Project Manager - VIU Recreation & Health Summit Presentation

Our Client Organization
Nanaimo Social Prescribing Collective
The Nanaimo Social Prescribing & Narrative Medicine Summit Integration Project is a community-based initiative focused on strengthening whole-person-centred health and well-being in Nanaimo.

Key Terms
This initiative uses a few terms that may be unfamiliar. Before diving into the details below, here is what they mean in plain language.

Narrative Medicine
Understanding the human story behind health. It’s about listening deeply to what matters to the person, not just what’s wrong with them.

Social Prescribing
Connecting people to community resources, like arts, exercise, or social groups, to improve health in ways that a prescription bottle can’t.

Mission Statement
The Client’s initiative is rooted in the principles of social prescribing, narrative medicine, and the question, “What matters to you?” It aims to support stronger connections between healthcare providers, community organizations, recreation and arts partners, local government, educators, and community members.

The initiative recognizes that while social prescribing pathways may exist, successful follow-through depends on strong community awareness, coordination, and engagement. By helping community partners understand how they can support the existing pathway, the initiative seeks to build a more sustainable, connected, and person-centred approach to health and well-being.

The initiative is currently connected to the Vancouver Island University (VIU) Recreation & Health Summit, scheduled for November 12–14, 2026, which will provide an important platform to share the vision, build momentum, and engage community stakeholders.

Project Summary
The client organization is seeking a Volunteer Project Manager to support this initiative The Project is focused on collaboration with a core group of key stakeholders to prepare for the VIU Recreation & Health November Summit, deliver a clear conference presentation, and capture lessons learned. The primary goal is to help define, develop, and deliver a compelling presentation on the Architecture of Connection at the Summit. The presentation will communicate the vision of the initiative, reinforce the existing social prescribing pathway, and highlight the role of broader community engagement in supporting health, identity, and well-being.

This presentation needs to be integrated into the Summit agenda.

The project has a fixed milestone date due to the November 12-14, 2026 Summit, so the successful Volunteer Project Manager needs to be comfortable working within a defined timeline, helping the client prioritize scope, and supporting practical execution.

Throughout the project, the Volunteer Project Manager will lead the project team (including Doctors, Nurses, medical students, etc.) through all day-to-day activities.

Project Objectives
The intent of this project is to walk away from the Summit with a clear, well-told story and a solid foundation for what comes next.

Success looks like:
A confident, well-coordinated Summit presentation that lands the initiative’s vision with the right audience
A functioning project governance structure so decisions get made efficiently, not stalled
A mapped network of community stakeholders and resources ready to carry the initiative forward
A clear-eyed record of what worked and what to adjust

Key Deliverables
The Volunteer Project Manager will support the delivery of the following:
Refined Project Charter
Confirmed project governance structure and Executive Committee support
RACI Matrix
Stakeholder and Resource Mapping Summary
Draft Community Resource Guide / Toolkit Content
Summit Presentation Plan
Finalized Summit Presentation Content, Slides, and Speaker Note
High-Level Schedule for 2026 Project Activities
Risk Register and Risk Management Plan
Regular Project Status Updates
Post-Summit Debrief and Document Updates as Applicable
Project Lessons Learned Summary
Required Qualifications
Minimum 8 years of project management experience
Strong project planning, coordination, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills
Experience supporting community-based, nonprofit, healthcare, public sector, education, or social impact projects is

Required Qualifications
Minimum 8 years of project management experience
Strong project planning, coordination, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills
Experience supporting community-based, nonprofit, healthcare, public sector, education, or social impact projects is desired
Ability to work with diverse stakeholders, including healthcare practitioners, academic partners, community organizations, volunteers, Indigenous partners and community members
Strong communication, meeting facilitation, and relationship-building skills
Ability to clarify ambiguity, define scope, and support practical decision-making
Strong organizational, planning, and risk management skills