Executive Director

Secretariat Of The Haida Nation; Masset; On-site; CAD 144,000 - 177,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Pension plan

Paid time off

Winter break office closure

Professional development

Job summary

The Secretariat of the Haida Nation seeks an Executive Director to lead operations, governance, and strategic initiatives in Haida Gwaii. Based in Skidegate or Masset, you will report to the CHN board and guide finance, HR, programs, and external relations.

You will foster a culturally grounded, inclusive workplace, ensure compliance with Haida constitution and bylaws, and build strong relationships with Haida communities and partners.

Qualifications

• 5–7+ years of senior leadership experience in complex, multi‑stakeholder environments and leading organizational change and transformation.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Aboriginal Studies, or related field (or equivalent education and/or lived experience).
• Experience in governance, finance, HR, and program management.
• Strong knowledge of First Nations governance and administration.
• Strong financial and operational management expertise.
• Excellent communication, decision‑making, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to lead within a culturally grounded, values‑based environment.
• Commitment to Haida culture, values, and community.
• Master’s degree or professional designation is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of strategic and operational plans.
• Provide advice to leadership on organizational and external matters.
• Drive organizational change initiatives and continuous improvement.
• Ensure policies, procedures, and bylaws are current and effective.
• Ensure compliance with Haida Constitution, cultural protocols, and legislation.
• Oversee financial operations in partnership with the CFO.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning.
• Ensure strong financial controls and reporting practices.
• Maintain compliance with funding and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee delivery across Governance, HR, Finance, Communications, Lands, and Marine.
• Ensure alignment of programs with organizational priorities.
• Support development of new funding and revenue opportunities.
• Ensure effective program evaluation and reporting systems.
• Support SHN and CHN governance processes and meetings.
• Oversee preparation of reports, agendas, and briefing materials.
• Act as liaison between leadership, staff, and external partners.
• Represent CHN at local, regional, and national forums.
• Lead and support departmental leadership teams.
• Oversee recruitment, performance management, and development.
• Foster a respectful, inclusive, and culturally grounded workplace.
• Ensure compliance with HR legislation and best practices.
• Engage with Haida citizens through community forums and assemblies.
• Build relationships with partners, governments, and stakeholders.
• Support collaboration across Haida Nation entities and communities.
• Identify and manage organizational risks.
• Ensure appropriate controls, insurance, and mitigation strategies.
• Promote transparency, accountability, and strong governance practices.

Skills

Senior leadership

Governance expertise

Finance knowledge

HR leadership

Program management

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business/Finance/Aboriginal Studies

Master’s degree or professional designation (asset)

Job description

Executive Director (ED)

Location: Skidegate or Masset, Haida Gwaii

Full-time

Join the Council of the Haida Nation! The Council of the Haida Nation (CHN) is responsible for the stewardship of lands, waters and people. Working with CHN means being part of a team that values collaboration, cultural knowledge, and meaningful contributions to the well‑being of the Haida.

About The Role

The Executive Director (ED) is the senior administrative leader of the Secretariat of the Haida Nation. Reporting to the SHN Board Chair, the ED is responsible for implementing the strategic direction set by CHN while ensuring operations align with the Haida Constitution, cultural values, and governance protocols. This role provides organizational leadership, operational oversight, and strategic guidance across all functions, including finance, people leadership, program delivery, and external relations.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Lead the development and execution of strategic and operational plans.
• Provide advice to leadership on organizational and external matters.
• Drive organizational change initiatives and continuous improvement.
• Ensure policies, procedures, and bylaws are current and effective.
• Ensure compliance with Haida Constitution, cultural protocols, and legislation.

Financial Management & Oversight

• Oversee financial operations in partnership with the CFO.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning.
• Ensure strong financial controls and reporting practices.
• Maintain compliance with funding and regulatory requirements.

Program & Service Delivery

• Oversee delivery across Governance, HR, Finance, Communications, Lands, and Marine.
• Ensure alignment of programs with organizational priorities.
• Support development of new funding and revenue opportunities.
• Ensure effective program evaluation and reporting systems.

Governance & Administration

• Support SHN and CHN governance processes and meetings.
• Oversee preparation of reports, agendas, and briefing materials.
• Act as liaison between leadership, staff, and external partners.
• Represent CHN at local, regional, and national forums.

People Leadership & Culture

• Lead and support departmental leadership teams.
• Oversee recruitment, performance management, and development.
• Foster a respectful, inclusive, and culturally grounded workplace.
• Ensure compliance with HR legislation and best practices.

Relationship Management & Community Engagement

• Engage with Haida citizens through community forums and assemblies.
• Build relationships with partners, governments, and stakeholders.
• Support collaboration across Haida Nation entities and communities.

Risk & Accountability

• Identify and manage organizational risks.
• Ensure appropriate controls, insurance, and mitigation strategies.
• Promote transparency, accountability, and strong governance practices.

Qualifications & Skills

• 5–7+ years of senior leadership experience in complex, multi‑stakeholder environments and leading organizational change and transformation.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Aboriginal Studies, or related field (or equivalent education and/or lived experience).
• Experience in governance, finance, HR, and program management.
• Strong knowledge of First Nations governance and administration.
• Strong financial and operational management expertise.
• Excellent communication, decision‑making, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to lead within a culturally grounded, values‑based environment.
• Commitment to Haida culture, values, and community.
• Master’s degree or professional designation is an asset.

Other Requirements

• Ability to travel within and outside Haida Gwaii.
• Valid Class 5 Driver’s Licence.
• Successful completion of background checks.

What We Offer

• Hourly rate: $69.08–$85.14 based on experience.
• Full-time (35–40 hrs/week) with paid time off, including an additional 2 week office closure during the winter break.
• Competitive benefits: dental, extended health, vision care, disability insurance, life insurance, Employee Assistance Program, and pension plan.
• A supportive and welcoming team environment.
• Opportunities to learn and grow while contributing to the preservation of Haida heritage.

Preference will be given to Haida candidates as per Section 41 of the Human Rights Code.