Assistant Manager – Community-Based Research & Engagement

The Assistant Manager, Research & Community Connector Initiatives provides strategic leadership across a portfolio of community-driven and research-informed initiatives, including the Community Connector Project, the Trust Pathways Project (Canadian Heritage), and the NAARS Community of Practice (CoP) and DNS Working Group.

This role operates at the intersection of community, research, and systems change, leading initiatives that influence how services are designed, accessed, and coordinated across the region. The position is accountable for driving system-level alignment, advancing evidence-informed decision-making, and convening multi-sector partners including executive-level stakeholders toward shared outcomes.

The Assistant Manager holds full accountability for portfolio performance, strategic direction, budget oversight, and the management of external research partners and contractors, ensuring initiatives are delivered with impact, rigor, and alignment to funder and organizational priorities.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Portfolio Leadership & Systems Influence

•Provide strategic direction and oversight across a portfolio of integrated initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, funding agreements, and system-level objectives

•Drive the integration of community-based outreach, participatory research, and systems coordination into a cohesive and scalable model

•Identify and advance opportunities to influence policy, service design, and system responsiveness through evidence and community insight

•Steward portfolio performance with full accountability for outcomes, risks, financial oversight, and strategic alignment

•Lead proactive identification and mitigation of risks impacting delivery, partnerships, and system engagement

Leadership & Systems Coordination

•Convene and lead multi-stakeholder community tables, including the NAARS Community of Practice (CoP), engaging senior leaders, funders, and sector partners

•Provide strategic leadership to the DNS Working Group, guiding structured, evidence-informed discussions that inform regional service delivery models and system design

•Shape agendas, facilitate high-level dialogue, and drive decision-making processes that influence regional coordination and integration

•Position the organization as a systems leader and convener, strengthening cross-sector alignment and accountability

Research, Partnerships & Contractor Stewardship

•Provide strategic oversight of research partnerships, ensuring alignment between research design, community priorities, and system-level application

•Direct and manage independent contractors, consultants, and research partners, holding accountability for deliverables, quality, and impact

•Translate research findings into actionable strategies, tools, and system improvements that inform practice and policy

•Ensure all research and engagement approaches are ethical, community-informed, and grounded in participatory methodologies

•Lead the evolution and implementation of the Community Connector model as a key strategy for trust-based, community-rooted engagement

•Drive approaches that strengthen service navigation, access, and community connection, particularly for equity-deserving populations

•Advance models that center lived experience, peer leadership, and community capacity-building as core system inputs

Strategic Partnerships & Sector Representation

•Build and steward high-impact partnerships across community organizations, health systems, research institutions, and government stakeholders

•Represent the organization at regional and cross-sector leadership tables, contributing to broader systems change efforts

•Strengthen alignment across partners to ensure coordinated, non-duplicative, and responsive service delivery systems

Leadership & Accountability

•Provide leadership and direction to staff and project teams, fostering a high-performance, outcomes-driven environment

•Establish clear accountability frameworks for deliverables, timelines, and performance across multiple initiatives

•Mentor and develop staff, strengthen internal capacity in research, community engagement, and systems leadership

Qualified candidates will possess the following:

•Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, Public Health, Community Development, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience

•Minimum 3–5 years of progressive experience in community-based programs, outreach, research, or systems-level initiatives

•Minimum 2 years of leadership experience, including oversight of staff, projects, or multi-partner initiatives

•Demonstrated experience managing complex, funded projects, including budget oversight and reporting

•Experience managing or coordinating external contractors, consultants, or research partners

•Experience working with newcomer, immigrant, refugee, and equity-deserving communities

•Strong understanding of community engagement, participatory research, and co-design methodologies

•Ability to lead complex initiatives and deliver results aligned with funding and organizational priorities

•Experience with program evaluation, reporting, and performance measurement

•Experience facilitating or leading multi-stakeholder tables or working groups is a strong asset

•Strong oversight of timelines, deliverables, and accountability frameworks

•Ability to manage multiple programs, priorities, and sites simultaneously

•Communication & Facilitation, Excellent ability to engage and influence diverse audiences

•Have excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Fluency in other languages would be an asset.

•Ability to work flexible hours and travel as required.

•Effective communication and public speaking skills.

•Strong computer literacy skills, such as using Funder Client Management Systems, ZOOM, MS 365, MS Teams, and MS Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

•Valid BC Driver's License and access to personal vehicles an asset.

•Flexibility to work occasional evenings or weekends

Application Requirements:

To apply, please upload your resume and cover letter as separate attachments. Please note that only Word or PDF formats can be accepted. As part of the application process, you will be prompted to complete a short questionnaire. Please ensure all questions are answered.

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Additional Information:

This position is based in our Surrey office and offers a blend of in-office and remote work. DIVERSEcity has implemented new safety procedures for in-office and in-person work, to view our safety plan, please visit ' s staff, clients, and community. This position is not available for sponsorship, only candidates legally entitled to work in Canada can be considered.

A comprehensive job description will be provided to all candidates shortlisted for interviews.

DIVERSEcity is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from people of all gender identities and expressions, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples and visible minorities. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application and hiring process may contact our HR department at Any personal information provided will be maintained in confidence.

About DIVERSEcity:

DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society is a registered charity devoted to helping newcomers. For 40 years we have focused on providing specialized services newcomers to find employment, learn English, find housing, deal with family challenges, work through mental health issues and access medical care. DIVERSEcity is a client-centred organization committed to quality and accountability. We value growth, respect, integrity and compassion. To learn more about DIVERSEcity visit us at

We thank all applicants for their interest in this opportunity; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

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