Governance Manager

Term: Indeterminant

Direct Supervisor: Band Manager

Hours of Work:

35 hours/week (8:30 AM – 4:30 PM), Monday to Friday (with a one-hour lunch break)

• May require weekend or evening hours to meet the job's requirements.

The Governance Manager is responsible for implementing the Chief & Council's strategic direction and best practices for Whitefish River First Nation (WRFN) governance functions.

The Governance Manager will be responsible for all aspects of planning, direction, and oversight of the governance portfolio within the Whitefish River First Nation (WRFN) administration, with a specific focus on implementing the Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement (ANGA). The Governance Manager will oversee strategic operations as they relate to this agreement, working and consulting with band members, internal staff, external partners, and the Chief and Council that will encompass the best interests of WRFN, all while guiding intra-departmental efforts to ensure the continued advancement of WRFN's self-governance goals in a manner that is as respectful as it is proactive and productive.

The Governance Manager will develop and implement strategies to achieve the strategic goals of the departments within WRFN while managing internal staff as required to carry out this work. The Governance Manager will also oversee governance-related initiatives that broadly impact the administration of WRFN as a whole and do not fall within the specific purview of any other department; this includes, but is not limited to, the Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement. This will also involve working in coordination with other Anishinabek Nation Governance Agreement member communities, government partners, and external consultants.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Degree in economics, business, commerce, public administration, and political science, or experience in senior management at a First Nation level or related field.
• Experience in a related field, with a minimum of three (3) years of management experience
• Experience working with First Nation Final Agreements and/or Self-Government Agreements.
• Experience advising stakeholders on policies, program delivery, and the intersection of federal, provincial/territorial, and indigenous governance systems.

• Experience with community engagement strategies and practices in the context of indigenous governance.

• Experience in government-to-government negotiations and/or consultation will be considered an asset.

• Must have previous supervisory experience.

• Experience in government relations and advanced funding/reporting obligations.

SKILLS:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills.

• Ability to balance risks in ambiguous and complex situations.
• Experience implementing or designing privacy processes, policies, standards, controls, and/or programs.
• Experience performing compliance assessments, gap assessments, and rationalized frameworks.
• Experience in government relations and advocacy.
• Excellent computer skills and strong experience with Microsoft Office applications.
• Thorough knowledge of and ability to demonstrate/apply core First Nations values to design culturally appropriate services.
• Able to navigate and demonstrate knowledge of First Nations politics and specific issues related to governance.

**Must provide a clear Police Criminal Reference Check upon hire.

**For a complete job description, please email:

APPLICATION CLOSING DATE: December 19th, 2025, AT NOON.

Interested applicants must submit a current resume, cover letter, two (2) work-related references, one (1) character reference (with contact information), and applicable education diplomas/certifications to:

In person to: Whitefish River First Nation, 17-A Rainbow Ridge Road, P.O. Box 188; Birch Island, ON P0P1A0

Email:

Through Bamboo HR

At Whitefish River First Nation, we value diversity and inclusion. Miigwetch to all who apply; however, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.