Pacheedaht First Nation - or “People of the Seafoam”- are a Nuu-chah-nulth people from the southwest coast of Vancouver Island.
Career Opportunity
HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR
Full-time, Ongoing
Working and living in Port Renfrew
Port Renfrew is a remote west coast community known for its powerful surf breaks, world-class camping, old-growth forests, fishing, and access to iconic trails like the Juan de Fuca Trail. It’s a place where people come to unplug from city life and reconnect with nature, whether that means being on the water before work, camping on weekends, or trading traffic and commutes for quiet, coastal living.
If you’re someone who values a slower, more intentional pace of life, living where others vacation, community connection, meaningful work, and time outdoors - Port Renfrew may be exactly what you’re looking for.
Staff housing options are available and negotiable, helping support a smooth transition for candidates relocating from outside the community.
Who we are
We are the Pacheedaht First Nation - a resilient, thriving community rooted in our sacred lands and waters. Our home brings peace, safety, and belonging, connecting us to one another and to our ancestors.
Guided by our teachings, we steward our territory and exercise our rights, title, and jurisdiction with care, protecting the wildlife, clean air, waters, and forests that sustain current and future generations. Pacheedaht First Nation is a proud, progressive government focused on the health, safety, and self-reliance of our people while preserving our culture, values, and language. We hold four reserves (174 hectares) within our traditional territory in Port Renfrew, about 80 km from Victoria, with an estimated 286 members, including roughly 100 living on-reserve.
About the role
Reporting to the Band Manager, the Human Resources Director is a senior leadership role responsible for the overall strategic direction, leadership, and delivery of human resources services across the organization, supporting approximately 90 employees across multiple programs and services.
This role provides practical, culturally grounded, and compliant HR leadership while fostering a workplace culture rooted in community values, respect, accountability, and wellness.
As a key member of the leadership team, the Human Resources Director plays a critical role in organizational planning, structure, and development. This position requires a highly strategic and hands-on leader who can guide long-term workforce planning and organizational growth, while also supporting day-to-day priorities such as employee relations, recruitment, investigations, and leadership coaching.
The role requires strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to navigate complex, evolving environments and respond to shifting priorities with sound judgment, consistency, and care.
What you will do
As the Human Resources Manager for Pacheedaht First Nation, you will:
Strategic Leadership & Workforce Planning
- Provide senior-level HR leadership, advice, and recommendations to the Band Manager and management team
- Lead strategic workforce planning aligned with organizational growth, funding, and operational priorities
- Conduct organizational analysis, including reviewing and refining structure, roles, and reporting relationships
- Support organizational development initiatives, including restructuring, change management, and the implementation of HR systems and frameworks
- Contribute to long-term planning that strengthens organizational capacity and sustainability
Organizational Development & Capacity Building
- Lead learning and development strategies to build capacity within the existing team
- Identify skill gaps and develop training, coaching, and mentorship approaches to strengthen leadership and staff capability
- Support succession planning and leadership development across the organization
- Foster a culture of continuous learning, accountability, and growth
Cultural & Community Alignment
- Ensure HR strategies and practices reflect the values, traditions, and priorities of the Nation
- Promote culturally safe, respectful, and relationship-based workplace practices
- Navigate workplace matters thoughtfully and with care within a close-knit community environment
Employee Relations & HR Leadership
- Provide overall leadership for employee relations, including complex and sensitive workplace issues
- Apply strong conflict resolution skills to address disputes, concerns, and interpersonal challenges
- Coach and support leaders in effectively managing performance, behaviour, and workplace relationships
- Oversee investigations, disciplinary processes, and resolution strategies with fairness and consistency
Recruitment & Retention
- Lead full-cycle recruitment strategies across all programs and departments
- Support workforce attraction and retention initiatives, including local hiring and community workforce development
- Oversee onboarding processes and employee engagement strategies
Policy Development & Compliance
- Provide strategic oversight of HR policies, procedures, and handbook development
- Ensure compliance with applicable employment legislation and organizational requirements
- Mitigate organizational risk through consistent, fair, and transparent HR practices
Performance Management & Leadership Support
- Oversee and enhance performance management systems and approaches
- Support leaders in coaching, development planning, and addressing performance concerns
- Embed accountability and clarity in performance expectations across the organization
Health, Safety & Employee Wellbeing
- Provide oversight and guidance on occupational health and safety programs
- Support incident response, investigations, and preventative initiatives
- Promote a safe, healthy, and respectful workplace environment
Compensation, Systems & Organizational Effectiveness
- Oversee job design, job evaluation, and compensation frameworks
- Support benefits, leave, and wellness programs in collaboration with Finance
- Strengthen HR systems, tools, and reporting to support data-informed decision-making
Lived and learned experience we are seeking
To be the successful candidate for this position, you will have/demonstrate:
Education or equivalent:
Degree or diploma in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Experience:
- 7+ years of progressive HR experience, including senior leadership or director-level responsibility
- Experience operating in complex, evolving, and growing organizational environments
- Demonstrated experience leading organizational change, structure review, and workforce planning
- Significant experience managing complex employee relations, investigations, and conflict resolution
- Experience across multiple HR functions including recruitment, policy, compensation, learning and development, and compliance
Knowledge & Skills:
- Strong understanding of employment legislation and HR best practices
- Advanced conflict resolution, problem-solving, and decision-making skills in complex environments
- Ability to assess organizational challenges and implement practical, scalable solutions
- High emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and ability to build trust across all levels
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive matters with discretion
- Strong communication skills and ability to influence, coach, and support leaders
Ways of working:
- Comfortable working in evolving environments and building systems over time
- Brings a relational, community-focused approach to HR
- Balances compassion with accountability
- Indigenous experience: Indigenous lived experience and/or experience working with Indigenous communities is strongly preferred
- Certifications & Checks: Clear Criminal Record Check, including vulnerable sector, as required
What we offer
- An opportunity to work with like-minded people and do meaningful, community-focused work
- Competitive salary, commensurate with experience with in a range of $100,000.00 to $130,000.00 per annum
- Additional paid time off over the festive season, plus generous sick and personal leave.
- Full-time, ongoing employment
- Extended benefits and employer-matched pension plan
- Learning and development opportunities
Participation in community events and initiatives
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To express interest
To express interest in this role, please submit your cover letter and resume.
We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Persons of Indigenous ancestry will be given preference in accordance with applicable legislation.
