Governance Division Manager

Under the direction of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), the Governance Division Manager is responsible for advancing the shíshálh Nation’s strategic governance priorities by coordinating intergovernmental negotiations and senior-level government relationships, negotiating strategic agreements, overseeing the development and maintenance of internal governance frameworks, and supporting the Council in all governance-related processes. This role provides high-level strategic leadership, oversees a team responsible for governance research and document development, and ensures all governance initiatives align with the shíshálh Nation Constitution, laws, strategic goals, and the shíshálh Self-Government Act.

The Governance Division Manager is not responsible for Rights & Title litigation, operational resource/referral work, environmental monitoring, or implementation of Agreements, which fall under the Stewardship & Territorial Land Management (STLM) Division. The Governance and STLM Division Managers will work closely together to achieve Nation priorities.

The Candidate:

Strategic Negotiations Development

• Monitor legislative, policy, and regulatory developments at federal, provincial, regional, and Indigenous government levels that may impact shíshálh governance, rights, or jurisdiction, and provide routine updates and recommendations to the CAO and Council.
• Lead the Nation’s political and technical strategic negotiation files focused on governance, jurisdictional recognition, fiscal arrangements, and government-to-government framework development.
• Develop negotiation strategies that reflect Council mandates, long-term strategic goals, and the shíshálh Self-Government Act.
• Prepare negotiation-related correspondence, briefing notes, speaking notes, background packages, and position papers for Council and senior leadership.
• Facilitate and coordinate intergovernmental engagement at the political and senior administrative levels.
• Maintain accurate records, document controls, and timelines for all negotiation files and ensure alignment with Council direction.
• Support Chief and Council participation in strategic G2G agreements, governance tables, and jurisdictional planning initiatives.

Internal Governance Structures & Legislative Development

• Oversee the systematic review, amendment, and modernization of the shíshálh Nation Constitution.
• Coordinate development, drafting, and maintenance of shíshálh Nation laws, regulations, policies, and bylaws.
• Develop templates, tools, and standardized processes for good governance and policy-making across the administration.
• Ensure all internal governance documents comply with applicable shíshálh Nation laws, the Constitution, and the laws of Canada and British Columbia.
• Lead the consolidation, organization, and ongoing maintenance of all governance documents across all shíshálh Nation entities (government, district, corporations, housing).
• Support implementation of governance laws, ensuring staff and departments understand legislative roles, responsibilities, and jurisdictional authorities.
• Assist in developing local government processes, election laws, referendum procedures, and governance modernization initiatives.

Legal Coordination

• Serve as the primary liaison between the shíshálh Nation and external legal counsel on matters related to governance, laws, by-laws, negotiations, and internal governing documents.
• Review legal documents, agreements, drafts, and opinions to identify implications for governance structures and negotiation strategies.
• Coordinate legal review of laws, policies, amendments, and governance-related agreements before presentation to Council.
• Ensure legal advice is communicated accurately and consistently to relevant departments and leadership.

Government-to-Government (G2G) Support

• Facilitate high-level G2G engagement with federal, provincial, Indigenous, and regional governments.
• Prepare meeting materials, briefing books, notes, and follow-up documentation for G2G meetings.
• Track intergovernmental commitments, action items, and timelines to ensure accountability.
• Provide technical support to Council representatives at G2G forums, strategic…