Indigenous Engagement & Communications

Vice-President (Indigenous)

Position number: 38234

Date posted: September 14, 2026

Job details

Indigenous Engagement and Outreach Specialist - AA4 (AESES) New Project Full-Time (Grant Funded)

Full-time:

Yes

Permanent

No

Work schedule

35 Hours/week (Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm)

Salary

$32.25 to $45.94 per hour ($58,695.00 to $83,610.80 per annum)

Appointment Dates

October 26, 2026 to April 25, 2028

Trial/Probation period

840 hours worked For more information please contact: Jennette Trenchard - [email protected] ((phone hidden))

Qualifications

PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO INDIGENOUS CANDIDATES. APPLICANTS MUST SELF-DECLARE ON THEIR COVER LETTER/RESUME AS INDIGENOUS (FIRST NATION, METIS AND/OR INUIT).

MINIMUM FORMAL EDUCATION/TRAINING:

- Bachelor’s degree in Indigenous studies, History, Human Rights, Education, Communications, Business Administration, or a related discipline is required.

EXPERIENCE:

- Minimum four years of progressively responsible experience in stakeholder engagement, Indigenous community relations, partnership development, project leadership, external relations, communications, event planning, or a related field is required.
- Demonstrated experience building and sustaining meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities, organizations, and partners is required.
- Experience supporting senior executives and leading complex engagement initiatives is strongly preferred.
- Experience working with Elders, Knowledge Keepers and Indigenous communities required.
- Experience leading critical conversations with diverse stakeholders is required.
- Experience coordinating initiatives and events and working collaboratively with others is required.
- A strong ability to gather, analyze and present information is required.
- Knowledge and understanding of Indigenous cultures, colonization, socio-economic issues and the importance of self-determination is required.
- Previous administrative experience in an academic setting is preferred.
- An acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

- Demonstrated ability to develop and sustain strategic partnerships and external relationships is required.
- Strong stakeholder engagement, facilitation, and relationship-building skills are required.
- Ability to represent the University in professional, community, and Indigenous leadership settings is required.
- Experience developing and monitoring engagement plans, stakeholder databases, and performance metrics is required.
- Ability to prepare strategic briefing materials and reports for senior leaders is required.
- Demonstrated understanding of Indigenous student success, community engagement, and reconciliation frameworks is required.
- Ability to manage multiple high-profile initiatives and competing priorities while maintaining robust relationships with diverse stakeholders is required.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with various levels of internal and external contacts is required.
- Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, coordinate and establish work priorities and deadlines is required.
- Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing environments and circumstances is required.
- Effective oral and written communication skills, with the ability to provide advice and develop and present informational materials, are required.
- Ability to make sound independent judgments and utilize problem-solving abilities is required.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and accurately under pressure is required.
- Ability to work with many types of individuals (e.g., staff, faculty, Elders, Indigenous Communities, community organizations, educational organizations, and others) in a sensitive environment is required.
- Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of staff and the public in a diplomatic, firm but tactful manner is required.
- Ability to process large numbers of documents with speed, accuracy and attention to detail in order to meet strict deadlines is required.
- A high degree of analytical thinking is required.
- Ability to think critically and creatively is required.




- Demonstrated proficiency using advanced features associated with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, Teams, etc.) is required.
- Demonstrated conflict resolution skills are required.
- Demonstrated problem-solving skills are required.
- Experience using University systems (e.g., Epic, Concur) preferred.
- Satisfactory work record, including satisfactory attendance and punctuality, is required.

OTHER JOB RELATED QUALIFICATIONS:

- Capable of performing duties as assigned.

Key responsibilities

Strategic Indigenous Engagement and Relationship Management

- Develop, foster, maintain, and strengthen strategic relationships with Indigenous communities, organizations, governments, educational institutions, funders, and community partners.
- Establish and maintain an engagement tracking framework to document partnerships, stakeholder interactions, relationship development activities, outcomes, and opportunities.
- Identify opportunities for new partnerships and collaborative initiatives that advance Indigenous excellence, student success, community engagement, and Reconciliation.
- Develop and maintain partnerships that create meaningful opportunities for Indigenous participation, recognition, and visibility throughout the UM150 anniversary period.
- Works closely with Events Manager to identify sponsorship opportunities.
- Represent the Office of the Vice-President (Indigenous) at meetings, community gatherings, and engagement activities as required.
- Serve as a key liaison between the University and Indigenous communities and organizations.
- Coordinate engagement opportunities that strengthen the University's reputation as a trusted partner and leader in Indigenous Excellence, locally, nationally and internationally.
- Works closely with OVPI teams and Events Manager to ensure that an Indigenous perspective of UM150 is included in signature and annual events.
- Prepare briefing materials, stakeholder profiles, speaking notes, and engagement summaries for leadership.

Executive and Leadership Engagement Support
- Support the Vice-President (Indigenous) and other leaders in planning and participating in strategic engagement opportunities, community events, sponsored events, ceremonial activities, partner meetings, and public-facing initiatives, including those related to UM150 events and community celebrations
- Coordinate executive participation in UM, Indigenous community and stakeholder events.
- Develop briefing packages and engagement strategies that highlight Indigenous priorities and achievement at UM, as well as opportunities connected to UM150 initiatives.
- Prepare event summaries, and follow-up actions for leadership.
- Monitor commitments and action items arising from executive engagements and ensure timely follow-up.
- Support the cultivation and stewardship of key external partners, supporters, and funders.
- Track engagement outcomes and provide reports to leadership on progress and opportunities.

University-Wide Indigenous Engagement and Special Initiatives
- Lead and coordinate engagement initiatives and learning opportunities that promote Indigenous excellence and Reconciliation across the University community, including initiatives that support UM150 celebration and legacy objectives.
- Collaborate with faculties, units, student organizations, and administrative departments to support Indigenous engagement activities.
- Collaborate with UM150 working groups, faculties, units, students, alumni, and community partners to integrate Indigenous perspectives, histories, and achievements into anniversary programming and legacy projects.
- Develop opportunities for students, staff, faculty, and alumni to participate in Indigenous-focused events and initiatives.
- Support institutional priorities related to Indigenous engagement, student success,



and community partnership development.
- Coordinate consultation and engagement activities related to emerging strategic priorities.

UM 150 Indigenous Excellence Initiatives
- Collaborate with the Events Manager, Communications Leads, UM 150 planning teams, and university partners to develop and deliver Indigenous-focused engagement opportunities associated with the University's 150th anniversary.
- Support the promotion and celebration of Indigenous excellence across the University's learning, discovery, and engagement missions.
- Identify opportunities to highlight Indigenous student, alumni, faculty, research, and community success stories.
- Coordinate stakeholder and community involvement in commemorative events, recognition activities, and special projects.

Indigenous Student Engagement and Support Initiatives
- Lead stakeholder engagement activities for initiatives designed to increase Indigenous student awareness, access, and utilization of supports, services, programs, and opportunities available across the University.
- Consult with Indigenous students, student groups, community organizations, faculties, and service providers to identify barriers and opportunities.
- Coordinate engagement plans, feedback processes, and partnership development activities related to Indigenous student success projects.
- Monitor engagement outcomes and contribute to reporting and continuous improvement efforts.
- Work collaboratively with internal service providers to strengthen connections between Indigenous students and available supports.

Evaluation, Reporting and Administration
- Maintain records and databases related to stakeholder engagement activities and partnerships.
- Track engagement metrics, participation levels, outcomes, and strategic priorities.
- Track and report on Indigenous engagement outcomes associated with UM150 initiatives, including stakeholder participation, partnership development, community impact, and legacy outcomes.
- Contribute to UM150 reporting requirements and evaluation activities related to Indigenous engagement and community partnerships.
- Prepare reports, presentations, briefing materials, and annual summaries.
- Contribute to proposal development, funding applications, and partnership reports.
- Provide supervision to student staff, volunteers, and project assistants as required.
- Other duties as assigned.

Additional information

About us: As part of L'offis Wiichihihwahk - Office of the Vice-President (Indigenous) at the University of Manitoba, the Indigenous Engagement and Communications team works collaboratively with Indigenous communities and partners across the university to co-design programs and initiatives that support Indigenous students; to highlight and share Indigenous research and knowledge(s); and to celebrate First Nations, Métis and Inuit success. About the Role: The Indigenous Engagement and Outreach Specialist serves as a key connector between the University and Indigenous communities, supporting executive engagement activities, strategic partnerships, community outreach, and institution-wide initiatives that contribute to both ongoing Indigenous engagement priorities and UM150 objectives. The University of Manitoba is committed to the principles of equity, diversity & inclusion and to promoting opportunities in hiring, promotion and tenure (where applicable) for systemically marginalized groups who have been excluded from full participation at the University and the larger community including Indigenous Peoples, women, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning, intersex, asexual and other diverse sexual identities).

If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected] or (phone hidden). Please note this contact information is for accommodation reasons only.

Application materials, including letters of reference, will be handled in accordance with the protection of privacy provisions of "The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act" (Manitoba). Please note that curriculum vitae will be provided to participating members of the search process.

📌 Indigenous Engagement and Outreach Specialist(AESES) (Winnipeg)
🏢 University of Manitoba
📍 Winnipeg