Director, Planning and Communications full-time
Company
The Vancouver Public Library (VPL) is the third largest public library system in Canada, with 800 staff members offering services at 22 branches across the city. VPL values a diverse workforce which represents the vibrant community we so proudly service. Consider joining our committed team of staff and beingpart of an innovative, inclusive, and rewarding workplace.
About us
Located in the beautiful city of Vancouver, the award-winning Vancouver Public Library has been dedicated to meeting the lifelong learning, reading and information needs of Vancouver residents for more than 100 years. Our vision is an informed, engaged and connected city. Our mission is a free place for everyone to discover, create and share ideas and information.
Our public library is the last freely available indoor public space in Vancouver – open to everyone. We help people of all ages to pursue their passions and to fulfil their creative potential. Across 21 locations and online, VPL is the most visited major urban library per capita in Canada.
We are located in a city often cited as one of the best places in the world to live. Vancouver, with a population of 600,000, includes dynamic and diverse communities in a metropolitan region of over 2 million.
About the opportunity
The Library is seeking a strategic and creative leader to join its leadership team. Reporting to the Chief Librarian, the Director of Planning and Communications is responsible for oversight of service and strategy for three areas: Strategic and Business Planning and Assessment, Marketing and Communications, and User Experience and Impression. The Director originates and leads strategies, objectives, and practices that will ensure a high performance culture, research and evidence-based strategic and business planning processes, outstanding internal and external customer experience, and effective and timely public communications. The Director is responsible for: coordinating the strategic and long-range business planning processes of the library, including measurement and impact assessment of these plans; leading the development and implementation of evaluation and impact assessment approaches for library services; leading system-wide user-experience/impression and public realm initiatives; leading communications and public relations initiatives; and providing leadership and coordinating support to VPL-led broad multi-sector partner initiatives and VPL’s engagement in broad City strategies as assigned.
The Director is responsible for leading the strategic direction, performance outcomes, departmental development priorities, and policy and resource allocation decisions for the Policy and Planning Department and Marketing and Communications Department, ensuring excellence in service and organizational compliance with appropriate legislation and the Collective Agreement at all times. The position is directly responsible for a budget of approximately $1,000,000, including 8 FTE.
The Director is an integral member of the VPL senior leadership team and joins the other Directors in developing and leading system wide strategic and operational initiatives. The position acts as an advisor to the Chief Librarian, and to the Library Board through the Chief Librarian, ensuring the advice protects the organization from risks that may arise from areas related to portfolio responsibilities.
The Director represents the VPL when liaising with the Union, community, media, and external partners. The incumbent demonstrates leadership behaviours and judgment and actions consistent with the VPL’s mission, vision, values, and strategic plan.
We require
Post-graduate degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or other relevant discipline. Experience: 8-10 years relevant management and leadership experience, including professional experience in the areas of strategic planning, business planning, impact assessment, and/or communications or public relations. Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Working knowledge of relevant acts and regulations, including the Library Act and Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation. Demonstrated research, analysis, and report writing skills.