Director of Planning and Development

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 that includes asset management, land governance, property planning and development, commercial leasing, business development, site operations, corporate administration and financial stewardship. This opportunity will appeal to an entrepreneurial and commercially minded leader who understands how to move complex development initiatives forward while building trusted relationships with First Nations leadership, governments, municipalities, community stakeholders, developers, engineers, regulators and commercial partners.
KFNE supports the broader economic vision of kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation through responsible business development, land stewardship, strategic partnerships and commercial growth.
The organization’s work brings together land development, commercial real estate, leasing, infrastructure, business development, strategic partnerships, investment, governance and community and government relations.
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 successful Director will have the opportunity to help shape the next stage of KFNE’s growth while building the organizational capability required to support that strategy.
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 role combines economic development, commercial real estate, land development, infrastructure, business development, joint ventures and partnerships, financial stewardship, government relations, community engagement, organizational leadership and Board-level accountability.
The Director will manage the day-to-day operations of KFNE 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 develop and build the function as KFNE grows and additional business needs are identified. This is an executive mandate requiring the ability to move between strategy, commercial negotiations, development planning, stakeholder engagement, organizational leadership and practical execution.
Economic Development Strategy
Develop and execute KFNE’s economic-development and business strategy.
Build a roadmap that supports the Nation’s long-term economic security.
Identify new revenue streams, investment opportunities and commercial partnerships.
Support Nation-owned businesses and future business-development initiatives.
Build the organizational capability required to execute KFNE’s evolving economic-development strategy.
Land Development & Commercial Real Estate
Lead commercial real-estate and land-development activities.
Advance land-leasing and development-planning priorities.
Support planning for future phases of development.
Coordinate infrastructure and servicing requirements for commercial properties.
Navigate permitting, licensing and regulatory requirements.
Work with municipalities, engineers, utilities, contractors and other technical partners.
Support commercial leasing and property-management activities.
Evaluate development opportunities through both commercial and community lenses.
KFNE’s immediate priority is to secure the required services for existing commercial properties that have already been leased and begin planning the next stages of development. Strategic Partnerships & Business Development
Develop strategic business partnerships.
Negotiate joint ventures and other commercial arrangements.
Assess new commercial opportunities.
Build relationships with developers, investors and other business partners.
Advance public-private and infrastructure partnerships.
The successful candidate will need the commercial judgement to recognize opportunity while also assessing risk, long-term value and alignment with the Nation’s objectives.
Government, Municipal & Stakeholder Relations
The Director will build and maintain trusted relationships with kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation leadership and community, the City of Port Coquitlam, other levels of government, neighbouring communities, developers, engineers, utilities, regulators, financial institutions, investors and industry partners.
The Director must be capable of building credibility across both community and commercial environments.
Infrastructure & Project Leadership
Work with civil engineers and technical consultants.
Engage local utility providers.
Support contractor coordination.
Navigate municipal approvals.
Oversee project priorities, timelines and risk.
Ensure alignment between development activity and the broader operating plan.
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.
Work with the Board on business plans and budgets.
Oversee operating and capital planning.
Monitor financial performance.
Ensure responsible stewardship of organizational assets.
Support long-term capital planning.
Maintain effective controls, reporting and compliance.
Assess the financial implications of development and commercial opportunities.
Keep the Board informed regarding strategy, operations, financial performance and risk.
Manage KFNE’s day-to-day operations within delegated authority.
Strengthen organizational controls and governance practices.
Maintain accountability for implementation of Board-approved priorities.
Organizational Leadership & Team Building
The KFNE office currently includes an Executive Assistant and Senior Accountant , while Saskay Land Development currently includes a Site Superintendent and five General Labourers . Build the Economic Development function over time.
Create a culture of execution and continuous improvement.
The successful candidate will be comfortable building organizational capability while remaining closely connected to execution.
KFNE’s immediate priorities include:
land-development planning
securing services for existing commercial properties
planning future stages of development
building relationships with neighbouring communities and stakeholders
developing strategic business partnerships
building the Economic Development function as the organization grows. The successful candidate will be capable of operating comfortably across strategy, development, real estate, commercial negotiations, government relations, community engagement, infrastructure, finance, governance and organizational leadership.
They will need to understand how to move development projects forward through multiple layers of government, regulation, infrastructure, 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 .

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.
Experience working with communities, First Nations, engineering firms and other stakeholders.
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 confirmed that land development, real estate, government relations, stakeholder engagement, permitting/licensing and property servicing/infrastructure experience are must-have areas for this search. Considered an Asset
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.
Direct experience negotiating joint ventures, land acquisitions or significant commercial leases.
Experience building an economic-development function or organization.
Cultural & Community Alignment
The successful candidate must therefore bring more than commercial expertise.
relationship-building capability
thoughtful community engagement
an understanding that long-term value includes both commercial outcomes and benefit to the Nation
The Director will be expected to build positive relationships with community members while representing KFNE professionally with external partners.
The role is based onsite in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia .
The onsite working model reflects the executive nature of the mandate 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.
For an experienced economic-development or real-estate executive, this opportunity offers the chance to:
help shape KFNE’s economic-development strategy
build an economic-development function
influence land and commercial development
create new business and partnership opportunities
work directly with government, community and industry
participate in commercial negotiations and strategic investments
help build sustainable long-term economic value for kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation
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 .
The successful candidate must be comfortable moving between Board-level strategy and practical execution, from development planning and commercial negotiations to government relations, permitting, infrastructure coordination and organizational leadership.
The strongest candidate will understand that economic development in 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.