POSITION TITLE: Manager, Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships
DEPARTMENT: Programs Operation
COMPANY: Skills for Change
LOCATION: 791 St. Clair Ave West, Toronto ON
REPORTS TO: VP, Corporate Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent (Non-unionized)
HOURS: 35 hours per week (Monday – Friday, occasional evenings and/or weekend hours)
COMPANY:
Located on the traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples, Skills for Change (SfC) is working towards advancing the Sustainable Development Goals for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. Named Charity Village's Best Non-Profit Employer - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and winner of the 2021 Canada Volunteer Awards for Innovation, our organization is committed to reducing poverty, improve mental health, eliminating gender-based violence, building community, eradicating systemic racism, and settling and creating sustainable communities for all immigrants, refugees, and underserved communities. Start your career with SfC and join our 40-year history of creating innovative programming to build welcoming and equitable communities.
GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITY:
With 40 years of operations, Skills for Change is a highly respected non-profit charity with a province-wide reputation for pioneering programs that respond to shifting immigration and workplace trends and lead to employment. We offer a range of accelerated programs for newcomers to Canada, immigrants, refugees, women, youth, seniors, LGBTQ+ and Black Canadians. We have multiple locations across the GTA and serve 20,000 clients annually. We believe we are in the best position to provide thought leadership through evidence-based programming, impact stories, and proactive policy advocacy using knowledge mobilization products.
Skills for Change is a non-profit organization delivering services nationally. We are seeking a Manager, Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives to lead our efforts in forging and managing partnerships that support our national growth, organizational outcomes and maximize programmatic impact, with a particular focus on skilled trades and women's programs.
NATURE AND SCOPE:
The Manager, Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives, will be responsible for developing, implementing, evaluating, and managing corporate and community partnerships as part of the organization's strategic plan objectives and goals. This role will focus on creating and maintaining strategic alliances to enhance the delivery of Skills for Change's national presence in programs and services.
Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership and Vision: Provide leadership and vision in developing and executing strategic initiatives that align with the organization's mission and long-term goals.
Organizational Strategy: Work closely with the VP of Corporate Communications & Stakeholder Engagement to shape the overall strategic partnerships direction of the organization, ensuring that partnership and initiative strategies are integrated into the broader organizational strategy.
High-Level Partnership Development: Cultivate and manage high-level strategic partnerships with senior executives of leading corporations, major community organizations, SMEs and key stakeholders.
Management: Oversee and lead the partnerships team to develop and maintain relationships with corporate and community partners, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and maximizing employment opportunities for clients. Provide coaching and development to team members to enhance their performance and professional growth.
Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy: Act as a representative of Skills for Change, advocating for the organization's mission and strategic priorities at high-profile meetings, conferences, and events. Build and maintain influential relationships with key stakeholders to support policy advocacy and thought leadership efforts.
Resource Mobilization: Identify and secure funding opportunities to support strategic initiatives. Develop and manage relationships with corporate donors, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and sustainability of key projects.
Performance Management: Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for strategic initiatives and partnerships. Provide regular reports to the VP of Corporate Communications and Stakeholder Engagement on progress, challenges, and opportunities.
Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., business administration, social sciences, international relations), or equivalent combination of education and experience. A master's degree is preferred.
Minimum of 7 years of experience in strategic partnership development, project management, or related roles, with at least 3 years in a senior leadership position.
Proven track record of successfully establishing and managing high-level partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including senior executives of major corporations, and community organizations.
Strong understanding of the social services sector, particularly in the context of immigrant and refugee integration.
Excellent project management skills, with the ability to oversee multiple high-impact initiatives simultaneously, set strategic priorities, and ensure delivery of results.
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships, negotiate effectively, and influence stakeholders at senior levels.
Demonstrated ability to think strategically, identify opportunities, and develop innovative solutions.
Passion for the mission and values of Skills for Change.
This role is ideal for a proactive and strategic thinker with a passion for making a meaningful impact in the lives of newcomers and the community. If you are committed to driving initiatives that foster inclusion and integration, we invite you to join our team at Skills for Change.
Skills for Change is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals. We are committed to providing a respectful and inclusive workplace that is free from discrimination and harassment. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
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Skills for Change offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in each stage of the hiring process. If you are contacted regarding a job opportunity, please advise if you require accommodation. This document is available in alternate format on request. We thank all applicants for their interest in this position, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.