Senior Forest Business Project Manager

Ecotrust Canada seeks an innovative and entrepreneurial leader to help build and deliver our growing program. This position focuses on business management expertise, with an emphasis on forest-based projects.

Ecotrust Canada is driven by the triple-bottom-line, where economic opportunity improves rather than degrades social and environmental conditions. Some people call it sustainability - we call it the conservation economy. A conservation economy provides meaningful work and good livelihoods, supports vibrant communities and the recognition of Aboriginal rights and title, and conserves and restores the environment. Ecotrust Canada builds the capacity of communities and businesses; raises and brokers capital; and connects conservation entrepreneurs to each other and to the marketplace.

Our forest-based work is focused on developing and proving new models for integrating economy, ecology, and community in coastal forests to create a sustainable and profitable conservation economy. This involves innovative thinking around land and resource use, designing and launching new business models, identifying and realizing new markets, and/or advising a diverse range of local enterprises and communities.

Position Overview

This position will be focused in Clayoquot, where Ecotrust Canada is working closely with First Nation partners and other local institutions and businesses to produce a multi-faceted working model of a conservation economy.

Our forest-based work is growing in this region, with current projects including: management of Iisaak Forest Resources Ltd. (an innovative First Nations owned, FSC certified, triple bottom line forest company), co-management of a Canadian Forest Service Forest Communities Program, local community capacity development, value-added wood processing and market opportunity development, ecosystem services market value development, and complex land use planning.

The Senior Forest Business Project Manager will build and deliver a diverse project portfolio for Ecotrust Canada on the West Coast of Vancouver Island focused on forestry program initiatives, while also assisting in the development and support of other community-based businesses in the region.

The ideal candidate will have a mix of business acumen, passion for sustainability, and community engagement experience.

Responsibilities include:

• Managing all aspects of Clayoquot projects, from conceptualization to work planning, budgets, client relationships, and staff management;
• Providing senior level leadership to businesses managed or advised by Ecotrust Canada, which could include GM or Board level responsibilities and/or financial and operational management, sales and market development, business analysis, or other activities;
• Developing strong community capacity building opportunities and fostering community engagement in local planning and development possibilities;
• Finding creative opportunities to enable innovative business models which simultaneously meet economic, environmental, social, and cultural goals;
• Engaging ecosystem-based land use planning, including portfolio planning of development options;
• Developing new business and fundraising opportunities for Ecotrust Canada;
• Developing and maintaining relationships with Ecotrust Canada partners, including First Nations, community representatives, and entrepreneurs;
• Working with diverse groups of stakeholders to develop innovative solutions to complex problems;
• Working as part of the organization's Forestry and Community Economic Development teams and supporting the Ecotrust Canada values and mission.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, natural resource management, or related; or commensurate experience;
• 8+ years of proven business management or management consulting experience relevant to sustainable business; the forest, wood products, or other natural resource industry; or other relatable business portfolio;
• Demonstrated project management, team leadership, and business management experience;
• Excellent analytical, organizational, communication, and writing skills;
• Exposure to community or corporate capacity building, and/or community development;
• Experience working with diverse stakeholders; particularly First Nations;
• The ability to work independently as well as collaboratively;
• Proven ability to lead innovative projects and businesses to success.

Assets

• Masters degree in business or natural resource management;
• Experience with product certification and certified market development, preferably FSC;
• Experience with value-added market development;
• Experience with land use planning, particularly in the context of First Nations communities;
• Familiarity with the principles of Ecosystem Based Management;
• Experience with hands-on human resource performance management and training;
• Experience with grant writing and/or new business development;
• Ability to listen and understand complex and perhaps poorly defined client needs and then design and manage remarkable projects;
• Ability to influence change and inspire clients, staff, and other stakeholders towards innovative break-through thinking and solutions.

Compensation: Competitive, based on qualifications. Generous benefits and flexible work scheduling.

This is a full-time permanent position, however contract arrangements may also be considered.

Location: Tofino or Ucluelet, BC or relevant regional area. 20-40% travel may be required.

To Apply:

Please email ((Subject line: "Sr. Forest Business Project Manager"), fax or mail cover letter and CV. Deadline: March 21.

Ecotrust Canada
Attn: Jen St. Denis
200 - 1238 Homer Street,
Vancouver BC, V6B 2Y5

www.ecotrustcan.org
http://ecotrustcanada.blogspot.com/
www.conservationeconomy.net
www.iisaak.com
http://www.ecotrustcan.org/pdf/ParadigmShiftTLAWinter2007.pdf