Engagement Steward

Engagement Steward (Manager)
Who We Are

The BC Aboriginal Child Care Society (BCACCS) is a Centre of Excellence for Indigenous early learning and child care. We undertake research, develop training and resources, and provide services and leadership that support Indigenous communities throughout BC in creating high-quality, culturally respectful and spiritually enriching child care grounded in children’s culture, language and history.

The Work This Role Carries

BCACCS is seeking a values-aligned Engagement Steward (Manager) to provide strategic leadership, oversight and guidance for engagement and consultation across the organization.

Reporting to the Keeper of Community Programs and Support (Director of Programs), the Engagement Steward supports Program Stewards (Managers), Keepers (Directors) and others across BCACCS in determining how, when, why and with whom to engage.

This role holds a bird’s-eye view of engagement across BCACCS, helping ensure our approach is purposeful, ethical, culturally grounded and aligned with community priorities and organizational responsibilities.

The Engagement Steward will strengthen relationships, identify opportunities and gaps, support meaningful consultation, and help BCACCS learn from engagement with First Nations, families, communities, partners and governments throughout British Columbia.

How You Will Contribute

Strategic Engagement & Consultation

• Lead and steward BCACCS’ organization-wide engagement strategy and annual engagement plan.
• Provide strategic oversight of engagement and consultation across programs.
• Establish engagement priorities and monitor outcomes, trends, gaps and opportunities.
• Help ensure engagement practices reflect BCACCS’ responsibilities, community priorities and the broader political and policy environment.

Guidance & Internal Advising

• Advise Keepers and Program Stewards on engagement approaches, priorities and opportunities.
• Identify key moments for consultation, relationship-building and strategic outreach.
• Help teams prepare engagement goals, talking points and messaging.
• Provide guidance on appropriate follow-up with communities and partners.

Engagement Intelligence & Organizational Learning

• Maintain awareness of engagement happening across BCACCS, including community visits, training, conferences, gatherings and relationship-critical activities.
• Review program information, feedback and engagement outcomes to identify organization-wide themes, relationship strengths, gaps and opportunities.
• Prepare strategic summaries and insights to inform leadership decision-making and program planning.
• Apply and uphold OCAP® principles and ethical engagement practices.
• Support knowledge sharing across teams so that community insights help inform programs, communications, outreach and future engagement.
• Help track commitments and follow-up arising from engagement and consultation.

External Awareness & Strategic Positioning

• Stay informed about political and policy developments, funding opportunities, sector changes and emerging government bodies.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen relationships and expand services to First Nations and communities BCACCS does not yet serve.
• Work with Program Stewards and Keepers to understand community needs, existing relationships and opportunities to build meaningful new connections.
• Advise leadership on strategic participation in conferences, gatherings, events and forums.

Communications & Collaboration

• Work closely with the Communications Steward and other teams to align outreach and messaging with engagement goals.
• Help translate complex information into accessible, culturally respectful communications.
• Support engagement tools such as community updates, fact sheets and presentations.
• Document engagement themes and community insights that can support evaluation, learning and organizational reporting.

Cultural Integrity & Community Relationships

• Help ensure engagement honours Indigenous values, protocols and ways of knowing.
• Support the respectful integration of Indigenous knowledge throughout BCACCS’ work.
• Model culturally safe and trauma-informed practices grounded in listening, humility, reciprocity and care.

Gatherings & Events

• Work collaboratively with colleagues to support engagement-related meetings, community gatherings, training sessions, conferences and sector events.
• Contribute to planning and coordination, which may include venues, catering, audio-visual needs, speakers, travel and accommodations.
• Support gatherings throughout BC with attention to local and regional protocols.
  

What You Bring

We recognize that people bring knowledge and experience in different ways. You may bring:

• Five to nine years of relevant experience in community engagement, outreach, relationship-building, consultation or program support, ideally within Indigenous, Indigenous-led or values-driven organizations; and/or
• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Indigenous Studies, social work, community development, communications, education or a related discipline; and/or
• A meaningful combination of education, professional experience and lived experience, including strong community connection and cultural grounding.

You will also bring:

• Strong strategic planning skills and the ability to see the big picture while understanding how relationships, timing and context shape engagement.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills grounded in trust, respect, reciprocity and accountability.
• Strong awareness of political, policy and community environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience facilitating conversations, meetings and gatherings with confidence, care and cultural humility.
• Strong organizational, coordination and planning skills.
• A collaborative, adaptable and community-centred approach.
• A culturally safe and trauma-informed way of working.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and collaboration tools.
• A valid BC Class 5 driver’s licence, reliable vehicle and willingness to travel as required.
  

Additional Gifts and Strengths

We especially welcome candidates who bring:

• Lived experience as an Indigenous person, community connection and/or strong cultural grounding, particularly from a community BCACCS works alongside.
• Experience working with First Nations, Indigenous organizations or Indigenous-led initiatives.
• Knowledge of local protocols, relationships and respectful ways of engaging.
• Experience in not-for-profit, community-based or values-driven environments.
• A warm, approachable presence and ability to build trust.
• Strong listening skills that honour community knowledge and perspectives.
• A commitment to Indigenous values of respect, reciprocity and relational responsibility.
  

How the Role Is Practiced Day-to-Day

This role is ideally based in the Lower Mainland and operates in a hybrid environment, with a preference for approximately one day per week in the West Vancouver office, with the remainder worked remotely as operational needs allow.

We also recognize that an exceptional candidate may live elsewhere in British Columbia. Candidates based in other regions who bring strong local relationships, community connections and knowledge are encouraged to apply. As regular travel throughout BC and to the West Vancouver office is required, candidates should live within reasonable proximity to a regional airport.

The successful candidate will generally be available Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with occasional extended hours, and will be willing to complete a criminal record check.

What We Offer

• Meaningful work alongside colleagues committed to uplifting Indigenous children, families and communities.
• A kind, caring and values-driven culture grounded in respect, collaboration and shared purpose.
• Salary: $83,274.38 to $99,929.26 per year, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• Extended health benefits and a matched pension plan following a three-month introductory period.
• Fourteen statutory and other holidays.
• Paid sick and personal days.
• Professional development opportunities.
  

How to Share Your Interest

If this role and its purpose speak to you, we invite you to submit a resume and cover letter describing how your experience, relationships, knowledge and values align with the work of BCACCS.

We thank everyone who applies. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.