Executive Director Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre

Remote Opportunity:
Open to Candidates Across Canada (Head Office in Winnipeg)

The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) is a federally incorporated not-for-profit organization established in 1982.
Owned and operated by federal, provincial, and territorial governments, CIFFC employs just over 20 dedicated staff members.
Its mandate is to enhance Canadian wildfire preparedness, and response through resource sharing, mutual aid, and information coordination.
To assist with this mandate, CIFFC coordinates exchange and training standards through a number of interagency committees, working groups, and its ICS Canada program.
CIFFC is also mandated to take an enhanced leadership role and support the efforts of all jurisdictions to expand their prevention and mitigation initiatives through CIFFC's FireSmart Canada program and is further directed by the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers to operationalize pan-Canadian prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery activities.
Guided by a Board of Directors and Management Committee, CIFFC operates as a trusted coordinating body for national and international firefighting efforts, including through formal arrangements between the government of Canada and a variety of key international partners.
Through its cooperative relationships and strategic initiatives, CIFFC continues to influence the future of wildfire management while supporting safe, resilient forests for generations to come.

Position Summary

The Executive Director serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre Inc.
(CIFFC), reporting to the Chair of the Executive Committee.
This role oversees various aspects of wildfire management and represents Canadian fire programs on key committees and initiatives.

The incumbent must be capable of developing and enhancing positive working partnerships with all levels of fire managers, directors, and senior fire program executives across Canada, and internationally.
Strong diplomacy and negotiation skills are essential to driving collaborative efforts.
The complexity of the position requires the ability to provide effective and accountable leadership and future direction for all aspects of the corporation.

Position Duties & Responsibilities

Operational Management

• Lead the strategic planning, management, and operation of CIFFC in alignment with policies and directives from the Board, Management Committee, and Executive Committee.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory, environmental, and organizational policies.
• Represent Canadian wildfire programs on national and international committees and initiatives, taking a leadership role in driving efforts to improve forest fire management, prevention, and recovery strategies.
• Build and maintain relationships with fire management executives, directors, and other stakeholders across Canada and internationally.
• Serve as the primary spokesperson for the corporation at conferences, seminars, and meetings.
• Build and maintain a high-performance team, fostering a collaborate and inclusive workplace culture.
• Oversee ongoing employee performance through workplans, appraisals, coaching, and leadership development.
• Build and maintain succession management plan for the organization.

Corporate Governance and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with CIFFC's bylaws, Administration Manual, policies, and procedures, maintaining their accuracy and currency.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to establish organizational policies, priorities, and goals.
• Provide regular updates to the Board of Directors on operational, financial, and strategic performance.
• Ensure all orders, by-laws, and resolutions are executed effectively.
• Attend meetings of Members, the Board, the Executive Committee, and an active member of the Management Committee, recording or overseeing minutes.
• Manage committees and working groups as directed by the Management Committee.
• Act as Administrator for CIFFC's registered pension plan.

Financial Leadership

• Develop, implement, and monitor the organization's financial strategy and annual budget, ensuring long-term sustainability.
• Ensure accurate financial records and disbursements of funds.
• Prepare and present annual budgets and financial reports for approval.
• Sign financial documents and agreements as required.
• Act as the primary financial liaison to the Board and Committees.
• Monitor cash flow, risk, and investment strategies to maintain financial health.

Operational Oversight

• Direct activities and programs of the Coordination Centre, including professional, technical, and administrative staff.
• Ensure the effective implementation and annual revision of the Mutual Aid Resources Sharing Agreement.
• Oversee the operation of automated information systems that facilitate the collection, analysis, and dissemination of data.
• Maintain relationships with emergency agencies in Canada to foster cooperation.

International Partnerships

• Manage formal arrangements with international partners to support resource sharing and operational fire management services.
• Identify and develop new international partnerships, working with NRCan to formalize arrangements.

Executive Leadership and Culture

• Ensure employees are treated with respect, fairness, and dignity.
• Foster an environment of open communication, innovation, and process improvement.
• Maintain accountability for creating and sustaining a positive and productive workplace culture.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Qualifications

• Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrate exceptional experience in Senior Management.
• Demonstrate knowledge of fire management or forest protection programs.
• Strong business acumen and a history of providing visionary leadership at an executive level.
• Demonstrate experience in financial management, strategic planning, change management, and policy development.
• Excellent written, oral, and public speaking skills; a persuasive and passionate communicator with strong interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills.
• Bilingualism in English and French or Spanish is an asset.
• Demonstrate ability to develop, review, and revise corporate by-laws is a requirement.
• Experience in creating and maintaining an equitable, accessible, diverse, and inclusive workplace culture is required.
• Strong diplomacy and negotiation skills to establish and maintain critical relationships and strong ability to negotiate agreements with national and international parties.

Work Conditions and Expectations

Supervisory Duties