Position: Program Manager, Carbon Leadership Forum British Columbia

Join us! 

We’re passionate about making progress on climate action and committed to making a positive difference in communities. Keen to join a caring, capable, and committed team doing great work on the path to Net Zero? Please apply with a cover letter and resume.

About the Zero Emissions Innovation Centre (ZEIC)
Seeded by a $21.7 million federal endowment, ZEIC is a purpose-built charitable organization dedicated to market transformation and enabling zero carbon communities and economies across the region and province. ZEIC is part of the Low Carbon Cities Canada (LC3) Network established by the Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

ZEIC’s vision is that, together, we enable a new era of climate action and innovation for an inclusive, prosperous, and healthy zero carbon future in our region by 2050. We advance urban climate solutions in the building, transportation, and renewable energy sectors through (1) partnerships and collaborations, (2) impact investment, (3) granting, and (4) education, training, and capacity-building.

Working with governments, Indigenous partners, industry, and others, we support ambitious climate policy, address barriers, and catalyze, accelerate, and scale innovation to strengthen equitable and resilient communities for current and future generations. To deliver impact, we:

• Connect and activate partners, investors and action-takers;
• Demonstrate and showcase viable solutions; and
• Invest in capacity building and readiness to scale climate actions.

ZEIC’s strategic directions align with provincial, regional, and local climate action plans. Our programs help communities make progress towards their 2030 emissions reduction targets. Equity, long-term affordability, community health and well-being, environmental protection, and economic development are integral to how we develop and deliver our climate action programs.

About Carbon Leadership Forum British Columbia (CLF BC)
CLF BC, a program area of ZEIC, serves as a Centre of Excellence for reducing embodied carbon in buildings, through knowledge-sharing, capacity-building, networking, and collaboration. Originally an initiative of the University of Washington, Carbon Leadership Forum is now a global network of regional hubs with a common mission to eliminate embodied carbon in buildings, materials and infrastructure to create a just and thriving future.

Established in 2019, CLF Vancouver was the first regional hub outside of Washington State. CLF Vancouver became a program area of ZEIC in 2022 and was re-named Carbon Leadership Forum British Columbia in 2023 in recognition of its province-wide scope. Aiming to engage and support both governments and industry, CLF BC is both a network of practitioners and a hub for peer-to-peer learning, resources, events, and coordination of efforts to decarbonize buildings through embodied emissions.

Position overview:
Working within a small, friendly, motivated, and inter-disciplinary team, the Program Manager will contribute to the successful development and implementation of the Carbon Leadership Forum BC program area and other embodied emissions initiatives. As Program Manager, you will have the ability to help shape a dynamic organization and its climate-action programming through collaborations, research, analysis, outreach and engagement, communications, and capacity building initiatives. The position will support the management of third-party consultants and/or contractors. The position is for a three year term with the possibility for extension subject to availability of program funding.

Key contacts and reporting relationships:
The position reports to ZEIC’s Director of ZEBx and Building Decarbonization. The position will contribute to ZEIC initiatives and programs involving cross-functional project teams that may include other ZEIC staff, and/or external partners and contributors. In close collaboration with ZEIC’s building decarbonization team, you will develop and lead diverse activities and engage with a range of organizations across sectors, including different levels of government, utilities, industry, non-profits, academia, community associations and various other agencies and collaborators.

Duties and responsibilities:

General:

• Stay abreast of current issues and opportunities related to climate action, with a particular focus on building decarbonization through embodied emissions in both new construction and retrofits;
• Advance a holistic view of climate action that seeks innovative and pragmatic approaches to greenhouse gas emissions reductions and integrates multiple objectives in key areas such as climate adaptation and resilience, equity, public health, biodiversity, ecosystems health and protection, stewardship, transportation, land use planning and urban design, economic development, green jobs, and social enterprise, community-building, and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples;
• Develop collaborations, partnerships and work cross-functionally with other ZEIC staff, external agencies, industry, academia and communities to develop and align planning, programs, research, policy development and other actions to support ZEIC in fulfilling its mandate;
• Represent ZEIC and CLF BC at public events, meetings, workshops, consultations, networking events, and in external advisory groups;
• Work with ZEIC leadership and external organizations to identify strategic priorities and develop annual work plans;
• Support the development and management of consultant contracts (including scopes of work, requests for proposals and contract execution), as needed, and develop and track progress and budgets; and
• Other duties, as required

Key focus areas for position:
While program management will be the main focus for the position, we recognize that prospective candidates may have experience in some areas more than others. We encourage diverse candidates with diverse experiences who are prepared to build on their strengths and areas of expertise and willing to learn and grow their capacity through the role.

(1) Carbon Leadership Forum BC Network and Activities

• Help build and grow the reputation of CLF BC as a credible, trusted and effective resource for industry and governments;
• Lead engagement, research, benchmarking and analysis to inform program development, design, delivery, evaluation and adaptation;
• Develop processes, criteria and metrics for prioritizing, evaluating and reporting on CLF BC program effectiveness, outcomes and impact;
• Develop and track budgets and project progress
• Prepare quarterly and annual reports on activities and outcomes, as needed;
• Plan and host in-person and online events;
• Prepare and/or oversee the preparation of case studies, articles and other curated resources relevant for different stakeholders
• Assist with activity promotion and communities related to the CLF BC program area

(2) Strategic Initiatives related to Embodied Emissions

• Undertake outreach and engagement to support relationship and partnership building and collaborative initiatives; and
• Manage strategic initiatives related to embodied emissions, such as the Near Zero Stream 2 research and incentive program, or other emerging opportunities.

Position requirements:

Education and experience

• A degree in Planning, Resource Management, Engineering, Architecture, or related field from a recognized post-secondary institution or relevant combination of education and experience;
• A minimum of five years of experience in program management or collaborative projects which included planning, design, implementation, outreach, engagement and evaluation;
• A minimum of three years of building sector experience, preferably related to development, design or construction, or
• A relevant combination of the above-noted education and experience,

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of embodied emissions, ideally including environmental product declarations and whole-building life cycle assessments,
• Strong leadership, collaboration and communications skills (both verbal and written),
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills,
• Strong presentation and excellent report-writing skills,
• Strong organizational and project management skills to effectively deal with multiple tasks and competing priorities,
• Experience and demonstrated capacity to effectively engage and communicate with a diverse spectrum of building professionals, ranging from architects, builders, tradespeople to equipment suppliers, developers, industry associations, and government.
• Demonstrated commitment to climate action with a passion for zero-emissions buildings,
• Demonstrated capacity as a self-starter, quick-learner, and ability to work independently while functioning effectively in a team environment,

Compensation:
Range $90,000-$110,000/year + vacation + flexible wellness days + generous health and RRSP benefits

Candidates must have current eligibility to work in Canada. ZEIC is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds and with non-traditional qualifications. We care about and have policies to support equity, diversity and inclusion and a respectful workplace. We have a hybrid workplace and can accommodate in-person and work-from-home. Flexible and part-time arrangement will be considered. Indigenous applicants are encouraged to apply.

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 36 months

Salary: $90,000.00-$110,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental care
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• RRSP match
• Vision care
• Wellness program
• Work from home

Flexible Language Requirement:

• French not required

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Application question(s):

• Have you submitted a cover letter? Applications without cover letters will not be considered.

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Vancouver, BC V6B 5K3

Application deadline: 2023-11-05