Description:

Reporting to the President & Chief Executive Officer, the Strategic Partner, Values Based Banking, plays a key role to integrate and deepen the commitment to values-based banking throughout ACU through policy development, strategic planning and implementation, and leading and/or supporting values based banking initiatives to achieve social impact objectives while contributing to ACU’s growth and financial sustainability. The position provides leadership within and outside the organization, acting as strategic advisor to the President & CEO, partner to senior management, resource to the board and committee(s) and advocate in the broader community.

At ACU, values-based banking means the triple bottom line (people, planet, prosperity) is at the heart of how we do business and we actively use financial services for the benefit of people and the environment.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Values Based Banking Strategy

Act as strategic advisor to the President & CEO and partner to senior management to develop and implement strategies for achieving social impact objectives while contributing to ACU’s growth and financial sustainability.

• Develop and recommend long-term strategies and implementation plans for achieving social impact objectives and demonstrating leadership in values-based banking.
• Advise and support senior management to align operational strategies and implementation plans to the Values Based Banking Policy and social impact strategies.
• Lead and/or support approved values based banking projects and initiatives; oversee implementation and report on progress.
• Partner with senior management to incorporate values based banking initiatives into annual plans and budgets.
• Provide strategic counsel on issues/matters impacting social, environmental, ethical performance as required.
• Monitor social responsibility (triple bottom line) and sustainable finance trends, leading practices, issues, regulations that might impact the role, reputation or strategic positioning of ACU with particular focus on the financial services sector and key competitors; and provide strategic intelligence reports on emerging opportunities, challenges or potential risks.

Values Based Banking Policy and Framework

Act as a resource to a dedicated committee and to the board as a whole providing policy and framework recommendations that further embed values based banking into how the credit union is governed.  

• Periodically review and make recommendations for updating ACU’s Values Based Banking Policy for committee and board consideration.
• Develop, periodically review and make recommendations for updating ACU’s enterprise-wide framework for ensuring effective oversight of the Values Based Banking Policy for committee and board consideration.
• Recommend new and updated governing policies to advance values based banking commitments.
• Regularly recommend, develop and implement training to build the board’s collective ability to govern matters related to ACU’s mission and values based banking commitments.
• Establish and continuously refine ACU’s accountability reporting framework, including key metrics aligned to values based banking commitments; deliver required reports to the committee and the board.
• Support other board committees and dedicated management resources to align duties and associated governing policies to values based banking principles and commitments as appropriate.

Values Based Banking Management System

Act as strategic advisor to the President & CEO and partner to senior management to establish and continuously refine a management system for embedding values based banking into core functions and day-to-day decisions and to drive continuous improvement in triple bottom line performance.

• Develop, regularly review to identify gaps, and recommend priority action plans for improving ACU’s Values Based Banking Management System.
• Develop, recommend and implement new and/or enhanced management policies, procedures and practices for assigned governing policies.
• Establish and continuously refine accountability measurement and reporting systems aligned to ACU’s accountability reporting framework and deliver regular and special reports for management.
• Lead and/or support the development of values based banking content and communication tools for use by key communicators internally and externally.
• Support the integration of accountability and responsibility for values based banking commitments across ACU’s organizational structure.
• Support the alignment of new and existing corporate programs, practices and activities to values based banking commitments to demonstrate leadership and reinforce ACU’s brand internally and externally.

Leadership and Advocacy

Strategically represent ACU to extend leadership and influence in the community and financial sector.

• Strategically represent ACU externally to advance the credit union’s leadership locally, nationally and internationally.
• Develop and leverage relationships with the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV) to deepen ACU’s understanding and leadership in values-based banking.
• Monitor emerging trends and opportunities in values based banking and provide thought leadership to build the credit union’s capacity and capability as a positive agent of change.
• Support the board, President & CEO and senior management to model and promote the triple bottom line business model and values based banking within their spheres of influence.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

This position requires a bachelor’s degree plus at least ten years of job-related experience, with a minimum 5 years at a senior management or advisory level advancing triple bottom line business, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Practical, operational business experience and knowledge in the financial services sector; and direct experience in the field of social finance, social responsibility, responsible investing, accountability reporting, or environmental management are required. A graduate degree in a related discipline (e.g. business, environmental studies, sustainable development, community planning), is preferred.

KSA (Knowledge, Skill, Ability) PROFILE

• Excellent understanding of values based banking including:
  • “Blended value” or “triple bottom line” business models
  • The critical interrelationship between social impact, growth, financial sustainability
  • GABV Principles of Sustainable Finance and other sustainable guidelines and standards specific to the financial sector
  • Global Reporting Initiative and other international reporting standards
  • ISO 26000 and other voluntary social responsibility guidelines
  • Trends and best practice in accountability measurement and reporting
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Social finance, impact investing, and responsible investing
  • Social, environmental, ethical issues and trends within the financial services sector
• Knowledge of stakeholder expectations of the financial services sector:
  • Local community and business leaders organizations
  • Local, national, and international responsible finance and banking advocates
  • Relevant local, provincial and national government bodies
  • Latest trends among consumers and employees
• High level of executive maturity and managerial skills including:
  • Research and analysis
  • Policy development and implementation
  • Strategy development and implementation
  • Measurement and reporting
  • Managing through systems
  • Project planning and management
  • Communication and presentation skills
  • Leading through influence and advocacy
  • Results orientation
  • Coaching and mentoring
  • Change management
  • Negotiation and conflict resolution
  • Problem-solving and consensus building
  • Collaborative decision-maker and networker
  • Optimistic commitment

We are committed to workforce diversity and actively recruit people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives reflecting the community in which we live and work.