Assistant Manager – Community-Based Research & Engagement

Job Title:Assistant Manager Community-Based Research & Engagement

Status:Temporary Full-time (Exempt)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Schedule: Monday to Friday

Location: Surrey BC

Salary: This position starts at$65000 per year and increases to $93469 per year over a 10- year period. This salary range incorporates experience yearly salary increments to reward years of service employee growth and development within the organization.

Date Posted: April 22 2026

Closing Date: Open until filled

Start Date: ASAP

End Date: March 31 2027

The Opportunity:

The Assistant Manager Research & Community Connector Initiatives provides strategic leadership across a portfolio of community-driven and research-informed initiatives including the Community Connector Project the Trust Pathways Project (Canadian Heritage) and the NAARS Community of Practice (CoP) and DNS Working Group.

This role operates at the intersection of community research and systems change leading initiatives that influence how services are designed accessed and coordinated across the region. The position is accountable for driving system-level alignment advancing evidence-informed decision-making and convening multi-sector partners including executive-level stakeholders toward shared outcomes.

The Assistant Manager holds full accountability for portfolio performance strategic direction budget oversight and the management of external research partners and contractors ensuring initiatives are delivered with impact rigor and alignment to funder and organizational priorities.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Portfolio Leadership & Systems Influence

Provide strategic direction and oversight across a portfolio of integrated initiatives ensuring alignment with organizational priorities funding agreements and system-level objectives

Drive the integration of community-based outreach participatory research and systems coordination into a cohesive and scalable model

Identify and advance opportunities to influence policy service design and system responsiveness through evidence and community insight

Steward portfolio performance with full accountability for outcomes risks financial oversight and strategic alignment

Lead proactive identification and mitigation of risks impacting delivery partnerships and system engagement

Leadership & Systems Coordination

Convene and lead multi-stakeholder community tables including the NAARS Community of Practice (CoP) engaging senior leaders funders and sector partners

Provide strategic leadership to the DNS Working Group guiding structured evidence-informed discussions that inform regional service delivery models and system design

Shape agendas facilitate high-level dialogue and drive decision-making processes that influence regional coordination and integration

Position the organization as a systems leader and convener strengthening cross-sector alignment and accountability

Research Partnerships & Contractor Stewardship

Provide strategic oversight of research partnerships ensuring alignment between research design community priorities and system-level application

Direct and manage independent contractors consultants and research partners holding accountability for deliverables quality and impact

Translate research findings into actionable strategies tools and system improvements that inform practice and policy

Ensure all research and engagement approaches are ethical community-informed and grounded in participatory methodologies

Lead the evolution and implementation of the Community Connector model as a key strategy for trust-based community-rooted engagement

Drive approaches that strengthen service navigation access and community connection particularly for equity-deserving populations

Advance models that center lived experience peer leadership and community capacity-building as core system inputs

Strategic Partnerships & Sector Representation

Build and steward high-impact partnerships across community organizations health systems research institutions and government stakeholders

Represent the organization at regional and cross-sector leadership tables contributing to broader systems change efforts

Strengthen alignment across partners to ensure coordinated non-duplicative and responsive service delivery systems

Leadership & Accountability

Provide leadership and direction to staff and project teams fostering a high-performance outcomes-driven environment

Establish clear accountability frameworks for deliverables timelines and performance across multiple initiatives

Mentor and develop staff strengthen internal capacity in research community engagement and systems leadership

Qualified candidates will possess the following:

Bachelors degree in social sciences Public Health Community Development or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Minimum 35 years of progressive experience in community-based programs outreach research or systems-level initiatives

Minimum 2 years of leadership experience including oversight of staff projects or multi-partner initiatives

Demonstrated experience managing complex funded projects including budget oversight and reporting

Experience managing or coordinating external contractors consultants or research partners

Experience working with newcomer immigrant refugee and equity-deserving communities

Strong understanding of community engagement participatory research and co-design methodologies

Ability to lead complex initiatives and deliver results aligned with funding and organizational priorities

Experience with program evaluation reporting and performance measurement

Experience facilitating or leading multi-stakeholder tables or working groups is a strong asset

Strong oversight of timelines deliverables and accountability frameworks

Ability to manage multiple programs priorities and sites simultaneously

Communication & Facilitation Excellent ability to engage and influence diverse audiences

Have excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Fluency in other languages would be an asset.

Ability to work flexible hours and travel as required.

Effective communication and public speaking skills.

Strong computer literacy skills such as using Funder Client Management Systems ZOOM MS 365 MS Teams and MS Office suite (Word Excel PowerPoint).

Valid BC Drivers License and access to personal vehicles an asset.

Flexibility to work occasional evenings or weekends

Application Requirements:

To apply please upload your resume and cover letter as separate attachments. Please note that only Word or PDF formats can be accepted. As part of the application process you will be prompted to complete a short questionnaire. Please ensure all questions are answered.

To view all opportunities at DIVERSEcity visit Information:

This position is based in our Surrey office and offers a blend of in-office and remote work. DIVERSEcity has implemented new safety procedures for in-office and in-person work to view our safety plan please visit As an organization we continue to monitor public health and safety guidelines in order to maintain a safe working environment for DIVERSEcity s staff clients and community. This position is not available for sponsorship only candidates legally entitled to work in Canada can be considered.

A comprehensive job description will be provided to all candidates shortlisted for interviews.

DIVERSEcity is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from people of all gender identities and expressions persons with disabilities Indigenous peoples and visible minorities. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application and hiring process may contact our HR department at Any personal information provided will be maintained in confidence.

About DIVERSEcity:

DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society is a registered charity devoted to helping newcomers. For 40 years we have focused on providing specialized services newcomers to find employment learn English find housing deal with family challenges work through mental health issues and access medical care. DIVERSEcity is a client-centred organization committed to quality and accountability. We value growth respect integrity and compassion. To learn more about DIVERSEcity visit us at thank all applicants for their interest in this opportunity; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.