Glooscap Ventures is seeking experienced, principled, and community-minded individuals to join its Board of Directors. We currently are recruiting for two (2) Directors.
Directors serve a critical role in stewarding the economic development arm of Glooscap First Nation. The Board provides independent oversight of the corporation and its subsidiaries, sets strategic direction with management, and is ultimately accountable to the Chief and Council for the long-term prosperity of the organization and the community it serves.
Organization
Glooscap First Nation Economic Development Corporation (operating as Glooscap Ventures)
Reports to
Glooscap First Nation Chief and Council (the Shareholder)
Term
Three (3) years, renewable up to a maximum of three consecutive terms
Time commitment
Approximately 20 hours per year for Directors at Large, including meeting attendance, preparation, consultation, and committee participation. This includes approximately 12 Board meetings per year, in addition to committee meetings and Officer responsibilities where applicable.
Location
410 Ben Jackson Road, Hantsport, Nova Scotia B0P 1P0 — meetings held in person and electronically
Compensation
$100 honorarium per meeting. Mileage, parking, and approved travel expenses reimbursed per the Glooscap Ventures Travel Policy
Application deadline
Until the Directorships are filled
About Glooscap Ventures
Glooscap Ventures is the economic development corporation of Glooscap First Nation, headquartered in Hantsport, Nova Scotia. The Board of Directors of Glooscap Ventures also serves as the Board of many of its subsidiaries, with full responsibility for the governance of the corporation and its operating businesses. We have investments in retail, real estate, seafood, entertainment, defence & security services and renewable energy.
The Board operates independently from the Shareholder (Glooscap First Nation Chief and Council) and is committed to advancing the community's economic, social, and environmental well-being in keeping with Mi'kmaq values, traditions, and teachings.
The Opportunity
The Board comprises nine (9) voting Directors and one non-voting Director (youth member).
In addition to recruiting Independent Directors, Glooscap Ventures is also seeking interest from a youth member of Glooscap First Nation to serve as a non-voting Youth Director. This opportunity is intended to support governance exposure, mentorship, leadership development, and future succession planning within the community. Youth interested in learning more about Board governance and economic development are encouraged to express their interest.
By policy, independent Directors must hold no fewer than 66% of Board seats, and the Board must include at all times at least one Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and at least one independent community member of Glooscap First Nation. Members are recruited because of specific expertise they can lend to the management of Glooscap Ventures and the Council of Glooscap First Nation.
Glooscap Ventures maintains two standing committees: the Finance, Audit, and Risk (FAR) Committee, and the Governance Committee. Directors are expected to serve on one or more committees in addition to their full Board service.
Priority Skills and Experience for This Recruitment Cycle
The Governance Committee maintains a Board Skills Matrix and assesses each vacancy against the organization's strategic needs. For this recruitment cycle, we are giving particular priority to candidates with experience in finance, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate transactions. The Institute of Corporate Directors' ICD.D designation, or equivalent formal director education, is considered a strong asset.
The full priority list is set out below:
Area of expertise
What we are looking for
Finance, M&A, and corporate transactions (priority)
Senior finance leadership with hands-on experience in mergers and acquisitions, due diligence, deal structuring, valuation, capital raising, and post-acquisition integration. Experience evaluating and overseeing joint ventures, partnerships, and strategic investments would be a strong asset.
Finance and accounting (CPA)
Chartered Professional Accountant designation; experience overseeing audited financial statements, internal controls, and enterprise risk. At least one CPA is required on the Board at all times.
Director and governance education (ICD.D — asset)
The Institute of Corporate Directors' ICD.D designation, or equivalent formal director education, is considered a strong asset and signals a demonstrated commitment to governance best practices.
Indigenous economic development
Experience with First Nation business, joint ventures, treaty rights, or Indigenous procurement and partnerships.
Human resources (FCPHR)
Executive compensation, succession planning, CEO performance assessment, organizational culture.
Communications and marketing
Brand and reputation management, stakeholder engagement, community communications.
Every Director, regardless of specialty, is expected to have experience and knowledge in general business administration.
Key Responsibilities
Each Director is expected to:
- Prepare for and attend Board and committee meetings.
- Work as a team member and support Board decisions, including majority decisions with which they may have personally disagreed.
- Review, clarify, and, where appropriate, amend the organization's mission and objectives.
- Develop, amend, and approve bylaws and governing policies covering financial, personnel, client services, and Board practices.
- Monitor the organization's and its subsidiaries' performance.
- Participate in the hiring, evaluation, and, where necessary, release of the Chief Executive Officer.
- Keep informed about community issues relevant to Glooscap First Nation.
- Participate in the recruitment of new Board members and the orientation of incoming Directors.
Independence and Conflict of Interest
For the purposes of good governance, 'independence' means that Directors must be free from any material relationship that could, or could reasonably be perceived to, interfere with the exercise of their judgment in the best interests of Glooscap Ventures. This includes independence from day-to-day operations, from the Shareholder (Chief and Council) except where explicitly authorized, and from any direct financial interests in Glooscap Ventures or its subsidiaries.
All Directors must disclose, in writing, any business or family relationships that may give rise to a real or perceived conflict of interest. Directors are expected to abstain from any discussion or vote on matters in which they have a conflict of interest. No Director may accept a gift or favour from any person, firm, or corporation interested in business arising from Glooscap Ventures or its programs.
Conduct and Cultural Expectations
Directors are expected to respect the culture, traditions, and teachings of the Mi'kmaq Nation and to act accordingly in all aspects of Board service. Directors are also expected to:
- Devote themselves to their responsibilities; be prompt, prepared, and courteous.
- Keep the interests of Glooscap First Nation and the region as a whole in mind when expressing views.
- Express themselves openly at Board meetings and make space for others to do so.
- Maintain confidentiality on sensitive issues, especially personnel and legal matters.
- Refrain from speaking for Glooscap Ventures unless authorized to do so.
- Refrain from giving direction, as an individual Director, to the CEO or any member of staff.
- Comply with all applicable government and community laws, by-laws, regulations, and rules of professional conduct.
Our Commitment to Diversity
The Governance Committee considers diversity in its broadest sense, including gender, age, cultural knowledge, professional expertise, and lived experience, when evaluating candidates. We strongly encourage applications from members of Glooscap First Nation and other Mi'kmaq communities, women, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, and members of other underrepresented groups.
Recruitment and Appointment Process
The process to appoint a Director follows the Glooscap Ventures Terms of Reference and proceeds in the following steps:
- The Governance Committee assesses Board composition against the Board Skills Matrix and identifies recruitment priorities.
- The Committee, with support from the CEO and Corporate Secretary, advertises the vacancy and seeks candidates through professional networks, governance organizations, and other appropriate channels.
- Applications are reviewed by the Governance Committee. Shortlisted candidates are invited to an interview.
- The Committee evaluates candidates against the identified Board requirements and considers diversity in its broadest sense.
- By majority decision, the Governance Committee recommends one or more candidates to the Board of Directors.
- The Board reviews the recommendation and submits it to the Chief and Council of Glooscap First Nation.
- Chief and Council retain full discretion to accept or reject the recommendation and appoint the Director at a duly convened Council meeting.
How to Apply
Interested candidates are invited to submit the following materials:
- A current resume or curriculum vitae.
- A cover letter (maximum two pages) outlining your interest in Glooscap Ventures, the skills and experience you would bring to the Board, and your understanding of the role of an independent Director within a First Nation economic development corporation.
- For Glooscap First Nation community member candidates, an indication of your community connection, should you wish it to be considered.
Candidates may also apply online through the https://www.gfn-gvcareerpage.ca/callfornomination-bod
For inquiries: [email protected]
All submissions will be treated in strict confidence. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Glooscap Ventures thanks all candidates for their interest in serving the community.
Pay: From $100.00 per day
Benefits:
- Commuter benefits
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
