Project Director, SPIRIT

Overview

FNHA Overview The First Nations Health Authority is a diverse and transformational health organization of professional, innovative, and dedicated team members and leaders. The first of its kind in Canada, FNHA works as a health-and-wellness partner with BC First Nations to support self-determination and decision-making to improve health outcomes. FNHA is proud to have been named one of BC’s Top Employers for 2025.

Learn more about why we were selected here.

We are seeking a Project Director for SPIRIT (Supporting Play and Intergenerational Relationships through Indigenous Tradition) to lead an international, community-driven initiative across five First Nation communities in BC. Funded by The LEGO Foundation, SPIRIT explores how home visiting and intergenerational play support family well-being, using surveys, interviews, digital storytelling, and participatory engagement grounded in the First Nations Perspective on Health and Wellness.

In this role, you will collaborate with international partners and community leaders while overseeing the planning, implementation, and evaluation of this multi-year project. If you’re looking to deepen your leadership, strengthen community engagement, and advance your research expertise, this is a meaningful opportunity to make an impact.

Title: Project Director, SPIRIT (Supporting Play and Intergenerational Relationships through Indigenous Tradition)

Salary: $99,899 - $117,528 - $135,158 per year (pay range explained below)

Contract: Temporary, Term until April 30, 2028

Hours: 37.5 hours, 8:30am-4:30pm (core hours 9am-3pm Mon-Fri)

Location: Coast Salish Territories of Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh - Metro Vancouver - Park Royal office – Hybrid (3 days in office) (Hybrid working is an option in line with FNHA’s flex work policy).

Please note, this role will be relocating to our new office building in North Vancouver on Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN) land, south of Mount Seymour Parkway in Spring 2027.

As Project Director, SPIRIT, you will play a pivotal role in the successful execution and delivery of the projects among five First Nations communities (sites) in BC. You will encompass a broad range of responsibilities, including trust-building with the communities, liaising with internal and external stakeholders and partners, overseeing data collection and management, and leading evaluation and sharing circles. Additionally, you will be tasked with ensuring the project aligns with First Nations OCAP® Principle and international ethics norms.

To be successful in this role you will have/be –

Education & Occupational Certification, Experience (REQUIRED)

• University Degree (Master’s Degree preferred) in one of the following fields of study:
  Public Health, Social Work, Clinical Psychology, Leadership, or Psychology. Equivalent skillsets will be considered.
• 8 to 10 years of experience
• Recent and significant experience in Indigenous research methodologies
• Significant experience in qualitative studies and data analysis
• Experience in community-based project leadership and management
• Experience in working with First Nations community workers and members in BC
• Experience in communications and knowledge exchange

Education & Occupational Certification, Experience (CONSIDERED AN ASSET)

• PhD in one of the following fields of study:
  Public Health, Social Work, Clinical Psychology, Leadership, or Psychology

• Knowledge of concepts, theories and principles of study design, project management, and statistics
• Knowledge of First Nations peoples in BC
• Knowledge of First Nations health and wellness
• Knowledge of First Nations data governance and research ethics principles
• Proficient in MS Office products and statistical software NVivo or R
• Outstanding organizational and time management skills
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills
• High levels of flexibility, adaptability, and collaboration skills

Please refer to Job Specification section of the Job Description for more details.

As a member of the team, you will have access to a wide range of employee benefits, including:

• Municipal Pension plan with an employer contribution…