Board Member

Job summary

Guide VILS’s governance and strategic direction by participating in virtual board meetings, reviewing organizational performance, and contributing to long-term planning and policy development. Oversee programs, build relationships with partners and sponsors, support fundraising and community engagement, and represent VILS in industry settings.

Job details

Company Description Vancouver Island Life Sciences (VILS) is an open, inclusive nonprofit Society and life-sciences community based in Victoria, Canada, serving the broader Vancouver Island region. The association brings together members from biotech, biopharma, diagnostics, analytics, healthcare, and medical device companies, as well as universities, accelerators, nonprofits, and students. VILS also includes service providers, freelancers, and consultants who support innovation and growth in the life sciences sector. The community meets regularly to promote networking, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing among diverse stakeholders. Board members help guide this mission and shape the strategic direction of the organization. Role Description The Board Member role at Vancouver Island Life Sciences (VILS) is a volunteer, remote position focused on governance, strategy, and community impact. Board Members participate in regular virtual board meetings, review organizational performance, and contribute to long-term strategic planning and policy development. They provide oversight of programs and initiatives, support relationship-building with partners and sponsors, and help strengthen engagement across the life sciences ecosystem. Typical activities include offering mentorship and guidance to the leadership team, contributing to fundraising or outreach efforts, and promoting VILS at industry events or online forums. Board Members collaborate with fellow directors to ensure the organization remains inclusive, sustainable, and aligned with its mission. Qualifications Background in life sciences, healthcare, technology, or a related sector, with an understanding of biotech, biopharma, diagnostics, analytics, or medical devices. Experience with nonprofit governance, board service, or senior leadership, including strategic planning, policy development, and organizational oversight. Skills in stakeholder engagement, community building, or networking, with the ability to collaborate effectively with universities, accelerators, nonprofits, and industry partners. Competence in fundraising, sponsorship development, or resource mobilization, and comfort representing VILS in external meetings or virtual events. Strong communication, facilitation, and decision-making skills, with the ability to work remotely and contribute reliably to board responsibilities. Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and ethical conduct in all organizational activities. Prior board or advisory experience is an asset; candidates from a variety of professional and educational backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

What you’ll do

Guide VILS’s governance and strategic direction by participating in virtual board meetings, reviewing organizational performance, and contributing to long-term planning and policy development. Oversee programs, build relationships with partners and sponsors, support fundraising and community engagement, and represent VILS in industry settings.

Requirements

Candidates should have a background in life sciences, healthcare, technology, or a related sector, along with experience in nonprofit governance, board service, or senior leadership. They should bring strong strategic, communication, collaboration, and stakeholder-engagement skills, and be committed to inclusion and ethical conduct; prior board or advisory experience is an asset.

Listed skills

• Policy development · Preferred
• Fundraising · Preferred
• Communication · Preferred
• Facilitation · Preferred
• Decision Making · Preferred
• Mentorship · Preferred
• Relationship Building · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Nonprofit Governance
• Strategic Planning
• Policy Development
• Organizational Oversight
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Community Building
• Networking
• Fundraising
• Sponsorship Development
• Resource Mobilization
• Communication
• Facilitation
• Decision-Making
• Mentorship
• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Relationship-Building

Job areas

• Management & Leadership
• Science & Research
• Healthcare
• Sales