Head of Finance

Job title: Head of Finance

Job description: Gitxaała territories stretch from the Nass River to Aristazabal Island, on the north coast of British Columbia. The Gitxaała (also known as Git Lax M’oon, people of the saltwater) are one of the most ancient societies on the coast. The village of Lax Klan (also known as Kitkatla) has been continuously inhabited since time immemorial.

The village of Lax Klan is on Dolphin Island, 60km south of Prince Rupert, BC, and can be reached by boat or float plane. The village has been occupied for over 10,000 years and is currently home to 450 Gitxaała citizens. The Gitxaała Nation government also has offices in Prince Rupert, sharing a building with the Museum of Northern British Columbia.

Gitxaała hereditary leaders from four clans, Gisputwada, Ganhada, Lax’sgiik, and Laxgibuu, manage and protect their territories and resources according to their ayaawx, traditional laws. Gitxaała citizens (currently 2094 members), wherever they reside, celebrate their history, practice their traditions, respect their laws, and cherish their lands, waters, and resources.

The Gitxaala Nation CAO in partnership with the Finance & Audit Committee (FAC) of the Council is seeking a Head of Finance who shares their vision of building Gitxaała as a self-governing, self-sustaining and inclusive nation for all its citizens.

Based primarily out of the Lax Klan (Kitkatla) reserve with regular visits to office locations in Prince Rupert, the new Head of Finance will lead the financial function (team of 5) of Gitxaala administration including budgeting, forecasting, investment management, financial reporting, and assessment of financial risks. The Head of Finance is also responsible for setting financial goals and objectives for the Nation including reporting on progress against goals on a regular basis to the CAO and FAC.

Key Priorities for the new Head of Finance:

• Collaborate with the CAO in the development of Strategic and Operational plans for the nation as well as the finance function. Build a governance model to oversee the plans.
• Revamp the finance function to ensure there is proper budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and investment management of the finances of the nation.
• Monitor the Nation’s investments and trust fund. Serve as an ex officio trustee to the Gitxaala First Nation’s Nations Trust Account. Safeguard the funds deposited within the account and provide oversight on investment strategies.
• Identify and assess risks as well as develop mitigation tactics to address risk.
• Establish key performance indicators to measure the effectiveness of strategy or plan and report progress with KPI metrics to FAC on a monthly basis.
• Lead a team of 5, ensuring they are meeting the daily needs of the nation and are feeling engaged, qualified, and supported as individual and team collaborators.
• Oversee financial policies, procedures, and laws plus ensure compliance with legislation.
• Establish and maintain a comprehensive financial registry that tracks Impact Benefit Agreements, funding agents, and grants received by the Gitxaala First Nation. Ensure compliance with reporting requirements and deadlines.
• Direct preparation of financial statements and reports per reporting requirements for internal partners, FNHA, FNESC, CMHC, ISC, other funders, and external partners.
• Review data and provide advanced financial analysis and reporting to Council, FAC, leadership team, and operational counterparts.
• Help manage projects including multi-year projects and strategic planning sessions as well as create and report on work plans tied to the strategic plan and ongoing projects.
• Manage agreements with government and external agencies such as the New Fiscal Relationship 10-year Grant, ISC, FNESC, and Provincial BC Treaty Commission.
• Build relationships and collaborate with the FNFMB and AFOA plus other key partners

As the Ideal Candidate, Council is looking to meet candidates who possess a nice mix of the following:

• Experience in a lead financial and accounting role, ideally in a First Nation or other level of government, with responsibility in financial management, operations, strategy, band council support administration, and team leadership.
• Ideally, a CPA designation combined with a bachelor’s degree or a Certified Aboriginal Financial Manager designation – either completed or in progress. Indigenous leadership, negotiation, and conflict resolution training is considered an asset. An MBA or PMP designation would be welcomed.
• Experience in developing and managing annual work plans, KPIs, and budgets as well as experience reporting to the audit committee of a board or council.
• Solid understanding and experience in setting budgets, forecasting, financial reporting, compliance, audit, and use of financial software to develop reports for decision-making.
• Seasoned in implementing workplace policies and procedures in building a strong workforce. Confident in how to navigate through resistance to change.
• Strong technical writing skills and experience in writing policies, procedures, proposals, briefing notes, reports, and grants.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from industry, government bodies, professional groups, Gitxaala members, and the public.
• An understanding of the history of First Nations governments, the Indian Act, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Act, and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) is also beneficial.
• Strong team leadership and management skills and the ability to manage relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

While we recognize the value of diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds in accordance with section 41 of the BC Human Rights Code; candidates of Indigenous background are encouraged to self-identify on their application.

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $120-130K a year with full benefits, 4 weeks vacation as well as relocation support. Accommodation will be provided on reserve (Lax Klan) as well as during trips to Prince Rupert and across BC/Canada as needed.

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