Indigenous Student Success Strategy Implementation Advisor (Contract)

Conestoga College; Kitchener; Hybrid; CAD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Conestoga College is seeking an Indigenous Student Success Strategy Implementation Advisor who will lead the initial rollout of the strategy. The role reports to the Vice President Students and Registrars Office and collaborates with Indigenous students, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and partners to ensure Indigenous voices shape implementation.

The position requires Ontario work with a hybrid model: two days on-site at Doon campus in Kitchener and three days remote.

Qualifications

• A four-year degree is required.
• Demonstrated competencies in traditional Indigenous knowledge are honoured and valued.
• Seven years of experience leading strategic initiatives, organizational change projects, Indigenous engagement activities, and partnership development.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of the Indigenous Student Success Strategy and coordinate across the institution.
• Develop a multi-year implementation roadmap with priorities, timelines, and resources.
• Establish governance structures, processes, and reporting cadences.
• Monitor progress, identify barriers, and escalate risks to leadership.
• Support budget, staffing, and resource planning with college leadership.

Skills

Relationship-building

Strategic leadership

Indigenous engagement

Project management

Organizational change

Facilitation

Consensus-building

Governance

Policy development

Research and analysis

Communication and presentation

Capacity planning

Organizational assessment

Post-secondary experience

Education

Four-year degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Data visualization tools

Job description

Position Summary

Temporary full-time Administrative, new contract position (Nov 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027)

Grounded in the principles of respect, reciprocity, accountability, and reconciliation, the Indigenous Student Success Strategy Implementation Advisor provides Indigenous-informed leadership and institution-wide coordination to implement Conestoga's Indigenous Student Success Strategy.

The Advisor reports to the Vice President Students and Registrars Office and works collaboratively with Indigenous students, employees, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, community partners, the Indigenous Education Council, and College leadership to develop and oversee the initial stages of implementation. The role ensures Indigenous voices, knowledge systems, and lived experiences guide the advancement of Indigenous student success, reconciliation, Indigenous education, and community partnerships. The position establishes implementation structures, accountability mechanisms, resource recommendations, and sustainability plans to support the long‑term success of the strategy.

Successful candidates will be required to conduct work within Ontario and must be available to work on campus as required. It is anticipated that this position will meet the needs of the department through a hybrid work arrangement, with two days on‑site at the Doon campus located at 299 Doon Valley Drive in Kitchener, and three days remote.

Responsibilities

Strategy implementation and project leadership

• Lead the implementation of Conestoga's Indigenous Student Success Strategy and provide institution-wide coordination to advance strategy priorities
• Finalize the Indigenous Student Success Strategy document through collaboration with the Indigenous Education Council, Indigenous students, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, community partners, and College leadership
• Develop a comprehensive multi-year implementation roadmap that identifies priorities, timelines, dependencies, resource requirements, risks, and accountabilities
• Establish governance structures, implementation processes, reporting schedules, and accountability mechanisms
• Monitor progress and identify barriers, risks, and opportunities requiring leadership attention

Organizational assessment and resource planning

• Assess institutional readiness and identify organizational requirements necessary to sustain implementation of the strategy
• Conduct a comprehensive review of current Indigenous-focused programs, services, initiatives, partnerships, policies, staffing structures, and institutional commitments
• Identify service, policy, governance, and resource gaps that may impede implementation
• Develop recommendations to strengthen organizational readiness and long‑term sustainability
• Support budget, staffing, and resource planning discussions with college leadership

Stakeholder, Community, and Partnership Engagement

• Lead meaningful consultation and relationship‑building activities to ensure Indigenous voices and perspectives guide implementation
• Develop and implement an Indigenous Education Council‑informed engagement and validation plan
• Build relationships with Indigenous communities, organizations, Nations, and educational partners
• Identify and support new partnership opportunities that advance Indigenous student success and reconciliation goals

Measurement, reporting, accountability and sustainability planning

• Develop mechanisms that support accountability, measure implementation progress, and ensure long‑term sustainability of the strategy
• Integrate Indigenous-informed approaches to assessment that balance quantitative and qualitative measures of success
• Support Indigenous data governance principles and accountability practices
• Design reporting tools and dashboards that align with institutional planning processes
• Prepare regular reports for senior leadership, the Indigenous Education Council, and the Board of Governors
• Create a transition and continuity plan to support implementation beyond the contract period

Qualifications

• A four‑year degree is required
• The successful candidate will be First Nations, Inuit or Métis with lived experience of Indigenous world views, cultures, and values with strong ties and active connections to their communities
• Demonstrated competencies in traditional Indigenous knowledge are honoured and valued, and will contribute to meeting the preferred credential requirements
• Minimum seven years of experience leading strategic initiatives, organizational change projects, Indigenous engagement activities, and partnership development; experience within post‑secondary education, public sector, or similarly complex organizations is preferred
• Strong relationship‑building and engagement skills with Indigenous communities, Nations, organizations, and partners
• Knowledge of project management and organizational change principles and practices
• Proven facilitation and consensus‑building skills with diverse stakeholder groups
• Ability to conduct organizational assessments and support capacity planning efforts
• Knowledge of governance frameworks, policy development, and accountability structures
• Strong research, analytical, and report‑writing skills
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and reporting, dashboard, and data visualization tools

Applicants are encouraged to share relevant information about their identity, community connections, and/or their lived and learned experience of Indigenous worldviews, cultures, and values in their cover letter.

Conestoga College acknowledges that Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Brantford are located on the Haldimand Tract, the land promised to the Haudenosaunee people of Six Nations, which includes six miles on either side of the Grand River. This is the traditional territory of the Anishnawbe, Haudenosaunee, and Neutral peoples. To recognize the land is an expression of gratitude and appreciation to those whose territory we reside on, and a way of honouring the Indigenous people who have been living and working on the land for thousands of years.