Project

The Western Canada Green Economy Commercialization Initiative is a relatively new initiative to improve efforts already undertaken by many provincial and national organizations, municipalities, postsecondary institutions and the green industry throughout Western Canada, to strengthen the development of a green economy in Canada.

The goal of this work is to ensure economic, environmental and social sustainability of rural municipalities in Western Canada by implementing green technology that will ensure that Canada take its rightful place as a world leader in the development of the new “Green Economy”.

Your role

As Project Director for the Western Canada Green Economy Commercialization Initiative, the incumbent will have overall strategic and operational responsibility in collaboration with the four executive directors of the Francophone Economic Development Organizations (FEDO) for the project’s staff, programs, expansion, and execution of its mission. The Director provides overall leadership for strategy, organizational development, implementation, and financial oversight. S/he will spearhead the further development of the project as the lead green economy service provider in western Canada.

S/he will focus initially on these target areas:

• Increasing, strengthening and diversifying the project’s funding sources;
• Enhancing the relationship between clients, partners and all stakeholders;
• Developing an organizational infrastructure that will support anticipated growth.

Responsibilities

Leadership

• Participate with the Western Canadian FEDOs in developing a vision and strategic plan to guide the project;
• Act as a professional advisor to the Western Canadian FEDOs on all aspects of the project’s activities;
• Foster effective team work between the Western Canadian FEDOs and the Director, as well as between the Director and project staff;
• Act as a spokesperson for the project.

Operational and program planning and management

• Design the western expansion and complete the strategic business planning process for the project expansion;
• Build partnerships in new markets, establish relationships with the funders, as well as with political and community leaders in each of the four western provinces;
• Be an external local and national presence that publishes and communicates project results with an emphasis on the successes of the local programs as a model for regional and national replication;
• Develop an operational plan which incorporates goals and objectives that work towards the strategic direction of the project;
• Ensure that the operation of the project meets the expectations of its clients, FEDOs and Funders;
• Oversee the efficient and effective day-to-day operation of the project;
• Oversee the planning, implementation and evaluation of the project’s programs and services.

Human resources planning and management

In collaboration with the senior team of CDEM:

• Determine staffing requirements for organizational management and program delivery;
• Oversee the implementation of the human resources policies, procedures and practices including the development of job description for all staff;
• Establish a positive, healthy and safe work environment in accordance with all appropriate legislation and regulations;
• Recruit, interview and select staff that have the right technical, professional and personal abilities to help further the organization's mission;
• Coach and mentor staff as appropriate to improve performance;
• Discipline staff when necessary using appropriate techniques; release staff when necessary using appropriate and legally defensible procedures;

Financial planning and management

In collaboration with the senior team of CDEM:

• Work with staff and the FEDOs to prepare a comprehensive budget;
• Work with the FEDOs to secure adequate funding for the operation of the project;
• Research funding sources, oversee the development of fund raising plans and write funding proposals to increase the funds of the organization;
• Ensure that sound bookkeeping and accounting procedures are followed;
• Administer the funds of the project according to the approved budget, monitor the monthly cash flow of the organization and approve expenditures;
• Provide the FEDOs with comprehensive, regular reports on the revenues and expenditure of the project.

Communications

• Deepen and refine all aspects of communications—from web presence to external relations with the goal of creating a stronger brand;
• Communicate with stakeholders to keep them informed of the work of the organization and to identify changes in the community served by the organization;
• Use external presence and relationships to garner new opportunities;

Qualifications

The Director will be thoroughly committed to the Western Canada Green Economy Commercialization Initiative’s mission. All candidates should have proven leadership, coaching, and management experience. Concrete demonstrable experience and other qualifications include:

• Knowledge of challenges and opportunities relating to the Green Economy for rural and urban settings;
• University degree in a related field;
• Must be fully fluent (written and spoken) in both official languages;
• Track record of effectively leading a regional and/or national outcomes-based project;
• Track record for having developed and operationalized strategies that have taken a project or an organization to the next stage of growth;
• Strong fundraising experience with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders and cultural groups;
• A persuasive and passionate communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary skills;
• Action-oriented, entrepreneurial, adaptable, and innovative approach to business planning, capable of developing new and unique ways to improve operations of the organization and to create new opportunities;
• Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people;
• Able to travel 4 to 6 months out of the year;
• Passion, idealism, integrity, positive attitude, mission-driven, and self-directed.

The deadline for applications is April 13th, 2014. Interviews will be held April 15th, 2014.

For more information, please contact Louis Allain, Executive Director of the CDEM, by
calling 204-925-2320.

You can send your cover letter and CV to lallain@cdem.com