Chief Operating Officer, Victoria (Closed)
The Organization
Pacifica Housing Advisory Association (“Pacifica” or “Pacifica Housing”) has been providing safe and affordable homes for almost 35 years. Pacifica's vision is to provide equitable housing in pursuit of thriving communities. Their mission is to advance the independence of individuals and families through equitable housing and supportive services.
As one of the largest non-profit housing providers on Vancouver Island, Pacifica owns and/or operates 38 properties, a portfolio that includes subsidized rental, supportive, and reduced-market units. They manage a budget of nearly $24M budget and 160 staff.
In addition to housing, Pacifica runs a number of programs that provide drop-in advocacy, house navigation, and financial navigation services for those who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness. They also partner with other community service providers to deliver encampment outreach, Indigenous outreach, and landlord liaison services.
As a rapidly expanding organization dedicated to meeting the housing and support needs of Greater Victoria, Nanaimo, and the wider community, Pacifica Housing is committed to building up their fast-growing team with a culture that supports, drives, and reinforces their core values of authenticity, leadership, respect, and social justice.
Pacifica is proud to be a Certified Living Wage Employer by The Living Wage for Families Campaign benefiting the economy and the community.
Read more details about the organization on their website.
The Opportunity
Pacifica Housing is seeking qualified candidates to apply for their newly established Chief Operating Officer position. As Pacifica has enjoyed transformational growth through new developments and recently awarded contracts for housing projects across Vancouver Island, in addition to the continuous expansion and innovation of their service offerings, this is a perfect time for a proven operational and visionary leader to join the organization.
Reporting to the CEO, the COO is responsible for the high level management of the organization’s daily operations—aligning all initiatives with the Strategic Plan and promoting organizational values and culture. Along with the Executive Team, the COO is accountable for participating in strategic and operational planning decisions as well as expanding and enhancing the public profile of the organization.
Whereas the CEO oversees the planning and development of housing projects, the COO is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the properties. The COO’s direct reports will include the Director of HR, Associate Director of Property Services, and Associate Director of Supportive Services; these teams encompass the vast majority of the organization’s staff, accordingly 130+ staff indirectly report up to the COO.
Initial priorities for the COO will include creating and streamlining processes across teams to ensure effective, consistent, and transparent service delivery, continuously modernizing reporting protocols, data management, and analytics, and ensuring the optimal operationalization of new and ongoing housing development projects.
Current developments include the Johnson St. Firehall, a mixed-use project containing 130 affordable housing units (the largest affordable, independent-living housing project in the City of Victoria) and the Burnside School Affordable Housing Project, a proposed mixed-use space with 88 affordable rental units and a 59-space daycare.
Responsibilities:
As a member of the Executive Team, the COO will contribute to strategic and operational planning and the resolution of critical operational issues by:
Leading the development and implementation of operational management strategies and daily administrative activities by providing leadership to Supportive Services, Property Services, Human Resources, and other operational leaders;
Aligning operational plans with strategic goals and organizational values; and,
Providing management expertise and operational advice to the Chief Executive Officer, including in the areas of business growth and development opportunities.
Other key responsibilities include:
Resolving critical issues as they arise with staffing, employee relations, and client management;
Participating in and demonstrating an ongoing commitment to Executive Team initiatives;
Designing and implementing business strategies, plans, and procedures;
Setting comprehensive goals for performance and growth;
Establishing policies that promote company culture and vision;
Leading and motivating employees to encourage maximum performance and dedication;
Evaluating performance by analyzing and interpreting data and metrics;
Formulating plans to mitigate business risks, including drafting policy proposals for the Chief Executive Officer’s review;
In partnership with the CFO, reviewing budget estimates and developing preliminary and final budgets;
Tracking the financial performance of the departments they oversee;
Preparing a variety of statements and statistical reports for funding agencies; and,
Supporting contract negotiations with funders, ensuring contractual obligations are met.
Essential Qualities and Experience
Pacifica Housing welcomes all credibly experienced leaders to apply, however, considering the seniority, breadth, complexity, and authority of this position, they will prioritize candidates who have the following attributes or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or related field (Master’s Degree considered an asset)
Experience:
A minimum ten (10) years of progressively more responsible professional experience is required. Experience working in the non-profit sector is an asset but not a requirement.
Minimum two (2) years as a operations director or equivalent experience
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Executive level understanding of business functions, such as HR, Property Management, and Social Services
Demonstrable competency in strategic planning and business development
Working knowledge of data analysis and performance/operation metrics
Outstanding organizational and leadership abilities
Excellent interpersonal and public speaking skills
Aptitude in decision-making and problem-solving
Demonstrated skills in managing/mentoring others
Experience with government-funded service contracts and related reporting
Demonstrated project and change management skills
An understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as decolonization and indigenization best practices and principles.
Compensation and Search Process
Pacifica Housing’s COO position is a strategic leadership role and is budgeted to pay competitively within the sector, depending on experience. The salary range for this role will be between $125,000-$135,000, in addition to employer-paid RRSP contributions, wellness time, dog-friendly offices, and an excellent benefits package.
The search process may include conventional longlist, shortlist, and committee interview stages. We will request for finalists to offer comprehensive references and complete a thorough background check.
We expect to process our first review of applications by September 30, 2022.
Our client values diversity, equity, and inclusion in our hiring and organizational policies and practices. We encourage candidates who require any accommodations to contact us directly with related questions, which can be addressed in confidence as appropriate.
To apply, please forward your resume and cover letter to
info@mosaicsearch.ca
You are also welcome to email
Dave Namkung (dave@mosaicsearch.ca) or
Beth Young (beth@mosaicsearch.ca) with any related questions.
