Head of Private Sector Development

Head of Private Sector Development

On behalf of the Coast Solutions Task Group Coast Funds is hiring a Head of Private Sector Development to assess develop and implement strategies for generating new revenue from private sector sources to support First Nations marine stewardship and economic development initiatives through the Great Bear Sea Project Finance for Permanence initiative.

Coast Funds is an Indigenous-led conservation finance organization that 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 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.

More information about the Great Bear Sea PFP Agreements and the Great Bear Sea Marine Protected Area Network - and 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 CSTGs mandate to serve participating First Nations in achieving their stewardship vision for one of the worlds 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 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.

Qualifications

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 CSTGs 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 masters degree or CFA would also be welcomed.
• Familiarity with emerging technologiessuch 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.

Compensation

Coast Funds is open to a competitive base salary ($140000 to $170000 CAD 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. Theres 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.

Interested

Coast Funds & CSTG have partnered with Bridge Strategies to fulfill this important hire.

To be considered for this role please apply by sending your resume and cover letter directly through this the cover letter please highlight why you think you are a good fit for the role and the CSTG/Coast Funds team. We can share a more detailed position profile with you if you would like to review it before submitting your cover letter.

For a more detailed job profile or additional information feel free to contact us here. Kataneh Sherkat is leading this search with support from Arthur Lyons.

Bridge Strategies was founded on the basis that all applicants deserve respect and care when they apply for jobs. All applications will be reviewed with care and we look forward to hearing the personal journey and story of those applicants whose backgrounds best match the needs of our clients. All other applicants will be informed of the status of their application within days of applying. If you have not heard back from us within a week of the submission of your application please dont hesitate to contact us for an update.