Director of Tourism & Hospitality

Company: K’ómoks Economic Development Corporation

Business Unit: Tourism & Hospitality

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer, KEDC

Location: Courtenay, BC, On Site

Position Type: Full-Time

Salary Range: $95,000 to $120,000

KEDC is the business arm of the K’ómoks First Nation, working to build a strong, inclusive, and sustainable economy for K’ómoks members. Our work creates business and employment opportunities while ensuring economic development aligns with community values, cultural stewardship, and long-term prosperity for current and future generations.

As KEDC continues to grow, we are expanding our Tourism & Hospitality portfolio and strengthening the leadership capacity required to guide its strategic development, operational performance, and long-term success.

The Director of Tourism & Hospitality is a senior leadership position responsible for the strategic direction, business growth, financial performance, and operational excellence of KEDC’s tourism, hospitality, cultural, and visitor-focused enterprises.

The portfolio currently includes I-Hos Gallery, Puntledge RV Park & Campground, and 40 Knots Winery & Events Centre. Working closely with the CEO, business unit managers, and community leadership, the Director will strengthen business performance, enhance guest experiences, advance Indigenous tourism opportunities, and ensure KEDC’s tourism businesses generate sustainable economic benefits for the K’ómoks First Nation.

The Director will also guide the development of tourism experiences that respectfully reflect K’ómoks culture, values, and stewardship of the territory.

• Develop and implement a Tourism & Hospitality strategy aligned with KEDC’s economic development objectives.
• Prepare annual business plans, budgets, performance targets, and implementation priorities for the portfolio.
• Identify opportunities for revenue growth, business expansion, strategic partnerships, and new tourism ventures.
• Lead long-term planning for existing and future tourism and hospitality assets.
• Advise the CEO on tourism trends, market opportunities, investment priorities, and emerging risks.
  

• Provide leadership and oversight to the management teams of I-Hos Gallery, Puntledge RV Park & Campground, and 40 Knots Winery & Events Centre.
• Establish consistent standards for operational performance, guest service, safety, and accountability.
• Develop key performance indicators and monitor operational and financial results across the portfolio.
• Support business unit managers in improving efficiency, service quality, profitability, and overall performance.
• Lead portfolio-wide planning for peak tourism seasons, major events, and new initiatives.
  

• Develop and manage operating and capital budgets in collaboration with KEDC’s finance team.
• Monitor revenue, expenses, profitability, cash flow, and return on investment.
• Prepare financial forecasts, performance reports, and recommendations for the CEO and Board, as required.
• Identify grants, funding opportunities, and strategic partnerships that support tourism development.
• Ensure effective financial controls and accountability across the portfolio.
  

• Lead the development of tourism experiences that highlight K’ómoks culture, history, and territory.
• Build strategic relationships with Indigenous Tourism BC, Destination BC, 4TVI, local governments, tourism operators, and hospitality partners.
• Collaborate on marketing, branding, destination development, and visitor-experience initiatives.
• Represent KEDC at industry events, conferences, and tourism forums.
• Develop strategies to increase visitation, occupancy, event bookings, customer engagement, and tourism revenue.
  

• Ensure tourism experiences are developed under K’ómoks direction and authentically reflect K’ómoks culture, language, values, and traditions.
• Work respectfully with K’ómoks members, Elders, artists, and Knowledge Keepers.
• Respect and support the protection of cultural knowledge, intellectual property, heritage, and community protocols.
• Advance opportunities for Indigenous-led storytelling, arts, cultural programming, and visitor experiences.
• Balance tourism development with cultural integrity, community priorities, and responsible stewardship.
  

• Lead, mentor, and support business unit managers and teams by establishing clear goals and accountabilities.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing, and guest-focused workplace culture.
• Support workforce planning, recruitment, training, succession planning, and professional development.
• Promote employee engagement, workplace health and safety, and compliance with employment legislation and organizational policies.
  

• Provide regular operational and financial reports to the CEO.
• Support Board reporting, presentations, and strategic planning initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, licences, permits, and corporate policies.
• Identify and manage risks related to tourism and hospitality operations.
  

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Tourism Management, Hospitality Management, Economic Development, or a related field.
• An equivalent combination of education and relevant senior leadership experience may be considered.
• A graduate degree or relevant professional designation is considered an asset.
  

• A minimum of seven years of progressive leadership experience in tourism, hospitality, destination management, economic development, or a related sector.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing multiple business units or complex, revenue-generating operations.
• Strong experience in business planning, budgeting, financial management, and strategic implementation.
• Experience working with Indigenous Nations, communities, or Indigenous-owned businesses is strongly preferred.
• Experience in winery, event venue, campground, retail, arts, or cultural tourism operations is considered an asset.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong strategic planning and execution skills.
• Demonstrated business development and revenue-growth experience.
• Strong financial, analytical, and commercial acumen.
• Knowledge of tourism, hospitality, events, and destination development.
• Proven leadership, coaching, and team-building abilities.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-management skills.
• Ability to balance commercial objectives with cultural values and community priorities.
• Understanding of Indigenous tourism, cultural stewardship, and respectful community engagement.
• Strong project management, organizational, and decision-making skills.

Working Conditions

• Regular travel throughout Vancouver Island and occasional travel elsewhere in British Columbia.
• Evening and weekend work may be required to support events and tourism operations.
• Attendance at community, industry, and stakeholder meetings is expected.
• Work will take place across office, operational site, and community-based environments.
• This position offers an opportunity to help build a sustainable, Indigenous-led visitor economy that creates long-term prosperity for the K’ómoks First Nation while sharing K’ómoks culture and territory with visitors in respectful and meaningful ways.