Public Policy & Advocacy

• Serve as the lead staff liaison to the BCSS Public Policy Committee and approved policy working groups.
• Support the development of policy priorities and advocacy initiatives informed by input from staff working directly with families and communities.
• Oversee administrative functions of the Policy Committee, including agendas, workplans, meeting coordination, and summary notes.
• Work closely with the CEO to develop strategic policy analysis and recommendations on issues impacting the mental health system and the people BCSS serves.
• Ensure advocacy and policy activities align with BCSS priorities and Strategic Plan.
• Support the development and implementation of organizational advocacy strategies related to mental health system access, quality, coordination, and family involvement.
• Build collaborative relationships with aligned non-profit organizations and advocacy groups within the mental health sector.
• Promote respectful collaboration while maintaining a clear and principled voice for system improvement.

Government Relations

• Support the development and implementation of BCSS’ government relations strategy, including long-term funding sustainability efforts.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with provincial government staff, elected officials, health authorities, and sector leaders.
• Assist in expanding government relations efforts at the federal and municipal levels over time.
• Support organizational compliance with the Lobbyist Transparency Act.
• Develop key messaging and briefing materials for meetings with elected officials and stakeholders.
• Participate in meetings with health authority leadership, government representatives, and community partners alongside the CEO.
• Foster collaborative relationships with professional bodies and sector organizations.

Network Engagement, Convening & Strategy

• Build strong partnerships with provincial associations, regional non-profit organizations, and strategic network partners across BC.
• Attend conferences, sector meetings, and events to strengthen relationships, share information, and identify emerging opportunities and challenges.
• Represent BCSS at relevant external tables and recommend organizational involvement in strategic initiatives.
• Serve as an ambassador and spokesperson for BCSS.
• Bring forward sector trends, insights, and opportunities to support organizational planning and advocacy efforts.
• Collaborate with internal teams to support engagement, communications, and revenue development initiatives.

Leadership

• Provide leadership and supervision to the Communications & Marketing Manager.
• Oversee communications strategy to ensure alignment with organizational mission, reputation, strategic priorities, and leadership objectives.
• Participate as an active member of the senior leadership team and contribute to a positive and collaborative organizational culture.
• Attend BCSS meetings, events, and organizational activities as required.
• Oversee departmental budgets and monitor expenses in collaboration with the finance team.
• Serve as an integral member of the BCSS senior leadership team.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Public Administration, Communications, Social Sciences, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Minimum 5–7 years of progressive experience in public policy, advocacy, government relations, or non-profit leadership.
• Experience working within the health, mental health, social services, or non-profit sector is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience building relationships with government, community organizations, and strategic partners.
• Strong understanding of public policy development and advocacy processes in British Columbia.
• Experience supporting boards, committees, or working groups.
• Strong leadership, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including briefing notes, presentations, and strategic messaging.
• Ability to balance diplomacy, collaboration, and advocacy in complex environments.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and initiatives
• Availability during daytime hours, with some evening work
• A secure and quiet space in your home for an office with a desk for office equipment
• Valid BC Driver’s license and reliable vehicle

• Ability to work independently, setting realistic goals and strategies for implementation
• Ability to work within a team
• Ability to work in a community/outreach capacity
• Ability to travel as needed
• Demonstration of cultural sensitivity
• Knowledge of the importance of anti-psychotic medications
• Knowledge of the importance of family members being part of the care team
• Competent in computer programs; Microsoft Office, Teams, SharePoint and Zoom, with experience using Excel, and Customer Relationships Management (CRM) systems an asset

• $90,000 – $110,000 per year
• 4 weeks of paid vacation to start
• Generous paid sick time
• Professional development and job-related training opportunities
• Defined benefit pension plan (Municipal Pension Plan) for eligible employees
• Comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees
• Work/life balance

Donation Processing and Database Management

• Act as the society’s DonorPerfect database administrator entering all donations, gift information, and donor information
• Maintain detailed records of all donations, pledges, donor contact information, donor interactions, donor attributes, recognition and communication preferences
• Generate charitable tax receipts and/or business receipts required per BCSS policies and procedures while adhering to Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) guidelines
• Perform database maintenance, including regular check-ups and duplicate management
• Produce reports, donor lists, or other data generated from the database
• Create online donation templates and process online donations
• Prepare and complete weekly bank deposits
• Provide support with monthly financial reconciliations and annual audit
• Perform related duties, such as word processing, maintaining donation record filing systems, faxing, scanning, and photocopying
  

Donor Stewardship & Communications

• Perform stewardship tasks, including thank you emails and calls, email and mail welcomes, and personalized event invites
• Coordinate the timely distribution of donor acknowledgements and thank-you communications
• Receive and respond to donor inquiries by phone and email in a professional and friendly manner.
• Ensure gift recognition and stewardship policies and procedures are followed
• Provide support with individual and corporate donor prospecting
• Develop and maintain relationships with donors, individuals, businesses, and other organizations in the community.
• Create thank you letter templates, and update templates in donor database as needed
• Create an annual donor survey and donor impact update and distribute to donors
• Draft newsletter content and narrative reports to donors or funders
• Assist with creating call-to-action language for events and drafting landing page copy for online donation forms
• Assist with website copywriting for fundraising-related web pages
• Create graphic content where required
• Develop and maintain relationships with donors, individuals, businesses, and other organizations in the community.
• Organize the Donor Appreciation Event

Fundraising Support

• Lead the third-party (community) fundraising program, responding to inquiries, organizing BCSS involvement and assisting with marketing initiatives
• Lead the monthly giving program and tribute giving program
• Research grant opportunities and maintain a grant pipeline using project management software
• Assist with grant writing and applications
• Provide support with digital and peer-to-peer fundraising
• Write direct mail appeal letters and email campaigns
• Supports the administration of the planned giving program
• Assist with any fundraising events that may arise
• Any other duties as assigned
• Provide support to the Director of Development as required

• Minimum post-secondary diploma required in fundraising, communications, marketing, public relations, or a related field.
• Two years of fundraising experience in a not-for-profit setting
• Knowledge of non-profit organizations and fundraising strategy
• Experience with donor CRM platforms (preferably DonorPerfect) and/or have the ability to become adept at using the DonorPerfect donor and membership management system
• Understanding of and experience with CRA receipting guidelines

• Comfortable with software such as Microsoft 365, Teams, Monday.com, Constant Contact, DonorPerfect (or other donor database systems)
• Strong verbal and written communication
• Strong interpersonal, networking and relationship-building skills
• Work collaboratively with a team and independently lead projects
• Excellent problem-solving skills, time-management, organization, and critical thinking; attention to detail is imperative
• The ability to take initiative and work on several projects concurrently

• $62,000 to $70,000 per year
• 4 weeks paid vacation to start
• Generous paid sick time
• A comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees
• Defined benefit pension plan (Municipal Pension Plan) for eligible employees

Strategic Planning

• Develop and implement a comprehensive communications and marketing plan aligned with BCSS’s organizational strategic targets of awareness, education, outreach, engagement, fundraising and advocacy.
• Serves as a member of the BCSS Leadership team and works with leadership to develop key organizational messages.
• Creates and manages communications calendar and campaign timelines.
• Track trends and recommend new approaches to increase reach and impact.
• Translate complex or sensitive issues into clear, compelling messaging.
• Collaborate with the Director of Finance to create and maintain the communications and public education budget.
• Collaborate with the Senior Program Manager to ensure alignment of programs, content, and regional outreach efforts, and to develop communications support processes, tools, and resources for BCSS regional staff, ensuring consistent messaging and alignment with organizational priorities.

Content and Brand

• Maintain and update brand guidelines and ensure consistent brand voice, tone, and visual identity across all channels. Act as a steward of the organization’s reputation.
• Support the team with marketing collateral and review content for BCSS and BCSS Youth websites to ensure readability and consistency.
• Support the team with content for the websites, internal and external newsletters, and specific campaigns and is responsible for final editing, proofreading and publishing documents.
• Coordinates with appropriate staff, volunteers, vetting committee, and Medical Advisory Committee, to ensure accuracy and relevancy of published content
• Manage the creation and procurement of organizational collateral and branded merchandise, including vendor coordination, inventory tracking, and integration into marketing, engagement, and fundraising initiatives.
• Work with external vendors and contractors as needed (website, printing, promotional product suppliers).
• Explore revenue opportunities through retail sales of branded merchandise.

Media and Stakeholder Relations

• Works with theteam to create and manage the outreach strategy to expand reach and bring new connections to BCSS.
• Works with the Director of Policy and Community Engagement on an engagement strategy that focuses on relationship-building with existing and new connections.
• Maintain an updated media contact list, write and distribute media releases, respond to media requests and inquiries and build relationships with media.
• Act as a spokesperson and liaison for the organization in online video posts, media and community interactions; correspond with external contacts.
• Work closely with and support the development team with fundraising messaging, communications, and appeals.
• Supports the Director of Development with tasks from the BC Schizophrenia Society Foundation.

Team Leadership

• Supervise the Communications and Marketing team and consultants, including providing mentorship and direction.

Administration and Other Duties

• Attend the BCSS May 24th event, AGM and any other societal or staff meetings as required.
• Follow all BCSS policies and procedures to ensure safety and risk management.
• Other applicable duties as requested by the Director of Policy and Community Engagement.

• 3-5 years’ direct experience in communications and marketing
• 2-4 years’ experience leading a team within a non-profit organization
• Post-secondary education in communications, marketing, media relations or related discipline
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with exceptional writing and editing skills
• A good understanding of severe and persistent mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia is a strong asset
• Experience with crisis communications and reputation management • Experience with setting and tracking communications and marketing KPIs such as website traffic, email and social media reach and engagement, media coverage, etc.
• Knowledge of strategic paid advertising, SEO/SEM, and Google Analytics
• Experience with accessibility standards (e.g., plain language writing, knowledge translation, accessible digital content).
• Experience with creating educational materials and health-related knowledge translation an asset.
• Experience working with contractors and vendors
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish rapport with staff, volunteers, families, and diverse populations
• Strong time management, multitasking abilities, and willingness to manage multiple priorities
• Project management experience, overseeing projects and deliverables from conception through production and project management tools such as Monday.com an asset
• Experience with donor communications and stewardship an asset
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to complete assignments in a timely and efficient manner
• Ability to use tact and discretion when handling sensitive and/or confidential matters

• Ability to work independently, setting realistic goals and strategies for implementation
• Ability to work within a team
• Ability to work in a community/outreach capacity
• Ability to travel as needed
• Demonstration of cultural sensitivity
• Knowledge of the importance of anti-psychotic medications.
• Knowledge of the importance of family members being part of the care team.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Zoom, with experience using Excel, and customer relationships management (CRM) systems an asset.

• $72,000 to $85,000 per annum
• 4 weeks of paid vacation to start
• Generous paid sick time
• Professional development and job-related training opportunities
• Defined benefit pension plan (Municipal Pension Plan) for eligible employees
• Comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees
• Work/life balance

• Help families understand and navigate systems and community resources (mental
health/hospital system, criminal justice/forensic system, housing, finances, etc.).
• Promote, coordinate, and facilitate Family Support Groups (FSG) in the region
• Promote, coordinate and deliver Strengthening Families Together (SFT) education
programs in the region
• Promote, coordinate and deliver public education services via Partnership Education
Presentations (PEP), public presentations, workshops, etc.
• Network with local mental health/community resources to obtain and/or provide
information
• Attend collaborative table meetings with partner organizations in consultation with the
Regional Manager
• Consult with the Regional Manager to ensure services are provided within the budget
for the Northeast
• Meet with the Regional Manager as often as deemed necessary with the manager
• Attend Northeast team meetings, quarterly BSCC all staff meetings, liaise with and
support BCSS Regional Educators in other regions
• Provide virtual coverage across the Northeast region or other regions across the
province when additional support is required
• Provide content for BCSS’s newsletters, website and social media channels when
applicable
• Facilitate programs and services virtually via Zoom or Microsoft Teams as required
• Track and record program activities, participant interactions, and service delivery using
the BCSS database system in accordance with organizational and funder reporting
requirements
• Provide support to families within BCSS’s defined scope of practice and service
boundaries
• Document and report incidents, concerns, or complex participant situations to the
Regional Manager in a timely manner and in accordance with BCSS’s incident reporting
procedures
• Submit expenses in accordance with BCSS’s expense reporting procedures and timelines
• Coordinate program and event scheduling with the Regional Manager and submit to the
provincial programming calendar
• Other duties assigned by the Regional Manager

• Post-secondary education in a relevant discipline, degree equivalent or relevant experience  
• Experience with delivering programs, teaching/facilitating education workshops and support groups 
• Experience in working with families, community services work and understanding of trauma-informed practice 
• Knowledge and experience in maintaining stats and report writing 
• Knowledge of BC mental health system (including the Mental Health Act) and the importance of building positive working relationships within systems  
• Availability during daytime hours, with some evening work   
• A secure and quiet space in your home for an office with a desk for office equipment  
• Valid BC Driver’s license and reliable vehicle  
• A current criminal record check  

• Ability to work independently, setting realistic goals and strategies for implementation
• Ability to work within a team
• Ability to work in a community/outreach capacity
• Ability to travel throughout the Northeast region as needed
• Demonstration of cultural sensitivity
• Knowledge of the importance of anti-psychotic medications
• Knowledge of the importance of family members being part of the care team
• Competent in computer programs; Microsoft Office, Teams, SharePoint and Zoom, with experience using Excel, and customer relationship management (CRM) systems an asset

Wage band: $27.32 to $31.54

BCSS Employees Enjoy:  

• 4 weeks of paid vacation to start 
• Generous paid sick time 
• Professional development and job-related training opportunities 
• Defined benefit pension plan (Municipal Pension Plan) for eligible employees 
• Comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees 
• Work/life balance