Community Development Officer

Muscular Dystrophy Canada is looking for a Community Development Manager based in the Vancouver/Lower Mainland region to strengthen our relationships, fundraising and presence across British Columbia.

This is not a desk job. This is a hands-on community role for someone who enjoys being out in communities, meeting people, building relationships and creating opportunities for people to connect and contribute.

You will work alongside people living with neuromuscular disorders and their families, Fire Fighters, volunteers, healthcare professionals, clinics, businesses, service clubs, donors, sponsors, supporters and community partners throughout British Columbia.

You will listen to what matters to the neuromuscular community, identify barriers and opportunities, strengthen existing relationships and build new ones. You will also grow community fundraising, develop partnerships and sponsorships, engage volunteers and help strengthen Muscular Dystrophy Canada's presence across the province.

Through this work, you will help grow our reach, relationships and revenue while working alongside the neuromuscular community in British Columbia to break down barriers.

About Muscular Dystrophy Canada

For more than 70 years, Muscular Dystrophy Canada has worked alongside the neuromuscular community to break down barriers so Canadians affected by neuromuscular disorders can live full and meaningful lives while we continue the search for cures.

We support people affected by more than 160 neuromuscular disorders through programs and services, education and information, equipment support, advocacy, research, community engagement and opportunities to connect and contribute.

Our work is guided by our five-year strategic priorities: strengthening research infrastructure; improving access to information, education and resources; increasing accessibility to programs and services; and growing the revenue needed to advance our mission.

Learn more about Muscular Dystrophy Canada and our five-year strategic priorities at muscle.ca.

What you will do

Community Development and Engagement

• Build trusted relationships with people living with neuromuscular disorders and their families across British Columbia.
• Strengthen Muscular Dystrophy Canada's presence and visibility, with a particular focus on Vancouver and the Lower Mainland while building connections throughout the province.
• Listen to the experiences, needs and priorities of the neuromuscular community and identify opportunities to help break down barriers.
• Create opportunities for people to connect through community gatherings, education, peer activities, volunteering, advocacy and other forms of involvement.
• Build and strengthen relationships with healthcare professionals, neuromuscular clinics, community organizations and others serving the neuromuscular and disability communities.
• Connect people with Muscular Dystrophy Canada programs, services, information, research, advocacy and opportunities to become involved.

Fundraising, Revenue Growth and Partnerships

• Lead and grow community fundraising across British Columbia, including Walk and Roll, Fire Fighter fundraising initiatives, third-party and DIY fundraising.
• Build strong relationships with participants, teams, donors and community partners to increase participation and fundraising revenue.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen existing fundraising activities and develop new community fundraising opportunities.
• Identify and secure local sponsorships and develop relationships with businesses and other potential supporters.
• Build relationships with municipalities, community organizations and other partners that can help strengthen our presence and reach across British Columbia.
• Develop and maintain a pipeline of prospective sponsors, partners, donors and community supporters.

Fire Fighter and Volunteer Engagement

• Strengthen relationships with Fire Fighters and Fire Departments throughout British Columbia, building on Muscular Dystrophy Canada's longstanding partnership with Canadian Fire Fighters.
• Work with Fire Fighters to strengthen existing fundraising activities and identify opportunities for new events, participation and revenue.
• Recruit, engage and support volunteers across British Columbia.
• Identify and help develop local volunteer leaders who can strengthen Muscular Dystrophy Canada's presence in their communities.
• Create meaningful opportunities for volunteers to contribute their skills, experience, ideas and connections.
• Recognize and steward volunteers, participants, donors, Fire Fighters, sponsors and community partners and help them understand the difference their involvement makes.

Planning, Leadership and Accountability

• Develop and implement community development and fundraising plans for British Columbia that support Muscular Dystrophy Canada's strategic priorities and annual objectives.
• Set clear goals for community engagement, fundraising, partnerships, sponsorships and volunteer development.
• Monitor fundraising, participation, relationships and other results and adjust plans when needed.
• Identify emerging community needs, opportunities, barriers and risks and bring forward recommendations.
• Maintain accurate information about relationships, activities, fundraising and results so we understand what is working, where engagement is growing and where more attention is needed.
• Manage multiple relationships, events and priorities across the province while working collaboratively with colleagues across Muscular Dystrophy Canada.

What you will bring

You are an experienced relationship builder who enjoys meeting people, being part of the community and creating opportunities for people to become involved.

You understand that good community development starts with listening and building trust. You also understand that successful fundraising is built on strong relationships and connecting people with opportunities that matter to them.

• You bring experience in community development, fundraising, community engagement, programs and services, partnership development or a related area.
• You have demonstrated experience building and maintaining relationships with a wide range of people and organizations.
• You have experience with fundraising, events, sponsorships, donor engagement, business development or partnership development.
• You are comfortable identifying fundraising and partnership opportunities and developing relationships that can increase participation and revenue.
• You have experience recruiting, engaging and supporting volunteers and volunteer leaders.
• You are a strong communicator and are comfortable facilitating conversations, meetings and presentations.
• You are organized and able to manage multiple relationships, events, deadlines and priorities across a large geographic area.
• You take initiative, use good judgment and are comfortable identifying opportunities and following through.
• You are comfortable setting goals, monitoring results and being accountable for your work.
• You can work independently while also collaborating effectively with colleagues and volunteers across the organization.
• You are committed to accessibility and inclusion and understand the importance of ensuring people with lived experience have meaningful opportunities to participate, contribute and help shape our work.
• You have demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office and are comfortable working with donor management systems such as Raiser's Edge, with the ability to quickly learn new software.
• Familiarity with the communities, organizations and networks across Vancouver, the Lower Mainland and British Columbia would be an asset.

What you need to know

• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English are required. Additional language skills are an asset.
• This position is based in Vancouver or the Lower Mainland, British Columbia.
• Regular travel within the Lower Mainland and throughout British Columbia is an important part of this role. You will spend time in communities building relationships, meeting with partners, visiting clinics and supporting events and activities.
• Some evening and weekend work will be required.
• This is a full-time, one-year contract position with the opportunity to transition to permanent employment based on organizational needs and funding.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $65,000 to $75,000, based on experience.

Why join our organization?

This is an opportunity to work alongside the neuromuscular community in British Columbia to break down barriers and make a meaningful difference.

You will have the opportunity to build and strengthen Muscular Dystrophy Canada's presence across the province, develop new relationships, grow fundraising and partnerships, and create more opportunities for people to connect and contribute.

You will work directly with people living with neuromuscular disorders and their families, Fire Fighters, volunteers, healthcare professionals, clinics, businesses, municipalities, donors and community partners.

You will be part of a national organization while helping to strengthen our local presence and community connections throughout British Columbia.

Most importantly, you will help ensure that the experiences, priorities and ideas of the neuromuscular community in British Columbia continue to inform our work and how we break down barriers together.

Apply today

If you are passionate about building relationships, growing community, fundraising and making a difference with the neuromuscular community in British Columbia, we would like to hear from you.

Please send your resume and cover letter to Kendra.morton@muscle.ca.

Muscular Dystrophy Canada is committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible and welcoming environment. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences and abilities.

Accommodations are available upon request throughout the recruitment process.