Manager Community and Social Innovation

Are you a visionary leader with a passion for driving positive community change?

Strathcona County is seeking a strategic and collaborative leader to guide our Community and Social Innovation (CSI) Branch—a team at the heart of transformative social policy, community development, and cross-sector collaboration. The branch also administers grant funding to non-profit organizations and residents and supports evaluation and planning efforts across the department and within the social sector.

This position oversees three interrelated units and is instrumental in fostering a culture of collaboration, both within the organization and with external stakeholders. By engaging community agencies and partners, this position helps to define and advance collective strategies aimed at improving social outcomes for all residents, with particular attention to those experiencing challenges. Emphasis is placed on strategic planning, community engagement, research and evaluation, and the development of innovative, evidence-informed approaches that contribute to the overall safety and wellbeing of the community.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Lead a branch of three dynamic units, fostering collaboration across teams, departments, and community partners
- Mentor and support supervisory and professional staff, promoting a culture aligned with Strathcona County’s values
- Develop strategic direction and operational plans for the branch, supporting both individual growth and organizational excellence
- Co-create solutions with community partners and internal stakeholders to address social challenges.
- Lead and implement county-wide strategies and frameworks focused on addressing social priorities and driving transformational change like the Community Safety and Wellbeing Strategy and Healthy Aging Framework
- Align local work with broader regional and provincial initiatives to advance collective impact
- Work with Department Director and Management team to prepare comprehensive operating and capital (as appropriate) budgets and advocate to secure adequate funding for the planned and appropriate operation of the organization
- Oversee internal granting processes, procedures and reporting (for grants issued by CSI) as well as grant reporting to funders as required
- Working with other departments as needed, lead community-wide engagement to inform social policy or programs
- Build funding partnerships and explore new sources of investment for social innovation initiatives
- Build and sustain strategic relationships with nonprofits, agencies, schools, health services, law enforcement, and other levels of government
- Engage local businesses, residents, and community groups to foster inclusive, collaborative planning processes
- Present FCS work to Council, Executive Team and Senior Leadership Team to elicit support and approval for recommended policy and programmatic directions
- Ensure the development of accessible, engaging communication materials and digital content in collaboration with internal the Communications and Design teams
- Identify improvements in use of data-driven decision-making and ensuring that data is collected, integrated, and communicated effectively across the organization and where appropriate with community partners

**Qualifications and Skills**:

- A post-secondary degree in the human services or public sector administration fields, with 7-10 years of applicable supervisory and leadership experience
- Experience in community development, strategic policy, research and evaluation, and oversight for grants/contracts
- Proven experience in policy development, including drafting, analysis, consultation, and implementation in complex or multi-stakeholder environments
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse communities, stakeholders, and partners to co-design policies or programs that reflect local needs and values
- Strong networking and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage, influence, and maintain productive partnerships across sectors
- A creative and innovative thinker with a track record of bringing fresh approaches to complex social or policy challenges.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to distill complex information into clear, actionable insights
- Strategic mindset with strong problem-solving and critical thinking abilities
- Experience navigating political, cultural, and organizational sensitivities with tact and professionalism
- Demonstrated experience interpreting current social, political, economic, and technological trends to effectively manage portfolio of expertise
- Strong political and organizational understanding
- Strong conceptual, analytical and problem-solving skills that facilitate decisions in a timely manner
- Ability to identify key issues and develop solutions
- Ability to shift strategic focus and activities quickly in response to changing organizational priorities

**Conditions of Employment**:

- Su