KIRAH Executive Search & Leadership Advisory has partnered with kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation Enterprises (KFNE) to lead the search for its next Director, Economic Development.

KFNE is the economic development enterprise of kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation (KFN), focused on advancing long-term economic opportunities, responsible land development, commercial partnerships and sustainable value creation for the Nation.

This is a senior executive mandate reporting directly to the KFNE Board of Directors.

The Director will be responsible for advancing KFNE’s business strategy and overseeing a broad operating portfolio spanning economic development, land development, commercial real estate, infrastructure, strategic partnerships, business development, financial stewardship, government relations and organizational leadership.

This opportunity will appeal to an entrepreneurial and commercially minded leader who understands how to move complex development initiatives forward while building trusted relationships across First Nations leadership, government, municipalities, community, industry and the development sector.

About kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation Enterprises

KFNE supports the broader economic vision of kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation through responsible business development, land stewardship, strategic partnerships and commercial growth.

The organization advances opportunities across land development, commercial real estate, leasing, infrastructure, business development, strategic partnerships, investment, governance, and government and community relations.

KFNE’s commercial activities carry a broader purpose: protecting Nation-owned assets, creating sustainable economic opportunities and contributing to the long-term prosperity of kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation.

KFNE is entering an important stage of organizational development. Its immediate priorities include land leasing, land-development planning, securing services for existing commercial properties, strengthening stakeholder relationships and developing strategic business partnerships.

The Leadership Opportunity

The Director, Economic Development will serve as KFNE’s senior operating and economic-development leader.

Reporting directly to the KFNE Board of Directors, the Director will translate the Nation’s broader economic vision into an executable business strategy and operating plan.

The mandate combines:

• economic development
• commercial real estate
• land development
• infrastructure
• business development
• strategic partnerships and joint ventures
• financial stewardship
• government relations
• community engagement
• organizational leadership
• Board-level accountability

The Director will manage KFNE’s day-to-day operations within the authority and parameters established by the Board.

There is currently no dedicated Economic Development team. The incoming Director will therefore have the opportunity to build the function as KFNE grows and additional business needs emerge.

This is an executive mandate requiring the ability to move comfortably between strategy and execution.

The Leadership Mandate

Economic Development Strategy

The Director will:

• Develop and execute KFNE’s economic-development and business strategy.
• Establish growth objectives and translate strategy into practical operating priorities.
• Build a roadmap that supports the Nation’s long-term economic security.
• Identify new revenue streams, strategic investments and commercial opportunities.
• Support Nation-owned businesses and future business-development initiatives.
• Build the organizational capability required to support KFNE’s evolving strategy.

Land Development & Commercial Real Estate

The Director will:

• Lead land-development and commercial real-estate initiatives.
• Advance land-leasing and development-planning priorities.
• Coordinate infrastructure and servicing requirements for commercial properties.
• Navigate municipal approvals, permitting, licensing and regulatory processes.
• Support commercial leasing and property-management activities.
• Work with engineers, utilities, contractors and technical advisors.
• Evaluate development opportunities through both commercial and community perspectives.

KFNE’s immediate priority is to secure required services for existing commercial properties that have already been leased and begin planning subsequent stages of development.

Strategic Partnerships & Business Development

The Director will:

• Develop strategic business partnerships.
• Identify and assess commercial opportunities.
• Negotiate joint ventures and other commercial arrangements.
• Identify new sources of revenue.
• Support strategic investments.
• Build relationships with developers, investors and commercial partners.
• Advance public-private and infrastructure partnerships.
• Represent KFNE in complex external negotiations.

The successful candidate will bring the commercial judgement to recognize opportunity while appropriately assessing risk, long-term value and alignment with the Nation’s objectives.

Infrastructure & Project Leadership

The Director will:

• Coordinate property servicing and infrastructure requirements.
• Work with civil engineers and technical consultants.
• Engage local utility providers.
• Support contractor coordination.
• Navigate municipal approvals and regulatory requirements.
• Obtain permits and licences required to advance development activity.
• Oversee project priorities, timelines and risk.
• Ensure development activity aligns with KFNE’s broader operating strategy.

Government, Community & Stakeholder Relations

The Director will build and maintain trusted relationships with:

• kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation leadership and community
• City of Port Coquitlam
• municipal, provincial and federal governments
• neighbouring communities
• developers and engineering firms
• utilities and regulatory agencies
• financial institutions and investors
• industry and strategic partners

The ability to work effectively across multiple levels of government, community and technical stakeholders is a core requirement of the mandate.

Financial Stewardship & Commercial Performance

The Director will carry executive oversight for KFNE’s financial and commercial performance in partnership with the Board and finance function.

Responsibilities include:

• working with the Board on business plans and budgets
• overseeing operating and capital planning
• monitoring financial performance
• supporting cash-flow and investment decisions
• supporting achievement of Board-approved revenue, margin and cash-flow objectives
• ensuring responsible stewardship of organizational assets
• supporting long-term capital planning
• maintaining effective controls, reporting and compliance
• assessing the financial implications of development and commercial opportunities

The current financial mandate is in the single-digit millions.

Governance & Board Partnership

Reporting directly to the KFNE Board of Directors, the Director will operate within a governance environment where transparency, accountability and sound judgement are essential.

The Director will:

• keep the Board informed regarding strategy, operations, financial performance and risk
• provide clear recommendations to support informed decision-making
• manage KFNE’s day-to-day operations within delegated authority
• strengthen accountability, governance and organizational controls
• implement Board-approved strategic and operating priorities

Organizational Leadership

KFNE currently operates with a lean organizational structure.

The KFNE office currently includes an Executive Assistant and Senior Accountant, while Saskay Land Development currently includes a Site Superintendent and five General Labourers.

The Director will be expected to:

• provide leadership across KFNE
• build the Economic Development function over time
• identify future capability and staffing requirements
• establish operating rhythms and accountability
• strengthen collaboration across functions
• develop clear organizational priorities
• build a culture of execution and continuous improvement

The successful candidate will be comfortable building organizational capability while remaining closely connected to execution.

What Success Will Look Like

The successful Director will be expected to establish credibility with the Board, Nation leadership, government, community and commercial stakeholders while creating momentum around KFNE’s immediate economic-development priorities.

Success will require the ability to:

• advance land-leasing and land-development priorities
• move existing commercial properties through required servicing and infrastructure processes
• build productive relationships with the City of Port Coquitlam and other levels of government
• strengthen relationships with community and industry stakeholders
• identify and advance credible strategic partnerships
• establish clear operating priorities and accountability
• build the Economic Development function as business requirements evolve
• provide commercially sound recommendations to the Board
• balance development opportunity with stewardship, governance and long-term Nation interests

The Leader KFNE Is Seeking

KFNE is seeking an entrepreneurial, commercially astute and relationship-driven executive.

The successful candidate will be capable of operating comfortably across strategy, land development, commercial real estate, infrastructure, commercial negotiations, government relations, community engagement, finance, governance and organizational leadership.

This leader must understand how to move complex development initiatives through multiple layers of government, regulation, infrastructure, technical requirements, community interests and commercial stakeholders.

The strongest candidates will combine commercial discipline with diplomacy, political awareness and respect for the long-term interests of the Nation.

Experience & Qualifications

Required

The successful candidate is expected to bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Urban or Regional Planning, Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance or a related discipline.
• Approximately 8–10+ years of progressive leadership experience in public-private partnerships, municipal real estate, urban development, economic development or a closely related environment.
• Significant land-development experience.
• Strong commercial real-estate experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with multiple levels of government.
• Experience working with communities, First Nations, engineering firms and other stakeholders.
• Experience obtaining permits and licences.
• Experience coordinating servicing and infrastructure requirements for properties.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex, multidisciplinary development or infrastructure projects.
• Strong financial literacy, including capital budgeting, financial modelling and pro forma analysis.
• Experience negotiating complex commercial arrangements.
• Experience navigating municipal governance, approvals, consultation and regulatory environments.

KFNE has specifically identified land development, real estate, government relations, stakeholder engagement, permitting/licensing and property servicing/infrastructure experience as must-have areas.

Considered an Asset

The following will be considered advantageous:

• Previous experience working with or for a First Nation.
• Economic-development experience within a First Nations or Indigenous organization.
• Master’s degree such as an MBA, Master of Urban Planning or Master of Public Administration.
• PMP designation.
• CCIM designation.
• RPP or AICP designation.
• Direct experience negotiating joint ventures, land acquisitions or significant commercial leases.
• Experience building or scaling an economic-development function.

Previous First Nations experience is preferred rather than mandatory.

Location and Working Environment

The Director, Economic Development will be based onsite in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia.

The onsite model reflects the executive nature of the position and the importance of regular interaction with the KFNE Board of Directors, internal team, kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation leadership and departments, development partners, engineers, government representatives and other stakeholders.

The role requires a visible and relationship-oriented leader who is comfortable working closely with internal and external partners while advancing complex development and commercial priorities.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for the Director, Economic Development is:

$150,000 to $180,000 annually

Final compensation will reflect the successful candidate’s experience, qualifications and overall alignment with the mandate.

The employment package currently includes:

• four weeks’ vacation
• employer-paid Extended Health
• Dental
• Employee and Family Assistance Program
• AD&D
• Life Insurance
• Manulife retirement pension plan
• minimum employee contribution of 1%
• employer matching contribution of up to 5.5%
• professional development, continuing education and conference participation subject to approval
• computer
• cell phone
• parking

Additional Time Away

KFNE also identifies:

• 10 Cultural Days
• Indigenous Day, June 21
• approximately two weeks of office closure over the Christmas and New Year period

Relocation assistance may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

For an accomplished economic-development, real-estate or development executive, this opportunity offers the chance to:

• report directly to the KFNE Board of Directors
• help shape the organization’s economic-development strategy
• build an Economic Development function
• directly influence land and commercial development
• advance infrastructure and servicing priorities
• create new business and partnership opportunities
• work closely with government, community and industry
• participate in commercial negotiations and strategic investments
• create sustainable long-term economic value for kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation

This is a role for a leader who wants to build, not simply inherit.

KIRAH’s Perspective

KIRAH believes this mandate will be particularly compelling for a leader who combines commercial real-estate and development expertise with strong government, community and stakeholder capability.

KFNE requires someone capable of operating at both the strategic and practical levels.

The successful candidate must be comfortable moving between Board-level strategy and execution, from development planning and commercial negotiations to government relations, permitting, infrastructure coordination and organizational leadership.

The strongest candidate will understand that economic development within a Nation-owned enterprise requires more than identifying profitable opportunities.

It requires judgement, trust, partnership, stewardship and the ability to create sustainable value that serves both the commercial objectives of the enterprise and the long-term interests of the Nation.

Equity and Inclusion

kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation Enterprises and KIRAH Executive Search & Leadership Advisory are committed to an inclusive search process.

Qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to apply.

Previous experience working within a First Nation or Indigenous organization is valued, while candidates with strong relevant experience from other environments are also encouraged to consider the opportunity.

Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment and selection process upon request.

Application Process

KIRAH welcomes applications and confidential expressions of interest from qualified leaders.

Candidates may apply directly or may be approached confidentially by KIRAH as part of the executive search process.

All applications and inquiries will be treated with discretion.

Candidate information will not be presented to KFNE without the candidate’s knowledge and appropriate consent.

Candidate Brief

Review the KIRAH Candidate Brief for comprehensive information regarding the organization, mandate, position scope, compensation, search process and candidate considerations.

Apply for this Opportunity

Select the application button to proceed to the secure application page for this mandate.

Applications are currently processed through destinationone Consulting’s recruitment platform as part of KIRAH’s search infrastructure.