Director – Recovery Operations, BC

The Canadian Red Cross (CRC), an iconic brand and one of the most inspirational not-for-profit organizations on this planet, is seeking a Director – Recovery Operations to join our Recovery Operations team.   

You have a passion for helping others, and want to work with other dedicated individuals? By applying, you are taking a big first step to be part of an exciting organization.

At the Canadian Red Cross, we are guided by our fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. We help people and communities in Canada and around the world in times of need and support them in strengthening their resilience.   

Starting with the hiring process, we are committed to having an accessible, diverse, inclusive, and barrier-free work environment where everyone can reach their full potential. We encourage all qualified persons to apply, particularly Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, racialized people, and people with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and others who share our values and contribute to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.   

We are looking for a Director, Recovery Operations who will have strong linkages to provincial leadership teams, the Director, Recovery Operations is responsible for providing leadership to new and ongoing recovery operations. As such strong operational capacity, and the ability to deploy to other events across Canada (virtually and in person) to keep capacities up to date is required.

Working with the Senior Director, Recovery Services, the Director will work collaboratively within the matrix structure with regard collaboration and informing. Responsibilities include providing support and direction within all aspects of the operation with a focus on recovery and ensuring appropriate decision-making, collaboration, informing and reporting take place. The Director, Recovery Operations is a capable leader who thrives in complex environments and is adapt at building consensus and cohesion across diverse teams.

This role requires someone with strong operational leadership skills as evidenced by their ability to develop and inspire others, champion the operational strategy and values while also actively participating in recovery execution functions, as required.  The individual is steady under pressure and can ensure operational commitments are met amidst a constant changing environment by presenting relevant information to focus the team. Strong communication, clear messaging and a natural collaborative approach is critical as the organization continues to evolve.

As a Director – Recovery Operations you will: 

Operational Leadership

• Provide leadership, guidance, and management oversight of active recovery operations including communicating priorities and setting goals and expectations.
• Proactively identify and manage emerging issues and potential conflicts to create a positive and solution-focused environment.
• Build and foster high-performing teams in a manner that considers opportunities for growth and personnel well-being.
• Build an understanding of the needs of impacted communities and the gaps in existing capacities, and collaboratively seek solutions.
• Liaise with relevant government authorities, Indigenous partners, and community organizations, including representing CRC at external meetings as a representative and expert in recovery.

Internal Coordination

• Establish and lead recovery coordination mechanisms that foster a culture of cooperation across all functions within the recovery operation including collaboration between services delivered.
• Identify and facilitate opportunities for cross-functional collaboration and engagement with expertise from across the organization.
• Liaise with support functions and corporate services to ensure appropriate and timely support to recovery operations.

Planning, Budgeting and Reporting

• Work closely with the Senior Director, Recovery Services to  develop, maintain and monitor a workforce plan that is right sized to recovery operations as well as develop and monitor budgets for recovery operations.  
• Develop and monitor a risk register for active recovery operations including implementation of appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Oversee the preparation of external and internal reports and dashboards to inform stakeholders about recovery programming, share trends and insights, recommendations and support evidence-based decision-making. 

Supervision of CRC Personnel

• Directly supervise assigned staff and oversee recovery staff in a given province or operation.
• Provide leadership in the development of workplans and career development plans for assigned staff.
• Support implementation of all People Services policies and practices, ensuring opportunities are created for professional development, recognizing, and celebrating successes, and cultivating a culture of teamwork, collaboration and innovation across all levels and functions of the organization.

What we are looking for: 

• University degree in a related discipline from a recognized academic institution, with a minimum of 7-10 years of relevant or transferrable work experience in disaster recovery, humanitarian assistance, insurance, construction, or emergency management.
• Minimum of 5 years experience leading large operations, projects, or teams in complex contexts.
• Demonstrated experience in decision-making abilities in high pressure situations.
• Demonstrated experience in successfully leading large projects, teams, or operations.
• Experience managing diverse teams, while working remotely.
• Experience working in and navigating matrix-style structures.
• High level of communication and negotiating skills.
• Ability to deliver write, create work products, and develop tools as required.
• Experience in developing and managing budgets and operational plans.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English, French is an asset.
• Excellent leadership ability combined with highly developed managerial skills.
• Ability to influence and support others, and to work collaboratively as part of remote and in-person teams.
• Ability to exercise good judgement, discretion and professionalism in handling issues and confidential information.
• Agile, creative, and proactive approach to working in evolving and ambiguous environments with tight timelines.
• Ability to analyze and solve complex problems and effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment.
• Excellent knowledge of the Microsoft Office and virtual meeting software.

Working conditions:

• The majority of the work is performed in an environment which is at varying degrees of impact from emergencies and events. This can include in hardship conditions, as well as difficult and unstable conditions (environmental, physical, social, etc.) and uncomfortable conditions (noise, odors, smoke, humidity, vulnerable beneficiaries).
• Ability to respond and be on call during non-traditional hours (i.e., late night or weekends) and long hours of work in a demanding context.
• Ability to be on-call when scheduled, as required.
• Must be available to travel to response/recovery operations as required.
• Able to work non-traditional hours and respond to after hour emergency/disaster related requests.
• Committed to supporting a diverse and inclusive workplace.
• This position requires a satisfactory Criminal Records Check required or a satisfactory Enhanced Police Information Check (EPIC).
• If driving for Society business; a valid driver’s license is required with a satisfactory drivers’ abstract.
• Full vaccination against COVID-19 is mandatory for this position and operation (the CRC will however adhere to its duty to accommodate those who are unable to be fully vaccinated for a reason related to a human right protected ground) 

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How to Apply:

To apply for this position, please visit this page.