Senior Indigenous Relations Specialist

At Stantec, we have some of the world's leading professionals passionate about enabling our business to be its best. Our business teams include finance, procurement, human resources, information technology, marketing, corporate development, HSSE, real estate, legal, and practice services. We bring diverse backgrounds, skills, and expertise and create a caring culture where everyone can thrive. Through teamwork and collaboration, we're building a stronger, more resilient Stantec every day.     

Your Opportunity

Reporting to the Vice President, Indigenous Business and Relations, the Senior Indigenous Relations Specialist – British Columbia, will uphold Stantec's corporate Indigenous Relations Practice and will manage the organization's approach to fostering and strengthening relationships with Indigenous Peoples, communities, and businesses in British Columbia.

This position will be responsible for coordinating and facilitating Stantec's direct Indigenous community engagement and relationship management initiatives. Working collaboratively with our business leadership teams across British Columbia, you will develop and implement a plan for engaging with Indigenous communities, businesses, and others that have an interest in working with Stantec on projects. The successful candidate will also provide advice and assistance on the development of business opportunities throughout the province. In concert with the integrated operational and project teams at Stantec, the Senior Indigenous Relations Specialist will also support internal initiatives related to Indigenous staff recruitment and retention, and strengthening internal awareness of Indigenous cultures, histories, and issues.

This position will work collaboratively with operational and functional services leadership across the BC region to deliver on Indigenous relations goals including Indigenous staff recruitment and retention, engagement with Indigenous communities and organizations, and strengthening internal awareness of Indigenous cultures, histories, and issues.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with Indigenous leadership and communities in the BC Region.
• Participate in short and long-range business planning, including identifying Indigenous related priorities and business development opportunities.
• Engage and collaborate with local, regional and national leaders in Indigenous engagement to inform strategy and practice, gaining an understanding of trends and developments and how they may impact Stantec, our partners and clients.
• Act as a central coordination point for the navigation of relationships and partnerships between Stantec and Indigenous communities and businesses.
• Partner with key internal stakeholders to implement strategies and recommendations to continually strengthen Indigenous relationships in a manner that promotes collaboration between Indigenous communities and the company.
• Participate in Stantec's Indigenous relations strategies, including the identification of potential business opportunities with Indigenous groups.
• Actively represent the company on industry association working groups and at business development related events.
• Collaborate with Indigenous communities and Stantec business units and contractors to identify and develop opportunities for building capacity, business development and employment.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with Stantec business developers, relationship managers, and account managers.
• Develop and implement Indigenous related participation and engagement plans, as required.
• Identify, track, and monitor issues, concerns, and interests identified by Indigenous groups.
• Support Stantec practitioners to develop effective, respectful and sustainable relationships with Indigenous communities, organizations and businesses, developing an understanding of their needs, priorities and activities so that Stantec can continue to grow as a thought leader and solution provider.
• Ensure that Stantec's project management processes are followed (e.g., internal work orders signed, signing authorities are correct, project setup, etc.).
• Travel within the Region will be required.
• Perform other related duties.

Your Capabilities and Credentials

• In-depth knowledge of the history and present-day context of Indigenous Peoples in British Columbia, including governments and organizations.
• Experience with Indigenous knowledge systems and worldviews.
• Demonstrated experience in Indigenous Relations program development, implementation and management
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to work within a collaborative environment.
• Experience building partnerships and working with Indigenous businesses, community members, governments, and organizations.
• Must be a motivated self starter and possess a high level of integrity and personal accountability.
• Must possess strong facilitation, written communication and presentation skills.
• Must demonstrate good judgement and ability to deal with complex and sensitive issues 

Education and Experience

Successful candidates in this position may come from a variety of academic backgrounds:

• A 4-year university degree with 8 + years' related experience with two more years in a professional consulting context OR
• Technical diploma/certification with extensive years of related work experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Candidates with less applicable experience, may be considered at a different level.

Typical office environment working with computers and remaining sedentary for long periods of time. 

This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.

About Stantec

Stantec is a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting. The diverse perspectives of our partners and interested parties drive us to think beyond what's previously been done on critical issues like climate change, digital transformation, and future-proofing our cities and infrastructure. We innovate at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships to advance communities everywhere, so that together we can redefine what's possible.