Director, Economic Development

Director, Economic Development

Economic Development | Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government

Classification: Band 8 — Senior Manager / Director

Reports To: Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

Supervises: Economic Development staff and contractors

Location: hitac̓u, BC (Hybrid — regular on-site presence required)

Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Salary Band: Band 8 ($98,076 – $147,115)

POSITION PURPOSE

The Director, Economic Development provides senior leadership for Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government's economic development mandate: setting economic vision and strategy, identifying and assessing opportunities, creating the enabling conditions for investment, and advancing priority opportunities to an investment-ready state. Consistent with the Executive-approved model, the Department does not own or operate commercial businesses; commercially viable opportunities are transitioned to YFN Enterprises for investment, implementation and operation. The role builds the institutional capacity needed to grow own-source revenue, support citizen entrepreneurship, and advance long-term economic self-sufficiency for the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ First Nation and its citizens.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Economic Vision & Strategy

• Develops, implements and evaluates the Nation's economic vision, strategy and priorities in alignment with the Vision, Mission and Values
• Establishes goals, objectives and performance indicators and reports on progress and outcomes
• Monitors economic trends, funding programs and policy developments relevant to Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ interests
• Builds the institutional and strategic foundations required for durable, long-term economic development

Opportunity Identification & Project Development

• Reviews existing studies, concepts and previously identified opportunities and establishes a prioritized pipeline of economic development opportunities
• Leads research, feasibility studies, due diligence and business-case development for priority opportunities
• Advances opportunities from concept toward investment-ready and commercially viable projects
• Maintains and regularly reports on the status of the opportunity pipeline

Enabling Conditions & Investment Readiness

• Coordinates land and infrastructure readiness with Lands, Capital Infrastructure and Asset Management, and other departments
• Supports the development of laws, regulations, policies and permitting processes that enable investment
• Identifies financing, grants, and investment sources and prepares funding proposals and business cases
• Coordinates economic development initiatives across YG departments and with Treaty implementation

Partnerships & Citizen Business Support

• Develops relationships with industry, investors, financial institutions, consultants, neighbouring communities and other governments
• Facilitates partnerships and joint ventures, and negotiates related agreements in coordination with the CAO and legal counsel
• Supports Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ citizen entrepreneurship and citizen business development, including investment readiness supports
• Promotes citizen employment and training pathways through economic development initiatives

Interface with YFN Enterprises

• Maintains a clear separation between the government's economic development role and the operation of commercial businesses
• Does not manage, direct or operate YG or YFN Enterprises businesses, or make commercial investment decisions
• Works closely with YFN Enterprises to transition commercially viable opportunities to the appropriate business entity for investment, implementation and operation
• Supports information sharing and coordination that respects arm's-length governance and protects commercial decision-making from political interference

Department Management & Finance

• Establishes and leads a lean Economic Development Department, adding capacity only where supported by priorities and demonstrated need
• Works in partnership with the Human Resources function on recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, training, performance management and succession planning
• In collaboration with the CFO, prepares and manages the departmental budget, including funding for feasibility studies, due diligence and specialist expertise
• Administers funding agreements and monitors financial performance

Governance, Administration & Reporting

• Supports the Economic Development Committee and provides analysis, options and recommendations
• Supports the Administration and legal counsel in preparing amendments to the Administration Structure Regulation, Interpretation Act, Economic Development Committee Terms of Reference and other affected enactments
• Exercises statutory authorities only in accordance with the enactments as amended
• Ensures timely program reporting, accurate records, and sound administrative systems, policies and protocols

Senior Management Team

• Participates in Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government strategic planning as a member of the Senior Management Team
• Promotes interdepartmental cooperation and staff engagement
• Provides updates and briefings to the CAO and, as directed, to the Executive, Legislature and the hitac̓u Assembly

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Required:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Commerce, Economics, or a related field (Master's Degree preferred)
• 8–10 years of directly related experience in economic development, business development, or related fields, with 2–3 years at a management level
• Experience developing business cases, feasibility studies and due diligence for economic development projects
• Experience developing, negotiating and managing partnerships, funding proposals and revenue agreements
• Experience developing and managing departmental budgets and program funding
• Demonstrated strategic planning and program development experience

Preferred:

• Experience working with First Nations governments and arm's-length Indigenous economic development or holding companies
• Familiarity with Indigenous nation-building approaches to economic development, including the separation of business management from political decision-making
• Knowledge of the economic landscape of the west coast of Vancouver Island, including tourism, fisheries, lands and natural resources
• Experience supporting Indigenous entrepreneurship and employment initiatives

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Strategic and analytical thinking with strong business acumen and sound judgement
• Ability to move opportunities from concept through feasibility, due diligence and business case to investment readiness
• Strong negotiation, partnership-building and relationship-management skills
• Ability to work effectively within arm's-length governance structures and respect the boundary between government and commercial operations
• Financial literacy, funding proposal and business case development skills
• Ability to build, manage and mentor a small professional team
• Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills, including conflict resolution
• Strong cultural sensitivity and understanding

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Hybrid work arrangement with a regular on-site presence in hitac̓u
• Standard work week of 37.5 hours, with occasional evening or weekend requirements
• Regular travel to attend meetings, conferences, and partnership events is required
• Newly established department: the position was approved in principle by the Executive, with recruitment proceeding concurrently with amendments to the Administration Structure Regulation and other applicable enactments. Final appointment into the new statutory structure and exercise of statutory authorities occurs in accordance with those enactments.

CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS

• Genuine respect for Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ traditions, culture, and protocols
• Commitment to advancing economic opportunities that benefit Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ citizens
• Understanding of the intergenerational impacts affecting Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ citizens and employees

WHAT WE OFFER

• Competitive base salary
• Extended Health and Dental Benefits (applicable from day one!)
• Enrolment into Municipal Pension Plan
• 4-weeks' paid vacation (with incremental increases for years of service)
• Paid personal and flex day
• Paid days off during the Christmas break
• Hybrid work arrangements (subject to operational requirements)

Please note: eligibility for the benefits and programs listed above varies by employment type, schedule, and applicable program criteria. The specific benefits and programs accessible to the successful candidate will be discussed during the interview process.

This job description is intended to convey the general nature and level of work expected. YG reserves the right to amend and update responsibilities to meet operational needs. Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ citizens are encouraged to apply.