Marine stewardship, Ocean conservation

Title: Project Director
Organization: Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound Marine Stewardship Initiative (MSI)
Location: Based in Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound (e.g., Squamish, Britannia, Gibsons, Lions Bay, Bowen Island, West Vancouver, Vancouver). Squamish is the preferred location due to program logistics and the MSI’s storage facility.

Term: 1 year (with extension pending confirmation of funding)
Hours: 37.5 / week
Salary range: $78,000-88,000
Anticipated Start Date: December, 2026

Position Overview

The Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound Marine Stewardship Initiative (MSI) is a Project on MakeWay Charitable Society’s shared platform.

The MSI conducts research and community engagement in service of marine planning, education, and relationship building in Á tl'ka7tsem / Howe Sound. The MSI provides up-to-date resources and tools for decision-makers, marine spatial planners, and marine sectors (e.g., industry, recreation, tourism, conservation, education) so that regional sustainable economic and community development can flourish in a context of improving regional ocean health. Learn more about the MSI on our website: https://howesoundguide.ca/

The Project Director (PD) is responsible for leading the success and growth of the MSI, in alignment with the MSI’s Strategic Plan. The PD develops and oversees maintenance of the MSI’s decision-support tools, research programs, and engagement activities. They write grant applications, create and manage budgets, and complete reports for funders. The PD is responsible for managing a small team of staff and contractors, as well as forging relationships with partners, funders, volunteers, and community members. They will represent the MSI in the media and through public speaking engagements.

As a project on MakeWay Charitable Society’s Shared Platform, the PD is responsible for consulting with the MakeWay Support Team, to ensure activities comply with all policies and procedures of MakeWay. The PD will be supervised by and report directly to the MSI’s Steering Committee.

The MSI’s PD will thrive in a challenging, fast-paced environment to keep things running smoothly. They must be able to work well independently and under pressure, without sacrificing quality. They should be a confident leader, detail oriented, dependable, a problem solver, and an excellent communicator.

Anticipated Start Date: Early to mid December, 2026

Location: Based in Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound (e.g., Squamish, Britannia, Gibsons, Lions Bay, Bowen Island, West Vancouver, Vancouver). Squamish is the preferred location due to program logistics and the MSI’s storage facility.

Hybrid work environment, with approximately 70% completed from a home office and 30% in-person (events and field work) within the Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound region. In-person hours will vary throughout the year depending on current programs and activities.

Compensation: Salary of $78,000-88,000, commensurate with experience. Extended benefits and 3 weeks annual paid vacation in addition to statutory holidays.

Hours & term: Full time, 37.5 hours per week. 1 year contract starting in December, 2026, with extension pending confirmation of funding. Work during evenings and weekends will be occasionally required.

Key Responsibility Areas

• Develop, oversee, and lead the MSI’s programming from conception to completion, ensuring that project deliverables are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards (please see the MSI’s Strategic Plan for a comprehensive understanding of program areas and associated deliverables).
• Implement and update the Strategic Plan to guide the project’s programming and evolution.
• Conduct fundraising, grant writing, and financial planning for an annual budget upwards of $250,000.
• Supervise program budgets, monitor expenses, and ensure that all financial reporting requirements are met.
• Maintain and build collaborative relationships with project partners, funders, volunteers, and community members.
• Continuously evaluate project outcomes and impact, identifying opportunities for improvement and implementing corrective action as needed.
• Prepare progress reports on project activities and communicate updates to internal and external stakeholders.
• Regularly communicate out project activities to the public through the creation of written newsletters, blogs, and social media updates.
• Communicate with MakeWay Charitable Society staff on a regular basis to ensure that activities are in compliance with relevant laws, regulations, ethical standards, and MakeWay policies.
• Lead, organize, and facilitate technical and internal committees on a regular basis, such as Steering Committee meetings.
• Lead staff and contractor recruitment, development, and performance management.
• Represent the MSI at events, conferences, presentations, meetings, and media interviews.

Qualifications

Education:

• Graduate degree related to marine research, planning, conservation, environmental science, environmental management, or policy.
• Preferred: Experience and familiarity with both natural and social scientific research approaches.
• Registered Professional Biologist designation is considered an asset.

General experience and skills:

• 3 to 5 years of experience leading projects that involve multi-sectoral collaboration, networking, and team management. Familiarity with community-based or grassroots research and planning processes is an asset.
• 1 to 3 years of experience planning and executing aquatic research programs. Experience with marine data analysis and GIS is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with fundraising, reporting, and budget management.
• Demonstrated record of effective science communication.
• Experience working in partnership with multisectoral and Indigenous communities.
• Excellent time management, communication, and organizational skills.
• Experience with the marine environment of Atl’ka7tsem / Howe Sound (through personal or professional activities) is considered highly beneficial for this role. Comfort on small vessels and experience freediving/SCUBA diving would be an asset.

Hardware/Software Experience and Skills:

• Familiarity with Esri ArcGIS.
• Experience using WordPress, Mailchimp, and Canva is an asset.

Equipment:

• Valid B.C. Driver’s license (or equivalent) and access to their own reliable vehicle (mileage will be covered).
• A work computer will be supplied by the MSI.
• A mobile phone, reliable internet, and a suitable home office location are required.

Working Conditions

• This is a hybrid role, with remote (home office) work and in-field / event-based work occurring regularly within the Atl’ka7tsem / Howe Sound region. Time in-person varies throughout the year depending on current program needs, but on average the role is 30% in-person and 70% remote / computer-based.
• The PD must be based in a community within Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound (e.g., Squamish, Britannia, Gibsons, Lions Bay, Bowen Island, West Vancouver, Vancouver). Squamish is the preferred location due to program logistics and the MSI’s storage facility.

How to Apply

Please submit a resume and cover letter which includes your responses to the following questions:
1. What interests you most about this position and the MSI?
2. Briefly tell us how your skills and experiences are a good fit for this role.

Please send your resume and cover letter as a single PDF to:
Ellika Cairns at marinestewardshipinitiative@gmail.com no later than October 21, 2026.

Please mention you saw this at rcen.ca or goodwork.ca.

Our sincerest appreciation to all those expressing interest in this position.
Only those applicants invited for an interview will be contacted. Thank you!

About MakeWay
MakeWay is made up of two legal entities – MakeWay Foundation and MakeWay Charitable Society. MakeWay Charitable Society is an operating charity that houses 60+ environmental and social change projects across the country, also known as the Shared Platform. As the MSI is a project on MakeWay’s Shared Platform, the selected candidate will be an employee of MakeWay. MakeWay Foundation is a national charity and public foundation with a goal to enable nature and communities to thrive together. We do this by building partnerships, providing solutions, grants, and services for the charitable sector across the country.

The MSI and MakeWay are strongly committed to equity and creating a diverse workplace community. We strive to reflect the diversity of our society on our teams and to provide a respectful workplace and equal working opportunities for all employees and applicants. We welcome and encourage applications from the communities we serve and for all qualified applicants to apply. If you require accommodations at any point during the application or hiring process, please contact marinestewardshipinitiative@gmail.com

This role is for an upcoming vacancy. The MSI does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess, or select applicants.
http://www.howesoundguide.ca
http://makeway.org/approach/shared-platform