Indigenous Initiatives Manager

The University of British Columbia; Kelowna; On-site; CAD 86,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

UBC Okanagan seeks an Indigenous Initiatives Manager to lead planning, development, and management of Indigenous initiatives, aligning with Truth and Reconciliation commitments and Indigenous strategic priorities. You will collaborate with faculties, units, and external partners to advance student success and community engagement.

You will mentor staff, oversee program delivery, and supervise the Indigenous Initiatives Coordinator and related roles, while navigating a demanding environment with

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
• Minimum of four to five years of related experience.
• Masters preferred.
• Must have excellent leadership, interpersonal and written and oral communications skills.
• Must be able to travel within British Columbia, and to other national, and international locations.

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership in the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Indigenous strategic initiatives.
• Leads cross-functional project teams to support Indigenous student development and success.
• Manages financial and operational planning for Indigenous student development and community outreach.
• Represents Indigenous Programs and Services on university-wide committees.

Skills

Leadership

Interpersonal

Public speaking

Written and oral

Education

Undergraduate degree

Masters preferred

Job description

Job Profile

AAPS Salaried - Student Management, Level C

Staff - Non Union

Job Category

M&P - AAPS

Job Profile

AAPS Salaried - Student Management, Level C

Job Title

Indigenous Initiatives Manager

Department

UBCO | Program Leadership | Indigenous Programs and Services

Compensation Range

$7,727.33 - $11,112.00 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date

September 3, 2026

Note

Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

This position is subject to the satisfactory completion of required background checks

Job End Date

Ongoing

This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

Under the guidance of the Sr Advisor on Indigenous Affairs, this position provides leadership in the planning, development, and management of Indigenous initiatives. It is responsible for the development and implementation of innovative, responsive, and professional services that support Indigenous initiatives at UBC Okanagan. The role collaborates with faculties and units in advancing the campus’ Truth and Reconciliation Commitments and Indigenous Strategic priorities along with Indigenous community partners and various external agencies on behalf of various Indigenous initiatives. Additionally, this position provides oversight and mentorship to the Indigenous Initiatives Coordinator, Indigenous Student Development Coordinator and Indigenous youth and student engagement Coordinator. This position is situated in a demanding environment which required the highest level of tact, discretion and sensitivity with a particular focus on Indigenous community engagement.

Organizational Status

This position reports directly to the Senior Advisor to the Deputy Vice Chancellor and Principal on Indigenous Affairs and works closely with senior leadership, faculty and student service units. It collaborates with the AVP Students portfolio, Enrolment Services, academic units and Indigenous community partners to develop and maintain a network of support for Indigenous students and Indigenous initiatives. The role maintains relationships with local, regional, national and international Indigenous educational institutes and government agencies and represents Indigenous student interests and Indigenous strategic initiatives within UBC’s institutional strategy and policy frameworks.

Work Performed

Strategic Leadership & Management

• Provides leadership in the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Indigenous strategic initiatives, Indigenous community engagement and Indigenous student development
• Leads cross-functional project teams to ensure an integrated and collaborative approach to Indigenous student development and success
• Develops and oversees strategic initiatives to foster Indigenous student retention, persistence and graduation outcomes
• Leads the development, implementation and evaluation of Indigenous-focused development models and service delivery frameworks
• Provides leadership in institutional strategies that support Indigenous student success
• Manages financial and operational planning for Indigenous student development and community outreach and engagement, ensuring efficiency and sustainability
• Engages in high-level decision making, representing Indigenous student interests in university-wide strategic planning

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Builds and maintains strategic relationships with Indigenous communities, faculty and university partners to foster Indigenous student success and advance Indigenous strategic initiatives
• Represents Indigenous Programs and Services on university-wide committees
• Engages with external organizations, Indigenous governments, and education groups to enhance institutional partnerships
• Advises senior leadership on policies and initiatives affecting Indigenous strategic initiatives

Assessment & Continuous Improvement

• Establishes and maintains performance metrics for Indigenous strategic initiatives
• Conducts research and prepares reports to inform program development and strategic decision-making
• Ensures continuous improvement of student development and community outreach programming through participation in professional development, conferences, and organizations.
• Evaluates and refines program delivery to ensure effectiveness and impact.

Compliance & Policy Development

• Ensures compliance with institutional policies, government regulations, and Indigenous governance protocols.
• Advises on the development of university-wide policies related to Indigenous strategic initiatives
• Aligns student development practices with national and international standards for Indigenous student support

Performs other related duties in keeping with the qualifications and requirements of the role.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

This position’s decisions on planning, policy, programs, and budgeting align with Indigenous mandate and comply with university policies and government regulations. Poor judgement can compromise IPS’s objectives, damage relationships with Indigenous communities, and hinder UBC’s progress on Truth and Reconciliation commitments and Indigenous Strategic Plan. Misinterpretation of policies may impact student success, service quality, and the university’s reputation, affecting recruitment and retention. Injudicious actions can strain partnerships, requiring years to repair. The role demands sound judgement under tight timeframes, with errors potentially leading to financial, operational, and reputational consequences for Indigenous and the university.

Supervision Received

The role reports to the Senior Advisor to the Deputy Vice Chancellor and Principal on Indigenous Affairs and works in collaboration with the Sr. Advisor and independently to meet the Office of Indigenous Affairs mandate and objectives and the objectives outlined in the University’s Commitments to Truth and Reconciliation and Indigenous Strategic Plan.

Supervision Given

Directly manages and supervises Indigenous Initiatives Coordinator, Indigenous Student Development Coordinator and Indigenous Youth and Student Engagement Coordinator. Provides mentorship, training, and performance evaluation to staff, ensuring professional growth and service excellence.

Minimum Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.
• Minimum of four to five years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters preferred
• Experience working with Indigenous people/organizations and in post-secondary education
• Extensive knowledge of educational systems and circumstances affecting Indigenous people within them
• Demonstrated administrative and supervisory experience
• Experience in working in strategic planning, and experience and knowledge of university governance, structures, policies and procedures, academic programs and student services is essential, as is experience in planning and facilitating meetings, workshops, conferences and similar events
• Must have a deep understanding of Indigenous experiences, particularly as they relate to post-secondary education, and an appreciation of the complexity and range of Indigenous
• undefined
• Must have a strong commitment to advancing the educational aspirations of Indigenous peoples
• Must have excellent leadership, interpersonal and written and oral communications skills, including public speaking
• Strong organizational, administrative, and supervisory capabilities, as well as effective problem-solving and analytical abilities are required
• Knowledge of financial structures and management required
• Must be able to take initiative and exercise judgement, and work positively and effectively under pressure to manage multiple priorities
• Must be able to work both independently and in a team situation
• Though not frequently required, must be able to travel within British Columbia, and to other national, and international locations and to work at times in evenings and on weekends