Chief Operating Officer

Type Full-Time
Reporting to Chief
Location Fort St. James, BC
Salary $110,000 to $135,000 annually
Open Positions 1

About Us

Nak'azdli Whut'en is a proud Dakelh First Nation located near Fort St. James, British Columbia. Our community is deeply rooted in Dakelh culture, language, and values, emphasizing a connection to the land and a commitment to the well-being of our people and to our Community Vision Plan. We are dedicated to creating inclusive and supportive services that reflect our culture and respect the unique perspectives and needs of our members. At Nak'azdli Whut'en, we strive to provide community-focused services that uphold Indigenous values and address the distinct challenges facing our community. We recognize that skills and experience can be gained in many ways. If you are interested in this role but do not meet all of the listed qualifications, we still encourage you to apply. We are committed to supporting growth through mentorship and development opportunities. We strongly encourage applications from community members and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis individuals, and neurodiverse individuals whose knowledge, perspectives, and lived experiences are valued and essential to our work.

Position Summary

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) leads the day-to-day administration of Nak’azdli Whut’en, translating approved Chief and Council direction and community priorities into coordinated, accountable, and culturally respectful operations. The COO leads through Directors and Managers, ensures reliable services and sound financial stewardship, and provides impartial administrative advice within approved delegations. The COO provides practical executive leadership across governance implementation, departmental operations, finance oversight, people leadership, funding compliance and community service delivery. Authority is exercised under Nak’azdli Whut’en’s Financial Administration Law (FAL), applicable policies, approved budgets, resolutions and written delegations.

Key Responsibilities

Governance Support & Strategic Implementation

• Translate approved Council priorities and Nak’azdli Whut’en community and strategic plans into annual operating plans with accountable leads, budgets, timelines and measurable results.
• Provide Chief and Council with timely briefing materials, practical options, financial implications, and risk assessments to support informed decisions.
• Maintain a record of Council directives and resolutions, assign implementation responsibilities, and report on progress, outstanding decisions, and barriers.
• Maintain clear boundaries between governance and administration, provide objective and non-partisan advice, and seek clarification when individual requests conflict with collective Council direction or delegated authority.
• Ensure the COO reporting relationship, signing authority and performance evaluation arrangements are established through approved governance instruments, rather than assumed from the job title.

Financial Stewardship

• Lead implementation of the current FAL and related policies across the administration, working with the Director of Finance/Finance Manager and the Finance and Audit Committee within their respective mandates.
• Coordinate annual budgets, multi-year financial planning, and capital priorities for review and approval through the processes required by the FAL (Financial Administration Law). Align departmental commitments with approved resources.
• Review financial results, cash flow forecasts, commitments, and budget variances with the Director of Finance/Finance Manager; require corrective action and bring material concerns to Council promptly.
• Oversee compliance with documented spending approvals, purchasing, contracts, payroll controls, assets and financial-system access; Finance and Payroll retain responsibility for technical accounting, payroll calculations and processing.
• Ensure required financial, operational, annual, and special purpose reports reach Council, the Finance and Audit Committee, members, and other authorized recipients within applicable timelines.
• Support independent audit access and timely completion of audits; assign and track responses to audit findings, control weaknesses, and suspected financial irregularities.
• Oversee the administration of borrowing, investments, guarantees, and local revenues where applicable, ensuring required approvals and controls are in place before commitments are made.

Funding & Program Management

• Oversee Nak’azdli Whut’en obligations under Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC), and other applicable funding agreements.
• Ensure department leaders understand the service standards, eligibility rules, approved activities, spending limits, and reporting obligations attached to their programs and funding.
• Maintain an organization-wide register of agreements, amendments, renewal dates, deliverables, and reporting deadlines, with an accountable lead for each requirement.
• Verify consistency between program records, reported results, and financial information before submission.
• Coordinate compliance with First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), BC Housing, health authority, and provincial ministry requirements where applicable to Nak’azdli Whut’en’s agreements and services.
• Lead funding proposals and renewal discussions, assess ongoing operating costs and staffing implications, and escalate risks of funding interruption or recovery with a corrective action plan.

Departmental Leadership & Service Delivery

• Directors and Managers across departments within the approved organizational structure, with clear delegation, performance expectations, reporting and accountability for departmental services, staffing, budgets and deliverables.
• Set expectations for service quality, timely responses, and fair application of program policies. Establish clear referral and escalation processes when members need support across departments.
• Review departmental results against approved work plans, budgets and service standards; require responsible Directors and Managers to recommend and implement corrective actions and report progress.
• Oversee capital and operational projects through assigned managers, including scope, procurement, schedules, funding conditions, and progress reporting. Ensure qualified professionals address technical and regulatory requirements.
• Improve administrative procedures and systems where changes will strengthen service delivery, or improve access to reliable information.

People Leadership & Compliance

• Build leadership capacity among Nak’azdli Whut’en members and staff through mentorship, succession planning, professional learning and respectful, accountable management.
• Require HR to lead professional HR processes and provide assessments, recommendations and documentation on workforce planning, recruitment, accommodation, investigations, employee relations and discipline; Directors and Managers remain responsible for day-to-day supervision.
• Ensure employment policies and practices comply with the Canada Labour Code (CLC) where applicable, including Part II occupational health and safety, Part III labour standards, and workplace harassment and violence prevention requirements.
• Ensure required health and safety committees or representatives, hazard prevention measures, training, and regulatory incident and harassment reporting are in place through designated leads.
• Ensure the correct employment and regulatory requirements are identified for distinct programs and entities, obtaining specialist advice where jurisdiction or obligations are unclear.
• Set clear objectives for direct reports, provide regular feedback, and address performance and workplace concerns promptly, fairly, and with appropriate documentation.
• Ensure fair, confidential and timely handling of workplace concerns, accommodations, investigations, discipline and terminations, with HR recommendations and independent or legal advice when appropriate; the COO makes or recommends decisions only within delegated authority.

Cultural Respect & Alignment

• Respect Dakelh culture, language, community protocols, and the guidance of Elders and Knowledge Keepers in the administration’s work.
• Support meaningful member input into service planning and improvement, following Council-approved engagement.
• Ensure concerns about services are recorded, reviewed, and addressed through fair processes, and report recurring issues and recommended improvements to Council.
• Build working relationships with other First Nations, governments, service providers and community partners. Represent Nak’azdli Whut’en only within the mandate authorized by Chief and Council.
• Meet regularly with community members, Elders, youth, and community groups to understand priorities, discuss service needs, and maintain accessible relationships with the administration.
• Oversee clear, timely community communications about programs, services, initiatives, and Council-approved decisions, using accessible channels and formats. Ensure outreach includes members who face barriers to participation.

Risk Management

• Maintain an organizational risk register and mitigation plans covering emergencies, financial reporting and fraud risks, service continuity, legal obligations, staffing, infrastructure, and information security.
• Oversee records retention, secure information access and privacy practices under applicable requirements and Nak’azdli Whut’en policies; respect Indigenous data governance principles, including OCAP® where applicable.
• Maintain emergency response and business continuity arrangements, including essential services, delegated emergency authority, communications, and recovery responsibilities.

Qualification

• A master’s degree in Leadership, Business Administration, Public Administration, Indigenous Governance or a related field is preferred. A completed bachelor’s degree in a relevant field together with substantial management or senior leadership experience will also be considered.
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible management or senior leadership experience, preferably seven or more, including oversight of operations, employees, budgets and programs.
• Experience in a First Nation government or Indigenous organization is strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of First Nations governance, FAL (financial administration law), budgeting, financial oversight, internal controls, audits and the roles of the Finance function and Finance and Audit Committee; able to obtain specialist advice as needed.
• Practical knowledge of the Canada Labour Code, applicable human rights and workplace safety requirements, and the management of sensitive employment matters.
• Experience interpreting and administering ISC and other government funding agreements, preparing proposals, and coordinating financial and program reporting. Familiarity with BC ministry and agency requirements relevant to community programs.
• Working knowledge of applicable laws and Nak’azdli Whut’en laws and Land Code relevant to the role, with sound judgment to seek legal or technical advice when needed.
• Strong financial literacy, analytical ability, written communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills. Ability to explain complex matters clearly to Council, staff, members, and funding partners.
• Demonstrated cultural humility and understanding of First Nations governance, Indigenous rights, colonial impacts, and community priorities.
• Knowledge of Nak’azdli Whut’en and Dakelh culture is an asset.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous executive learning and development, including governance, financial stewardship, organizational leadership and change management.

Working conditions and performance expectations

The position is based on-site in Fort St. James, BC, with travel and occasional evening or weekend commitments. Screening requirements include appropriate criminal record and reference checks. Performance is assessed against agreed objectives for implementation of Council priorities, departmental accountability, service reliability, financial and FAL compliance, funding reporting, audit follow-through, leadership development, community responsiveness and organizational improvement.

Indigenous Commitment Statement

“Nak’azdli Whut’en is committed to fostering a culturally safe and inclusive work environment that reflects the values, traditions, and aspirations of Indigenous peoples. We actively encourage and prioritize applicants from First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities to apply. We recognize the importance of cultural knowledge and experience, and we honor and respect Indigenous ways of knowing and being.”

Application Instructions

Nak’azdli Whut’en offers the opportunity to lead with purpose and create meaningful change for our community. You will have the chance to shape the future, empower a talented team, and build a legacy that reflects our values and aspirations. If this aligns with your career goals, we encourage you to apply directly through our job posting. You can also send us your resume, cover letter, and three references by email to [email protected].

Accommodations are available upon request throughout the recruitment process. We thank all applicants, however, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

Closing Date: November 20, 2026 at 4:00 p.m