About this position

Position: Director of Engagement and Development

Desired Start Date: Late October – November, 2020

About the BCCLA:

The BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) is a non‑partisan, not‑for‑profit national leader whose mission is to promote, defend, sustain, and extend civil liberties and human rights. The BCCLA is the oldest and most active civil liberties and human rights group in Canada. The BCCLA has been actively advancing human rights and civil liberties through litigation, law reform, community-based legal advocacy, and public engagement and education for the last half century. Though we are based in BC, our work is national in scope with legal interventions and law reform advocacy across Canada. 

BCCLA focuses on the relationship between people and the state, and the ways in which the state can limit or advance human rights and liberties. BCCLA's work pays particular attention to the needs of vulnerable individuals and oppressed communities, who would otherwise have difficulty getting redress for violations and limitations on their rights despite being the most susceptible to state regulation and violations of their fundamental rights. We recognize that liberty, dignity and equality are mutually-reinforcing, and that such rights are inalienable and necessary for the flourishing of individuals and human society.

With a mandate that includes work on police accountability, government transparency, democratic rights including freedom of expression, prisoners’ rights, patients’ rights, privacy rights, surveillance and national security issues, immigration detention, and criminal legal reform, we are one of the most vibrant and visible advocacy groups in Canada. The BCCLA is a small team with a big reach, and we want you to be a part of our work.

About the position:

The BCCLA’s Director of Engagement and Development requires a talented person to actively grow the fundraising and communications efforts of our organization. You will report to the Executive Director and lead a Department of 3-4 fundraising and engagement staff. The Director of Engagement and Development leads the BCCLA’s fundraising strategy and the active implementation of our fundraising program. The Director also leads our communications and supporter outreach programs. We are seeking a poised and professional leader with a strong background in charitable fundraising mixed with strong communications skills, knowledge of and interest in human rights and civil liberties issues, and a deep commitment to equality, justice, and freedom.

This position is normally based at our office in Vancouver at #306-268 Keefer St. In light of COVID-19, the option to perform this position remotely is available until distancing measures are lifted; a laptop and access to all required platforms will be provided. The BCCLA is also able to accommodate in-office work arrangements, in compliance with WorkSafeBC guidelines.

Applications are due by 11:59pm PST on September 20, 2020.

The BCCLA is committed to building an inclusive workplace that honours the particular experiences and expertise of historically marginalized communities. The BCCLA strongly encourages applications from all qualified applicants, and applicants from oppressed communities including Indigenous people, people of colour, refugees, working class people, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ people are encouraged to apply and we welcome them to self-identify, should they feel comfortable in doing so, in their cover letter.

The Director of Engagement and Development will be responsible for the following:

Department and Organization Leadership

• In accordance with the BCCLA’s mandate and strategic plan, provide strategic direction to the Association’s engagement and development work, including working with the department to prioritize, coordinate, and implement engagement and fundraising work.
• Work through group-centered leadership and collaborative principles to lead the Department.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and staff directors in leading the organization, including working with Policy and Litigation Directors and becoming familiar with litigation and policy/law reform work of the Association to identify opportunities for fundraising, communications, community engagement, and public legal education.
• Develop an annual integrated fundraising, communications, and engagement strategy and plan, in collaboration with the Department and the Executive Director.
• Work with the Executive Director and Operations Department to develop the organization’s annual budget.
• Facilitate weekly departmental meetings, and planning and oversight of a monthly work-plan and calendar for the department in fundraising, communications and engagement.
• Track and report quarterly on fundraising and engagement performance metrics, as measured against the Department’s annual fundraising, communication and engagement plan.                           
• Liaise with the Board of Directors including providing progress reports, training new Board members, and leading the Fundraising Working Group of the Board.
• Support the Executive Director in reporting on the Department’s work to the Board of Directors, and present fundraising and budget matters to the Board for discussion or decision as appropriate.
• Assist the Operations Department in preparation of annual audit, CRA return, and other operational reporting as needed.

Fundraising and Development

• Work with the Executive Director to develop and oversee the organization’s overall fundraising program.
• Responsible for the development of a short-term, mid-term, and long-term fundraising plan to close the organization’s financial gap.
• Work with the BCCLA’s full staff team to identify and coordinate applying for specific funding opportunities, such as for litigation, policy research, or publication production.
• Responsible for the development, growth, and implementation of the following fundraising programs:

        -  Major donors stewardship and cultivation;

         - Legacy Giving program management;

         - Grant research, grant applications, and reports to funders;

         - Special fundraising events including donor receptions and the biennial Liberty Awards Gala;

• Support and oversee the following fundraising programs, as implemented by and day-to-day decision-making of which is held by the Supporter Engagement & Development Manager, and work together to analyze the corresponding donation data:

         - Mid-level and small donors stewardship and cultivation, including donor-based communications;

         - Online giving programs;

         - Memberships;

         - Direct mailings;

         - Online fundraising campaigns, particularly crowd-funders for major litigation interventions and advocacy campaigns, including support for creating ask strategies and maintaining the crowdfunding pages;

         - Tax receipting and database maintenance.

• Ensure adherence of all programs to fundraising, merchant, and CRA rules and regulations.

Communications and Community Engagement

• Work with the Communications & Outreach Manager and Executive Director to develop and oversee a community engagement, outreach and communications plan for the Association.
• Work with the BCCLA’s full staff team to help develop and oversee the communication and outreach of BCCLA’s public legal education program.
• In collaboration with the Communications & Outreach Manager and Executive Director, ensure that all communications (emails, press releases, blog posts, publications, social media) are consistent with the BCCLA’s mandate, strategic plan, and policy positions, and ensure adherence to Departmental processes for reviewing communications deliverables as needed.
• Support and oversee the implementation of a broad range of communications materials, as implemented by and day-to-day decision-making for which is held by the Communications & Outreach Manager:          

           - Ensure that the BCCLA’s communications calendar is maintained;

           - Support the development of public education and engagement materials, such as press releases, blogposts, op-eds, publications, and annual newsletters, as well as digital media, such as videos;

           - Support the creation of all digital and print communications materials;

           - Support the development of a full range of digital advocacy campaigns;

           - Support the development of social media and online community-building best practices;

           - Support the development and maintenance of BCCLA media relations and strategy, including building and maintaining media relations as well as organizing press conferences;

           - Support the development of web content strategy and implementation;

           - Monitor BCCLA’s website, social media and media metrics.

•  Support community outreach and events activities including the BCCLA’s annual high school conference and AGM, as implemented by and day-to-day decision-making for which is held by the Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator and overseen by the Communications and Outreach Manager.
• Support the Communications and Outreach Manager to develop the Association’s volunteer program, as implemented by and day-to-day decision-making for which is held by the Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator.
• Ensure adherence of all communications materials to Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation, BCCLA Privacy Policy, and other communications regulations.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Ensure familiarity and compliance with all BCCLA organizational on-boarding documents and office policies.
• Manage the Department budget and uphold the appropriate implementation of the BCCLA’s financial and human resources policies.
• Steward the hiring process in the Department and other staff positions as needed.
• Collaborate with the Directors of all departments to ensure the effective management and coordination of the Association’s work, including the development of relevant organizational policies and procedures.
• Provide day‑to‑day support, workload management, professional development, and coaching opportunities for staff in the Department.
• Supervise, onboard, mentor, and evaluate all other members of the Department
• Cross-train and oversight over the Association’s communication platforms and communications projects (social media, Meltwater, Nationbuilder, website revamp etc.)
• Director-level responsibilities may include work beyond regular work hours including morning, evenings or weekends from time to time. Director-level responsibilities may also include other responsibilities beyond the job description, as they arise from time to time.

Skills Required

• Minimum of three years’ experience in fundraising, in the majority of the following areas: major donor programs, legacy giving programs, grants, membership programs, online giving, direct mail programs, and fundraising events;
• Experience managing project and organizational budgets required; 
• Familiarity with non-profit organizations and understanding of litigation and/or law and policy reform-related advocacy and strategic communications;
• Minimum of three years’ experience in one or more of the following fields: communications, digital campaigning, event management, non-profit leadership;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including editing and proofreading;
• High level of familiarity and effectiveness with online platforms, technology, computer applications, and digital engagement;
• Experience with event planning, promotion, sponsorship and logistics coordination;
• Experience supervising, managing and mentoring others;
• Must be extremely well-organized, able to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines, and work independently and as part of a team;
• Ability in languages other than English considered an asset.

Compensation:

The BCCLA offers a starting wage of $69,000 per annum for this position. There is additional room for salary growth over the lifetime of the position. Our competitive benefits package includes extended health and dental plan for the employee, spouse and dependents, four weeks’ annual vacation plus December office closure, and a generous sick leave and parental leave policy. Our workplace environment includes the possibility for flexible work arrangements.

Application process: Applications are due by 11:59pm PST on September 20, 2020.

Please upload the following documents in PDF format via https://bccla.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=35:

    1. Your resume

    2. A combined PDF including:

• Cover letter. A detailed cover letter explaining your interest in the role, your understanding of our work, and your approach to leading the BCCLA’s Development and Engagement team;
• A recent sample from a professional project that showcases your ability to succeed in this position. This can include anything from direct mail appeals to grant proposals.

Please provide the contact information for three professional references in the designated field. Candidates are invited to share their LinkedIn and Twitter profiles, but are not expected or required to do so.

Interviews will be conducted by BCCLA staff through video-conference.

We acknowledge that the BCCLA’s main office is located in Vancouver on unceded Indigenous lands belonging to the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səlil̓wətaʔɬ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil‑Waututh).