The British Columbia Economic Development Association (BCEDA) is the lead association of economic development practitioners, dedicated to providing services in support of its members, their professional development needs, activities, profile and economic development goals.
BCEDA is seeking a new President & CEO to lead the organization and support economic development across British Columbia.
This is a contract-based leadership role operating within a defined budget that supports both the President & CEO function and coordinated contracted service delivery.
BCEDA works with local governments, First Nations, Chambers of Commerce, Community Futures, and industry partners to advance economic growth, resilience, and community prosperity.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership and organizational direction
- Serve as the primary liaison with provincial and federal governments
- Build and maintain strong stakeholder and partner relationships
- Oversee financial management and coordinate contracted service providers to deliver BCEDA programs and services
- Lead planning and delivery of the BC Economic Summit and key programs
Qualifications
Core Qualifications:
- Senior leadership experience in economic development or a related field
- Experience working in economic development within a provincial or national context
- Strong communications and relationship-building skills, including interpersonal, written, and public speaking
- Experience working with Boards and governance structures
- A strong understanding of British Columbia’s economic development environment
- Comfort working within a contractor-based organizational model
- Experience working with local governments, First Nations, and diverse stakeholders
Assets:
- Certification in Economic Development or equivalent experience
- Experience in economic resilience, disaster recovery, or crisis management
- Experience working within membership-based or not-for-profit organizations
Location
Remote within British Columbia. The successful candidate must be located within the province.
Travel is required as part of the role; however, travel expenses are supported through a separate BCEDA budget and are not included within the contract range.
Recruitment timelines
Applications close: June 30, 2026
Shortlisting and interviews: Summer/Fall 2026
Anticipated appointment: Late 2026 with transition support through to January 31, 2027
How to apply
Applications must be received by June 30, 2026, and should include a resume, cover letter, and a brief proposal outlining the candidate’s approach to executing the President & CEO role, including their leadership approach, priorities, and how they would work with a coordinated contractor model to deliver on BCEDA’s mandate.
Proposals must be emailed to [email protected]
Learn More
Education : College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma from a program of 1 year to 2 years
