Organization
From rescue to recovery, fire fighters have answered the call to support burn survivors across BC and the Yukon since 1978. Established by the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association, the Burn Fund is dedicated to supporting burn survivors throughout their recovery every step of the way. From enhancing survivor care at BC’s trauma hospitals to providing emotional support for survivors of all ages, the Burn Fund empowers, supports and builds resilience for burn survivors and their families.
More than 4,200 professional fire fighters from 53 communities across BC and the Yukon champion the Burn Fund’s vision. They dedicate their time and skills to support burn survivors and increase the public’s knowledge about fire and burn prevention. The Burn Fund supports these fire fighters through mental health and resilience-building programs and the Home Away Program.
A champion for the Burn Fund resides in all 53 professional fire fighter associations around BC and Yukon. Whether these fire fighters give of their time at Burn Camp, volunteer at Bright Nights, support Burn Fund outreach in their home communities, or raise funds and awareness, they become a vital part of a province-wide network of support for burn survivors.
Opened in March 2016, the Burn Fund Centre is a testament to the vision of fire fighters, donors, volunteers and staff who brought it to life. The Burn Fund Centre is an iconic building nestled in the heart of Main Street. Located within the Burn Fund Centre is the Home Away program, where eight furnished suites with common amenities are available to burn survivors and their families, and fire fighters, while undergoing medical treatment in Vancouver.
For the past 22 years, the Burn Fund has partnered with the Vancouver Park Board to present the magic and illumination of Bright Nights in Stanley Park. This popular event marks the beginning of the holiday season for many BC families as they take in the many displays and participate in activities while waiting for an enchanted train ride. Fire fighter and burn survivor volunteers transform the park into a winter wonderland with more than three million twinkling lights.
The Burn Fund’s latest fundraiser is the Bright Nights 50/50, an extension of Vancouver’s favourite holiday tradition. Created to recoup lost funds from the 2020 cancellation of Bright Nights, the inaugural 50/50 reached an impressive $525,660 jackpot thanks to the generosity of British Columbians.
The Burn Fund’s largest annual fundraiser, the Hometown Heroes Lottery, in partnership with VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, supports essential funding of Burn Fund programs and services. Vancouver Fire Fighter Sebastian Sevallo co-hosts the fundraiser with CFOX host Karen Khunkhun to promote the life-changing services which are supported by the Lottery, including the Future is Mine and Burn Camp, along with the most urgent needs of the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation.
The Burn Fund’s Board of Directors is a diverse group of 16 dedicated and passionate individuals from throughout the province. The majority of the team is either active or retired professional fire fighters enhanced by healthcare and business community members. The team of directors is hands-on and thrives on giving a helping hand whenever it’s needed.
Community
A committed community drives the work of the Burn Fund; its unique history and legacy are built on passion and dedication. The community’s values hold strong today as stakeholders with 20+ years of experience remain connected to the cause.
The Burn Fund’s three camp programs – Little Lionhearts Family Camp, Burn Camp and Thrive Winter Retreat – are hosted annually for burn survivors from newborn to age 25. Each year, returning volunteers and counsellors bring the magic of these programs alive. The adult survivor community of 500+ members spans across British Columbia and Yukon and remains connected through in-person and virtual events.
Prevention and awareness are a top pillar in the Burn Fund’s mission, and through campaigns such as Fire Prevention Week and Burn Awareness Week, and media campaigns, the Burn Fund’s main objective is to prevent these life-altering injuries from ever occurring.
As well as these programs and prevention, the Burn Fund supports survivors if there is a financial need for medical supplies such as pressure garments, offers bursaries for ongoing education, and provides access to psychological support and other services.
Healthcare professional partnerships across the province are a key component of the Burn Fund’s mission. Ensuring that burn patient care is top priority, the Burn Fund continues to strengthen these relationships and provide expertise and funding to improve burn and trauma care and treatment. The Burn Fund remains committed to ensuring that the burn and trauma teams have the equipment, education, and support they need to carry out their mission.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director (ED) will lead a talented team of dedicated staff, contractors, and passionate volunteers. The ED will provide vision, inspiration, direction and management of organizational operations. The ED will lead a professional team with a goal to increase revenues, grow and improve current programs, and consider new ways to support burn survivors through prevention and program development. The Burn Fund is seeking a strategic and thoughtful leader to guide the organization into the future, a leader who has the skills, experience, and passion to position the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund for sustainable growth while maintaining the excellence, trust and legacy that the brand is already known for.
Responsibilities/Accountabilities
Fundraising & Community Relations:
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Currently oversees all aspects of fundraising for the organization, including, but not limited to, events, lottery and other grants, in memoriam and planned giving donations.
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Identifies, cultivates, solicits and stewards prospective donors, including local professional fire fighter associations, government bodies, foundations, individuals, and corporations.
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Provides oversight for all special fundraising events and works with long-term established committees.
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Develops and maintains strong relationships with the Burn Fund’s healthcare community partners such as the BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver General Hospital, Royal Jubilee and the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn and Wound Healing Research Laboratory.
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Ensures key stakeholders are kept updated and informed of development successes, challenges, results and impact.
Financial Management:
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Develops the annual budget with the finance committee for board approval / AGM.
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Monitor the budget throughout the year, present monthly and periodic reports to the finance committee and board, and develop appropriate internal controls related to all financial matters.
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Build cash flow reports; Year to date department reports and assists the Secretary Treasurer with Endowment Fund Reporting.
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Works with staff, Finance Committee and Secretary Treasurer to ensure the organization operates within budget guidelines and sound financial practices to deliver programs approved by the Board.
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Perform other financial management and participation responsibilities as needed.
Program Management:
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Provides strategic oversight to all Program Directors and Committees, ensuring the Burn Fund’s strategic goals are being achieved.
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Has oversight of all Program Directors on development and fundraising components.
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Reviews program plans for consistency, policies, strategic value, cost benefit analysis, etc., utilizing existing committees.
Communications:
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Provides strategic oversight of the Director of Communications, ensuring the Burn Fund’s strategic marketing and communications goals are being achieved.
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Maintain open lines of communication to keep the Board of Directors fully informed on the organization’s activities and any crucial factors influencing it.
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Appropriately represents the programs and strategies of the organization to external agencies, organizations and the general public.
Leadership, Management & Collaboration:
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Build and nurture strong relationships with the Board of Directors, executive, staff and volunteers.
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Oversee, advise, and guide staff in programming, operations, finance, fund development, and communications.
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Refine and execute annual and multi-year work plans with the board and staff to reinforce strategic priorities, achieve organizational goals, and deliver impact.
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Celebrate and lead a diverse team and maintain an effective structure with a focus on respectful workplace, positive culture and work life balance.
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Partner with the appropriate Burn Fund and BCPFFA Executive Board Members as-needed.
About you
As a seasoned executive level strategic leader, you are excited by the thought of guiding a strong team of talented individuals in a dynamic and complex work environment. You thrive in ever changing workspaces and pride yourself on staying abreast of the latest innovations in fundraising, leadership and collaboration strategies. Multi-stakeholder environments are where you do your best work and you have demonstrated success in ensuring staff, external stakeholders and board members all feel their added value and understand their individual roles. You are accustomed to the practice of talking about finances, budget and strategy in one meeting, only to move on to another whereby you had to pick up the pizza on your way to assisting a group of volunteers to pack ‘grab bags’ for a charity event. Variety is absolutely critical for you to be successful and above all else, you respect and appreciate the vulnerable population the Burn Fund is here to support.
Experience/Skills/Education
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Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited Canadian post-secondary institution, or equivalent skills and experience.
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5 to 8 years of progressive senior leadership experience in the not-for-profit sector, preferably within a unionized environment.
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Demonstrated excellence in developing and maintaining an effective internal communications strategy.
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Strong leadership and team building skills.
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A proven ability to learn and understand the strengths that each team member possesses and celebrate successes collectively.
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Previous experience with Human Resources oversight and best practice principles.
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Strong background developing and executing annual strategic plans.
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Broad fundraising experience, ideally working in a grassroots environment with a knowledge of fundraising strategies and donor relations skills, including event best practices and principles.
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Success in grant writing and sponsorship proposals.
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Experience in major gift fundraising and capital campaigns would be an asset.
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Success in strong financial management and experience developing and monitoring budgets with a basic understanding of accounting principles.
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Experience leading and managing an active and engaged Board of Directors with a familiarity with CRA regulations and Board governance best practices.
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Adept at risk management to ensure adequate insurance.
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High level of emotional intelligence and the ability to listen and empathize.
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Highly organized and comfortable working in a fast-paced and fluid environment.
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Some provincial travel is required as is the ability to work a variable work schedule due to attendance at events and conferences.
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Intermediate to advanced technological comfort, specifically when using document sharing technology such as Google Workplace and database technology such as Raiser’s Edge.
Benefits of working with us
We offer a flexible, inclusive and diverse work environment:
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An excellent employee benefits package for you and your dependents
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An office laptop and necessary equipment
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Cell phone allowance
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The ability to work from home on occasion
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Support for appropriate training and development initiatives
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Generous leave provisions (vacation, personal days and, typically, a Christmas holiday closure)
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12 paid statutory holidays per year
How to apply
If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you. Please email your cover letter and resume in a single word or PDF file to Shannon Okun at [email protected], being sure to include the position title in the subject line. This posting will remain open until filled and screening will be ongoing.
We kindly ask that applications be sent by email only—no fax or mail applications please—and request that you do not phone. Due to the high number of applications we receive, only applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted.
We sincerely thank all applicants for their interest in the Burn Fund.
