Director of Policy

Posting date : November 7, 2024

POSITION OPENING : DIRECTOR OF POLICY

DIRECTOR OF POLICY

Full-time, permanent, on-site

Do you want to be a part of shaping British Columbia’s essential agriculture sector? Then join our team!

BC Agriculture Council (BCAC) delivers a unified voice to government for British Columbia’s agriculture sector. We represent 30 unique commodity groups whose membership is in turn comprised of about 20,000 farm families, together accounting for 96% of farm gate sales in our province.

Our mission is to grow a strong, sustainable, and competitive agriculture sector through building industry consensus and advancing public policy.

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 objectives 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 around public policy that benefits B.C. agriculture

Establishing and maintaining strong, strategic relationships with key stakeholders including meeting with all levels of government staff and elected officials

Enhancing BCAC’s public policy contribution through monitoring, research, analysis and overseeing the policy development process

Maintaining detailed records of BCAC’s public policy activities and outcomes

Engaging subject-matter experts to resource public policy development

Growing community understanding of how public policy impacts agriculture

Maintaining the farmers’ perspective in all aspects of policy outcomes

Demonstrating excellence in all aspects of public relations including, but not limited to, BCAC members, farmers and ranchers, media, financial supporters and members of the public

Candidate qualities and qualifications

You know how to read the room’ and make connections that will lead to mutually beneficial and strategic outcomes for the sector

You are skilled in strategic, analytical and conceptual analysis and have significant experience in policy research, analysis, and development

You can handle or resolve politically sensitive and complex, multi-stakeholder situations exercising diplomacy and tact at all times

You demonstrate a general knowledge of public affairs and government structures

You have demonstrated experience working with and cultivating collegial relationships with provincial and / or federal governments, regulatory authorities and similar associations

You thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment, balancing important tasks against urgent ones and prioritizing limited resources appropriately

You possess well-developed technical writing skills to craft formal documents from concept to publication

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 value working collaboratively with your team

You have worked at least five years in a mid-management role in addition to completing post-secondary education in agriculture, public policy, political science or other relevant discipline

Are you who we are looking for?

This position offers a competitive starting compensation ($90K-100K) and comprehensive benefits package including attractive annual leave, cell phone stipend, extended health and dental coverage (100% employer paid), professional development opportunities, on-farm learning experiences, team-building and other training events.

BCAC is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing a safe and supportive work environment, free of discrimination and harassment.

As such, all applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic characteristics, marital or family status.

If the above candidate description sounds like you, the preferred application process is to forward a resume and cover letter outlining your pertinent qualifications via email to communications@bcac.

ca Attn : Anna Marie White, General Manager .

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 may undergo verification of their education credentials, as required.
• This is an in-office position at the BCAC office in Abbotsford, BC
• Out of province applicants are welcomed to apply but relocation assistance is limited

Start date : December 2024 (or at a later date by mutual agreement)

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.