Director of Strategic Operations

About us

West Coast LEAF (WCL) is a respected legal advocacy organization working for gender justice through litigation, law reform, and public legal education in BC and nationally. With substantive equality as one of our foundational values, we work to make our legal systems more accessible and responsive to those who have been marginalized, disadvantaged, or historically ignored. We’re a passionate group of advocates working to make positive systemic change.

WCL is a unionized workplace with a staff team of 12 and an annual budget of ~$1.5 million.

Position Summary

West Coast LEAF is seeking an experienced and values-driven leader to join our team in a newly created senior management role. This position is responsible for overseeing the organization’s finances, people and culture, and operations. As a key member of the leadership team, you will help steward West Coast LEAF’s organizational health and sustainability.

You will lead financial planning and oversight, including grants management, and ensure effective systems are in place to support staff and day-to-day operations. You will also play a central role in cultivating a respectful, equitable, and inclusive workplace culture, and will contribute to governance and risk management in collaboration with the Executive Director and Board.

This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned leader who shares WCL’s vision and values.

About You

You are an experienced, values-driven leader who brings a depth of knowledge in organizational management, financial oversight, and people-centered leadership. You’ve held senior roles where you’ve guided teams, shaped strategy, and built effective systems.

You’re confident navigating complex organizational dynamics and have a track record of fostering healthy, inclusive workplace cultures. You’re comfortable leading high-level financial planning and doing hands-on financial administration and grants management. You’re able to make strategic decisions that align with mission and values.

You lead with integrity, curiosity, and care. You’re committed to justice, equity, and inclusion, not just as concepts, but as daily practices. You know how to build trust across difference, and you bring humility and accountability to your leadership.

You’re ready to step into a senior role where your experience and insight will help shape the future of West Coast LEAF.

Key Responsibilities:

Organizational Leadership

• Partner with and support the Executive Director to steward West Coast LEAF’s overall health and sustainability.
• Support the Executive Director and Board of Directors with governance, planning, and financial strategy.

Financial Management

• Responsible for sound financial management. Ensure effective systems are in place for financial administration, tracking and reporting (including appropriate policies and controls).
• Monitor WCL’s financial performance.
• Partner with the Executive Director on financial strategy, planning and to develop the annual budget.

Fundraising and Grants

• Support staff with developing and tracking grant and project budgets (including by ensuring grant budgets are aligned to WCL fiscal year).
• Oversee grant reporting timelines and work with relevant staff to prepare and submit reports to funders.
• Partner with the ED on revenue diversification by pro-actively identifying new potential grants and other fundraising opportunities.
• Provide management support to West Coast LEAF’s signature annual fundraising event, the Equality Breakfast.

People and Culture

• Work with the ED and bargaining unit to ensure a healthy, respectful and equitable organizational culture.
• Lead recruitment and retention strategies, training and professional development planning, bargaining, and change management.
• Ensure appropriate HR systems, policies and practices are in place.

Operations

• Supervise staff and contractors responsible for day-to-day operations.
• Oversee administrative functions including premises, IT, equipment, procurement, and vendor management.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Support legal and regulatory compliance in collaboration with the Executive Director.
• Contribute to organizational risk identification and mitigation strategies.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

This position requires:

• Demonstrated progressive leadership experience, ideally in non-profit or community-based organizations
• Alignment with West Coast LEAF’s purpose and values
• Strong financial management capabilities, including budgeting, financial reporting, and oversight of organizational finances. While a CPA designation is not required, candidates should demonstrate expertise in financial administration and the ability to interpret and clearly communicate about financial statements, ensure compliance with accounting standards, and provide strategic financial guidance.
• Experience managing grants and meeting funder reporting requirements
• Clear, collaborative, action-oriented leadership style with demonstrated ability to coach, delegate, problem-solve, and resolve conflicts
• Strong HR knowledge, particularly in non-profit or community-serving settings.
• Ability to build trust-based relationships with people from diverse backgrounds
• Strategic thinking and ability to develop innovative solutions to organizational challenges
• Strong attention to detail and ability to design effective administrative and financial systems
• Advanced use of Excel to support budgeting, financial reporting, and grant management
• Familiarity with accounting software
• Strong technology aptitude and ability to evaluate new tools

Assets:

• Experience managing in a unionized environment
• Familiarity with QuickBooks Desktop
• Professional HR and/or financial certifications
• Grant writing, fundraising or donor engagement experience

Job Details

• Employment: Permanent full-time. We are open to candidates who prefer to work at 0.8 time/4 days per week
• Compensation: $115,000 annual FTE salary (pro-rated to $92,000 if working at 0.8 time).
• Vacation and benefits: 4 weeks starting vacation plus annual holiday closure; employer-paid extended health benefits; health spending account; professional development budget
• Hours: Full time hours are 37.5 hours per week plus additional hours as needed (including occasional evenings and weekends)
• Location: Hybrid, with at least 2 days per week on-site in our downtown Vancouver offices
• Reports to: Executive Director
• Application deadline: November 7, 2025

Hiring Process

To apply, send a resume and cover email to juliane@hrwest.ca telling us: 

• A bit about who you are 
• Why the position is of interest to you 
• What skills, knowledge, experience and heart you bring to this work  
• Work experiences that have shaped your leadership journey   

West Coast LEAF is strongly committed to diversity and acknowledges the expertise applicants may bring relating to their Indigeneity, race, place of origin, immigration status, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, family status, and socio-economic status. We encourage applicants to self-identify any personal characteristics or experiences that would support our commitment to bringing diverse perspectives to the organization if they feel comfortable doing so. Applications are held in the strictest confidence.

You may be contacted for a pre-screening call before or after the posting closes. Our hiring committee with meet with shortlisted candidates during the weeks of December 1 and December 8. Preferred candidates will meet the full staff team as part of the selection process. The successful applicant will begin work in January 2026, with the exact start time to be determined based on candidate availability.