Events, Program, and Engagement Manager (17-Month Parental Leave Contract)

WHO WE ARE: A community of philanthropists and changemakers. We’re a grantmaking foundation, but we give differently. At SVP, we’ve re-imaged the role philanthropy can play in our communities. Through our venture philanthropy model, we find, fund, strengthen, and scale nonprofits with the ultimate goal of helping vulnerable children, youth, and families in B.C. thrive. We also strive to educate and engage philanthropists. To do this, we use the time, talent, treasure and ties of the SVP community--our 150+ SVP Partners (our donors), the SVP team, and our 30+ nonprofit organizations (our Investees and Alumni). We want to change the game for nonprofits, the kids they support, and the nonprofit sector as a whole.

HOW WE WORK: We foster a people-first culture, recognizing that meaningful change happens when our team members feel valued and empowered. Our work can at times be fast-paced but not at the sake of work-life balance. Collaboration is in our DNA—we bring together donors and community leaders to drive change. It is also a core part of our work culture. We are a small team of problem-solvers who wear many hats, often shifting between different priorities and responsibilities within the same day. We strive to be flexible, take initiative, and embrace the complexity that is inherent in our work. We celebrate different workstyles and bring our whole selves to work. We work hybrid workweeks in Vancouver and we enjoy spending one and a half days (or more) together in our shared office.

THE JOB: This role is about keeping SVP’s programs, events, and fundraising running smoothly. You'll plan and manage SVP’s large-scale events, as well as smaller knowledge and social events from start to finish, while supporting program and engagement activities across the organization. As needed, you’ll also assist with communications project management, administrative tasks, new process creation, and data tracking to help measure success and inform future strategies.

A typical month might include:

• Planning and delivering SVP’s larger events (e.g., AGM, 25th Anniversary, Impact Open Pickleball Invitational), smaller social events and online webinars from start to finish, including timelines, vendors, run-of-show, materials, and on-the-day coordination.
• Coordinating event-related communications and stakeholder touchpoints, including invitations, reminders, agendas, follow-up emails, and sponsorship outreach.
• Collaborating with the team on how to amplify events via newsletters, blog posts, and editorial content for partners, investees, and external audiences.
• Supporting SVP’s capacity-building work by contributing to learning opportunities and convenings for Investees (nonprofit organizations).
• Managing interdependencies across programs, events, engagement, and operations to ensure work is coordinated, sequenced, and moving forward effectively.
• Updating programming and stakeholder engagement data to track participation, interest, and feedback, using insights to refine future programming and events.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys a mix of planning events, improving engagement through relationship-building, and delivering high-quality programs that connect donors, nonprofit partners, and community in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

ACCOUNTABILITY: The SVP Events, Program, and Engagement Manager is accountable to the Director of Community Capacity and the Director of Development and Engagement.

WHO YOU ARE
Our ideal candidate has the competencies (skills, knowledge, experience & expertise) listed below.

1. Event Planning & Execution:

• Project Management: Ability to lead end-to-end planning and execution of events (50-80+ attendees), managing multiple aspects of an event, balancing logistics, timelines, vendors, and internal contributors efficiently.
• Attention to Detail: A sharp focus on the details that make events successful—venue, catering, registration, run-of-show, accessibility, and participant experience, etc.
• Problem Solving & Anticipation: Ability to anticipate potential challenges and take proactive steps to resolve them before they arise.
• Flexibility: Willingness and ability to adapt to last-minute changes or evolving priorities while maintaining a high-quality experience.

2. Relationship Building & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication, with the ability to connect with a diverse group of stakeholders, including Partners (donors), donor prospects, and Investee/Alumni organizations, through various mediums.
• Empathy & Active Listening: Ability to understand stakeholders’ needs and priorities and build genuine, long-term relationships.
• Collaborative Mindset: Ability to work within a team and across departments, understanding the interdependencies in your work.
• Cultural Competency: Ability to navigate power dynamics and diverse communication styles while ensuring inclusive, respectful engagement.

3. Administrative:

• Organizing Skills: Strong administrative organizing skills, particularly in maintaining systems like Salesforce and keeping them up to date.
• Tech Savvy & Quick Learner: Ability to quickly learn new systems, tools, and processes with minimal guidance.
• Data Management & Reporting: Ability to capture, synthesize, and report on data related to events, engagement, and participation to inform strategy and improvements.
• Time Management: Effective at prioritizing tasks to balance ongoing administrative work with event support and relationship building.

4. Strategic Thinking & Initiative:

• Critical Thinking: Ability to think critically about tasks, considering not just what needs to be done but how to make processes more efficient or impactful.
• Anticipation of Needs: Recognizing potential future needs and taking initiative to address them before being asked.
• Decision Making: Ability to make decisions based on data, team input, and strategic priorities.
• Generative Thinking: Ability to contribute to the generation of new ideas, events, and opportunities, and develop creative solutions and concepts that align with organizational goals.

5. Nonprofit Sector Knowledge:

• Understanding of Nonprofit Landscape: A strong grasp of nonprofit dynamics, particularly in stakeholder stewardship and partner relationships, to ensure effective communication and strategy.
• Sector Sensitivity: Ability to consider power dynamics, equity issues, and stakeholder perspectives when communicating and engaging in relationship-building activities.

6. Team Collaboration & Support:

• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Ability to navigate overlapping responsibilities with other team members, balancing independent work with collaborative projects.
• Supportive Nature: Proactively contributes to a positive team environment by offering support, sharing responsibilities, and anticipating ways to work more effectively together.

7. Learning & Adaptability:

• Growth Mindset: Eagerness to learn from both successes and setbacks, making adjustments and improving processes over time.
• Self-Reflection & Feedback Receptivity: Openness to feedback and willingness to use it constructively to improve performance.

DIVERSITY: SVP Vancouver is an equal-opportunity employer, and we are committed to cultivating a team that reflects the diversity of Vancouver. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or domestic partner status, veteran status, medical condition, mental or physical disability which would not prevent the performance of essential job duties without reasonable accommodation.

BENEFITS: The salary range for this role is $63,000-$70,000 plus comprehensive benefits, including 4 weeks paid vacation and paid leave during our holiday office closure. The SVP team also has the flexibility to complete their work in four days a week.

ACCESSIBILITY: Please note, SVP’s main office space is located on the third floor with an elevator for access to the office. The office is a shared work space, which includes hot desks and small private offices available for booking.

POSITION DATES: The expected start date for this position is mid-April. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis starting in February 2026. This is a 17-month fixed term parental leave position with an anticipated end date of mid-September 2027. Subject to organizational needs and funding, there may be a possibility of extension; however, an extension is not guaranteed.

PROCESS:

• Click through to apply, upload your resume only and complete the short questionnaire
• Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis as resumes are received.
• Selected candidates will be invited to a 45-minute video screening.
• After the phone screening, another round of selected candidates will be invited to participate in a 60 minute in-person interview.

While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those selected for the interview process will be contacted.

HONORARIUM: In recognition of the labour that goes into preparing for an interview, applicants selected for an in-person interview will receive a $50 honorarium for their time.

HOW TO APPLY: Please complete the questionnaire and upload a résumé as a PDF by clicking the apply now button.