Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

Tla'amin Nation

Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

Tla’amin Nation is a modern and forward-thinking self-governing Nation located in the qathet region on the upper Sunshine Coast of BC. The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) reports directly to the Executive Council and oversees a management team of 10 Directors, 290 staff (full time, part time, temporary and casual) and a 70-million-dollar annual budget. The CAO is guided by the and annual operational plans. The CAO works with the Government of Canada, Province of British Columbia and local governments to advance Tla’amin interests and priorities.

Key Responsibilities
Leadership and Operations

• Oversees all operations of the Tla’amin Nation including core government and service delivery departments.
• Leads the Senior Management Team in operationalizing and implementing the Comprehensive Nation Plan and other strategic initiatives set by the Tla’amin Nation Executive Council.
• Works with the Senior Management Team to develop key performance indicators for organizational and departmental performance. Monitors and evaluates departmental performance to ensure goals and objectives are being met. Manages organizational, team and individual employee performance.
• Ensures that effective policies are developed, implemented and followed.
• Leads the Senior Management Team to ensure a healthy and productive work environment where employees work together to achieve individual, departmental and Tla’amin Nation goals.

Financial Oversight

• Provides oversight and ultimate responsibility for Tla’amin’s finances including annual budget preparation, overall financial and cost controls, financial management and accountability. Ensures sound financial planning to support Tla’amin’s strategic plans. Ensures financial risks are mitigated.
• Works in collaboration with the Chief Financial Officer to provide regular financial reports and updates to the Executive Council.
• Ensures that all reporting requirements are met for external funders.

Executive Council

• Supports Executive Council in the development of Tla’amin Nation’s strategic plan and goals.
• Attends and provides advice and input at Executive Council and committee meetings as appropriate.
• Makes recommendations to Executive Council for amendments to existing policy and processes and development of new policy and processes where required.
• Provides reports and recommendations for changes or improvements to programs and services, infrastructure, capital projects and housing.
• Ensures all Executive Council decisions and documents are properly executed, recorded and filed.

Community Relations

• Builds and maintains positive relationships with Tla’amin Nation Citizens. Assists Citizens and responds to their inquiries/requests or delegates as appropriate to ensure Citizens receive timely responses.
• Ensures effective community engagement and communication.

External Relations

• Manages strategies and processes for navigating and evaluating major projects that impact the Tla’amin Nation.
• Develops and maintains relationships with Federal, Provincial, and Municipal governments, and other agencies and organizations in the best interest of Tla’amin Nation.
• Represents Tla’amin at various meetings and other functions.

Qualifications
Training, Education, Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Indigenous Studies or related field combined with a minimum of 10 years of progressive management experience including experience working within an Indigenous government or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience developing, implementing and operationalizing strategic plans including developing key performance indicators to evaluate progress towards goals.
• Experience leading in a unionized or partially unionized environment.
• Acceptable Driving Record and valid B.C. Class 5 Driver’s Licence.
• Acceptable Police Information Check prior to employment.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Exceptional leadership skills and the ability to lead and manage a team of senior managers and staff providing a variety of core government services and community programs and services.
• Knowledge of Indigenous governance structures and institutions.
• Knowledge of governance in a modern treaty nation context is considered an asset.
• Well-developed understanding of business management, as well as operational and financial functions.
• Ability to oversee, manage and monitor the implementation of multiple and diverse initiatives, programs, services and projects.
• Excellent business and finance acumen with the ability to analyze situations and make sound decisions and/or recommendations.
• Ability to assess operational needs and effectively implement systems to optimize resources.
• Ability to build a strong team and work effectively within a team environment.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships both internally and externally.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as the ability to make effective presentations.
• Strong technical and computer skills including Intermediate proficiency level in Microsoft Office.
• Knowledge of Tla’amin history, cultural protocols and practices is an asset. The successful candidate will be expected to learn about Tla’amin Nation history and culture as a priority.
• As a Tla’amin employee and leader, demonstrates respect for the principles of ʔəms taʔow: accountability, communication, discipline, fairness, honesty, humility, integrity, respect, spirituality and sharing.

Working Conditions
Work is performed primarily in an office environment and community locations. Regular travel to attend meetings or training is required. This role will require the successful candidate to be located in (or willing to relocate to) the qathet region.

How to Apply
Please apply by uploading your resume and cover letter to:

Or

Drop-off/mail Attention: Human Resources Department, Tla’amin Nation, 4779 Klahanie Rd, qathet, BC, V8A 0C4 

This posting will be open until June 30, 2026.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.