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The Opportunity

The structure of the Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) and the commitment of initial capital partners create a unique opportunity for private sector investors. One of the PFP Agreement requirements is to seek partnerships with one or more private-sector investors to generate ongoing revenue that secures the long-term sustainability, well-being, and shared economic prosperity of the Great Bear Sea, which the private sector both depends on and benefits from.

The CSTG is at a point where they need to conceive, evaluate, develop and implement creative strategies to generate durable streams of business revenues from private sector engagements that:

• Align with the vision associated with PFP;
• Provide the anticipated financial support for Indigenous stewardship of the Great Bear Sea;
• Are consistent with the values of participating Nations; and
• Offer tangible, meaningful and durable business benefits to participating private sector partners.

As the Head of Private-Sector Development, you will play a pivotal role in advancing CSTG’s mandate to serve participating First Nations in achieving their stewardship vision for one of the world’s most ecologically and culturally significant regions. You will lead the development and assessment of opportunities to attract private sector investment, leveraging these contributions to enhance and amplify the community fund investments made by participating Nations.

In addition, as chair of the Sustainable Finance Mechanism Working Group, you will report directly to the CEO of Coast Funds with a dotted-line reporting relationship to the CSTG committee. You will provide regular reporting on status and outcomes to CSTG and First Nations leadership.

Initially, the focus will be on prospect cultivation, negotiation and development of an immediate multi-year revenue generation opportunity. In the long-term, the onus will be on you to develop, present and obtain approval on other avenues for investment opportunities. Your overall goal will be to solve for a key revenue gap in the financial model in a way that aligns with the Nations’ commitment to building a conservation economy.

About You

We would like to connect with professionals with strong business acumen who are deeply passionate about environmental stewardship and who thrive in business development and investment strategy.

Ideally, you naturally embody a servant leadership approach and bring a thoughtful, measured lens to decision-making. You build relationships with ease and, ideally, bring established connections in key markets such as venture capital, private equity, or other investment communities. Collaborative and creative by nature, you excel at distilling complex concepts into actionable strategies, plans, and reports that advance CSTG’s mission.

This role is as unique as the organization itself and calls for a visionary who can contribute meaningfully to an initiative of significant scale and impact.

Specifically, you possess:

• Natural entrepreneurial drive with proven experience starting, scaling, or transforming a business, sales or marketing initiative, or a community/social initiative.
• Experience as an angel investor, or exposure to venture capital or private equity environments; strong financial literacy, including business case evaluation, and financial modelling.
• Familiarity with economic development initiatives on a larger scale.
• Familiar with financial concepts and principles, including analysis of financial statements and/or pro forma spreadsheets to inform decision-making. Fluency in financial modelling.
• Successfully led the sale of sophisticated products or services to businesses or not-for-profits.
• Confident communicator with experience presenting to senior executives, boards, investors, associations, and community leaders; regarded as a trusted strategic advisor.
• A bonus: Demonstrated experience working with Indigenous governments and organizations, with a focus on building respectful, long-term relationships. Cultural agility, emotional intelligence, and an overall respect for Indigenous culture are a must.
• Comfortable leading strategic engagement with boards, leadership teams, or senior government officials in the creation of partnership models.
• University degree preferably in Business, Environmental Studies, or related area with a finance specialization. A master’s degree or CFA would also be welcomed.
• Familiarity with emerging technologies—such as visual tools, virtual reality, and AI to create strategic or operational value as well as advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office products and familiarity with Salesforce or a similar CRM.

About Coast Funds and the Coast Solutions Task Group

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.

The Coast Solutions Task Group (CSTG) is a seven-person committee that includes representatives from participating First Nations, their regional alliances, and Coast Funds.

The CSTG is the mandated deal team charged with designing and developing the Great Bear Sea PFP on behalf of participating First Nations. Following PFP closing, the CSTG has continued to work, at the direction of participating Nations, on matters related to implementing the PFP, including completing the financial model.

Benefits and Work Culture

Coast Funds is open to a competitive base salary ($140,000 to $170,000 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.

For this role, we are open to connecting with candidates who may require a hybrid, remote or contractual arrangement.

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

Coast Funds has partnered with Bridge Strategies, which is the exclusive recruitment partner for this role. For specific questions about this opportunity, please contact Kataneh Sherkat at Bridge Strategies.

Individuals meeting the criteria above are encouraged to apply by clicking the link below.

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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.