Metis Crossing

Location: Metis Crossing, Smoky Lake, AB

Closing Date: Until Suitable Candidate Found

Position Status: Full Time

Step Into a Story That’s Bigger Than You

At Métis Crossing, you won’t just find a workplace, you’ll find a calling. This is a place where the past breathes through every fiddle strum, every bead, every story told around a crackling fire under the northern sky.

Perched on the banks of the majestic North Saskatchewan River, Métis Crossing is Alberta’s first major Métis cultural destination; a place of learning, healing, and celebration. Our Lodge, Cultural Gathering Centre, and sweeping landscape are not just buildings or land; they are
living reflections of Métis pride and perseverance.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) to join our senior leadership team and oversee all day-to-day operations and business development functions.

Working full-time on-site in Smoky Lake, Alberta, the COO will ensure the effective delivery of programs and services, support growth through strategic partnerships and tourism initiatives, and foster an engaging, culturally grounded experience for every visitor. The COO will work in alignment with Métis Crossing’s mission, values, and long-term vision, and be a champion for innovation, sustainability, and Métis economic empowerment.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Direct the daily operations of Métis Crossing, including hospitality, guest services, cultural programs, accommodations, retail, food & beverage, events, and facilities.
• Ensure all departments operate efficiently, safely, and in alignment with cultural protocols and best practices in tourism.
• Maintain standards for quality, safety, and customer experience across all services.

Business Development & Strategic Growth

• Identify and lead business development opportunities to enhance Métis Crossing’s tourism offerings and revenue generation.
• Build partnerships with tourism operators, funders, industry stakeholders, and Métis communities.
• Collaborate with marketing to promote Métis Crossing as a premier destination for cultural tourism.
• Develop, monitor, and manage operational budgets, grant-funded projects, and earned revenue streams.
• Oversee procurement, contract management, and vendor relations.
• Lead and mentor a diverse operations team, fostering a respectful and collaborative work environment grounded in Métis values.
• Work closely with HR to support staffing, training, employee engagement, and performance development.
• Build capacity through professional development and succession planning.

Guest Experience & Cultural Integrity

• Champion an authentic and enriching guest experience that celebrates Métis culture, language, and history.
• Support programming that is inclusive, intergenerational, and grounded in Métis storytelling.
• Collaborate with Knowledge Holders, Elders, and cultural advisors to ensure programming reflects traditional knowledge and protocols.

Governance & Stakeholder Engagement

• Provide operational updates and reports to the CEO and Métis Crossing Board of Directors.
• Cultivate strong relationships with community leaders, citizens, funders, and tourism partners.
• Represent Métis Crossing at events, conferences, and sector forums.

Qualifications

• A Metis Citizen would be an asset
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business Administration, Tourism, Hospitality, Indigenous Studies, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience, including 5+ in senior roles within tourism, hospitality, business development within the Indigenous sector, and or the non-profit sector.
• Experience managing complex operations, teams, and guest-facing services.
• Demonstrated ability to lead business development, partnerships, and revenue growth.
• Deep respect for Métis culture and knowledge of Indigenous governance or non-profit leadership is considered a strong asset.
• Excellent communication, financial management, and strategic planning skills.
• Ability to work on-site full-time in Smoky Lake, Alberta.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to work at the first Major Métis cultural interpretive center
• Competitive salary based on experience
• Group benefits package including health, dental, and pension plan (if applicable)
• Paid vacation and wellness days
• Professional development and cultural learning opportunities

Join us at Métis Crossing.
Lead with purpose. Celebrate Métis culture. Build a destination for generations to come.

Métis Crossing thanks all applicants for their interest. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please.

We recognize that we are on traditional gathering and traveling routes, now called Métis Crossing. We acknowledge that we are situated within the Otipemsiwak district 12 & Treaty six territory. We acknowledge the First Nations , Métis, and Inuit as Indigenous peoples, who also share this land. We recognize the land as an act of reconciliation and gratitude to those whose territory we reside on or are visiting. The Métis made our living from our Homeland and its resources. We acknowledge the North Saskatchewan River as a place where land and water were traditionally shared through our river lot systems. We do govern ourselves and we are Otipemisiwak—the free people, the people who own themselves. We are thankful to gather at the beautiful Métis Crossing. It is an honour to use this traditional land as a place for teaching, building community, knowledge sharing, and learning. We are grateful for the Traditional Knowledge Holders and Elders who are still with us today and those who have gone before us.