Senior Program Advisor, Indigenous & Regional Partnerships

Destination British Columbia • Vancouver, BC

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

At Destination BC, we are passionate about showcasing the transformative power of British Columbia’s travel experiences with the world. As a Provincially funded Crown corporation, we support BC’s tourism industry through global marketing, destination development, industry learning, community programs, and visitor services. Recognized globally for our authentic brand, award-winning marketing, and innovative destination management, we work collaboratively to strengthen BC’s tourism industry. We offer exciting and meaningful work in a supportive, inclusive environment that values learning and professional growth. This position is eligible for hybrid and remote work under our flexible work policy, creating optimal conditions for both employees and the organization. For employees residing within the Vancouver, Coast, and Mountains (VCM) region, hybrid work is applicable. Hybrid employees work in the office on Wednesdays and Thursdays with the flexibility to work from home on other days. For those living outside the VCM region in one of our approved remote locations across BC, remote work is applicable, with opportunities to visit Destination BC’s Vancouver office once per quarter. Destination BC is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. If you require accommodations during the hiring process, please contact [email protected]. We are also committed to providing workplace accommodations for employees with disabilities, ensuring you have the support needed to perform your best work both during the hiring process and throughout your employment with us. The Indigenous Applicant Advisory Service is available to Canadian Indigenous (First Nations [status or non-status], Métis, or Inuit) applicants. Indigenous applicants can contact this service for personalized guidance on the BC Public Service hiring process including job applications and interviews. Learn more about our programs and services at www.DestinationBC.ca.

PURPOSE OF POSITION
The Destination Management Division advances strategic collaboration to maximize the social, cultural, environmental, and economic benefits of tourism across British Columbia. Within this division, the Indigenous and Regional Partnerships business unit leads strategic partnerships, planning, and programs with Indigenous Tourism BC and Regional Destination Management Organizations (RDMOs) to strengthen destination competitiveness and advance meaningful reconciliation through tourism.

Reporting to the Director, Indigenous and Regional Partnerships, the Senior Program Advisor, Indigenous & Regional Partnerships plays a key role in advancing Indigenous‑centered initiatives aligned with Indigenous values, reconciliation commitments, and corporate strategy. The position builds and sustains respectful, trust‑based relationships with Indigenous partners and regional business partners, supports integrated strategic planning and project delivery, and provides project management leadership for initiatives that improve Indigenous participation in tourism and strengthen long‑term destination stewardship and competitiveness. The role also supports organizational learning by increasing Indigenous cultural knowledge and understanding, and advances corporate‑wide commitments to plan, take action on, and accelerate progress toward lasting and meaningful reconciliation.

The Senior Program Advisor maintains high‑functioning, professional working relationships with Indigenous partners, provincial government agencies, local and regional governments, Community Destination Management Organizations (CDMOs), community groups, the tourism industry, contractors, and internal business units to achieve strategic corporate goals, drive alignment, and enhance destination management outcomes across British Columbia. The position encompasses a strong emphasis on multi‑project program management, strategic planning, partner development, and relationship management.

Requirements

• A post‑secondary credential in business administration, public administration, tourism, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must be an Indigenous person (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit).
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in project management, strategic planning, partner relations, and/or industry or community development.
• Experience applying UNDRIP, the BC Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, government‑to‑government relationships, Indigenous worldviews, and Indigenous relations, with the ability to lead reconciliation‑related initiatives.
• Experience leading complex, multi‑business partner projects and managing competing priorities in high‑volume, evolving environments.
• Experience balancing diverse interests, addressing sensitive issues, and negotiating or facilitating solutions in complex partnership environments.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience overseeing the work of others (e.g., employees, cross‑functional teams, contractors, or consultants).
• Experience managing budgets, financial processes, and contracts.
• Strong relationship management, negotiation, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong judgment, diplomacy, and demonstrated ability to work sensitively across diverse perspectives and cultural contexts.
• High level of self‑awareness, empathy, and emotional intelligence.
• Strong organisational, problem‑solving, and project leadership skills.
• Ability to understand and apply Destination BC’s mandate and programs in relation to Indigenous Peoples and reconciliation commitments.
• Willingness and ability to travel overnight throughout British Columbia

Nice To Haves

• Indigenous studies or destination management planning.

Responsibilities

• Identify corporate priorities in support of lasting and meaningful reconciliation by conducting interviews with internal teams, review and summarize strategic plans, conduct or coordinate secondary research on tourism and policy trends, commission new research as necessary, implement Indigenous engagement, and consult with external partners.
• Promote Indigenous cultural awareness within Destination BC and strengthen internal awareness of Indigenous cultures, histories, and issues.
• Conduct detailed planning and analysis to understand and manage planning projects and program costs (i.e. resources and materials), benefits (i.e. cultural preservation; achieving corporate objectives; consistencies to approaches), planning methodologies (i.e. community meetings, in person consultations, online webinars, surveys, and other input methods, etc.), and options.
• Evaluate, apply judgment, and prepare individual planning processes and project charters, including detailed work plans as well as issue papers, briefing notes, and recommended project implementation plans to the Director and project partners (Tourism Policy Branch, RDMOs, ITBC, Working Groups), as appropriate, for approval.
• Monitor progress and take/recommend action to ensure programs and projects are on time, within project/program budget allocations, meets quality standards, and prepares related reports for their Director.
• Procure, evaluate, and recommend to the Director contract proposals that provide valid solutions to achieve unit objectives. Prepare and manage related contracts and provide work direction, ensure compliance with deliverables, evaluate performance, resolve routine issues, and escalate non-compliance.
• Identify improvements and best practices for future initiatives based on outcomes of post-project and program evaluations to ensure learning initiatives are effective and achieve desired results. Establish priorities for future revisions in projects and programs that are ongoing.
• Manage diverse, public facing external relationships to ensure tourism business partners (provincial, local, regional and First Nations governments, RDMOs, CDMOs, and other industry partners) are informed on, engaged in, and supportive of Destination BC’s programs and initiatives, facilitate alignment and collaboration.
• Provide information and advice to the tourism industry, communities, and other partners on Destination BC programs and activities in relation to Indigenous relations and reconciliation and RDMO services.
• Develop and enhance program resources, including planning resources and templates, communication materials, and contribute to the Corporate Communications department by reviewing and editing widely distributed plans and strategies, including viewing from an Indigenous perspective.
• Participate in program area business planning, support budget tracking with variance reports and invoice processing and reporting of program area performance to meet objectives.
• Stay current on best practices in Indigenous engagement, destination management, public consultation, economic development, tourism policy and strategic planning trends, and is conversant on Indigenous legislation, context and perspectives.
• Represent Destination BC at meetings and events with key partners including DMOs, tourism businesses, and community officials, as directed by the Director. This includes preparing and delivering formal presentations.
• Provide support as required on corporate and divisional projects and program priorities.
• Other duties as required.

Benefits

• Flexible work options are available, subject to an approved telework agreement
• Hybrid work is available for employees residing within the Vancouver, Coast and Mountains (VCM) region and enables employees to telework from their home up to 3 days a week with in office days on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
• Remote work is available for employees residing outside of the VCM region in one of the approved remote locations in BC listed above.
• Employees working remotely will have the opportunity to visit the Destination BC office once a quarter.
• supportive, inclusive environment that values learning and professional growth
• workplace accommodations for employees with disabilities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree