003 – Director of Intergovernmental Relations

Atikokan Economic Development Corporation; Atikokan; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An Indigenous governance organization in Atikokan seeks a Director of Intergovernmental Relations to lead strategic engagement with government bodies. The role requires 5-7 years of relevant experience and strong interpersonal skills to advance the Metis Nation of Ontario’s goals. The director will oversee initiatives fostering government relations and ensure compliance with regulations. Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent qualifications and be willing to travel throughout Ontario.

Benefits

Comprehensive health benefits

Generous vacation allotment

Paid holiday closure

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• 5 to 7 years of experience with governmental interactions.
• 3-5 years of senior management experience.
• Strong interpersonal and management skills.
• Ability to work flexibly and travel throughout Ontario.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and analyze government developments affecting MNO.
• Build relationships with various government officials.
• Manage and develop the Intergovernmental Relations Branch.
• Ensure adherence to MNO Policies and Procedures.

Skills

Relationship building

Strategic planning

Policy development

Team management

Digital literacy

Education

Masters Degree or relevant Bachelor's Degree with Professional Designation

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Atikokan, Ontario, Canada

Job Description

Expires Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 10:59pm

MNO culture

The MNO workplace culture is full of potential ready to be unlocked. As our Self-Governance agreement materializes, we are building a workplace culture of action, responsibility, and a desire to serve the Metis community. There is a place for almost everyone under the MNO employer umbrella. We recognize people are different, and that is our source of strength. We bring opinions together, welcome healthy conflict, and look to always find answers, not problems.

Click here to learn about the Metis Nation of Ontario, and help you decide if we are the right fit for you

What We Can Offer You

• Comprehensive employer-paid health benefits and pension plan
• Generous vacation allotment starting at 15 days for regular employees and 20 days for management
• Annual paid two-week holiday closure in December
• 16 paid public and employer holidays
• 15 paid health & wellness days
• Challenging, multi-disciplinary work environment that fosters learning and professional development
• Substantial educational incentive to promote personal and professional growth
• An opportunity to make a direct or indirect impact on the lives of the Metis Peoples across the Province
• Other perks
  • Employee Assistance Plan
  • Telemedicine plan
  • Health care spending account
  • Goodlife corporate membership discount
  • Bell Mobility’s exclusive partner program
  • Staple’s corporate discount
  • Dell member purchase program
  • Mark’s corporate discount

About the Role

The Intergovernmental Relations Branch supports the Metis Nation of Ontario (MNO) to advance its priorities in developing a government-to-government relationship between the Crown and the MNO Metis communities in Ontario. The work of the Branch is based on the foundational pillars of MNO’s Statement of Prime Purpose, the Tripartite Framework Agreement with Canada and Ontario, the federal Agreement on Advancing Reconciliation with the Northwestern Ontario Metis Community and Ontario’s Framework Agreement for Advancing Reconciliation. The Director of Intergovernmental Relations reports directly to the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) and is responsive to the Chief Operating Officer (COO).

This position requires a strategic, innovative and inspirational team leader who will provide direction to the Branch management team. The Director of Intergovernmental Relations oversees the growth and development of the Government Relations branch and oversees the strategic management of government relations with provincial, federal, municipal and Indigenous governments. The Director will engage with government officials on a regular basis to identify opportunities that may advance MNO priorities, identify risks and maximize MNO participation in government processes that will further MNO’s strategic plan. The Director will be accountable for managing various MNO programs and initiatives, along with the staff of the Intergovernmental Relations Branch.

The Director is accountable for achieving Branch planning and operational goals and objectives and for furthering MNO goals and objectives within policy guidelines. The Director is also responsible for the safety and health of their employees and the workplace, managing and coaching their employees to deliver at the highest level of performance, the mitigation of risk to the organization, and the integrity of the organization.

What you will be doing

Research and Policy

• Monitoring, identifying and analyzing legislative developments and government priorities that could affect the MNO or our work.
• Conducting research to determine which trends may positively or negatively impact the MNO or our work in light of government priorities, developments and trends.
• Actively working with provincial, federal, municipal and Indigenous government officials to promote the MNO, its priorities and its key policy initiatives.
• Managing and facilitating meetings and ensuring briefing notes are prepared for meetings with Ministers or senior government officials.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues to coordinate their participation in government meetings and briefings as appropriate.
• Ensuring MNO staff, volunteers or officials who interact with government at an operational level are appropriately aware of emerging issues and opportunities that may affect their interactions, and make them aware of MNO’s key messages/strategies.

Relationships

• Building relationships with provincial, federal, municipal and Indigenous government officials and facilitating relationship building between elected representatives and the MNO to raise understanding of and support for the MNO.
• Networking and developing relationships with government bodies, including agencies, boards and commissions, in order to advance MNO priorities.
• Overseeing and managing MNO’s intergovernmental initiatives, including relationships with provincial and federal Ministries in relation to Metis interests.
• Establishing and maintaining positive and productive working relationships on behalf of the MNO, at an officials’ level, with the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario, industry and other stakeholders.

Operations

• Ensuring that the MNO’s Statement of Prime Purpose is reflected in the goals and objectives of the Branch, in accordance with MNO policy, the strategic plan and Statement of Prime Purpose.
• Overseeing and managing the MNO’s Intergovernmental Relations Branch and related initiatives, including managing staff, external contractors or consultants.
• Developing, implementing and evaluating Branch procedures and policies and recommending, reviewing, evaluating and approving Branch documents, briefs and reports.
• Ensuring appropriate systems and procedures are followed in order to provide financial oversight and budgetary control.
• Establishing and maintaining positive and productive working relationships with other MNO units and branches. Working in collaboration with all MNO branches, MNO leadership, MNO citizens, and MNO contractors on related projects.
• Ensuring that all activities are conducted in accordance with established Metis Nation of Ontario Policies and Procedures and Contribution Agreements (CA).
• Ensuring deadlines are met and procedures are followed as outlined by funders and/or MNO.
• Act as an advocate on behalf of MNO when directed.
• Attend and participate in Annual General Assembly (MNO Policy 2.120).

Leadership

• Providing direction for the selection, training, development and evaluation of professional, office support and operational staff.
• Contributing to a culture of quality and service for Branch services by prioritizing and allocating available resources and reviewing and evaluating program and service delivery.
• Monitoring the day-to-day operations to ensure the Branch is meeting goals and objectives, following policies and procedures, and providing services effectively and efficiently.
• Taking corrective action as appropriate, and making recommendations for improvement to ensure effective service delivery.

Advisory

• Advising senior management on reporting to funders, and promoting accountability and transparency in the design, monitoring and evaluation of projects.
• Serving as the principal staff advisor in Government Relations to provide strategic advice, policy questions, and regular updates and briefings to the COO, President/CEO, CSO and PCMNO with respect to the Intergovernmental Relations Branch and intergovernmental matters affecting MNO.
• Representing the MNO or act as a liaison as necessary in meetings with government, industry and other stakeholders.
• Serving on the management team and attend meetings and conferences ensuring Branch needs and concerns are represented.
• Participating in strategic planning for the MNO.
• Promotes the values of the organization within the workplace and in the community by demonstrating positive and professional relationships with others (employees, citizens, council volunteers, advocates, etc.)
• Reports all unsafe conditions, hazards or practices, accidents and incidents in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and adheres to all Health and Safety requirements within the MNO’s policies and procedures and provincial legislation.
• Performs other job/branch-related duties as required.

Qualifications

• 5 to 7 years of experience working or interacting with federal, provincial municipal and Indigenous governments.
• 3-5 years of senior management experience
• Masters Degree OR University Degree + Professional Designation in Political Science, Law, Public Administration or another relevant program
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing strategic approaches within organizations through effective policy development, collaboration and working in partnership with government and other stakeholders.
• A demonstrated ability to manage staff and work collaboratively using a team-based approach.
• Demonstrated ability to adhere to MNO Policies and Procedures and MNO’s Financial Policies and Procedures and uphold MNO’s Standards of Professional Conduct.
• Demonstrated ability to adhere to all relevant employment related legislation, including privacy laws, and respect confidential information.
• Strong, effective management and organizational skills, and demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced multi-issue environment, serving a wide range of varied internal and external interests.
• Strong interpersonal skills in order to liaise with MNO leadership and management, government partners and other internal and external stakeholders.
• A solid understanding of government processes and protocol.
• Significant skill and experience speaking to a variety of audiences.
• Knowledge of the Ontario Employment Standards Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Worker’s Safety and Insurance Board, Ontario Human Rights Code, Canadian Human Rights Act, and other legislative requirements.
• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours (including weekends as required) and travel throughout Ontario.
• A high degree of digital literacy, including demonstrated knowledge of MS Office software including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.

AODA Statement

The Metis Nation of Ontario commits to providing accommodation as required by the Ontario Human Rights Act, unless to do so would cause undue hardship. Accommodations will be provided in accordance with the principles of dignity, individualization, and inclusion. The Metis Nation of Ontario will work cooperatively and in the spirit of respect with all partners in the accommodation process. These accommodations will extend to all aspects of the employment relationship including recruitment and selection.

Please email human resources if you require an accommodation during the hiring process.

Special Services Organization

The Metis Nation of Ontario is a special services organization. All applicants are encouraged to apply. Preference may be given to qualified applicants who meet the requirements for MNO Citizenship as per the MNO Bylaws and who are in good standing.

The Metis Nation of Ontario uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help in the screening and assessing of applicants within our Applicants Tracking System (ATS).

003 – Director of Intergovernmental Relations | Dayforce Jobs