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Job Description

JOB OVERVIEW

Coast Salish Group (CSG), the economic development agency of the Stz'uminus First Nation, is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to provide strategic, operational, and financial leadership. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will advance the Nation's vision of long-term economic self-sufficiency through disciplined investments, strong partnerships, and strategic business acquisitions. The role is accountable for overall portfolio performance, governance, financial stewardship, and sustainable growth across a diversified range of business sectors. Working closely with the Board, Chief and Council, and external partners, the CEO will balance commercial excellence with cultural awareness to deliver lasting economic benefits for the Nation. See below for more details.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Vision, Leadership & Strategic Planning

• Provide organizational vision and executive leadership for Coast Salish Group in alignment with Stz'uminus First Nation's long-term economic goals

Governance & Board Relations

• Serve as the primary link between the Board of Directors and management
• Support strong governance through transparent communication, timely reporting, and implementation of Board decisions
• Provide the Board with accurate, forward-looking information to support informed decision-making

Financial Oversight & Risk Management

• Ensure the financial sustainability of Coast Salish Group by overseeing budgets, cash flow, financial performance, and internal controls
• Secure funding, financing, and investment capital to support operations and development initiatives
• Identify, monitor, and manage organizational and project-level risks

Business Development, Projects & Assets

• Oversee major developments, capital projects, assets, and partnerships to ensure alignment with strategic objectives
• Evaluate new business and investment opportunities and make recommendations to the Board
• Ensure projects are delivered responsibly, balancing commercial performance, risk, and community benefit

Operations & Performance

• Provide strategic oversight of operations across all business units and subsidiaries
• Ensure operational efficiency, effectiveness, and alignment with approved plans and budgets
• Leverage existing staff capacity, systems, and external expertise to maintain continuity and performance

People & Culture

• Lead, mentor, and support a high-performing management team
• Foster a professional, accountable, and collaborative organizational culture
• Support workforce development and, where appropriate, employment opportunities for Stz'uminus members

Stakeholder & Relationship Management

• Represent Coast Salish Group in dealings with partners, investors, governments, lenders, and community stakeholders
• Build and maintain strong, respectful relationships that support long-term economic success
• Act as an ambassador for Stz'uminus economic interests and values

Compliance & Accountability

• Ensure compliance with all applicable legal, regulatory, contractual, and policy requirements
• Maintain strong accountability, reporting, and performance-management systems
• Ensure transparency and integrity in all organizational activities
• Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of strategic plans, ensuring priorities are translated into clear actions and measurable results
• Balance long-term strategy with practical execution across a diverse portfolio of businesses and projects

SKILLS

• 20+ years of progressive business experience, including senior executive or leadership roles
• Business degree required; MBA preferred
• Proven senior leadership experience, ideally in economic development, real estate, infrastructure, hospitality, marine operations, or diversified commercial enterprises
• Strong financial acumen, including experience with budgets, financing, investments, joint ventures, and risk management
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with Boards of Directors, elected leadership, and complex stakeholder and governance environments
• Experience working with or for Indigenous organizations, governments, or development corporations is a strong asset
• Track record of translating strategy into execution while managing multiple priorities, projects and partnerships
• Highly effective communicator with strong relationship-building and negotiation skills
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and respect for Indigenous governance, rights, and cultural values
• Collaborative, grounded, and solutions-oriented leadership approach
• Comfortable balancing long-term vision with day-to-day operational realities
• Calm, steady decision-maker with the ability to manage complexity and change

JOB OVERVIEW IN MORE DETAIL

The Chief Executive Officer provides strategic, operational, and financial leadership to the Coast Salish Group, the economic development agency of the Stz'uminus First Nation. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO is responsible for advancing Stz'uminus' vision of creating a self-sufficient Nation through investments, partnerships, development initiatives, and strategic business acquisitions, while managing and steering economic growth in alignment with Board direction and community priorities. Central to this mandate is the continued development of a strong and diversified economy that delivers long-term, sustainable benefits to the Nation, with business acquisitions representing an important driver of future growth and diversification.

Since its establishment in 2008, the Coast Salish Group has been built from the ground up, evolving from its original economic development mandate into an increasingly diversified organization. Foundational work focused on strategic planning and the development of economic development strategies and business plans that established a strong framework for growth. This work has positioned CSG to pursue opportunities in a disciplined, financially responsible, and long-term manner, including the evaluation and acquisition of operating businesses that strengthen and expand the Nation's economic base.

Oyster Bay Village reflects Coast Salish Group's capacity to build and grow diversified business sectors from initial concept to execution, contributing to the Nation's economic development across commercial, petroleum services, hospitality and residential activities. Through careful planning, partnerships, and phased development, it demonstrates the Coast Salish Group's approach to building sustainable, revenue-generating assets across a range of business sectors. The CEO provides leadership and oversight to ensure Oyster Bay and other core assets continue to perform, evolve, and contribute to a diversified economic portfolio.

A core element of Coast Salish Group's strategic direction is growth through strong partnerships. The CEO leads the identification, negotiation, and stewardship of relationships with industry, investors, governments, and Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners, ensuring alignment with the Nation's long-term interests and values. These partnerships support both development initiatives and strategic business acquisitions that advance CSG's long-term objectives.

Looking ahead, Coast Salish Group is well positioned to advance future opportunities, including commercial, residential, and assisted living development at Oyster Bay, as well as strategic acquisitions and partnerships that further diversify revenue streams, and commercial development at the Nanaimo Airport and Cassidy, as well as the development of Ladysmith Harbour. The Stz'uminus reconciliation agreement with the Province has opened additional opportunities to support this growth. Together, these opportunities have the potential to further diversify the Nation's economic base and support long-term economic self-sufficiency, subject to Board direction, community priorities, and appropriate planning processes. The recent resolution of the Tl'uqtinus settlement represents a significant milestone and has strengthened the foundation for future growth.

The CEO is accountable for the overall performance of the Coast Salish Group and its portfolio of businesses and development initiatives, ensuring strong governance, financial stewardship, risk management, and operational effectiveness. The role requires translating strategy into results, strengthening organizational capacity, and maintaining accountability to the Board and the Nation.

Working closely with the Board of Directors, Chief and Council, community leadership, and external stakeholders, the CEO serves as a trusted advisor and senior representative of the organization. The position requires balancing commercial discipline with cultural awareness, ensuring that economic development activities are conducted responsibly, transparently, and in support of community well-being, capacity building, and intergenerational prosperity.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $120,000.00-$200,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person