Policy, other City departments, and external groups to understand and respond to social trends impacting Vancouver; and/or other social development projects and priorities. The Assistant Director also has specific responsibilities with respect to Departmental administration, including leading human resources initiatives within the Department of approximately 60 staff. The incumbent’s direct span of control is approximately 4-5 teams drawn from the department’s overall portfolio, and the position also provides leadership influence and support for the whole Department.

The incumbent exercises considerable judgment in developing work programs, supervising staff and consultants, managing complex departmental process changes, leading special projects, participating in inter-departmental committees, and engaging community agencies and the public. The position exercises considerable independent action within the expectations established by the Managing Director and within the framework of established policy and practice, working with other Assistant Directors, Directors and Managers across the City and works collaboratively and builds relationships with senior leaders in the non-profit and public sectors.   

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Leads the development and implementation of public policy, programs and projects.
• Develops best practices for social grants, leases and agreements administration, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and compliance with operating standards and City policies.
• Drives the development of outcomes measures and evaluation processes, including social indicators, data, and research across the Department to inform evidence-based practice and facilitate data and results sharing.
• Provides leadership, staff development, and coaching for unionized staff, fostering a collaborative, productive and supportive work environment.
• Manages and directs staff teams, coordinates recruitment, and develops standard operating procedures and targets.
• Assists the Managing Director in creating agreements with external public bodies and oversees priority initiatives requiring cross-sectoral cooperation.
• Monitors trends, assists in developing and implementing work plans, and ensures compliance and cost optimization.
• Prepares reports, offers strategic policy advice, and represents the Department on City committees and in cross-sectoral initiatives.
• Acts as a representative for the Department and City with the media and at public events.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Education and Experience:

• University graduation with Masters’ preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of related experience with at least five (5) years in senior management
• Experience managing in a unionized environment is an asset.
• Experience working in a public, corporate, non- profit, or institutional environment at senior level involving social, economic and/or cultural responsibilities, with increasing responsibility for complex strategies and planning-related work with demonstrated experience leading and managing staff, and budgeting.
• Experience working across sectors involving the public not for profit sector, and private organizations, including philanthropic foundations, social enterprise and other voluntary or community organizations on complex socio-economic or cultural issues.
• Experience in leading public policy development and implementation, in particular advancing policy through a lens of Equity and Reconciliation.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of socioeconomic trends and issues in Vancouver, nationally and internationally
• Experience and knowledge of financial planning, controls and policies and procedures.
• Considerable knowledge of and experience working with the not-for-profit sector.
• Demonstrates superior leadership, communication, facilitation, and mentoring skills.
• Possesses strong business negotiation skills and presents solutions in clear and compelling terms.
• Capable of developing and leading complex strategic equity-based initiatives in a high-profile environment.
• Skilled in developing, implementing, and monitoring effective process improvements aligned with Council priorities and policies.
• Proficient in planning, directing, coordinating, assigning, and reviewing the work of multidisciplinary teams.
• Able to prepare clear and concise administrative and policy reports for presentation to stakeholders.
• Displays creativity, sound judgment, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excels in facilitation, negotiation, and conflict resolution with the general public, professionals, and City staff.
• Builds relationships and thrives in a collaborative environment.
• Adapts with innovation and flexibility in rapidly changing environments, managing multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
• Exhibits excellent conflict resolution and collaboration skills based on sound judgment and problem-solving ability.
• Demonstrates a track record of achieving strategic outcomes in a timely manner.
• Maintains a high level of professionalism, confidentiality, and strong ethics
• Ability to collaborate and support City's Policy Councils/Advisory Board, government levels, non-profit organizations, and community stakeholders, professionally representing the City of Vancouver, the Department, and ACCS.

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work remotely 1 – 4 days a week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite.  At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

Business Unit/Department: Arts, Culture and Community Services (1200) 

Affiliation: Senior Exempt 

Employment Type: Temporary Full Time 

Position Start Date: March, 2025 

Position End Date: September, 2026 

Salary Information: Pay Grade RNG-111: $121,960 to $160,467 per annum

Application Close: January 1, 2025

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion. 

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