March 8, 2010 (Vancouver, BC) – The Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition (VACC) is seeking a candidate to fill the position of Executive Director. The application deadline is March 19, 2010. The VACC is a non-profit society that works to improve conditions for cycling in Metro Vancouver. The VACC believes that increased bicycle use has the potential to significantly reduce traffic congestion, prevent diseases that result from inactive living, reduce pollution and enhance our urban environment.

The VACC works through its various programs to change the circumstances that currently discourage bicycle use; that is, to provide and improve cycling facilities, to educate cyclists in commuter cycling skills, and to encourage visibility and celebration of cycling as a legitimate and embraced mode of transportation. You will find the VACC out in your community on your commute to work during Bike to Work Week in spring and fall, leading the “Great Rides” group bike events, teaching safe cycling skills at community centres, workplaces, and schools (Streetwise Cycling and Bike to School), and at community events such as Earth Day and the Bike Shorts Film Festival throughout the year. If you take your bike on the SkyTrain or ride in the protected lanes on the Burrard Street Bridge, you can thank the VACC for its advocacy, which helped to make these a reality. Please visit www.vacc.bc.ca for more information.

VACC’s Executive Director will have the following duties and responsibilities:

General responsibilities:
The role of the Executive Director is to implement the Board’s strategic plans for their organization in a cost-effective and time-efficient manner. The Executive Director is also responsible for the day-to-day operation of the organization, including managing committees and staff and developing business plans in collaboration with the Board for the future of the organization.

The Executive Director staff, membership, budget, company assets, and all other company resources, to help make the best use of them and raise the organization’s profitability and profile. The Executive Director is accountable to the President of the Board and reports to the Board on a regular basis.

Specific responsibilities:
– Implement Board’s overall strategy
– Develop an overall VACC budget with treasurer, for approval by the Board
– Manage staff
– Liaise with Board subcommittees to ensure their input is incorporated into planning
– Develop and maintain relationships with municipalities/funders/partners and other stakeholders
– Develop and maintain a Marketing and Communications plan
– Develop and implement a fundraising strategy
– Develop a web strategy with Board
– Implement volunteer strategy/coordination
– Implement advocacy strategy as agreed by Board
– Implement membership strategy as agreed by Board
– Represent the VACC’s position on public/political/media issues
– Build cross-organizational relationship
– Represent the VACC at events
– Oversee program development and operation
– Other duties as required and identified by the Board of Directors

Qualifications:
– Senior management experience in non-profit organizations
– Experience of working closely with Board of Directors
– Proven strategic planning skills
– Extensive organizational budget development and financial management experience
– Experience of organizational change management
– Proven fundraising ability
– Ability to develop and nurture cross-organizational relationships and partnerships
– Ability to develop and coordinate effective advocacy and campaign strategies
– Self-starter, able to take initiative and deliver on time
– Able to work independently and collaborate with others
– Able to delegate
– Proven verbal and written communication skills, with ability to write clearly and persuasively
– Computer skills: word-processing, spreadsheets, PDF, email
– Flexibility, interpersonal skills, and enthusiasm are key to success in this position
– Familiarity with VACC and its programs preferred
– Love of cycling for transportation preferred

Terms:
This is a contract position, hours per week to be discussed. Hourly rate: $30-35/hr, commensurate with skills and experience. VACC will provide a work mail/email address and scheduled access to shared office space. Contractor must have access to their own computer and phone for work purposes.

How to apply:
Please forward one document that includes a cover letter and resume to Sean McKibben, VACC at sean@vacc.bc.ca in PDF or Word format, with file name format VACC_ED_firstname_lastname.pdf or .doc. Application deadline is 9 a.m. on March 19, 2010. Interviews will take place March 26-April 1. Please indicate in your application your interview time preference, if selected.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.