Director, Indigenous Engagement

University of Saskatchewan; Saskatoon; On-site; CAD 87,000 - 146,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution is seeking a Director of Indigenous Engagement to support the Office of Indigenous Engagement. The role involves providing strategic leadership, aligning Indigenous engagement initiatives across the university, and building productive relationships with diverse stakeholders. Candidates should have a Master's degree, a minimum of five years of relevant experience, and strong communication skills. This position emphasizes diversity and inclusion, particularly focusing on Indigenous communities. Candidates will undergo a verification process for Indigenous membership/citizenship.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years related work experience, preferably in direct association with Indigenous education.
• Experience supporting senior level administrators in a university setting.
• Knowledge of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples.

Responsibilities

• Support the Vice-Provost in operationalizing the mandate of the Office of Indigenous Engagement.
• Provide leadership and coordination to the team.
• Engage with external Indigenous communities and stakeholders.

Skills

Excellent communication

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Strategic thinking

Ability to work with diverse stakeholders

Problem-solving skills

Education

Master’s degree or other advanced education

Tools

Microsoft Office Professional (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)

Job description

Director, Indigenous Engagement

The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous Peoples to reflect the community we serve. We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships.

Only Indigenous candidates will be considered for this position. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship with documentation is a condition of employment and a requirement to hold this position and the successful candidate must maintain those conditions throughout their employment.

Primary Purpose

To support the Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement in operationalizing the mandate of the Office of the Vice-Provost Indigenous Engagement (OVPIE). The Director provides leadership and coordination to the OVPIE team to align with and deliver on the mandate of the office. The Director guides initiatives that enact ohpahotân | oohpaahotaan, the Indigenous Strategy in collaboration with various stakeholders across the institution and direct reports.

In addition to the Director’s responsibilities, this position may be responsible for providing leadership in the absence and direction of the Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement, and represent the unit as the designate of the Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement.

Nature of Work

Reporting to the Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement, this position will support the initiatives within the portfolio, as well as institutionally. The position will serve as a confidential advisor and support to the Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement, senior leadership, deans and administrative unit leaders in support of Indigenous engagement. The Director will work collaboratively with other senior leaders, colleges and units to advance ohpahotân | oohpaahotaan and Indigenization and reconciliation on campus. Projects and initiatives will be delegated by the Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement and are typically cross-functional and prominent with broad impact across the unit and the university. The work is unstructured and priorities may shift based on environmental considerations. The Director must be able to negotiate boundaries and manage projects to positive outcomes. The position requires a proactive and creative approach in a complex, academic environment. The Director frequently serves as the representative in various university forums.

Accountabilities

Strategic Planning

• Assist the Vice-Provost Indigenous Engagement in strengthening and aligning Indigenization and ohpahotân | oohpaahotaan, the Indigenous Strategy within the post-secondary context;
• Engage with external Indigenous communities and stakeholders to support the University Plan, Indigenous Strategy, and supporting Indigenous supports;
• Work with senior leaders, including Deans and college leadership, and administrative unit leadership in development of their people plan to integrate Indigenous engagement and recruitment into the respective college or unit’s people strategy;
• Work with institutional senior leadership, including the Provost’s office, Deans and administrative unit leadership, on identifying people opportunities for greater Indigenous engagement in faculty and staff positions and increased employment engagement and partnership opportunities;
• Provide leadership in building strategies to facilitate the work of colleges, schools, and administrative units with respect to the development of academic policies, curriculum and support programming;
• Support the achievement of strategic priorities, annual goals and integrated planning, both internally and in collaboration with external partners;
• Assist the vice-provost in identifying, adopting, implementing and monitoring best/wise practices in Indigenous policies, programming, strategies, initiatives, and projects;
• Because of the work with internal Indigenous stakeholders, Indigenous communities and external partners, engage in active learning of Indigenous cultures, histories, current realities, and challenges (e.g., socio-economic, political and educational);
• Assist the vice-provost in renewing and implementing the foundational document on Indigenous initiatives;

Operational

• Provide value-added strategic planning, policy and project advice to the development and implementation of the Office of the Vice-Provost Indigenous Engagement’s projects and initiatives;
• Lead the develop and management of programs and initiatives related to the goals of OVPIE;
• Planning, creating and implementing policies and practices related to the work of OVPIE;
• Responsible for providing strategic guidance and ensuring alignment with the office’s and university’s overall goals and vision.

People Resources

• Aligns direct reports with the vision and strategic directions of the university and the unit;
• Creates a positive, diverse, and inclusive work and learning environment;
• Demonstrates awareness of and alignment with the values of the university and OVPIE;
• Holds people accountable for high standards of performance and outcomes.

Risk Management

• Creates accountability and transparency of activities and outcomes;
• Complies with University policies and practices, provincial and federal regulations;
• Monitors legislation and evolving issues and realigns activities to address emerging changes;
• Incorporates the identification, assessment, and management of risks into the planning processes;
• Adheres to high standards with respect to health, safety, and culture.

Financial Resources

• Ensures processes and systems are financially sustainable in the long-term; supports the OVPIE financial systems.

Qualifications

Education: Master’s degree or other advanced education is required. Minimum of five years related work experience, preferably in direct association with Indigenous education, post-secondary, and programs.

Experience: A minimum of five years progressively responsible experience providing support to senior level administrators (preferably in a University or post-secondary setting) including administrative, project management, policy development, strategic planning, financial and communication support. The ability to work effectively and discretely with confidential and sensitive information is essential. A high degree of understanding of the university’s environment, policies, and procedures would be considered an asset. Experience in a supervisory role.

Knowledge of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples – histories and current contexts, cultures, protocols and perspectives. Experience in establishing productive working relationships with diverse stakeholders, particularly Indigenous peoples, communities, and organizations. Knowledge of Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and their relevance to educational/schooling institutions, particularly post-secondary educational contexts.

Skills: Excellent communication – written and verbal, organizational, interpersonal and relationship skills are required, including the ability to interact in a courteous, confidential, and professional manner with internal stakeholders and external partners using tact, discretion, cultural sensitivity. Excellent time management skills; strategic thinking; sound judgment and decision-making skills. The ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide variety of individuals, including academic leaders and senior administrators, within and beyond the Office of the Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement; to make discretionary decisions, while determining the appropriate approach or procedure is essential. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with people of diverse backgrounds and expertise, particularly Indigenous groups.

This position requires versatility and ability to multitask effectively while paying close attention to detail and maintaining accuracy and the ability to effectively prioritize and manage multiple projects with competing demands in order to meet deadlines. Must be highly motivated and self-directed and possess high standards of professional integrity and judgment, the ability to maintain confidentiality, and handle sensitive matters diplomatically and discretely. The position will be required to, at times, work non-standard work hours in support of activities, events, engagements, meetings, etc.

• Demonstrated exceptional relationship building skills;
• Proven integrity, ethics diplomacy, and tact;
• Possess positive, well established relationships with Indigenous communities, leaders, Elders, and Cultural Knowledge Keepers;
• Excellent organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills with a keen attention to detail;
• Ability to manage and prioritize several projects simultaneously with the proven ability to meet deadlines and take on challenges;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Resourcefulness and affinity for strong and effective partnerships;
• Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets and databases, including a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Professional (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint);
• Basic understanding of an Indigenous language would be considered an asset;
• Demonstrated excellence in facilitation skills and public speaking;
• Ability to act decisively and to exercise a high degree of diplomacy, confidentiality, initiative and judgment;
• Ability to oversee initiatives from development to implementation;
• Strong judgment and initiative, tact and diplomacy in dealing with the frequent interactions with staff, instructors, university departments and external organizations.

Department: Vice-Provost Indigenous Engagement

Status: Permanent

Employment Group: ASPA

Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0

Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $87,266.00 - 145,353.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.

Salary Phase/Band: Phase 3

Posted Date: 12/5/2025

Closing Date: 12/11/2025

Number of Openings: 1

Work Location: On Campus

The University of Saskatchewan aspires to be what the world needs and embraces equity, diversity and inclusion as foundational to excellence and innovation. We actively seek to create a welcoming environment where all individuals feel empowered to thrive, contribute, and grow. Applications from equity-deserving groups are encouraged as part of our ongoing efforts to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve: EDI Framework for Action.

We continue to grow our partnerships with Indigenous communities across the province, nationally, and internationally and value the unique perspective that Indigenous employees provide to strengthen these relationships. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policy and the Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Successful candidates that assert Indigenous membership/citizenship will be asked to complete the verification process of Indigenous membership/citizenship with documentation.

The University of Saskatchewan provides an accessible and inclusive workplace. Should you require support through any stage of the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources for assistance.