Location: Abbotsford, BC
Industry: Agriculture, Not for Profit
Hours: Full-time, permanent
Starting Date: January 2022 (or at a later date by mutual agreement)

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Director of Policy to join our Abbotsford office. The Director of Policy contributes to BCAC’s impact by working collaboratively with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to advance BCAC’s strategic objective for Policy Development. This includes consulting with members, industry, government and other stakeholders; ensuring BCAC leadership is fully informed, prepared and supported in their efforts to move agriculture forward in British Columbia in accordance with the annual workplan.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Policy will as work as a member of the BCAC Senior Management Team and will oversee BCAC team members and external contractors as needed.

Success in this position means the candidate contributes to agriculture policy at the provincial level in B.C. through:

• Building consensus within industry regarding policy that benefits agriculture in B.C.
• Establishing and maintaining strong, strategic relationships with key stakeholders
• Enhancing BCAC’s policy contribution through monitoring, research, analysis and overseeing the policy development process
• Maintaining detailed records of BCAC’s policy activities and outcomes
• Engaging subject-matter experts to resource policy development
• Growing community understanding of how policy impacts agriculture
• Maintaining the farmers’ perspective in all aspects of policy outcomes

Candidate qualifications and qualities:

• You are skilled in strategic, analytical and conceptual analysis and have significant experience in policy research, analysis, and development
• You demonstrate a broad knowledge of public affairs and government structures
• You possess well-developed technical writing skills including crafting formal documents from concept to publication
• You can handle or resolve politically sensitive and complex, multi-stakeholder situations
• You have demonstrated experience working with and managing relationships with provincial and/or federal governments, regulatory authorities and similar associations
• You show clear evidence of managerial expertise, including effective management of schedules, budgets and teams
• You thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment, balancing important tasks against urgent ones and prioritizing limited resources appropriately
• You excel in driving results independently but also collaborate effectively within a team environment
• You adapt quickly to changing priorities and handle problem-solving situations with urgency
• You actively demonstrate a positive, ‘can-do’ attitude and get along well with others
• You are resilient to stress, self-manage your growth edges and pursue personal and professional growth
• You are primarily a team player with the ability to collaborate broadly, but can also provide insightful authoritative leadership on issues response and time-sensitive endeavours
• You are resilient to stress, self-manage your growth edges and pursue personal and professional growth
• You show an ability to work collaboratively with producers and agricultural organizations
• You have worked at least 5 years in a mid-management role in addition to completing post-secondary education in public policy, political science, public affairs or other relevant discipline
• You can comply with the federal government vaccine mandate for travel regionally and nationally and attend industry trade events

An attractive compensation and benefits package is available for this position.

Are you who we are looking for?

If this sounds like you, the preferred application process is to forward a resume and cover letter outlining your pertinent qualities and qualifications to Anna White.

We thank all applicants for considering BCAC for employment. Please note:

• Incomplete applications will not be processed.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.
• Short-listed candidates will undergo verification of their education credentials, as required.
• Remote work or work from home is very limited for this position

Start date: January 2022 (or at a later date by mutual agreement) Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Posting Date: December 21, 2021