Co-ops & Local Economies Program Manager

Vancity; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 109,000 - 141,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Living Wage Employer

Customizable Benefits

Generous Vacation

Extra Stat Holidays

Immediate Health Coverage

Defined Benefit Pension

Job summary

Vancity is seeking a Co-ops & Local Economies Program Manager to advance our strategy for cooperatives, local ownership, and community resilience. The role focuses on building strategic partnerships, generating sector insights, and developing initiatives that help member businesses start, grow, and transition ownership while keeping value rooted locally.

Based at the Vancity head office with a hybrid work arrangement, you will partner with senior leadership and report to the Director, Co‑Ops and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field.
• Minimum 5+ years in program management, community economic development, social finance, or cooperative development.
• Demonstrated experience delivering programs, partnerships, or initiatives with measurable impact.
• Experience building relationships across non-profits, co-operatives, government agencies, financial institutions, and community partners.
• Strong research, analytical, and strategic thinking skills with ability to synthesize complex information into actionable recommendations.
• Experience preparing business cases, presentations, reports, and briefing materials for senior leadership and external stakeholders.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, facilitation, communication, and relationship management skills.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and initiatives simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and delivery of programs that strengthen co-operatives, small businesses, and local economic ecosystems.
• Develop tools, frameworks, and partnership approaches to scale strategy through impact capital.
• Build and manage relationships with co-operatives, sector associations, community organizations, and economic development partners.
• Identify and activate partnerships that support cooperative growth, local enterprise, and community wealth recirculation.
• Coordinate internal teams and external partners to advance collaborative initiatives and community-based opportunities.
• Participate in industry convenings, working groups, and stakeholder forums to identify trends and opportunities.
• Translate research and market insights into practical recommendations, business cases, and financing pathways.
• Create storytelling and communications materials that demonstrate outcomes and strengthen awareness.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic thinking

Relationship management

Project management

Research and analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Community Development, Public Policy, Commerce, Urban Studies, Social Enterprise, or related discipline

Job description

Our Story & Purpose:

We’re Vancity, a member‑owned credit union built on the principles of inclusion and social justice. Since 1946, our relentless commitment to these values has helped us challenge the status quo and break down barriers. We’ve made bold commitments to become net‑zero by 2040 across all mortgages and loans, and we’re actively pursuing strategies in Indigenous banking and financial resilience for our members.

As the largest private sector Living Wage Employer in Canada, we’re proud to be consistently recognized as one of the country’s Top Employers. If you’re ready to join our team of 2,700 diverse individuals, access competitive rewards and benefits, and be part of a greater movement.

Your Role in Supporting Our Members:

As a Co-ops & Local Economies Program Manager, you will work closely with senior leadership to advance Vancity’s Co‑ops & Local Economies Strategy by creating the conditions for members, businesses, and communities to thrive through stronger local economies, community ownership, and co‑operative development. You will build strategic partnerships, generate sector insights, develop innovative initiatives, and identify opportunities that help businesses start, grow, modernize, transition ownership, and keep economic value rooted in community. This role is ideal for a strategic and community‑minded professional who is passionate about co‑operative development, local economic resilience, partnership building, and creating measurable economic impact.

This is a Full-time, Permanent role based at our Vancity head office and will report directly to the Director, Co‑Ops and Local Economy. While this position provides a hybrid work arrangement, you will be expected to be on‑site for events and business demands.

How You'll Make an Impact:

• Supporting the development and delivery of programs and initiatives that strengthen co‑operatives, small businesses, and local economic ecosystems

• Developing tools, frameworks, and partnership approaches that help internal teams activate strategy at scale through innovative models and impact capital

• Building and managing relationships with co‑operatives, sector associations, community organizations, economic development partners, and industry stakeholders

• Identifying and activating partnerships that support co‑operative growth, local enterprise, community ownership, and wealth recirculation

• Connecting internal teams and external partners to advance collaborative initiatives and community‑based opportunities

• Participating in industry convenings, working groups, and stakeholder forums to identify trends, build relationships, and generate new opportunities

• Advancing opportunities that connect co‑operative development, community ownership, economic resilience, and local enterprise with Vancity products and services

• Conducting research on co‑operative development, local economic trends, community wealth‑building models, and inclusive business practices

• Translating research, stakeholder insights, and market intelligence into practical recommendations, business cases, and financing pathways

• Developing compelling storytelling, impact reporting, presentations, and communications materials that demonstrate outcomes and strengthen awareness

What You’ll Bring to the Team:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Community Development, Public Policy, Commerce, Urban Studies, Social Enterprise, or a related discipline

• 5+ years of experience in program management, community economic development, social finance, co‑operative development, partnership management, or a related field

• Demonstrated experience developing and delivering programs, partnerships, or initiatives that create economic or community impact

• Experience building and managing relationships across non‑profit organizations, co‑operatives, government agencies, financial institutions, and community partners

• Strong research, analytical, and strategic thinking skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into actionable recommendations

• Experience developing business cases, presentations, reports, and briefing materials for senior leadership and external stakeholders

• Excellent stakeholder engagement, facilitation, communication, and relationship management skills

• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and initiatives simultaneously

Extra Skills That Set You Apart:

• Experience working within co‑operative sectors, social enterprise ecosystems, or community wealth‑building initiatives

• Experience supporting impact investing, impact capital, economic development, or inclusive business growth programs

• Knowledge of small business development, ownership transition, community ownership models, or local economic resilience strategies

You’ll Thrive Here If You Are:

• Impact‑Oriented – You are motivated by creating lasting economic and community benefits.

• Relationship‑Focused – You build meaningful partnerships and bring diverse stakeholders together around common goals.

• Strategic – You connect emerging opportunities with broader organizational and community objectives.

• Collaborative – You thrive working across sectors, disciplines, and stakeholder groups.

• Curious – You actively seek innovative ideas, insights, and approaches that strengthen local economies and community wealth.

We value lived experience, so if you are interested in this role, we encourage you to apply even if you feel your skills don't perfectly align with those listed.

What You’ll Earn:

This role offers a salary range of $108,500 to $140,500 per annum. The base pay offered may vary depending on factors such as relevant qualifications, skills, previous experience, and internal equity. As part of our total rewards package, employees may also be eligible for our annual incentive program, subject to program eligibility requirements.

Why You’ll Love Working Here:

A career at Vancity is more than just a job, you’re joining a tradition of change‑makers who are creating lasting change for our communities. Beyond base pay, we offer a comprehensive total rewards package to ensure our employees are empowered to thrive:

• Living Wage Employer: We’re the largest private‑sector Living Wage Employer in Canada and consistently ranked among Canada’s Top Employers

• Customizable Benefits: Permanent employees receive flexible benefit packages that can be tailored annually to meet evolving needs

• Generous Vacation: New employees start with 3-4 weeks of vacation per year, with additional days earned over time

• Extra Stat Holidays: In addition to BC’s 11 statutory holidays, we offer 2 extra days, plus care days for personal or family illness

• Immediate Health Coverage: Health and dental benefits begin on your hire date, with three levels of coverage to choose from

• Defined Benefit Pension: Our retirement plan provides a guaranteed income for life, recognizing that retirement looks different for everyone

Vancity Talent Programs:

Vancity supports an inclusive hiring process for candidates who self‑identify as Indigenous, Black, or Trans. With special permission from the BC Human Rights Commissioner, this initiative provides access to career development opportunities, prioritized job screening, and feedback. Any information you choose to share will be stored securely and used only for recruitment and career development connected to this initiative, in line with the BC Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).

This role is an open vacancy, and our hiring process is grounded in fairness, transparency, and inclusion. We are committed to an inclusive, barrier‑free and accessible recruitment experience for all candidates. If you require any accommodations or support at any stage of the recruitment process, including the application stage, we encourage you to let us know. We’re here to work with you to ensure your needs are met promptly and effectively. All requests will be handled with the utmost respect and confidentiality, so you can participate fully in the process.