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 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.

📌 Director, Economic Development (Chemainus)
🏢 Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government
📍 Chemainus