Director of Executive Operations

Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation; Northwestern Ontario; Hybrid; CAD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A community organization in Northwestern Ontario seeks a full-time Director of Executive Operations to lead strategic initiatives across departments. This role involves translating Council priorities into actionable plans, managing project portfolios, and ensuring effective communication between leadership and operational teams. The ideal candidate will have over 20 years of progressive experience and a strong background in executive communication and stakeholder engagement. This position offers a competitive salary of $150K–$200K and excellent benefits including a 4-day work week and relocation assistance.

Benefits

4-day work week

Health and dental plan

6 weeks of vacation

Travel expenses fully covered

TFSA matching program

Flexible work arrangements

Relocation assistance

Collaborative leadership team

Qualifications

• Minimum of 20+ years of progressive experience required.
• 10–15 years in a senior leadership or management role essential.
• Experience working with Indigenous communities valued.

Responsibilities

• Translate Council priorities into actionable departmental plans.
• Monitor project progress and ensure alignment with strategic objectives.
• Support leadership in sequencing projects and resource allocation.

Skills

PMP or other relevant program/portfolio management certification

Strong facilitation skills

Negotiation skills

Stakeholder engagement skills

Executive communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field

Advanced degree such as MBA or MPA

Job description

About Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation

The Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation (LDMLFN) is located in Northwestern Ontario, 135 km West of Thunder Bay, and encompasses roughly 5,000 HA of Mother Nature's most spectacular beauty. Our people have held and cared for our Lands and Traditional Territories since time immemorial.

LDMLFN is committed to fostering sustainable growth and long-term prosperity for our community. Our mission is to create meaningful economic opportunities that support the well-being and advancement of our members. Join us in shaping a resilient economic future and making a lasting impact.

For more information, please visit our website: lacdesmillelacsfirstnation.ca/

About the Opportunity

LDMLFN is seeking a full-time Director of Executive Operations, based in Thunder Bay, ON. For the right candidate, a remote arrangement within Canada may be considered, with the requirement to travel to site at least one week per month. This role follows a 4-day workweek schedule.

Reporting to the Administrator, this senior leadership role acts as the bridge between executive leadership and operational delivery across multiple departments. You will be responsible for aligning strategic priorities, overseeing the portfolio of major initiatives, and ensuring smooth coordination and communication between executives and delivery teams.

More specifically, your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Translating Council priorities and executive direction into actionable cross-departmental plans
• Leading portfolio orchestration across Economic Development, Strategic Initiatives, Shared Services, Lands & Sustainability, and Education
• Monitoring project progress, resource use, and risks to ensure alignment with strategic objectives
• Managing interdependencies between projects and proactively resolving conflicts or delays
• Supporting leadership in sequencing projects and allocating resources based on organizational priorities
• Acting as the primary liaison between senior leadership and delivery teams to ensure timely communication
• Escalating issues or risks with clear analysis and recommended solutions
• Tracking organizational performance and preparing portfolio-level reports and dashboards for executives and Council
• Supporting governance processes and maintaining accountability frameworks for decision-making and follow-through
• Identifying systemic inefficiencies and recommending process improvements to enhance collaboration and delivery
• Fostering a culture of learning, adaptation, and continuous improvement across departments

About You

To qualify, you will need a bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, or a related field. A minimum of 20+ years of progressive experience, including 10–15 years in a senior leadership or management role, will also be essential.

Additionally, the following skills and background will be highly valued:

• PMP or other relevant program/portfolio management certification
• Advanced degree such as MBA or MPA
• Experience working with Indigenous communities or within a governance context
• Proven track record in strategic planning, portfolio management, and cross-departmental leadership
• Strong facilitation, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills

As our ideal candidate, you bring exceptional executive communication skills, interpersonal skills, and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder relationships with diplomacy and tact. You are a systems thinker who thrives on aligning competing priorities, resolving conflicts, and ensuring that resources are optimized across multiple initiatives. Your strong organizational skills, analytical mindset, and ability to produce concise, actionable insights for executives will set you apart.

This is a high-impact role for a visionary leader who can connect strategy with execution and enable organizational excellence. If you are motivated by creating alignment, fostering collaboration, and helping a Nation achieve its long-term goals, this position is your opportunity to make a meaningful difference.

About the Benefits

Compensation based on skills and experience, is a competitive annual salary of $150K–$200K, and a host of excellent benefits including:

• A 4-day work week (Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)
• Health and dental plan
• 6 weeks of vacation
• Travel expenses fully covered
• TFSA matching program
• Flexible work arrangements, including remote or hybrid options
• Relocation assistance if applicable
• Opportunities to contribute to high-impact, large-scale infrastructure and energy projects
• A collaborative and experienced leadership team, with deep knowledge in legal, finance, and project development

If you share our values and have the skills necessary to bring success to the role, then we invite you to apply today!