Position Title: Indigenous Relations Director
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Department: Indigenous Relations & Service Delivery

POSITION SUMMARY

The Indigenous Relations Director provides strategic leadership in building, strengthening, and maintaining meaningful relationships with Indigenous Nations, communities, organizations, and stakeholders while overseeing the effective delivery of ICLD's training, education, and workforce development programs.

The Director plays a key role in ensuring that ICLD's programs and services are responsive to Indigenous community priorities, culturally appropriate, and aligned with the organization's Vision, Purpose, and Values.

Working closely with the CEO, the Director leads Indigenous engagement initiatives, manages program delivery teams, supports strategic partnerships, contributes to funding opportunities, and ensures operational excellence across corporate and community training programs.

The position requires a strong understanding of Indigenous communities, cultural protocols, workforce development, and relationship-based approaches to service delivery.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES1. Indigenous Relations & Community Engagement

- Develop, strengthen, and maintain respectful, long-term relationships with First Nations, Indigenous communities, leadership, organizations, and partners.
- Serve as a key point of contact between ICLD and Indigenous communities, supporting open communication, collaboration, and trust.
- Engage with Indigenous leadership, community representatives, and stakeholders to identify training, education, and employment priorities.
- Ensure that community perspectives, cultural values, protocols, and priorities are appropriately reflected in program planning and delivery.
- Support the development of partnerships and agreements with Indigenous Nations and organizations.
- Represent ICLD at community meetings, engagement sessions, conferences, and partnership discussions.
- Work collaboratively with Indigenous communities to identify opportunities for capacity building, employment pathways, and long-term workforce development.

2. Strategic Leadership & Service Delivery

- Oversee the delivery of corporate and Indigenous community training programs, ensuring they meet the needs of participants, funders, partners, and stakeholders.
- Collaborate with the CEO to develop and implement service delivery strategies, operational plans, policies, and procedures.
- Provide leadership in aligning program delivery with Indigenous community priorities and ICLD's organizational objectives.
- Identify and prioritize resources to ensure timely, efficient, and high-quality service delivery.
- Monitor program performance, identify operational challenges, and implement improvements.
- Support program budgets, resource allocation, vendor relationships, and operational planning.

3. Indigenous Partnerships & Stakeholder Management

- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with Indigenous governments, community organizations, educational institutions, employers, and funding agencies.
- Identify opportunities for new partnerships, team-oriented initiatives, and workforce development programs.
- Work with Indigenous communities and stakeholders to understand their expectations and tailor programs to their specific needs.
- Support partnership discussions, agreements, and collaborative program development.
- Address stakeholder concerns, manage expectations, and resolve service delivery issues.
- Ensure ICLD maintains professional, respectful, and transparent relationships with its partners.

4. Program Development & Curriculum Oversight

- Lead and support the development of culturally relevant and culturally safe training programs for Indigenous communities and corporate clients.




- Review and improve existing curriculum, instructional resources, and training materials.
- Collaborate with trainers, subject matter experts, and community representatives to develop engaging and effective learning experiences.
- Oversee the creation of training workshops, multimedia materials, speaking notes, and digital instructional content.
- Ensure curriculum aligns with program objectives, participant needs, educational standards, and community expectations.
- Establish and maintain quality standards for training delivery and instructional materials.
- Support innovative approaches to adult education, experiential learning, and Indigenous workforce development.

5. Team Leadership & Operational Management

- Lead, supervise, and support trainers, program coordinators, consultants, and administrative staff.
- Provide coaching, mentorship, performance feedback, and professional development opportunities.
- Support the selection, onboarding, and coordination of trainers and external consultants.
- Oversee the preparation of customer Statements of Work and consultant service agreements.
- Promote collaboration, accountability, and effective communication across program teams.
- Ensure staffing and operational resources are aligned with program requirements and delivery schedules.

6. Grant Writing & Funding Development

- Develop a strong understanding of ICLD's organizational history, strategic priorities, programs, and financial needs.
- Identify funding opportunities that support Indigenous education, employment, capacity building, and workforce development.
- Prepare and coordinate grant proposals, funding applications, and supporting documentation for foundations, corporations, and government agencies.
- Collaborate with internal teams to develop program proposals, budgets, and project deliverables.
- Submit funding proposals to the CEO for review and approval.
- Maintain positive relationships with funding organizations and respond to inquiries regarding proposals and funded initiatives.
- Track grant opportunities, reporting requirements, and funding commitments.

7. Documentation, Reporting & Quality Assurance

- Ensure program documentation is accurate, organized, accessible, and maintained in accordance with organizational and funder requirements.
- Prepare and review project updates, participant progress reports, performance summaries, and final reports.
- Monitor participant evaluations, funder feedback, and stakeholder satisfaction.
- Analyze program outcomes and recommend improvements to service delivery.
- Ensure reporting obligations to Indigenous partners, funders, and other stakeholders are completed accurately and on time.
- Maintain documentation standards, version controls, and appropriate records for audit purposes.

8. Risk Management & Compliance

- Identify operational, contractual, financial, cultural, and compliance risks associated with program delivery and partnerships.
- Develop and implement mitigation strategies and contingency plans.
- Ensure training programs comply with applicable regulations, contractual obligations, funding agreements, and organizational policies.
- Promote culturally safe and respectful practices in all Indigenous engagement and program delivery activities.
- Escalate significant risks and concerns to the CEO as appropriate.

9. Training Delivery & Professional Development

- Facilitate specialized training sessions, workshops,



community engagement activities, and consulting assignments when required.
- Provide guidance and coaching to trainers to improve instructional quality and learner engagement.
- Stay informed about developments in Indigenous relations, reconciliation, workforce development, education, and training.
- Encourage continuous professional development among program delivery staff.
- Identify opportunities to incorporate innovative training methodologies and best practices.

EDUCATION, TRAINING & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTSEducation

- Bachelor's degree in Indigenous Studies, Leadership, Education, Social Services, Business Administration, or a related field.
- An equivalent combination of relevant education, Indigenous community experience, and demonstrated leadership may be considered.

Experience

- Minimum 5 years of experience working with Indigenous Nations, communities, organizations, or Indigenous learners.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in program management, service delivery, operations, or a related leadership role.
- Minimum 3 years of experience in curriculum development, instructional design, adult education, or training program development.
- Demonstrated experience establishing and maintaining relationships with Indigenous leadership, community organizations, and stakeholders.
- Experience managing multidisciplinary teams, external consultants, and community-based initiatives.
- Experience in grant writing, funding applications, government-funded programs, or project reporting is an asset.
- Indigenous lived experience and knowledge of Indigenous cultures, histories, community priorities, and protocols are highly valued.

Knowledge, Skills & Competencies

- Strong understanding of Indigenous relations, community engagement, reconciliation, and culturally safe practices.
- Excellent interpersonal, relationship-building, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills.
- Demonstrated ability to engage respectfully with Indigenous leadership, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, community members, and partner organizations.
- Strong strategic planning, operational management, and organizational leadership abilities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, including proposal writing, reporting, and presentations.
- Strong project management, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage competing priorities, multiple projects, and diverse stakeholder expectations.
- Experience supporting budgets, resource planning, vendor coordination, and operational decision-making.
- Commitment to collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, and Indigenous community capacity building.

KEY PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

The Indigenous Relations Director will be expected to demonstrate effectiveness in the following areas:

- Indigenous Relationships: Strength and sustainability of relationships with Indigenous Nations, communities, and partner organizations.
- Program Delivery: Timely and successful delivery of training and workforce development programs.
- Community Satisfaction: Positive feedback and meaningful engagement with Indigenous partners and participants.
- Operational Excellence: Effective management of teams, resources, program quality, and delivery commitments.
- Partnership Development: Identification and advancement of collaborative initiatives and funding opportunities.
- Compliance & Reporting: Accurate, timely, and complete reporting in accordance with organizational and funder requirements.

Reporting Relationship: The Indigenous Relations Director reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer and works collaboratively with ICLD leadership, program teams, Indigenous partners, and external stakeholders to advance the organization's mission and strategic priorities.

Pay: $80,000.00-$90,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person

📌 Indigenous Relations Director (Port Coquitlam)
🏢 Indigenous Community for Leadership Development
📍 Port Coquitlam