Manager, Eco-Action Accelerator

Taking action for the ocean today, so we can all flourish.

ROLE SUMMARY

Reporting to the Director of Youth, the Eco-Action Accelerator Manager is responsible for leading the planning, delivery, and assessment of the Eco-Action Accelerator program, including synchronous and asynchronous distance-learning, peer-mentorship, and immersive multi-day workshops components.

The manager provides training, coaching, and direct supervision to the program staff team, manages the program budget and performance, ensures milestones are achieved, and produces detailed reports.

They enhance the youths' experiences and service projects by encouraging and identifying opportunities for collaboration both internally and externally and by bringing knowledge of human centred design, theory of change and entrepreneurship to the role.

The Accelerator Manager prioritizes and actively works to ensure culturally relevant and safe program experiences for marginalized and racialized participants.

This manager also follows trends and provides the staff team with training in youth development and engagement.

While the Ocean Wise head office is in Vancouver, BC, we will consider remote candidates.

Candidates who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Plans and coordinates the successful delivery of the Eco-Action Accelerator by :

• Developing, evaluating, and coordinating the successful delivery of all program components including multi-day in-person Accelerator retreats, peer-mentorship activities, and synchronous and asynchronous distance-learning sessions and resources;
• Supervising day-to-day operations including program delivery and staff scheduling;
• Ensuring development and implementation of procedures and protocols for physical and psychological safety of participants and for quality programming;
• Recruiting and selecting youths and young professionals to participate in the program ensuring participants are representative of the cultural, geographic and socioeconomic diversity of Canada;
• Establishing and maintaining positive relationships with organizations delivering Canada Service Corps programs, community partners supporting youths’ local service projects and those who support program delivery as subject matter experts and speakers;
• Managing the program’s budget and participating in financial processes including regular review of income and expenditures, forecasting, and annual and medium range financial planning;
• Preparing and submitting regular reports on program activities, outcomes, and financial status to stakeholders, funders, and senior management.
• Contributing to the identification, development, and submission of grant proposals, including researching funding opportunities, drafting proposals, and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to secure program funding;
• Responding to challenges, participant concerns, incidents, customer service opportunities and special needs / requests, and being proactive in finding solutions to conflicts; and
• Liaising regularly with the communications and development teams to support effective communications and fundraising strategies;

Supports plans and objectives for the department by :

• Assisting senior staff with strategic planning for growth, development, and performance measurement of the program and team;
• Contributing to program quality assurance including maintenance of the program handbook, and staff competencies;
• Contributing to regular review, update and implementation of the risk management plan and ensuring alignment with industry standards;
• Responding to changes in educational technology, experiential education, youth development, social justice, and participants’ needs;
• Collaborating with evaluation partners to conduct ongoing evaluation at participant and stakeholder levels;
• Identifying and tracking key performance indicators, outcomes and outputs of the program;
• Ensuring timely escalation of issues / obstacles / trends to the Program Director with recommendations and solutions;
• Aligning accelerator program with the Ocean Wise mission and conservation strategy; and
• Acting as a member of the Youth and Education Department by actively participating in team activities, projects, and programs when possible.

Provides management, coaching and mentoring to direct reports and extended team members by :

• Creating an environment conducive to individual development, productivity, and achievement while ensuring open lines of communication;
• Ensuring staff are well organized, sufficiently trained to perform their responsibilities, and developed to their potential;
• Planning and facilitating individual touch bases, group touch bases, and skill-building sessions where appropriate to provide direction, guidance, support and motivation;
• Establishing performance objectives and goals, reviewing progress throughout the year, and completing formal performance reviews for direct reports as required;
• Actively recognizing and rewarding success and proactively managing performance.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or an acceptable combination of education, training, and experience;
• Minimum of 2 years demonstrated successful management experience and strong leadership skills;
• Experience working with youths or young professionals required; emphasis on experience working with youths from diverse socio-economic backgrounds;
• Experience developing, implementing, and evaluating accelerator / incubator or youth development programs;
• Experience managing large budgets and government contribution agreements an asset;
• Standard First Aid certification required (may receive after employment).
• Experience leading youths (ages 19 30) on overnight trips an asset.

Skills

• Demonstrated project management experience with strong time management skills;
• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in entrepreneurship, human centred design, and theory of change methodologies;
• Familiarity with establishment and management of start-ups, non-profits and / or social enterprises;
• Respectful and youth-centred participant management skills;
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products;
• Superior written and oral communication skills;
• Self-motivated, enthusiastic, and collaborative personality;
• Ability to respond to last minute changes, work in a dynamic environment, and maintain a flexible attitude;
• Ability to observe and assess participant behaviour, enforce safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behaviour and group management techniques.
• Active demonstration of the organization’s value, code of conduct, and mission.
• Bilingual (French and English) an asset.

WORKING CONDITIONS :

• Will involve some evening, weekend, overnight and multiday overnight work both in and out of town.
• Will be delivering programs and participating in meetings across time zones.
• Requires the ability to stand or sit for extended periods of time.
• Working from Ocean Wise office in Vancouver, BC and / or from home in accordance with Ocean Wise’s current COVID-19 protocols.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

This position is a full-time, benefits-eligible position. Ocean Wise offers a competitive salary based on experience and provides an excellent range of benefits, including :

• Extended health and dental coverage
• vision coverage
• RRSP matching
• group term and supplemental life insurance
• short-term disability
• long-term disability
• Position also eligible for paid vacation days, paid sick days, and paid personal days

Inclusion and Diversity : Ocean Wise is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are a company where diverse backgrounds, experiences and viewpoints are valued.

Ocean Wise does not make hiring or employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, age, ethnic or national origin.