Chief Economist

About Vancity

Vancity is a member-owned credit union built on the principles of inclusion and social justice. A relentless commitment to their values has helped them challenge the status quo and break down barriers since day one in 1946. They have bold commitments to make Vancity net-zero by 2040 across all mortgages and loans and are pursuing strategies on Indigenous banking and to improve the financial resilience of their members.

Vancity is the largest private sector Living Wage Employer in Canada and has been consistently recognized as one of the Top Employers in Canada. If you’re interested in joining their team of 2,700 diverse individuals and accessing competitive rewards and benefits, all while knowing you are part of a greater movement, then apply today

About the workplace

As Chief Economist, you will be a strategic thought leader responsible for providing economic insights that inform Vancity’s business strategy, policy, and decision-making. This role serves as the primary spokesperson on economic trends and financial market developments, engaging with media, external stakeholders, and internal leadership. You will play a critical role in shaping Vancity’s strategic direction, producing research and reports, and advising the executive leadership team and board.

Economic analysis and recommendations should center on inclusive economic growth, bringing forward insights on marginalized communities, systemic inequities, and economic trends affecting underserved populations. This ensures alignment with Vancity's commitment to an economy that fosters financial resilience and sustainable impact.

This role is a permanent, full-time role that will enjoy hybrid working arrangements which can be fulfilled primarily from the Vancity head office location and your Lower Mainland based home office. This role may require you to work on-site at least once a week.

A typical day would involve:

Economic Research & Insights

1. Conduct in-depth economic research to assess financial, social, and environmental trends impacting Vancity and its members, with a focus on financial inclusion, economic equity, and sustainability.
2. Provide analysis of macroeconomic and microeconomic factors, including how economic policies and trends impact underserved communities and equitable access to financial resources.
3. Translate complex economic data into clear, actionable insights for executive leadership, the board, and business units, ensuring recommendations align with Vancity’s purpose-driven strategy.

Strategic Business & Policy Advisory

1. Inform and support strategic planning with economic forecasts, scenario planning, and risk assessments, ensuring insights align with Vancity's business objectives and commitment to equitable economic development.
2. Advise leadership on economic conditions, policy changes, and market dynamics that impact Vancity’s operations and members, with a lens on economic disparities and financial empowerment.
3. Develop and communicate policy recommendations that align with Vancity’s vision of a transformed economy that protects the earth and ensures equitable access to economic opportunities.

External Engagement & Public Speaking

1. Act as Vancity’s economic thought leader and media spokesperson, delivering expert commentary on economic trends and financial issues with a focus on impact-driven finance.
2. Represent Vancity at external events, conferences, and industry forums to enhance the organization’s reputation as a leader in sustainable and inclusive finance.
3. Build relationships with policymakers, industry leaders, and economic organizations to advance Vancity’s thought leadership in financial and economic development.

Board & Business Reporting

1. Prepare and present regular economic reports and briefings for the board of directors, executive leadership, and business leaders, highlighting insights on financial market developments, economic resilience, and systemic barriers.
2. Provide insights on financial market developments, member economic well-being, and strategic opportunities for Vancity’s growth and impact, ensuring economic strategies foster accessibility and sustainability.
3. Collaborate with internal teams to develop white papers, position statements, and research reports that support Vancity’s business and advocacy goals.

You have:

1. Advanced degree in Economics, Finance, Public Policy, or a related field.
2. 10+ years of experience in economic research, financial analysis, or a related field, preferably in financial services, government, or academia.
3. Strong ability to synthesize and communicate complex economic concepts to diverse audiences, including executives, policymakers, media, and the public.
4. Experience speaking to media and at public forums, with a proven ability to represent an organization externally.
5. Exceptional writing skills with experience in producing research reports, policy papers, and strategic briefings.
6. Strong analytical skills with expertise in economic modeling, forecasting, and trend analysis.
7. Deep understanding of social and environmental economic factors, with a commitment to sustainable finance and inclusive economic systems.
8. Ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels, from board members to frontline staff.

You are:

1. A Strategic partner– you provide economic insights that align with business strategy and operations to be able to recommend strategies and enable short and long-term goals.
2. A Strong Communicator - you use your strong communication and interpersonal skills to create clear understanding of expectations; address challenges and issues for the organization; and represent the unit across the organization and externally.
3. Analytical – You seek to facilitate data-driven decision making, including “rolling up your sleeves” to collect data, research and build models.
4. A relationship builder – you can adapt your interpersonal and intercultural skills to various target audiences inclusive of those from equity denied groups and are proactive in starting & developing key relationships in all relevant sectors. You can recognize differences of opinion, bring them out for discussion into the open, and look for win-win solutions.

We value lived experience, so if you are interested in this role, we encourage you to apply even if you feel your skills don't perfectly align with those listed.

The salary range for this role is $121,000 to $181,200 annually. Base pay offered may vary depending on factors such as relevant qualifications, skills, previous experience, and internal equity. As part of our total rewards package, employees may also be eligible for our annual incentive program, subject to program eligibility requirements.

Posting Deadline: Posted until filled

A career at Vancity is more than just a job, you’re joining a tradition of change-makers who are creating lasting change for our communities. Beyond base pay, we offer a comprehensive total rewards package to ensure our employees are empowered to thrive:

We offer:

1. We are the largest private-sector Living Wage Employer in Canada and have been consistently recognized as one of the Top Employers in Canada.
2. Our permanent employees qualify for attractive benefit packages that can be customized and changed each year to meet their evolving needs.
3. New employees receive between three to four weeks of vacation allowance per calendar year, and the number of vacation days grows.
4. In addition to the 10 statutory holidays in British Columbia, Vancity provides an additional three statutory holidays. We offer care days for periods of short-term personal illness or emergency family illness.
5. We have flex credits for our health care & dental benefits offer three levels of coverage for you to select from. These benefits will also be effective immediately based on your hire date.
6. We understand that retirement means different things to different people and at Vancity we will offer you a Defined benefits pension plan that pays you a retirement income for life.

At Vancity we’re committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace to help our people and communities thrive and prosper. Diversity in our workforce is integral so that we can truly represent, understand and respond to our community needs and deliver on our member experience.

We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment experience for all candidates. If you require any accommodations at any stage of the recruitment process, please reach out to our Talent Acquisition team at recruitment@vancity.com for confidential support. In-person assistance is also available. We will collaborate with you to ensure your needs are met promptly and effectively.