Chief Executive Officer

Winnipeg 2028 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG)
Event Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Games Dates: July 2028
Reports To: Host Society Board of Directors

A Once-in-a-Generation Leadership Opportunity

The North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) are returning to Winnipeg in July 2028, and we are seeking an exceptional Chief Executive Officer to help deliver an unforgettable celebration of Indigenous sport, culture and community.

Bringing together more than 5,000 Indigenous participants, 26 teams and 16 sports, the 2028 North American Indigenous Games will showcase Indigenous athletic excellence while celebrating youth, culture, achievement and resilience.

The NAIG 2028 Host Society is seeking an inspiring, strategic and highly accomplished Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the organization in delivering this landmark event.

Reporting to the Host Society Board of Directors, the CEO will provide visionary leadership to a team of more than 50 employees and 2,000 volunteers, bringing together governments, Indigenous leaders, communities, sponsors, sporting organizations and stakeholders to successfully deliver the Games.

This is a leadership opportunity unlike any other.

The CEO will be accountable for delivering a complex, multi-million-dollar initiative with a fixed opening date, significant public and stakeholder expectations, and no margin for error.

Success will require an exceptional combination of strategic vision, operational discipline, financial stewardship, relationship-building and hands-on executive leadership.

The Opportunity

The successful candidate will lead the planning, coordination and execution of the Winnipeg 2028 North American Indigenous Games, ensuring the organization fulfills its commitments under the Host Agreement.

Working closely with the Board of Directors, Host Committee and senior leadership team, the CEO will provide executive oversight across all aspects of Games preparation, delivery and organizational operations.

Key leadership areas include:

• Strategic leadership and organizational governance

• Games operations and major project delivery

• Financial planning, budgeting and accountability

• Government, community and Indigenous relations

• Marketing, communications and public engagement

• Fundraising, sponsorship and partnership development

• Risk management and organizational readiness

• Volunteer recruitment, engagement and recognition

• Human resources, organizational leadership and team development

• Sport operations, venue planning and participant coordination

• Cultural programming, community impact and lasting legacy

Above all, the CEO will serve as a visible and credible ambassador for NAIG 2028, inspiring confidence, building meaningful partnerships and ensuring the Games are delivered with excellence, integrity and respect for Indigenous peoples, cultures and communities.

Overall Responsibility

The Chief Executive Officer of the Winnipeg 2028 North American Indigenous Games (W2028) is responsible for the effective and efficient administration, management and delivery of the Games in accordance with the Host Agreement.

The CEO will develop and implement the policies, procedures, operational plans and organizational structures required to fulfill the strategic direction established by the Host Committee.

The position requires a highly engaged executive leader capable of balancing long-term strategic priorities with the practical demands of delivering a major international multi-sport event.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Governance

• Develop and recommend organizational strategies, operational plans and priorities for consideration and approval by the Host Committee.

• Implement approved policies, budgets and programs aligned with the Games' strategic objectives.

• Work closely with the Board of Directors and Host Committee to support effective governance and organizational accountability.

• Prepare meeting agendas, maintain accurate Board records and ensure decisions and approvals are documented for ratification.

• Provide regular reporting and advice to the Board on operational performance, financial matters, risks and organizational readiness.

• Represent the Host Society professionally and with integrity in all organizational activities.

Games Operations and Project Delivery

• Provide overall leadership for the planning, coordination and successful delivery of the 2028 Games.

• Ensure programs, services and operational activities are delivered within approved budgets and established timelines.

• Coordinate organizational resources, departments and committees to support integrated Games planning.

• Maintain effective communication with participating teams, ensuring timely access to important Games information.

• Support the coordination of sport operations, venues, participant services and other essential Games functions.

• Establish appropriate systems for monitoring progress, identifying challenges and addressing operational risks.

• Participate actively in Games legacy planning and initiatives.

Financial Management and Accountability

• Provide executive oversight of the organization's multi-million-dollar budget and financial resources.

• Establish and maintain appropriate accounting procedures, financial controls and transparent reporting systems.

• Ensure accurate documentation of organizational revenues, expenditures and financial commitments.

• Maintain financial records and supporting documentation necessary for audits.

• Oversee financial decision-making within approved authorities and delegated limits.

• Ensure financial accountability to the Board, government funding partners, sponsors and other stakeholders.

Risk Management and Organizational Readiness

• Identify, assess and manage significant organizational, financial and operational risks.

• Recommend risk management policies and practices for approval by the Host Committee.

• Implement appropriate measures to protect the Host Society, its assets, finances, directors and officers.

• Ensure compliance with approved organizational policies, contractual commitments and governance requirements.

• Maintain appropriate standards of organizational conduct, accountability and discipline.

• Support readiness planning to ensure the organization is prepared to deliver the Games successfully.

Human Resources and Volunteer Leadership

• Lead the recruitment, development, training and performance management of organizational staff.

• Provide strategic and operational leadership to a workforce expected to exceed 50 employees.

• Support the recruitment, coordination, motivation and recognition of approximately 2,000 volunteers.

• Foster an inclusive, respectful and high-performing organizational culture.

• Ensure staff and volunteers understand their responsibilities and contribute effectively to organizational objectives.

• Promote collaboration, accountability and professional excellence across the Host Society.

Government, Indigenous and Stakeholder Relations

• Establish and maintain productive working relationships with federal, provincial and municipal governments.

• Build meaningful relationships with First Nations, Métis and Inuit governments, organizations, leaders and communities.

• Liaise regularly with the Host Committee, funding partners, participating teams and other key stakeholders.

• Maintain open and effective communication channels across all groups involved in delivering the Games.

• Represent the organization at meetings, public engagements and partnership discussions.

• Ensure the Games are planned and delivered with respect for Indigenous cultures, traditions and communities.

Fundraising, Sponsorship and Communications

• Provide executive leadership and direction for fundraising, marketing, sponsorship and communications activities.

• Support the development and implementation of funding and sponsorship strategies.

• Build partnerships that strengthen the financial sustainability and overall success of the Games.

• Oversee public relations, promotion and community engagement initiatives.

• Serve as a leading spokesperson and ambassador for Winnipeg 2028.

• Inspire public confidence, community participation and stakeholder support.

Legacy Planning and Post-Games Responsibilities

• Coordinate with authorized committees to ensure legacy initiatives are integrated into Games planning.

• Support meaningful cultural, community and sport development outcomes extending beyond 2028.

• Facilitate knowledge transfer to the NAIG Council, future Games organizers and other designated organizations.

• Oversee the orderly wind-up of the Host Society's affairs following the Games.

• Ensure outstanding claims, financial obligations and contractual commitments are appropriately addressed within available resources.

• Maintain accurate records to support final reporting, audits and organizational closure.

Executive Authority and Accountability

The Chief Executive Officer will exercise delegated authority in accordance with Board-approved policies, financial limits and organizational governance requirements.

Subject to established authorization limits, responsibilities will include:

• Developing and executing Board-approved sponsorship and government funding agreements.

• Entering into supplier and licensing agreements approved by the Board or Executive Committee.

• Authorizing contracts for goods and services within established financial limits.

• Negotiating and executing employment, consulting and resource agreements required for Games delivery.

• Approving payments and exercising financial signing authority as authorized by the Board.

• Serving as an ex-officio member of standing and ad hoc organizational committees.

• Ensuring approved standards of discipline, conduct and organizational policy are upheld.

A Legacy Beyond Sport

The North American Indigenous Games are about far more than competition.

They are about celebrating Indigenous youth, culture, achievement and resilience while strengthening relationships across Nations, communities and generations.

The Winnipeg 2028 Games represent an extraordinary opportunity to create lasting connections, inspire young Indigenous athletes and contribute to a meaningful legacy for Indigenous sport and community development.

The successful CEO will be instrumental in bringing this vision to life.

If you are an accomplished and dynamic leader who thrives in complex environments, brings people together around a shared vision and is energized by the challenge of delivering something truly exceptional, we invite you to consider this opportunity.

The Winnipeg 2028 North American Indigenous Games Host Society is seeking a highly accomplished executive leader with proven experience managing complex organizations, significant budgets, diverse stakeholder relationships and large-scale projects with immovable deadlines.

Required Experience and Qualifications

Indigenous Knowledge and Relationships

• Preference will be given to candidates of Indigenous ancestry who demonstrate an understanding of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, businesses, political structures and territories within Manitoba.

• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain respectful, effective relationships with Indigenous communities, organizations and leadership.

Executive and Organizational Leadership

• At least 12 years of demonstrated experience managing complex stakeholder relationships involving governments, First Nations, Indigenous organizations, institutions and contractors.

• At least 12 years of significant staff management experience, including establishing organizational policies and providing hands-on leadership to teams of more than 30 people.

• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, manage competing priorities and maintain accountability across complex operations.

Major Project and Financial Management

• Demonstrated experience managing multiple large-scale projects involving challenging budgets, complex operational requirements and fixed deadlines.

• Proven experience overseeing multi-million-dollar budgets, including establishing, implementing and maintaining significant project controls.

• Strong financial management capabilities, including financial oversight, accountability, reporting and resource allocation.

• Hands-on experience developing, negotiating and overseeing major lump-sum and unit-price contracts.

Governance and Stakeholder Management

• Demonstrated experience working directly with nonprofit Boards of Directors and Board Chairs.

• Strong understanding of governance requirements, Board reporting, committee relationships and executive accountability.

• Experience managing relationships with government funding partners, community organizations and institutional stakeholders.

• Proven ability to build consensus, manage complex relationships and represent an organization at the executive level.

Sponsorship, Marketing and Communications

• Demonstrated experience leading or participating in sponsorship development, marketing and fundraising initiatives.

• Strong communication, negotiation and relationship-management capabilities.

• Experience representing organizations with diverse public, private and community stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated understanding of the planning, development and execution of major multi-sport Games or sporting events.

• Previous involvement with the North American Indigenous Games or similar large-scale events.

• Experience working within Indigenous sport, community development or major event environments.

Previous NAIG experience is desirable but not essential.

Leadership Attributes

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Exceptional strategic thinking and practical problem-solving capabilities.

• Strong financial judgement and organizational accountability.

• The ability to lead confidently under pressure and deliver against fixed deadlines.

• Outstanding communication, interpersonal and relationship-building skills.

• Cultural awareness, respect and credibility when working with Indigenous communities.

• A collaborative and inclusive leadership approach.

• The ability to inspire staff, volunteers, partners and stakeholders toward a shared vision.

• A commitment to transparency, integrity and responsible stewardship of organizational resources.

• The resilience, adaptability and initiative required to successfully lead a complex, high-profile international event.