Impact & Growth Coordinator
Kitchener-Waterloo Library of Things (KWLOT)
Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region (EAFWR)

Do you have a passion for people, relationships, inclusion and belonging? Do you want to work towards a community that welcomes and accepts everyone?

So do we!

Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region (EAFWR) was founded on the values of working with people with disabilities to grow their social relationships and be seen and valued as full contributing citizens in our community. By offering supports and services tailored to your dreams and goals, Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region puts you first.

If this sounds exciting to you, come join our dynamic team to help bring these values to life in our community.

Role:

The KWLOT Impact and Growth Coordinator is a full-time role designed to be the lead for new revenue streams, expanding the employment program, and increasing community impact for the Kitchener-Waterloo Library of Things (KWLOT). KWLOT is an employment social enterprise of Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region.

This position is responsible for building and launching new programs and services that strengthen the tool-sharing community, promote environmental sustainability, and create meaningful supportive employment opportunities for individuals with lived experience of disability. The successful candidate will lead the development and acceleration of new revenue generating initiatives, manage a team of part-time staff, and build key partnerships to ensure long-term organizational health and growth.

A Note on This Evolving Role:

The successful candidate for this 30-month contract will be a flexible and collaborative leader. The job description is designed to reflect a role that may evolve significantly over the contract period:

• Year 1: Primary focus on creating the "backbone project structure," including research, business model development, and hiring new staff
• Years 2 & 3: The role will shift towards active program management, operational oversight, and delivery of new services

We will work with the successful candidate to collaboratively shape the role as the project progresses, but all shifts in responsibilities will ultimately prioritize the success of the project and the mission of the KW Library of Things.

Required Qualifications: 

• A minimum of 2-3 years of experience in project management, program development, entrepreneurship, marketing, or relevant leadership role and/or post-secondary certification in one of the following fields: Marketing, Business Administration, Project Management, Community Development, or Social Services
• Experience in developing, marketing, supporting, and/or growing a new program that generates revenue
• Experience in team supervision, job coaching, or providing supportive employment mentorship
• Demonstrated experience in building and maintaining community relationships and partnerships
• Direct experience working with people who have developmental and/or physical disabilities, and their networks
• Familiarity with working in diverse teams with different levels of abilities and needs
• Experience with trauma-informed, culturally sensitive and equity-focused approaches when working with co-workers, employees, volunteers, and community members from diverse backgrounds

Ideal Qualifications:

• Familiarity with data collection and analysis to measure program success and impact
• Experience with financial sustainability planning and/or revenue-generating initiatives
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively manage relationships with diverse partners and team members
• A G license and access to a reliable vehicle for transportation
• Lived experience and/or expertise of disability

Core Competencies:

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a leading level of competency in the following areas, with a specific focus on action-oriented implementation:

• Strategic Thinking: Evaluates plan to assess the gap between the current state and desired future direction and adapts as necessary
• Building Relationships: Explores and assesses relationships to understand and evaluate the opportunities that exist, or could potentially exist for further partnerships, leading to community inclusion and belonging
• Problem Solving and Decision Making: Thinks imaginatively to develop creative solutions or options for which there are few or no precedents
• Championing Change and Innovation: Partners with others outside of the immediate environment, using their understanding of various systems, in the development of the plan
• Valuing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: Identifies and addresses barriers that prevent the full participation and access of equity-deserving groups
• Facilitating Growth and Development: Invests time to help foster the growth and development of others individually and as a group (team), and act as a role model

The requirements listed are guidelines. Candidates do not have to satisfy every requirement or meet every qualification to be considered.  Applicants with lived experiences with mental health, disability, or who identify as BIPOC, 2SLGBTQ+ are encouraged to apply, and to seek accommodations as required to support their candidacy.

Hours and Pay:

• 35 hours per week, including some evening and weekend hours as required
• Starting Rate: Band 7 - $28.15 - $29.87/hr
• This is a 2.5 year [30 months] project, based on a grant, with the goal of renewal beyond the grant period
• The successful candidate will be eligible for benefits after 3 months of service

Responsibilities and Functions:

Reporting to the Community Development Program Manager, the KWLOT Impact and Growth Coordinator will:

Business & Strategy Development:

• Lead the development, pilot, and launch of new revenue-generating programs, including repair services and event rentals, among others
• Collaborate with management, external partners, and the advisory committee to define and report on strategic purpose and direction for new programs
• Utilize data to inform decision-making, monitor program KPIs, and demonstrate community impact for financial sustainability
• Develop and refine training programs and business models for new service offerings
• Design and implement creative solutions to promote the new revenue-generating programs as well as KWLOT as whole
• Collaborate with Operational Librarian and Practicum Librarians to execute business and marketing goals

Employment Program Leadership:

• Recruit, hire, and train up to 5 part-time Rental and Repair Librarians, who face barriers to employment due to disability, ensuring their roles provide meaningful and supported employment
• Provide ongoing mentorship and supervision to part-time staff, fostering independence and skill development
• Collaborate with EAFWR team members to ensure the employment program aligns with the goals and needs of the individuals it serves

Partnership & Community Engagement:

• Act as a primary KWLOT contact for building and maintaining relationships with community partners, corporate sponsors, and government agencies
• Develop a targeted outreach and marketing strategy, such as actively promoting KWLOT services through social media, webinars, and in-person events to expand our reach
• Contribute to marketing and social media campaigns to achieve organizational goals
• Organize and run workshops and events (e.g., DIY, repair, power tools) in collaboration with subject matter experts to attract new members and support existing ones
• Complete other tasks for KWLOT as assigned by the Community Development Program Manager

Provide Support to EAFWR Administration by:

• Maintaining awareness of and adherence to relevant guidelines, policies, and procedures
• Promoting the growth of an organizational culture that is both inclusive and anti-oppressive
• Participating in training and staff development as requested/required
• Providing documents relevant to the position as requested by EAFWR

Extend-A-Family is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to ensuring that people with disabilities have the same opportunity of access to employment.