Director, Strategic Initiatives and Engagement

About Us

St.Amant supports over 5,000 people in Manitoba with developmental disabilities, autism and acquired brain injury. We are a not-for-profit organization that offers a wide range of supports for adults, children and their families. Our over 2,000 staff follow a person-centred approach and adapt to the needs of each person and each family. St.Amant is guided by its core values of Collaboration, Hospitality, Excellence and Respect.

St.Amant’s core values reflect a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. St.Amant maintains ongoing commitment to recruiting a diverse and talented workforce, which is paramount to supporting the vibrant community we serve.

St.Amant values and promotes volunteerism in the workplace. Volunteers are an integral part of the work we do. As such and in keeping with the values of our organization, the incumbent to this role is encouraged to actively support, collaborate and invest in volunteer initiatives.

Position Summary:

The Director of Strategic Initiatives and Engagement will lead the identification, development, execution and evaluation of high-priority strategic initiatives and projects that align with St.Amant’s long-term objectives. This role is essential for driving innovation, optimizing strategic internal operations, fostering community and stakeholder engagement, and enhancing external partnerships. The Director will be responsible for overseeing high-impact cross-functional projects, partnerships and programs, ensuring alignment with St.Amant’s Strategic Plan and consistent communication across the departments/programs.

The Director leads an inclusive, collaborative and high-performance culture within the organization; coordinating the work of Corporate Education, Communications, Project Management and Strategic Initiatives, as well as overseeing the work of Corporate and Volunteer Services. The Director also supports the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility efforts of the organization, continuous quality improvement work as well as facilitates engagement efforts that promote collaborative solutions and fosters a culture of innovation by encouraging staff and volunteers to propose new ideas and strategies. They use data and research to drive continuous improvement and evidence-based decision-making.

Qualifications

Education, Experience and Occupational Certification:

Professional:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Strategic Management, Public Relations, Communications, or related field required
• PMP certification
• Seven (7) to ten (10) years of experience in strategic planning, project management, stakeholder engagement, preferably in the disability, health or social services field
• Proven experience leading cross-functional teams and managing complex high-impact projects
• Experience working with senior leadership, government agencies, and external partners
• Strong knowledge of project management methodologies and continuous quality improvement and best practices
• Proficiency in data analysis and project management tools
• Skilled in change management
• Ten plus years experience in a leadership position-managing teams
• Project Management Professional PMP certification
• Change Management training
• Lean Six Sigma training
• Strategic Visionary – ability to think long-term and design strategies that align with organizational goals
• Strategic Thinker – able to translate high-level business objectives into actionable plans
• Collaborative Leader – skilled at fostering teamwork, building relationships, ability to influence and drive consensus across multiple audiences within the organization
• Problem solver – analytical mindset with the ability to quickly identify challenges and develop effective solutions
• Adaptable – capable of managing change in a complex fast-paced environment, thrives in dynamic environments, flexible to shifting priorities, and able to navigate complex organizational structures
• Results oriented – focused on achieving measurable outcomes and delivering projects on time and within budget
• Innovative Problem Solver – proactive in identifying challenges and opportunities, with the ability to develop creative solutions
• Strong communicator – excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively

Personal:

• Passion for advocacy – deep commitment to the rights and empowerment of persons with disabilities
• Inclusive leadership – skilled in fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, both within the organization and in broader community engagement
• Champion for diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility

Strategic Planning and Execution:

• Lead the design, implementation, and monitoring of strategic initiatives that support the organization’s goals
• Partner with senior leadership to define priorities, develop strategic roadmaps, and allocate resources effectively
• Track and measure the success of strategic projects, adjusting tactics as necessary to ensure outcomes are met

Project Management:

• Oversee Project Management Office (PMO) to ensure effective delivery of initiatives
• Implement project management frameworks and best practices across the organization
• Ensure timely and successful completion of projects within scope, time, and budget

Stakeholder and Partner Engagement:

• Manage relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, fostering collaboration and alignment
• Develop and maintain partnerships with government agencies, industry leaders, and community organizations
• Represent the organization in meetings, conferences, and public forums to promote initiatives and build networks
• Lead and coordinate engagement within the St.Amant community, including staff, volunteers and external stakeholders through education, communications and Diversity, equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) and other engagement initiatives

Team Leadership and Collaboration:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a cross-functional team that drives the successful execution of strategic initiatives and engagement
• Facilitate interdepartmental collaboration to ensure alignment with overall strategic initiatives and goals
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous quality improvement

Education and Training:

• Develop and implement an overarching education and training strategy aligned with the mission, vision, and strategic objectives
• Ensure consistency, compliance and excellence for educational programs and training initiatives
• Foster partnerships with internal stakeholders and external partners to drive innovation and create opportunities for tailored learning experience

Communication and Reporting:

• Oversee the development and execution of comprehensive communication strategies that align with the mission, vision and strategic objectives
• Ensure consistent communication of initiatives and a shared understanding of priorities across the organization
• Prepare reports and presentations for Executive leadership and the board of directors on the status and impact of key projects
• Oversee internal and external communication strategies to foster employee, public and other stakeholder engagement

The above information is intended to describe the general nature of this position and is not considered to be a complete statement of duties and responsibilities. Additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned provided they are consistent with the qualifications identified and fall within the parameters of this role.

St.Amant is a bilingual organization. Proficiency in both official languages (French/English) would be considered an asset.

St.Amant supports equitable employment practices and promotes an inclusive workforce representative of the people we support including diverse abilities, backgrounds, cultures, and identities. Applicants can request reasonable accommodations in all aspects of the selection and hiring process.

As a condition of employment, successful candidates will be required to provide a satisfactory Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening, Adult Abuse Registry Check, Child Abuse Registry Check and Prior Contact Check.

As a Condition of Employment, new hires must complete a series of Occupational Health checks. This includes the requirement to confirm immunization or immunity of specific communicable diseases. Successful applicants will also be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination prior to start date.

We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package that includes: Health & Dental Plans, Life Insurance Plans, Long Term Disability, Employer Paid-Employee Assistance Plan, and Employer-Matched Pension Plan.