Director of Policy

Posting date: November 13, 2026

POSITION OPENING:

DIRECTOR OF POLICY

Full-time, permanent

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 team. As one of the organization’s senior team members, the Director of Policy contributes to BCAC’s impact by working collaboratively with the Executive Director to advance the organization’s strategic goals and objectives. This includes engaging and consulting with members, industry, government and other strategic partners, ensuring BCAC leadership is fully informed, prepared and supported in their efforts to move agriculture forward in B.C. in accordance with the annual workplan.

Success in this position means making a meaningful contribution to shaping provincial agricultural policy in B.C. by:

• Developing and sustaining strategic relationships with government, industry, academia and other key stakeholders to strengthen BCAC’s influence and effectiveness
• Facilitating highly effective collaboration and communication among BCAC membership on policy priorities that advance the interests of the B.C. agriculture sector
• Strengthening BCAC’s policy leadership and impact through proactive monitoring, research, analysis and effective oversight of the policy development process
• Ensuring accountability and continuity through comprehensive documentation and tracking of BCAC’s policy activities, commitments and outcomes
• Leveraging subject-matter expertise to inform credible, evidence-based policy positions and recommendations
• Increasing public and stakeholder understanding of the role agriculture plays in B.C. and the implications of policy decisions for the sector
• Ensuring member perspectives remain central to policy development, recommendations and outcomes

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

■ Builds relationships within key government ministries responsible for policy that impacts B.C. farmers and ranchers as well as other key stakeholders, including industry associations and academia

■ Consults with industry regarding member priorities, emerging issues, policy gaps and recommendations

■ Represents BCAC and presents to industry when required including reporting on activities

■ Provides robust issues analysis through monitoring, researching and evaluating opportunities and risks vis-à-vis organizational objectives, the evolving policy and legislative environment and member consultations

■ Recommends insightful, strategic and achievable options for shaping policy to ensure the sustainability and prosperity of B.C.’s agriculture sector

■ Ensures BCAC’s credibility as the lead industry voice for agriculture by engaging with subject matter experts

■ Conducts analysis, research and develops professional and objective strategic policy advice, discussion papers, reports, policy submissions, correspondence and briefing notes

■ Provide administrative support for and manage work processes for BCAC Board’s Policy Development Committee

■ Tracks, records and coordinates BCAC’s participation in external policy-related activities, e.g. government submissions

■ Collaborates with BCAC Communications Team to promote policy work and support effective communications to BCAC’s key stakeholders

■ Represents BCAC in regional, provincial and national policy discussions as needed

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Competency-specific

• Carrying out strategic and conceptual analysis
• Shows a broad knowledge of public affairs and government structures
• Evidences managerial expertise, including effective management of schedules, budgets and teams
• Can handle or resolve politically sensitive and complex, multi-stakeholder situations

Communication

• Demonstrated experience in cultivating collegial relationships with provincial and/or federal governments, regulatory authorities and similar associations
• Effectively reads the room then acts with tact, diplomacy and charisma in connecting with others
• Compellingly presents policy analysis including interpretation and assessment of implementation to a wide range of audiences
• Shows strong technical research and writing skills including professionally crafting formal documents from concept to publication
• Evidences superior active listening skills, ensures people both feel and are meaningfully heard

Work habits

• Excels in driving results independently but also collaborates effectively within a team environment
• Known for exceptionally strong organization skills with a demonstrated ability to deliver results in a fast-paced dynamic environment
• Adapts quickly to changing priorities, handles problem-solving situations with correspondent urgency
• Demonstrates ability to self-motivate and act with the highest levels of objectivity, not taking work circumstances personally
• Evidences high levels of emotional intelligence, including self- and social awareness
• Desires to continue to learn about the industry and related programs; strives for continuous improvement
• Shows an ability to work collaboratively with producers and agricultural organizations
• Actively demonstrates a positive, ‘can-do’ attitude; gets along well with others

Are you who we are looking for?

In addition to embodying theKnowledge, Skills and Abilities above, the ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s or advanced degree in agriculture, political science, public policy, public relations or other relevant field. This role requires 5-10 years experience working in a comparable role demanding proven leadership ability to drive results. An equivalent combination of experience and education would be considered. Experience working directly in agriculture or with producers is preferred.

This position offers a competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package including salary ($100,000+), annual leave, cell phone stipend, 100% employer paid extended health and dental coverage, professional development opportunities, on-farm learning experiences, team-building and other training events and more.

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 [email protected], attn Anna Marie White.

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.

We thank all applicants for considering BCAC for your next career experience. 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 credentials.
• This is a hybrid position located in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia that includes regular commuting to the BCAC office.

Start date: January 2027

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. If you are reading this posting and are interested, please apply.