Indigenous Outreach

OCAD University acknowledges the ancestral territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabeg and the Huron-Wendat, who are the original owners and custodians of the land on which we live, work and create

Please note that internal job postings are open only to current permanent OPSEU Local 576 Unit 1 employees and temporary OPSEU Local 576 Unit 1 employees with one year of continuous service.

Reporting to the Manager, Indigenous Student Centre, the Indigenous Outreach & Recruitment Coordinator works to create pathways for learners and their supporters/families to access, engage, and thrive within post-secondary education at OCAD University (OCAD U). The Coordinator develops and delivers outreach programming and engagement activities and provides information about OCAD U's application supports, funding supports, academic programs and on campus services available to Indigenous students. Working closely with the Indigenous Student Centre (ISC) Indigenous Admissions & Recruitment Assistant and the Admissions & Recruitment Office, the Coordinator supports Indigenous learners throughout the application, transition, and enrollment processes into OCAD U's programs.

Summary of Responsibilities:

Mutual Responsibilities with Admissions & Recruitment:

• Support Indigenous learners as they navigate pathways to OCAD U; meeting with prospective Indigenous learners and their supporters/families individually and in groups to provide support and advising, ensuring access to relevant holistic and wrap-around supports both on and off campus
• Respond to inquiries from prospective Indigenous learners and their supporters/families; advocating for applicants and if needed, present special cases for consideration
• Maintain current knowledge of all OCAD U programs, admissions processes, supports, and student services; including an understanding of barriers and challenges faced by prospective Indigenous students, applicants, and admitted students
• Identify and promote entrance awards, scholarships and bursaries available to Indigenous students
• Support the tracking of recruitment-related expenses and documentation, in accordance with approved budgets and ensuring compliance with OCAD U Travel, Meal and Hospitality Policy
• Support the evaluation of recruitment and outreach activities through data collection, documentation, and report writing
• Track and respond to applicant and community-based organizations and educator inquiries using the CRM database (Slate)
• Contribute to the development of diversity, equity, inclusivity, and accessibility (DEIA) strategies throughout all programs, services, and communications

In Consultation with Admissions & Recruitment:

• In collaboration with the A&R team and Manager, ISC, develop, plan, and deliver community-based initiatives and programming, both on and off campus, collaborating with school, community organizations, campus partners, and attending recruitment events to deliver presentations and develop relationships with schools and organizations
• Collaborate with the ISC team and the Indigenous Admissions & Recruitment Assistant to identify non-academic supports (e.g. financial aid, housing, childcare and community resources) for Indigenous learners applying; support Indigenous applicants as they transition to OCAD U's downtown Toronto campus
• Collaborate with the ISC and Indigenous Visual Culture Program to identify recruitment and outreach opportunities that support community awareness and engagement

Exclusive Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the Manager, Indigenous Student Centre to plan and coordinate participation in the Aboriginal Post-Secondary Information Program (APSIP) Tour; including extensive travel to secondary schools and Indigenous communities in Ontario
• Support the OCAD U tuition waiver for Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation; acting as the primary contact for both communities, coordinating visits, supporting applicants through the application process, and liaising with post secondary education offices
• Strategize with the Manager, Indigenous Student Centre and consult the Admissions & Recruitment Office, to develop a plan for visits to secondary schools, Indigenous institutes, and Indigenous communities outside the GTA
• Contribute to strategic outreach planning with the ISC, the Director, Indigenous Initiatives, and other campus partners; creating opportunities to establish reciprocal relationships with communities and organizations focused on supporting the needs of Indigenous learners
• Maintain relationships with Indigenous OCAD U alumni, supporting the continued development of the Indigenous Alumni Circle; building a community of Indigenous artists, designers, curators, and creatives
• Support the Manager, Indigenous Student Centre in other activities contributing to the successful operation of the Indigenous Student Centre

Qualifications:

• Indigenous citizenship (First Nations, Inuit, Métis), connection to an Indigenous community, a history and/or evidence of lived experience and an understanding of Indigenous culture(s) and practices
• Knowledge of the issues Indigenous students face in relation to access, transition and retention from urban and rural environments to postsecondary education
• Understanding of Indigenous cultural, educational, political and economic conditions
• Minimum of two (2) years of administrative work experience, preferably in a post-secondary educational environment, or equivalent
• Post-secondary degree in Art or Design (concentration in Indigenous practice or history considered an asset); or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain reciprocal relationships with Indigenous communities, students, and families
• Experience with the administration of Indigenous community programming, education and arts
• Strong interpersonal, communication (both oral and written) and presentation skills; with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment
• Strong organizational and analytical skills
• A demonstrated commitment to providing outstanding customer service
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of equity and diversity, and experience promoting a respectful work and learning environment for students, staff and faculty
• Flexibility in work hours; must be willing and able to travel and work irregular hours (occasional evenings and weekends), as required
• A valid G class driver's licence (no vehicle required)

Compensation:OPSEU Unit I, Appendix A, Grade A3; $50,163.56 to $65,081.34 per annum

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, for a total of 35 hours per week.

Mode of Work: On Campus

Application Details: The successful applicant will have Indigenous citizenship, connection to an Indigenous community (First Nations, Inuit, Métis) and will have a commitment to Indigenous community development, partnership building, and growing OCAD University's priority to decolonize and Indigenize art and design education. Candidates are encouraged to share information in their cover letter about their Indigenous citizenship and relevant experience with Indigenous communities.

If you are an Indigenous applicant and require support during the recruitment process, please reach out to Olivia Bowes, Talent Acquisition Coordinator at

This posting is for a current vacancy.

Interested internal permanent OPSEU Local 576 Unit 1 or temporary OPSEU Local 576 Unit 1 employees with one year of continuous service applicants are invited to submit an updated *resume and cover letter (PDF) , no later than Wednesday January 21, 2026.

• Please upload your resume and cover letter as one PDF. Please name your upload: FirstName_LastName-Job Code

As an employer committed to employment equity, we encourage applications from members of equity-deserving communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.

We encourage members of designated equity-deserving groups to self-identify within the voluntary Applicant Questionnaire.

In order to alleviate the under-representation of Indigenous administrators, priority in hiring will be given to qualified Indigenous persons who identify as such in the application process. This initiative is a special program under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

OCAD University is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier free experience to applicants with accessibility needs. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact People & Culture for more information or refer to OCAD U's Policy of Accommodation in Employment for Persons with Disabilities

All qualified persons are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those short-listed will be contacted.