The Halifax Chamber of Commerce (The Chamber) is a business advocacy organization committed to creating value and prosperity for its members. The Chamber provides the services its members need while advocating for the conditions to enhance private sector growth.

Together, the 1,950+ member businesses and not-for-profits and their over 93,000 employees act as a single, powerful voice through the Chamber to promote local business and societal interests. The volunteer board of directors and Chamber staff undertake initiatives at the request of, and on behalf of, our diverse membership. For over 250 years, we have been representing the voice of business and community organizations in Halifax. To learn more about the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, visit the website.

Most importantly, we are driven by the dedication and support of the community around us. We know Halifax’s future is bright and want to see it succeed.

The Halifax Chamber of Commerce is seeking an outgoing individual responsible for leading and coordinating diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion engagement and communications efforts across all aspects of the Chamber’s operations. The Halifax Chamber is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment at all levels of its organization, including its board of directors, employees, business partners, suppliers, members and volunteers. Working closely with the management team, this role will use and continue to develop the Chamber’s DEAI Action Plan and policy while promoting equality, diversity, accessibility and inclusion into everything the Halifax Chamber does.

• Membership: Your role will help us build a more diverse Chamber through outreach to and recruitment of businesses owned by equity-deserving groups. To support retention, you will facilitate regular interest holder and member benefits meetings, and contribute to Chamber communications and programming to better reflect the needs of equity-deserving communities and groups. This includes:

  • Recruitment of new Chamber members

  • Retention using ongoing engagement efforts to ensure our current Community Initiative Members see and experience the value of the Chamber benefits for their business.

• Relationship-building: Cultivate relationships across diverse communities to provide the Chamber and its member organizations with opportunities that are responsive to their cultures and identities. Serve as an advocate in the community to ensure that the needs of these diverse business communities are reflected in Chamber policies, programming, and communications. Attend community events throughout Halifax.

• Educational opportunities and events: Recommend educational opportunities and events, promote awareness of DEAI, and provide support for our staff, board, volunteers, and members to build knowledge and cultural confidence as we commit to creating a more diverse, equitable, accessible and inclusive community.

• Facilitating feedback: This role will support conversations with individuals and organizations who haven’t historically connected with the Chamber, exploring their perspectives and identifying steps we can take to create a more welcoming and relevant organization.

• Communications: Ensure businesses are fully engaged as members, including having them profiled in Business Voice, attending Chamber training and events, and enrollment into our affinity partner programs. This also includes:

  • Provide ongoing input, information and materials that support internal and external communication efforts about programming and opportunities for equity-deserving communities and groups.

  • Research and identify businesses that should be nominated for the Halifax Business Awards and work with the nominating committee to ensure the process is fair, accessible and representative for all Chamber members.

  • Profile equity-deserving business owners at our events through speaking opportunities, in our communications and on the Board of Directors and other volunteer opportunities

  • Collaborate on the research, creation and production of new marketing collateral for DEAI.

  • Research and write an annual DEAI report for the Chamber Board, reporting on activities, membership gains, programming and communications that support the Chamber's DEAI vision.

  • Other duties as assigned.

• Post-secondary education in a relevant field such as business administration, entrepreneurship, marketing and communications. An equivalent combination of work experience and lived experience may also be considered.

• Practical experience with demonstrated success in sales, communications, marketing and community engagement.

• A passion for making change in the business community and a track record for supporting diversity and inclusion in the workplace and community.

• Demonstrates a commitment to valuing diversity, anti-racism and contributing to an inclusive work environment.

• Strong analytical writing skills and oral communication skills.

• Ability to successfully navigate challenging conversations and build consensus.

• Ability to develop and conduct presentations and training sessions.

• A strategic thinker with the ability to manage larger projects.

• Proven communications and writing skills.

• Excellent time management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities at once.

• Ability to work some nights/weekends from time to time.

• Access to reliable transportation.

• Excellent Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook Skills.

• Familiarity and willingness to use social media.