Manager, Economic Development Full Time NEW

Coast Funds is hiring a Manager, Economic Development to support participating First Nations’ economic development projects, including investments in start-ups, joint ventures, strategic acquisitions, and infrastructure. The Opportunity

The Manager, Economic Development works in partnership with participating First Nations and Coast Funds colleagues to cultivate and prepare proposals and business plans for First Nations’ investment in start-ups, joint ventures, strategic acquisitions, and infrastructure projects.

This includes partnering and mentoring applicants, advising on the development of business plans, performing due diligence on proposals as well as progress and final reports, and administering funding contracts. Additionally, this position is responsible for administering Coast Funds’ monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) program.

This role is a key member of a small, close working staff team who will collaborate and foster a high trust environment within Coast Funds and with the First Nations we work in service of.

Key Responsibilities
Investment Analysis – Economic Development
Administer prospective and approved economic development projects through their life cycle:

Proactively work in partnership with First Nations to develop proposals for Coast Funds’ investment into sustainable business development and community infrastructure projects.
Conduct and manage the due diligence process for all applications, including assessing the application on its probability of success, conducting a risk assessment as required, discussing due diligence with the Senior Director, Programs and Operations and CEO, and providing recommendations to Coast Funds’ Project Review Committee (PRC) and Board for all funding decisions.
Review and approve all documentation required for funding agreements and disbursements such that disbursement requests can be processed in a timely manner by the CEO and finance staff.
Ensure timely and accurate record keeping for all funding applications and related correspondence in the organization’s Salesforce database and file server for all economic development projects.
Track the evolving status of active projects, proactively prepare report templates for First Nations clients, mentor and provide friendly, responsive client service to First Nations as they complete reports, identify progress and risk factors, and advise the Senior Director, Programs and Operations and / or CEO regarding issues related to active projects.
Support First Nations as they prepare progress and final reports for funded economic development and conservation projects. Review progress reports to ensure compliance with approved project work plans and the funding agreements to request the CEO’s approval for funding disbursements. Review final reports including each project’s performance against its original objectives; economic, environmental, social, and cultural benefits resulting from the project; financial statements; and narrative information to evaluate compliance with the approved project work plan and the funding agreement and to capture key learnings.
Provide opportunities for First Nations clients to leverage other financing instruments for the benefit of their economic development goals in line with the Great Bear Sea PFP agreement expectations.

Investment Analysis – Conservation
Collaborate with the Director, Stewardship Funding with financial analyses and advice by reviewing funding applications to the conservation fund (including financial statements, program, and infrastructure budgets).
Working in support of the Director, Stewardship Funding’s relationships for conservation programs and projects, support First Nations as they prepare progress and final reports for funded projects.
Ensure a joint effort with Director, Stewardship Funding in supporting investment analysis to First Nations with a priority of serving the Nations needs.

Well-being Outcomes and Impact Analysis
Lead the continued development of methods and systems enabling Coast Funds’ analytical efforts to monitor, evaluate, and learn (MEL) from First Nations-led economic development, conservation, and stewardship efforts across the region.
In collaboration with the Projects team, design Coast Funds’ evolving approach for MEL efforts to be conducted in-community to share and engage in mutual learning about the long-term impact of program and project investments in how they are more broadly / deeply contributing to strengthened human and ecological resilience.
In collaboration with the Projects team, conduct interviews with First Nations two-to-five years following completion of each project to evaluate and learn from the long-term impact of project investments.
Manage the compilation, analysis, and update of Coast Funds’ internal well-being data report for census-based indicators with Statistics Canada data when available in 2026.
Maintaining Salesforce reports and Excel working papers for the indicators (currently 21) of well-being, compile year-end project outcome reporting and infographics for Coast Funds’ website and annual report.
Contribute ad hoc reports to peers and management for the benefit of supporting Coast Funds strategic goals, serving First Nations and to enhance communications materials.

External Relationships
Working in partnership with other staff, maintain successful and collaborative relationships with First Nations across the region.
Foster peer-level working relationships with economic development project funding partners including government, non-profits, financial institutions, and businesses.
Support the Director, Stewardship Funding during high volume application periods, on reporting and as back-up during time away from work.

General
Understand and comply with all Coast Funds internal policies and the employee guidebook.
Develop and maintain collaborative and high trust relationships with Coast Funds’ team members.
Be available for intermittent travel within the Great Bear Coast to attend meetings or project site visits for the economic development. Travel is typically less than 6 (one or two night) trips into the region annually.

About You
The competencies for this position would typically be acquired through the successful completion of a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline (preferably business or economics).
Five+ years of related experience, preferably developing business plans, lending, or consulting.
Experience assessing or developing pro forma financial statements and capital budgets.
Demonstrated experience developing professional reports and documents using Microsoft Office 365. Intermediate skills with Microsoft Excel are required.
Knowledge of the concepts, practices, and techniques of impact investing and reporting. Knowledge and applied experience related to the measurement of a triple bottom line (financial, social, and environmental results) would be an asset.
Experience with customer relationship management systems or database software would be an asset.
Track record of working cooperatively with different public, private, non-profit, or community partners.
Experience working with First Nations, Indigenous communities, or rural economic development would be an asset.
You approach your work with clients as a true partner; you offer your perspectives, knowledge, and experience to help clients develop plans that enable informed business decisions.
Strong interpersonal skills to create a clear understanding of expectations; address escalated challenges and issues, and to positively represent the organization to clients and stakeholders. Always a team player with a positive attitude when handling complex situations.
Strong business communication skills in both written and verbal form with an ability to write clearly, concisely, and quickly.
Strong analysis and a natural inquisitive mindset to assess and identify risks and opportunities that may impact projects, First Nations, and Coast Funds.
Solid listening and compassion skills with a high level of emotional maturity.
Highly collaborative, team-oriented, and passionate about achieving win-win outcomes.
Adaptable to an evolving work environment, open to new ideas, and encourages others to value change.
Well-organized with an ability to balance multiple priorities to produce tangible results in a deadline-driven work environment.
Self-directed, self-motivated, efficient, and energetic with enthusiasm and an ability to learn quickly.

About Coast Funds
Coast Funds is an Indigenous-led conservation finance organization delivers financing and services in support of First Nations’ investment in stewardship, conservation, and economic development.
Following the signing of the Great Bear Rainforest agreements, Coast Funds was established in 2007 to manage funds for First Nations’ stewardship and economic priorities in the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii. In 2024, First Nations worked with Coast Funds and other partners to secure new funding, through the Great Bear Sea PFP, for marine stewardship and community-led development.
Today, the organization administers endowments and spend-down funds, which are allocated between participating First Nations, and provides financial administration services to First Nations and their partners.
To date, Coast Funds has delivered more than $145 million for over 500 Indigenous-led conservation, economic development, and sustainable energy projects. With these investments, First Nations are strengthening coastal communities, diversifying local economies, and stewarding lands, waters, and life.

Benefits and Work Culture
Coast Funds offers a competitive salary ($90,000 to $105,000 range), complemented by a strong benefits package that includes four weeks of vacation to start, health and dental coverage, life insurance, paid sick leave, RRSP contributions, a mobile phone plan, budget and leave for professional development, and opportunities for continued learning and professional growth.

Following the announcement of the Great Bear Sea PFP, Coast Funds is growing its team to deliver new financing and services for First Nations. There’s never been a better time to join us in serving First Nations and supporting their work to strengthen coastal communities and protect the lands, waters, and life in their territories.

How to Apply
Individuals meeting the criteria above are encouraged to email their resume and cover letter to Eau-Vive Heppenstall, Senior Director, Programs and Operations, at [email protected].

We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Métis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. Given the nature of our work, we will be giving priority to Indigenous candidates and then to candidates who have worked with Indigenous organizations and bring a solid understanding of Indigenous practices, traditions, and worldviews.