Indigenous Relations Liaison

Valard Construction; Unorganized Kenora District; On-site; CAD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

RRSP matching program

Competitive benefits

Travel to remote communities

Job summary

Valard Construction is seeking an Indigenous Relations Liaison to support the Northeast Powerline and Northshore Link projects in Northern Ontario. You will work closely with Indigenous communities and internal teams to implement engagement plans and maximize participation and opportunities.

We value relationship-building, cultural awareness, and proven experience in environmental stewardship and Indigenous procurement.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in business administration, communications, Indigenous studies, public relations, or a related field.
• 5 years of related experience in Indigenous relations, community engagement, stakeholder relations, or similar role.
• Proven ability to work independently while coordinating with a broader project team.
• Strong understanding of Indigenous community and cultural considerations, including protocols and trust-building.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Power BI with strong computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Support Indigenous engagement objectives, workforce participation, community communications, and business opportunities.
• Build and maintain respectful relationships with Indigenous communities, leadership and stakeholders.
• Identify and escalate issues, risks, or concerns with project leadership and internal teams.
• Monitor local social, political, and economic factors affecting engagement approaches.
• Prepare community communications, lookahead schedules, and construction progress notices.
• Develop community materials for leadership and other stakeholders.
• Produce regular reporting on hiring, workforce hours, spend, and procurement.
• Record and track communications, engagements, commitments and issues per project requirements.
• Coordinate community events, open houses, career fairs, and other engagement activities.
• Assist in workforce communications and address employee/community concerns related to project employment.

Skills

Relationship building

Environmental stewardship

Cultural awareness

Training & employment

Indigenous procurement

Education

Post-secondary education in business administration, communications, Indigenous studies, public relations, or related field

Tools

Power BI

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

Job description

Our Indigenous Relations team is currently looking to add an Indigenous Relations Liaison to support the Northeast Powerline and Northshore Link projects in Northern Ontario. Reporting to the Vice President, Indigenous Partnerships and Commercial Strategy, this is a key position that will work directly with the partnering Indigenous communities and help Valard deliver on their commitments. It will be embedded in the project team and facilitate the implementation of its Indigenous engagement and participation plan for the projects.

We are seeking a trusted advisor who has proven experience with relationship building, environmental stewardship, cultural competency and awareness, training and employment and Indigenous procurement. Our focus is on building and maintaining respectful, collaborative relationships with Indigenous communities, leadership, and key partners throughout the project area.

Please Note: This position will involve frequent travel to Indigenous communities, including remote locations.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Work closely with Valard's Indigenous Relations team, Project Management Team (PMT), Employee Services and Procurement to support Indigenous engagement objectives, workforce participation, community communications, and business opportunities
• Build and maintain strong, respectful relationships with Indigenous communities, leadership, and stakeholders, ensuring meaningful engagement through feedback and ongoing communication
• Identify, elevate, and support the resolution of issues, risks, or community concerns, collaborating with project leadership and internal teams as required
• Maintain awareness of local and regional social, political, and economic considerations affecting the project and engagement approach
• Prepare and distribute community communications and notifications, project milestone updates / lookahead schedules (as appropriate), and construction progress notices
• Develop project information packages and community-facing materials for leadership, members, businesses, and other stakeholders
• Produce regular reporting including tracking and summarizing hiring, workforce hours, spend, and procurement
• Ensure all communications, engagement activities, commitments, and issues are recorded and tracked per project requirements
• Coordinate and participate in community events, open houses, career fairs, and other engagement activities to strengthen relationships and support workforce and business objectives
• Support workforce communications and respond to employee or community concerns related to project employment and engagement
• Assist in developing engagement plans and supporting achievable Indigenous participation targets
• Represent Valard professionally in community settings and on project-related matters

Candidate Profile

• Post‑secondary education in business administration, communications, Indigenous studies, public relations, or a related field is preferred; equivalent experience will also be considered
• 5 years of related experience in Indigenous relations, community engagement, stakeholder relations, or similar role
• Proven ability to work independently while coordinating effectively with a broader project team
• Strong understanding of Indigenous community and cultural considerations, including the importance of protocols and trust‑building
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and Power BI, with strong general computer skills

Preferred Skills / Qualifications

• Experience in construction, energy, utilities, infrastructure, or linear projects

Salary & Benefits

This position offers a base salary range of $85,000 - $110,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications. We offer a comprehensive and competitive total rewards package that incorporates a complete range of employee benefits, including a 5% RRSP matching program, to ensure you have the tools necessary to manage, maintain, and improve your health and wellbeing.

• Depending on qualifications, the successful candidate may be offered a position at a more appropriate level.
• Applicants must have legal authorization to work in Canada with no restrictions.
• Valard Construction is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, without regard to race, religion, age, sex, color, national origin, sexual ori

About our Business: Valard Construction is Canada's premier utility contractor providing comprehensive EPC+ (engineering, procurement, construction) and maintenance services to utilities, independent power producers, mining, oil and gas industries and rural electric associations. We have the capabilities, knowledge, and resources to take on any project, any size, any complexity, anywhere. We are also part of Quanta Services, the largest electrical power contractor in North America.

Valard Construction is an equal opportunity employer.

Learn more Visit us at www.valard.com and connect with us on our social media channels for our latest news, employee stories, community activities, and other updates.