Indigenous Relations & Reconciliation Director

Location: Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver, Prince George, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Halifax, Saskatoon, or other major Canadian centres where the organization maintains operations (Hybrid).

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $165,000 – $190,000 base salary
• Annual Bonus: Target bonus of up to 20%
• Work Arrangement: Hybrid schedule – 3 days in office, 2 days remote
• Vacation: 4 weeks paid vacation
• PTO: 5 additional personal days per year
• Benefits: Comprehensive health and dental coverage
• Pension: Employer-sponsored pension plan
• Travel: Occasional travel within Canada (approximately once every 1–2 months)

Overview

Our client, a leading national financial institution, is seeking a Director, Indigenous Relations & Reconciliation to lead the advancement of economic reconciliation across the organization. This senior leadership role will be responsible for embedding Indigenous perspectives into corporate strategy, business operations, and decision-making while fostering meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities, organizations, and partners across Canada.

Reporting to the senior leadership team, the successful candidate will provide strategic direction, lead a dedicated reconciliation team, and drive initiatives that create measurable impact for Indigenous entrepreneurs, communities, and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a deep understanding of the priorities and needs of Indigenous entrepreneurs, communities, and organizations across Canada.
• Build and strengthen trusted relationships with Indigenous rights-holders, communities, economic development organizations, and key partners.
• Integrate reconciliation principles into enterprise strategy, business practices, products, services, and capital allocation decisions.
• Lead the implementation and ongoing evolution of the organization’s Reconciliation Action Plan, ensuring accountability, measurable outcomes, and sustained progress.
• Oversee participation in Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations (PAIR) and ensure alignment with certification requirements and best practices.
• Establish governance frameworks, performance measurement tools, and reporting processes to track progress and communicate impact.
• Provide strategic advice to senior leaders regarding reconciliation-related opportunities, risks, and organizational priorities.
• Lead and mentor a team focused on reconciliation initiatives, community engagement, and Indigenous relations.
• Support the development of organizational capability by embedding reconciliation into leadership practices, culture, and decision-making processes.
• Collaborate across business units to ensure a coordinated and consistent approach to Indigenous engagement and economic reconciliation.

Qualifications

Required

• Significant experience in Indigenous relations, reconciliation, government relations, stakeholder engagement, partnership development, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience working with Indigenous communities, organizations, governments, or rights-holders.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Public Administration, Indigenous Studies, Social Sciences, Communications, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong understanding of Indigenous cultures, traditions, protocols, and community engagement practices.
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders and navigate complex organizational environments.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience leading strategic initiatives, organizational change, or enterprise-wide programs.

Preferred

• Established and trusted relationships within Indigenous communities, Nations, organizations, or economic development networks.
• Strong understanding of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, UNDRIP, and the broader Canadian reconciliation landscape.
• Experience within financial services, banking, economic development, procurement, or major project environments.
• Bilingualism (English/French) is considered an asset; Indigenous language knowledge is highly valued.
• Experience with accreditation programs such as PAIR.

The ideal candidate is a strategic and collaborative leader with a passion for advancing economic reconciliation. They bring a combination of relationship-building expertise, cultural awareness, and business acumen, along with the ability to influence organizational change and create meaningful partnerships with Indigenous communities and stakeholders.

Priority consideration will be given to Indigenous candidates (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit), recognizing the value of lived experience, cultural knowledge, and community connections in leading this work.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

In accordance with Ontario’s Pay Transparency laws, Turtle Island Staffing is committed to providing clear and accessible information regarding compensation. Actual compensation may vary based on experience and qualifications.

At Turtle Island Staffing, we believe hiring should be human-led. We do not use artificial intelligence to screen out applicants. Every application is reviewed by a real person, because people deserve to be seen as more than keywords.