Community Economic Development and Business Case Lead

**How to Apply**

**About ACET**

Accelerating Community Energy Transformation (ACET) is a multi-partner international initiative accelerating the global push for resilient and equitable clean energy solutions through local, community-based collaborations.

Established at the University of Victoria in 2023, ACET is a partnership between Royal Roads University, University of British Columbia, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, and Yukon University, supported by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund.

**Technical and Economic Electricity Transmission Study**

**About the Project**

Vancouver Island has a deficit of capacity and electricity and must import a significant amount from mainland BC. This poses a risk of transmission line losses, interruptions and overall electrical resiliency for Vancouver Island, and as the Island overall electricity needs increases in clean energy will be required. The existing BC Hydro transmission line along the east side of the Island north of Gold River is known to frequently interrupt the power supply, which hampers the livelihood of North Island communities and their economic development opportunities.

This research project is relevant given:

- the drive towards electrification outlined within the CleanBC plan, along with the current review and future updates of CleanBC.
- noted shortfalls in supply given forecasted demand increases within the province (specifically for Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland), upcoming possible development of future industries on Vancouver Island and the coast of BC (mining, electrification of industry, hydrogen production and deep-sea port development)
- Provincial government commitments to explore and support Indigenous utilities and First Nations partnerships in transmission infrastructure
- BC Hydro’s efforts to increase energy security on Vancouver Island
- 2024 Call for Power from BC Hydro and the recent 2025 Call for Power

**About the Role**

The Economic Development & Business Case Lead for the technical and economic electricity transmissions study (“the electricity transmission study”) will be working with a small project team in the ACET Initiative.

This is a one year, grant funded, full-time position with the opportunity for renewal during this two-year project and possibly beyond. The project will support a consortium of First Nations in B.C. exploring the technical and economic feasibility of a new transmission line in the north area of Vancouver Island. The goal of the project is to support Nations in decision-making around the viability and options for this new transmission line that would improve grid stability, increase access to electrical capacity and electricity, and open up business and economic opportunities for these Nations.

**Key responsibilities**

Key responsibilities for this position will include:

- Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with participating Nations and community leaders.
- Participate in engagement sessions and workshops with First Nation communities to understand economic development aspirations, energy goals, capital needs, and community-owned asset opportunities.
- Facilitate discussions around regional energy economy planning and future economic use cases for the transmission line, and future clean industrial and community development opportunities.
- Work closely with the Project Manager, Community Engagement Lead, and technical team to integrate economic analysis and insights into the overall feasibility study, ensuring business case components are responsive to community engagement findings and aligned with Nation-defined goals and energy sovereignty priorities.
- Develop robust business model scenarios and identify economic pathways that reflect the energy needs, values, and ambitions of participating Nations, including infrastructure investment and Indigenous ownership opportunities
- Work with external consultants to assess the economic viability of proposed opportunities including new energy generation, transmission capacity, and industrial use cases.
- Explore innovative financial mechanisms (e.g., blended finance, community outcomes finance) and coordinate investor and capital provider roundtables to support Indigenous-led infrastructure and business development.
- Collaborate with legal and governance advisors to co-develop ownership models, revenue sharing arrangements, and utility participation structures that ensure long-term Indigenous equity and benefit.
- Quantify potential employment, training, and long-term job creation impacts and evaluate return on investment using community-defined success indicators and capacity-building outcomes of proposed scenarios.
- Ability to travel to communities as needed (travel support and flexibility provided).
- Uphold ACET values related to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and safe and healthy workplaces.

**Skills and Qualifications**

Experience
- Minimum 5 years of experience in economic development, Indigenou