Engagement Manager

Who we are

The BC Aboriginal Child Care Society (BCACCS) is a Centre of Excellence for Indigenous early learning and child care. BCACCS undertakes research, develops training and resources, and provides services and leadership to support Indigenous communities throughout BC to create high quality, culturally respectful, spiritually enriching community child care services that are based in the child’s culture, language, and history.

The work this role carries

BCACCS is seeking a values-aligned Engagement Steward (Manager) to provide strategic leadership, oversight, and guidance for engagement and consultation across the organization.

Reporting to the Keeper of Community Programs and Support (Director of Programs), this role supports, coaches, and guides Program Stewards (Managers) and other stewards across BCACCS in how, when, why, and with whom to engage - ensuring that engagement is purposeful, ethical, culturally grounded, and aligned with organizational priorities and obligations.

The Engagement Steward holds responsibility for the organization-wide engagement strategy, oversight of consultation practices, and organizational learning from engagement efforts. This role maintains a birds-eye view of all engagement activity across BCACCS - tracking patterns, identifying gaps and opportunities, and ensuring engagement efforts support strong programs, meaningful relationships, and growth in services and clients across British Columbia.

This role serves as an internal bridge across programs, leadership, communications, and knowledge-sharing functions, while remaining externally aware of the political, policy, and community landscape in which BCACCS operates. The Engagement Steward ensures BCACCS meets its responsibilities related to consultation, relational accountability, and respectful engagement with First Nations, families, partners, communities, and all levels of government.

The Role And How You Will Contribute

Strategic Oversight of Engagement & Consultation

• Provide strategic oversight of BCACCS’ engagement and consultation approach across all programs.
• Develop, maintain, and steward an organization-wide engagement strategy and annual engagement plan, aligned with BCACCS’ mandate, growth goals, and community priorities.
• Set engagement targets, monitor progress, and analyze trends to assess organizational engagement effectiveness.
• Ensure BCACCS meets its obligations to consult and engage, with awareness of the political and policy environment impacting Indigenous communities and services.
  
  

Guidance & Internal Advising

• Provide guidance and support to Keepers (Directors) and Program Stewards (Managers) by providing:
• Strategic advice on engagement approaches, priorities, and opportunities.
• Insights around key moments requiring consultation, relationship-building, or strategic outreach.
• Assistance in preparing goals, talking points, and messaging for a variety of engagements.
• Guidance on next-step engagement with communities and partners.
  
  

Engagement Intelligence, Tracking & Analysis

• Maintain awareness of all engagement activity across BCACCS, including:
• Community visits and training sessions,
• Conferences, sector events, and relevant gatherings,
• High-profile and relationship-critical engagements.
• Track engagement outcomes by reviewing existing program reports, documentation, feedback and communication.
• Analyze engagement data to identify:
• Organization-wide trends,
• Relationship strengths and gaps,
• Geographic or sector-based opportunities for growth.
• Produce strategic summaries and reports that inform leadership decision-making and program planning.
• Apply and uphold OCAP® principles and ethical engagement standards across the organization.
  
  

Organizational Learning, Knowledge Sharing & Collaboration

• Ensure organizational learning and knowledge sharing flows in all directions, recognizing that:
• The Engagement Steward (Manager) brings insights, themes, and learnings from strategic oversight and analysis of organization-wide and sector-wide engagement activities.
• Program Stewards (Managers) and Keepers (Directors) will contribute deep organizational, cultural, operational, and strategic knowledge, from their daily work with community partners.
• Strong engagement practice depends on continuous learning and shared sense-making across several roles.
• Actively seek knowledge and input from Program Stewards (Managers), Keepers (Directors), and subject matter experts by:
• Drawing on their expertise, experience, and institutional knowledge.
• Incorporating their insights into engagement planning, analysis, and strategic visioning.
• Strengthening the relevance, depth, and effectiveness of engagement approaches.
• Collaborate with all teams, particularly the Shared Knowledge team by:
• Ensuring engagement learnings inform organizational decision-making, including:
• Program design, refinement, and continuous improvement,
• Communications strategies and message development,
• Future outreach, consultation, and relationship-building priorities.
• Documenting engagement activities, learnings, and emerging themes from community interactions, consultations, gatherings, and relationship-based work.
• Supporting evaluation processes by providing qualitative community-based insights.
• Ensuring that engagement learnings are accessible to communities in accordance with OCAP principles.
• Contribute summaries and reflections to program and organizational reporting.
• Support accountability and responsiveness by:
• Monitoring follow-up on action items emerging from engagement and consultation.
• Supporting clear communication back to communities and partners where appropriate.
• Helping ensure commitments made through engagement are tracked and honoured.
  
  

External Awareness & Strategic Positioning

• Maintain strong awareness of:
• Political and policy developments,
• New or emerging relevant government bodies,
• Funding opportunities and sector shifts,
• Communities and Nations that BCACCS does not yet serve.
• Research and identify strategic engagement opportunities related to funding, policy changes, and new partnerships.
• Collaborate with Program Stewards (Managers) and Keepers (Directors) to explore expansion of services to additional First Nations across BC, including researching existing relationships,
  
  

identifying gaps in service, understanding what these Nations may need, and assessing how BCACCS and Program Stewards (Managers) can strengthen or build new connections.

• Advise leadership on whether BCACCS should participate in, attend, or be represented at events and forums.
  
  

Communications Alignment & Message Translation

• Work closely with the Communications Steward (Manager) to ensure outreach materials and messaging are aligned with consultation and engagement goals.
• Monitor and provide feedback on how messages are received within communities.
• Support the development of engagement tools such as fact sheets, community updates, and presentation materials.
  
  

Cultural Integrity & Community Knowledge

• Collaborate to ensure engagement practices honour Indigenous values, protocols, and ways of knowing.
• Support the respectful integration of Indigenous knowledge across programs.
• Model trauma-informed, culturally safe approaches grounded in listening, humility, and care.
  
  

Logistical Support

• Work collaboratively with Program Stewards (Managers), Keepers (Directors), and others to support the planning and coordination of engagement‑related events and gatherings.
• Contribute to logistical planning for meetings, community gatherings, training sessions, conferences, and sector events.
• Support logistics that may include booking venues, coordinating catering and audio‑visual needs, supporting speaker coordination, assisting with travel or accommodation arrangements, etc.
• Participate in a shared, team‑based approach to event coordination, recognizing this work as relational and collaborative.
• Support events held in the Lower Mainland and in communities across British Columbia, with attention to regional context and protocols.
  
  

What you bring: Experience, Knowledge, and Ways of Being

• One of more of the following:
• Five to nine years of relevant experience in community engagement, outreach, relationship coordination, or program support roles, ideally within Indigenous, Indigenous-led, or values-driven organizations, with demonstrated ability to build trust and support meaningful two-way engagement.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Indigenous studies, social work, community development, communications, education, or a related discipline.
• A meaningful combination of education, professional experience, and lived experience, including strong community connection and cultural grounding; it would be a particular gift to bring lived experience as an Indigenous person, especially from one of the Nations BCACCS works alongside, with knowledge of local protocols, relationships, and ways of engaging respectfully.
• Many years of strategic planning experience, with the ability to develop, steward, and evolve long-term engagement strategies aligned with organizational goals and community priorities.
• Visionary thinking; seeing the big picture while understanding how relationships, timing, and context shape successful engagement.
• Proactive approach to emerging opportunities, risks, and shifts in political, policy, and community landscapes.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills, grounded in trust, respect, reciprocity, and accountability.
• Outstanding communication skills, able to translate complex ideas, policies, and insights into clear, respectful, and meaningful language - both verbally and in writing.
• Experience facilitating conversations, meetings, and group gatherings with care, confidence, and cultural humility.
• Strong organizational, coordination, and scheduling skills.
• Adaptable and responsive approach to evolving organizational, political, and community needs.
• Culturally safe and trauma-informed manner, approaching confidential information with discretion and integrity.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and collaboration tools, including Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive.
• Valid BC Class 5 driver’s license along with a reliable vehicle and willingness to travel as needed.
  
  

Additional Gifts And Strengths You May Bring

• Lived experience as an Indigenous person, community connection, and/or strong cultural grounding, particularly from one of the communities BCACCS works alongside
• Experience working with First Nations, Indigenous organizations, or Indigenous-led initiatives.
• Experience working within not-for-profit, community-based, or values-driven organizations.
• Grounding in Indigenous values of respect, reciprocity, and relational responsibility.
• Warm, approachable presence and skill in building trust.
• Strong listening skills that honour community knowledge and perspectives.
• Ability to translate complex information into accessible, meaningful messaging.
• Collaborative, flexible, and community-centred approach.
• Commitment to trauma-informed and culturally safe practices.
  
  

How The Role Is Practiced Day-to-day

• This role is ideally based in the Lower Mainland and operates in a hybrid arrangement, with a preference for regular in-person presence at the West Vancouver office (approximately 1 day per week) and the remainder of time worked remotely, as operational needs allow.
• BCACCS recognizes that exceptional candidates may be based elsewhere in British Columbia. Candidates who live in another region of the province and have strong local relationships, knowledge, and community connections are encouraged to apply. To support regular travel throughout British Columbia and to the West Vancouver office, candidates should reside within reasonable proximity to a regional airport and be willing and able to travel as required for meetings, gatherings, and community engagement activities.
• The successful candidate:
• Will be available Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with occasional extended hours;
• Carry out the role in alignment with BCACCS’ Code of Conduct; and
• Is willing to complete a criminal record check to support a safe and trusted workplace.
  
  

What We Offer

• An opportunity to work alongside like-minded colleagues who are committed to making a meaningful difference and uplifting the lives of Indigenous people, particularly children and families.
• A kind, caring, and values-driven culture grounded in respect, collaboration, and shared purpose.
• Salary range: $83,274.38 to $99,929.26 per annum commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• Extended health benefits and a matched pension plan, available after a three-month introductory period.
• Observation of fourteen (14) statutory and other holidays.
• Paid sick days and personal days to support wellness and balance.
• Professional development opportunities to support growth and learning.
  
  

How To Share Your Interest

Those who feel drawn to this role and its purpose are invited to submit a resume and a cover letter describing how their experience and values align with our work.

We thank all who apply. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

In accordance with section 41 of the BC Human Rights Code and Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, preference will be given to qualified candidates with Aboriginal ancestry