External Relations Manager (Permanent) Vancouver Head Office 2026.106

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Community Living British Columbia (CLBC) is a Crown corporation responsible for arranging supports and services for adults with developmental disabilities and their families. CLBC staff strive to advance the vision of Communities of belonging lives with connection.

Term/Status: Permanent Full-time (70 hours bi-weekly)
Classification/Salary: Management Band 4 / Position starts at $102737 to $128421 annually *This position is under exclusion review. Subject to approval this position may be a unionized or excluded position
Team: Communications and Community Engagement
Location: Head Office (Hybrid - 2 days in office)

At CLBC we are committed to fostering a diverse equitable inclusive and accessible workplace. We encourage applications from all people with relevant skills including women Indigenous peoples persons with disabilities racialized people and those who identify as 2SLGBTQ2IA. For accommodation needs please contact at any stage of the hiring process.

Visit our Careers at CLBC page to learn more about working at CLBC what we offer and tips for the interview process.

About the opportunity:

CLBC is looking for an External Relations Manager a new role within the organization. Were a Crown agency that funds services for people with developmental disabilities including people with autism and FASD who need help with daily living. One of our big challenges The number of people served by CLBC is growing faster than BCs population and while CLBC funds as many service requests as possible we must prioritize those with the most urgent needs. Additionally CLBC supports a growing number of people with complex needs who also receive services from ministries such as health and mental health housing and corrections.

Our new External Relations Manager will have a gift for writing and for framing ideas in a manner that helps get to the roots of the issue. Youre used to dealing with thorny problems including those that involve overlapping systems such as government ministries. Youre willing to put in the time to really understand an issue but then you lift back out and figure out how to communicate about it in simpler terms. You bring clarity to challenging problems an incredibly important skill as we value plain language.

Your skills are versatile enough to fit in many organizations but we also want someone whos looking for a role with meaning one where you can make a real difference. (We arent afraid to say corny things. We dont have many big egos here.) The External Relations Manager will help CLBC work to protect some of the most vulnerable people in BC. Family members and loved ones can be fierce advocates for their person and they have a key role. But CLBC staff also prioritize those who no one else speaks up for people with no family in their corner dealing with addiction impulse control trauma or health challenges. Our senior management team fights to give vulnerable people a chance to have a life where theyre included in the community in a way that they choose.

Reporting to the Director Communications and Community Engagement the new External Relations Manager will be responsible for:

• Issues management and reputational risk Youll provide strategic advice and recommendations to senior leadership regarding communications approaches and responses to complex or sensitive issues. This includes identifying assessing and managing the response to emerging issues.
• Media relations and public communications Youll be the primary initial spokesperson for CLBC and coordinate media responses in collaboration with senior leadership and government partners.
• Strategic communications and communications planning The manager provides guidance to senior leaders regional teams and subject matter experts on complex or sensitive matters tracks emerging trends and identifies opportunities for proactive communications that highlight organizational achievements and initiatives.
• Partner and Government Relations You will build and maintain a strong working relationships with Government Communications and Public Engagement (GCPE) ministries and other government partners. This role also leads the coordination and approval of ministerial correspondence estimates notes and other communications to ensure accuracy consistency and alignment with government protocols and CLBC strategic initiatives.
• Organizational Collaboration and Strategic Support The manager will support the director in leading the organizations issues management approach and contributing to cross-organizational communications strategy. They will participate in cross-functional initiatives and committees to ensure communications considerations are integrated into organizational decision-making.

This is a hybrid role with attendance in our Vancouver head office required two days a week as this role works closely with executive leadership based out of this office

What youll bring:

• Were looking for someone with a minimum of 7 years direct experience in public affairs strategic communications media relations or issues management including experience in a leadership or people management capacity.
• Experience with communications work in a government setting is preferred.
• The person were looking for will have advanced crisis communications skills and exceptional relationship building skills with the ability to influence engage and maintain credibility with senior leaders and key interest holders.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to handle working in a dynamic environment adapting to changing priorities and deadlines emerging issues and competing demands is also required.

Were also looking for:

You would take over the leadership of a skilled team of seasoned communications pros who excel in issues management strategic communications and media relations. Plus theyre really nice! This position would also work very closely with other team members within the busy and high performing Communications and Engagement team. The internal team culture values information sharing honest feedback and pitching in to help out when needed.

We need someone with demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to coach motivate and inspire others leading within a remote work environment. A diploma or bachelors degree in Communications Public Relations Journalism Public Affairs Political Science or a related field is required.

Travel: Occasional overnight travel within British Columbia may be required

Benefits: A rewarding career at CLBC comes with great benefits including:

• Employer-paid extended health and dental plan
• A BC Public Service Pension plan with employer contributions
• Generous vacation plus additional personal days
• Paid maternity/parental/adoption leave
• Life insurance paid sick days and if needed long-term disability
• Wellness supports including an Employee and Family Assistance Program
• Professional development funds and resources to encourage continuous learning and skill development
• Access to government discounts on travel cell phones and more!

Additional Info:

• Successful applicants are subject to a Criminal Record Check
• At CLBC we are committed to providing equitable compensation recognizing that salary negotiation can be a barrier for some groups. We will engage in an objective analysis to determine a starting salary that is grounded in principles of equity and fairness

Closing date: July 27 2026

If your application is shortlisted youll be invited to an interview where youll have the opportunity to share more about your experience. Please note that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

This opportunity is open to applicants who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

Required Experience:

Manager