Job Description

The Position

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Under the direction of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), the Governance Division Manager is responsible for advancing the shishalh 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 shishalh Nation Constitution, laws, strategic goals, and the shishalh 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 shishalh 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 shishalh 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 shishalh Nation Constitution. Coordinate development, drafting, and maintenance of shishalh 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 shishalh 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 shishalh 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 shishalh 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 agreements, and governance advancement initiatives. Monitor policy and regulatory changes from other governments to identify early impacts on shishalh governance and jurisdiction. Note: Operational G2G work related to agreement implementation, land and resource management, and referrals is managed by STLM; the Governance Division supports only political/strategic G2G.
Staff and Team Management

Promote a culture of Service Excellence, collaboration, and data-informed decision-making. Supervise and mentor staff and consultants, ensuring high-quality research, drafting, and governance support. Develop annual work plans and performance objectives; monitor progress and report results to the CAO. Manage the Division budget, ensuring responsible fiscal management aligned with strategic priorities. Support staff development and training in governance, policy, and negotiation-related competencies. Maintain strong internal communication through staff meetings, written updates, and cross-department collaboration.

Qualifications, Skills and Abilities:

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Master's Degree in Indigenous Governance, Law, Public Administration, Political Science or a related field. Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in governance, legal support, or negotiations, preferably in an Indigenous or government setting. Minimum of 5 years of proven management experience in leading teams and handling complex governance or legal portfolios. In-depth understanding of Indigenous title, rights, and governance frameworks. Strong knowledge of legal processes, negotiations, and intergovernmental affairs. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including technical and legal writing. High-level analytical and strategic thinking skills. Proficiency with project management, documentation systems, and governance software tools is an asset. Familiarity with the shishalh Nation's culture, language, and traditions is a strong asset. Strong knowledge of Indigenous governance systems, self-government frameworks, and Indigenous law. Understanding of the shishalh Self-Government Act, Constitution, and governance mandates (or ability to learn quickly). Excellent writing skills for briefings, policy development, research, and legal document review. Strong facilitation, negotiation, and relationship-building capabilities. Ability to work with political leadership, senior government partners, and legal counsel. Exceptional organizational skills, including maintaining complex records and managing multiple files. Ability to lead with cultural humility, integrity, and alignment with shishalh values and principles. * A valid Driver's license and an acceptable Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search.