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About Us

Since 1969, the Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC) has been part of Vancouver’s story of environmental action. What began as a small group of citizens determined to protect the places they loved has grown into something broader, offering solutions in the areas of sustainable food systems, zero waste, and climate. Through decades of change, our purpose remains the same: to empower communities to act collectively on the environmental challenges of their time. We do this by equipping people with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to live sustainably, and to foster inclusive and intergenerational community participation. Learn more at www.spec.bc.ca. 

Description
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director provides strategic leadership to all aspects of the organization. The Executive Director leads a small staff team and works closely with municipal, community, and funding partners to advance SPEC’s mission. Key duties include: strategic planning & implementation, financial management, fundraising, HR, operational oversight, and program delivery.  See SPEC’s current strategic plan. 

Responsibilities

Leadership, Mission, and Strategy 

• Work with the Board of Directors and staff to ensure that the organization’s mission is fulfilled through its financial management, programs, strategic plans, key partnerships, and community outreach.

• With the Board of Directors, lead the development and implementation of SPEC’s strategic plan. 

• Lead a team of staff and volunteers to implement SPEC’s programs. 

• Lead the development of partnerships and community collaborations .

• Lead the annual  reporting process, ensuring timely and accurate reporting to the Board, funders, members, and the public.
  
  

Financial Management

• With SPEC’s Treasurer, maintain SPEC’s fiscal integrity through sound financial management and reporting, flagging risks or variances as they arise.  

• Develop and maintain SPEC’s annual operating budget, in collaboration with the Treasurer and Board.

• Work with SPEC’s accountant to process and prepare monthly payroll, accounts payable, and month-end reconciliation in a timely manner.

• Monitor and manage all accounts to ensure correct allocation to restricted/unrestricted funds.

• With SPEC’s accountant and treasurer, ensure timely and accurate year-end reporting. 

• Communicate regularly with program staff about their budgets and financial needs.
  
  

Fundraising

• With the Board of Directors, ensure the financial health of the organization by setting and reaching fund development targets. 

• With the Fundraising Committee, lead and implement fundraising strategies and campaigns along with identifying funding opportunities. 

• With the Fundraising Committee, research, write, administer, and report on grant applications. 

• With the Communications & Fundraising Coordinator, develop and maintain relationships with donors, funders, and community partners. 

• Act as a spokesperson and public face for SPEC, representing SPEC at public events, community meetings, and with the media.
  
  

People & Culture

• Continue developing SPEC as an equitable and inclusive space for volunteers, staff, and members of the community.

• Foster a healthy, safe, and collaborative workplace culture.

• Lead all human resources functions including recruitment, hiring, onboarding, retention,  and termination of staff, ensuring compliance with employment standards legislation and SPEC’s HR policies and procedures. 

• Oversee performance management and professional development for all staff, including regular check-ins and annual reviews. 

• Prepare and complete contracts and agreements made with SPEC staff and external partners.

Operational Oversight & Program Delivery 

• Oversee the development and implementation of SPEC’s annual operating plan, including staff workplans and program metrics. 

• Apply project management practices to plan and implement strategic initiatives and program work within budget, ensuring impact and accountability to funders and interest holders.

• Identify, assess, and mitigate organizational risks (financial, legal, reputational, and operational.) 

• Ensure SPEC’s compliance with relevant legal, regulatory, and insurance requirements (e.g. WorkSafeBC, privacy legislation). 

• Manage insurance renewals and CRA, BC Societies, and WorkSafeBC filings. 

• Maintain procedures and SPEC-branded templates for all functions and day-to-day operations.

• Manage and administer all IT systems including Google Workspace, Slack, and CRM software. 

• Maintain SPEC’s digital file management system.

NGO Governance

• Communicate effectively with the Board and provide timely and accurate information necessary for the Board to function effectively as a registered Society and to make informed decisions.

• Work closely with the Board in policy decisions, fundraising initiatives, and to increase the overall visibility of the organization.

• Participate in and support monthly Board meetings (preparation, delivery, follow up).

• Other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• 3-5 years of relevant experience in nonprofit management, fund development, and other nonprofit leadership roles preferred

• Post-secondary education in a relevant field

• Knowledge/training in environmental issues, resource management, or other relevant areas

• Knowledge of fundraising strategies and donor relations unique to the nonprofit sector

• Experience working effectively with a Board of Directors and volunteers

• Demonstrated budget management skills including budget preparation, analysis, decision-making and reporting

• Strong organizational and administrative abilities including planning, delegating, facilitating team meetings, and program development

• Ability to convey SPEC’s vision to staff, volunteers, and donors

• Ability to think creatively and strategically

• Experience and skills to recruit and manage staff and volunteers

• Strong written and oral communication skills

• Strong public speaking ability

• Proficient with Google Suite and Quickbooks and familiar with work productivity platforms such as Slack, Asana, others

• Transparency and integrity

• Collaborative, solutions-oriented approach to problem-solving

• Self-starting and values-driven

 We understand that the ideal candidate may not meet every requirement listed. If you are enthusiastic about this role and bring relevant skills, lived experience, or transferable strengths, we encourage you to apply.

How to Apply
Submit an application via this link. This position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.

A cover letter is not required for this role. Instead, we ask applicants to complete a short screening questionnaire focused on relevant skills, experience, and approach to the work. We would rather receive short, unpolished answers from you than formal AI-written responses.  Point-form responses are welcome. If you require accommodations or would prefer to respond in a different format, please let us know. Accommodations are available upon request at all stages of the recruitment and onboarding process. If you experience any accessibility barriers with our application form or require accommodations, please email us at admin@spec.bc.ca and we’ll be happy to assist.

Inclusive Hiring 
We believe diverse perspectives strengthen our work and our communities. We encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, racialized communities, people with disabilities, people of all genders and sexual orientations, and individuals with diverse lived experiences. 

SPEC conducts our work on the unceded lands of Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Squamish, Musqueam, and Tsleil-Waututh, who have stewarded these lands and waters since time out of mind. We continually work to recognize the ways in which we individually and as an organization uphold or oppose colonial systems of oppression and how we can do better. With respect, we understand that Indigenous rights and environmental stewardship are inextricably linked.