Director, Indigenous Relations

Metrolinx is connecting communities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Metrolinx operates GO Transit and UP Express, as well as the PRESTO fare payment system. We are also building new and improved rapid transit, including GO Expansion, Light Rail Transit routes, and major expansions to Toronto’s subway system, to get people where they need to go, better, faster and easier. Metrolinx is an agency of the Government of Ontario.

At Metrolinx, equity, diversity and inclusion are essential to living our values of serving with passion, thinking forward and playing as a team.

Our Capital Projects Group workforce is made up of driven and dedicated professionals who care deeply about working together to deliver infrastructure and make a positive impact in our communities. Join us as we build a knowledgeable and collaborative team that courageously changes how transit projects will be delivered.

Our Environmental Services and Indigenous Relations department is looking for a Director, Indigenous Relations to join the team! You will provide service to Indigenous Communities by establishing strong awareness of their cultural nuances and preferences to the organization. This role will also provide leadership to the organization and the Indigenous Relations Team, manage emerging issues and support the successful delivery of Indigenous Engagement and Consultation Plans.

What will I be doing?

• Lead, plan and execute Indigenous Relations Plans. Monitor and oversees implementation of Indigenous Framework Agreements. Act as the primary contact in relation to Indigenous Communities.

• Build and manage productive relationships with Indigenous Communities to facilitate community relations program development.

• Provide subject matter expertise to Metrolinx project teams or technical working groups in relation to indigenous affairs.

• Establish and actively build effective working relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders, identify risks, implications, and opportunities to enhance Metrolinx’ public profile and image with indigenous communities

• Monitor project and program progress to deliver program objectives on time and within budget, and achieve anticipated results

• Provides creative thought leadership with input from others to develop and deploy a strategic vision.

• Provide senior leadership oversight and direction to teams; deliver timely feedback to ensure cohesion and the optimum use of team skills.

What Skills and Qualifications Do I Need?

• Completion of a degree in Communications, Community Engagement, Business Administration or a related discipline or a combination of education, training and experience deemed equivalent

• Demonstrated senior leadership experience developing, planning and executing, strategic indigenous relations programs and activities, including issues management.

• Extensive experience building meaningful relationships with Indigenous Communities, businesses, and organizations

• Strong knowledge of Indigenous issues, perspectives, and knowledge systems

• Knowledge of and expertise in the techniques, strategies and methods of strategic communications, communications planning and issues management to direct and oversee a critical community and stakeholder relations program.

• Strategic planning and project execution to manage multiple and changing priorities with competing deadlines

• Strong innovative thinking, creative problem solving and effective organizational skills to establish effective networks and creative and innovative approaches to community relations strategy solutions

• Strategic acumen and aptitude to work closely with the executive team, internal business leaders and community stakeholders

• Negotiating, influencing and political acuity skills to identify, analyze, and determine the impact of emerging and potentially contentious issues, and proactively develop and execute strategic issues management plans to address issues.

• Relationship & stakeholder management skills to engage, cultivate, and manage relationships with a broad range of stakeholders

• Excellent oral and interpersonal skills with demonstrated success working effectively and collaboratively in a large, integrated, matrix team environment at all levels of an organization
• Excellent leadership skills to motivate a team, set high standards and clear expectations, manage expectations and outputs
• A Driver’s Abstract (within the last 3 Years) will be required of the successful candidate. The employee(s) in this role will have access to a company vehicle (Non-Revenue Fleet Vehicle) to travel to Indigenous Communities.

Don’t Meet Every Requirement?

If you’re excited about working with Metrolinx but your past experience doesn’t quite align with every qualification of this posting, we encourage you to apply. You just might be the right candidate for this or other roles. We are always looking for great talent to join our team.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from members of equity-deserving communities, including those who identify as Indigenous, Black, racialized, women, people with disabilities, and people with diverse gender identities, expressions and sexual orientations.

Accommodation:

We value the unique skills and experiences each person brings to Metrolinx and are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible environment. We are committed to the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and other applicable legislation so if you require accommodation during the hiring process, please let our Recruitment team know by contacting us at: 416-202-5601 or email [email protected].

Application Process:

All applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada. Metrolinx will be using email to communicate with you for all job competitions. It is your responsibility to include an updated email address that is checked daily and accepts emails from unknown users. As we send time sensitive correspondence, we recommend that you check your email regularly. If no response is received, we will assume you are no longer interested in pursuing the opportunity. Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate.

Should it be determined that any background information provided be misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, Metrolinx reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of your application.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

WE ARE AN EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE EMPLOYER.

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