Reports Directly To: Executive Board through the Board Chair or Executive Committee
Works Collaboratively With: Executive Director, Senior Leadership Team, Board Committees, Organizational Partners and External Stakeholders
Supervises: Administrative or governance support staff as assigned
Classification: Full-time, 40 hours per week
Salary: $ 90,000 – $110,000 per annum
Location: A101-10095 Whalley Boulevard, Surrey, BC. V3T 4G1
Benefits: Extended Health Benefits, Group RRSP Plan, Professional development support, Wellness program, On-site parking, Wellness program including up to 10 paid days per year.
Position Summary:
The Director of Governance & Strategic Operations is a senior leadership position responsible for strengthening governance accountability, strategic coordination, organizational integrity, and implementation oversight within FRAFCA.
Reporting directly to the Executive Board, the position supports governance continuity between Board meetings and ensures that Board-approved priorities, strategic directions, policies, and resolutions are implemented effectively and consistently.
The role provides organizational leadership in governance systems development, accountability monitoring, strategic implementation tracking, risk identification, operational coordination, and policy compliance.
The Director works collaboratively with the Executive Director while maintaining an independent governance reporting relationship to the Executive Board.
Key Duties & Responsibilities:
1. Governance Accountability & Board Support
- Maintain systems to track Board motions, resolutions, directives, and strategic priorities;
- monitor implementation progress and accountability timelines;
- ensure Board decisions are documented, communicated, and followed through;
- prepare governance implementation reports for the Executive Board;
- support Board policy development and governance review processes;
- maintain governance records and accountability documentation;
- support governance orientation and Board development initiatives;
- identify governance gaps, risks, or unresolved accountability issues; and
- support governance best practices consistent with nonprofit and Indigenous governance standards.
2. Strategic Planning & Organizational Coordination
- Support implementation and monitoring of organizational strategic plans;
- coordinate cross-departmental accountability systems related to Board priorities;
- monitor strategic initiative progress and outcomes;
- support development of organizational performance indicators and reporting systems;
- assist in aligning operational activities with strategic goals;
- support organizational planning and evaluation processes; and
- facilitate strategic coordination between governance and operations.
3. Policy, Compliance & Risk Management
- Monitor organizational compliance with:
- bylaws;
- governance policies;
- Board directives;
- funding agreements;
- reporting obligations; and
- applicable legislation.
- Support development and review of governance policies and accountability systems;
- identify organizational risks and escalate concerns appropriately;
- support development of internal accountability and risk mitigation frameworks;
- assist with organizational audit and compliance processes;
- and ensure governance-related documentation remains current and accessible.
4. Executive Board & Executive Director Liaison Functions
- Support effective communication between the Executive Board and Executive Director;
- clarify Board expectations, priorities, and timelines;
- facilitate implementation follow-up processes;
- support resolution of operational accountability concerns;
- maintain professional neutrality and diplomacy; and
- strengthen collaborative governance-management relationships.
5. Organizational Leadership
- Contribute to organizational leadership and culture development;
- support organizational effectiveness initiatives;
- strengthen internal accountability systems;
- support continuous improvement practices;
- represent FRAFCA professionally with partners and stakeholders as required; and
- contribute to organizational sustainability and long-term capacity building.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
- Preferred – Bachelor’s degree in public administration, nonprofit management, Indigenous governance, business administration, organizational leadership, law, political science, or related field.
- Equivalent combinations of education, Indigenous knowledge, leadership experience, and community-based governance experience may also be considered.
Experience
Required:
- minimum 5–7 years senior nonprofit, governance, administrative, or strategic operations experience;
- demonstrated experience supporting Boards, Councils, or governance bodies;
- experience in policy development, strategic planning, or organizational accountability systems;
- experience managing confidential and sensitive organizational matters;
- and demonstrated leadership, facilitation, and relationship management experience.
Preferred:
- experience within Indigenous organizations, Nations, or community governance environments;
- understanding of Indigenous governance systems and community accountability approaches;
- and knowledge of BC nonprofit society governance requirements.
Knowledge, Skills & Ability: The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- strong understanding of nonprofit governance principles;
- knowledge of Board governance structures and fiduciary responsibilities;
- strong organizational and project coordination skills;
- exceptional written and verbal communication abilities;
- advanced strategic planning and problem-solving skills;
- strong diplomacy, professionalism, and political awareness;
- ability to navigate complex leadership environments;
- ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines;
- and high standards of confidentiality and integrity.
Core Competencies:
- Governance Leadership
- Accountability & Integrity
- Strategic Thinking
- Relationship Management
- Diplomacy & Conflict Navigation
- Systems Thinking
- Organizational Coordination
- Communication & Facilitation
- Policy Analysis
- Ethical Leadership
Employment Conditions:
- Full-time work from office location(s);
- Flexibility to attend evening Board meetings;
- Occasional travel between FRAFCA locations;
- Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding Board matters.
- Successful criminal record check and vulnerable sector check;
- Adherence to confidentiality and governance ethics standards required.
Performance Accountability:
Performance of the Director of Governance & Strategic Operations shall be evaluated annually by the Executive Board or designated Executive Committee based on:
- Governance implementation outcomes;
- Strategic coordination effectiveness;
- Accountability systems development;
- Board support effectiveness;
- Compliance and risk management;
- Organizational communication; and
- Achievement of annual organizational objectives.
Equity & Cultural Safety
FRAFCA is committed to fostering a culturally safe, inclusive, and equitable workplace that honours Indigenous rights, self-determination, cultures, and community leadership. We are committed to advancing reconciliation and creating an environment where Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing are respected and valued.
Applicants who identify as Indigenous and those with lived experience, Indigenous governance experience, community leadership experience, and cultural knowledge are strongly encouraged to apply.
We thank all the applicants, but only those selected for interview will be contacted.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Open until suitable candidate is found and the position is filled.
*Pursuant to S. 41 of the BC Human Rights code, preference may be given to Aboriginal Applicants.
“We are committed to the National Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action. FRAFCA is engaged primarily in promoting or serving the interests of Indigenous peoples, FRAFCA prioritizes employment to Indigenous peoples. Preference will be given to Indigenous applicants, unless that preference or employment would constitute a discriminatory practice under the Canadian Human Rights Act”.