Manager Indigenous Relations

RiseMe; Airdrie; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

FortisAlberta is seeking a Manager Indigenous Relations in Alberta to lead engagement with Indigenous communities, REAs, and government agencies. You will develop consultation plans, build long-term relationships, and identify business opportunities while advising senior leadership on policy and regulatory matters.

The role requires strong leadership, strategic thinking, and superb communication with internal teams and external stakeholders, including provincial and federal agencies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or diploma with 10+ years in the utility sector or equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years in a leadership role; 7 years in customer service are assets.
• Indigenous relations experience is an asset; knowledge of regulatory issues is desired.
• Experience with SAP or CRM is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead Indigenous engagement and consultation plans with communities and agencies.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with Indigenous stakeholders and government bodies.
• Provide leadership to the Indigenous Relations team and advise senior management.
• Identify opportunities for partnerships and business development within Indigenous communities.
• Collaborate with Legal and Internal Stakeholders on contracts and compliance.

Skills

Indigenous relations

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Leadership

Project management

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Indigenous Studies, Indigenous Relations, Business, Marketing, Economics, Communications, Engineering, Environment (10+ years experience)

Tools

SAP

CRM

Job description

ABOUT US At FortisAlberta we invest in our greatest resource – our people. As Alberta’s largest electricity distribution provider, we are positioned for growth. Each day, FortisAlberta employees strive to exceed customer expectations while maintaining a focus on our commitment to safety.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

October 13, 2026

REPORTS TO:

[[managerTitle]]

TITLE:

Manager Indigenous Relations (E26-176)

DEPARTMENT:

Customer Service

WORK LOCATION/OFFICE:

Airdrie Kingsview

STATUS:

01 Full Time - Salaried

NUMBER OF HIRES:

1

DESCRIPTION:

Reporting to the Director Stakeholder & Government Affairs, the Manager Indigenous Relations will serve as the main point of contact for Indigenous Communities and customers, Indigenous owned Rural Electrification Associations (REAs), and government agencies at provincial and federal levels. This includes the 20 First Nations and two Métis Settlement lands and traditional territories on which we operate. This role is responsible for building meaningful long-term relationships, identifying business process improvements, and developing proactive engagement and consultation plans. The Manager Indigenous Relations is responsible for handling contract negotiations, developing new business opportunities, building and enhancing Indigenous awareness and training programs both internally and externally, identifying Indigenous employment opportunities, and being a trusted advisor to our senior leadership team.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE (but not limited to):

Leadership:

• Lead, manage, coach, and motivate employees; this includes providing direction, expertise and advice to employees, identifying employee training requirements, and formally managing the performance of employees.
• Work closely with Human Resources to manage all elements of employee relations, including hiring, terminations, training, performance appraisals for the employee file, administering progressive discipline, and resolving labour relations issues and/or grievances.

Management of Indigenous Relations:

• Provide leadership and direction within the Indigenous Relations team and strategic advice to senior management regarding Indigenous engagement, consultation, and economic reconciliation.
• Build and maintain trusting and strategic relationships with Indigenous stakeholders and communities in the FortisAlberta service territory. This would include strategic organizations like Electricity Canada, Indigenous Services Canada and other Indigenous committees.
• Act as an important and trusted contact for Indigenous Chief and Band Council regarding business opportunities, business processes and practices.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the organization on all matters related to Indigenous Relations; includes managing and meeting their expectations and requirements while promoting FortisAlberta’s values such as Safety, Integrity, Respect, Excellence, and Service.
• Lead the development of strategic Indigenous engagement and consultation plans to support long term relationship building with Indigenous communities, including business development opportunities.
• Liaise with internal departments; this includes determining appropriate consultation requirements and business solutions based on company and stakeholder priorities, risks, and costs.
• Identify opportunities for improved customer satisfaction, opportunities for partnerships, and support the commitment made within FortisAlberta’s Indigenous Commitment Statement.
• Provide support to Indigenous customers with regards to new and upgraded electric services, service connections/disconnections, and general customer account management.
• Liaise with the legal department to provide support on contract creation and administration as they apply to external stakeholders; this includes managing confidential internal and external information on behalf of the corporation and the key stakeholder groups.
• Keep current of national, regional, and local Indigenous topics and policies affecting FortisAlberta's operations; this includes providing feedback to senior management on significant public policy that may affect company policy and/or regulations.
• Lead the development and enhancement of FortisAlberta’s Indigenous awareness training and education opportunities for employees across the organization.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of the political process, particularly an understanding of the roles and decision-making processes of Band council and government agencies.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of regulations affecting the electricity distribution business.
• Create and deliver presentations to key stakeholders as required.
• Act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to provide support and feedback on a variety of issues pertaining to Indigenous customer and stakeholder relations.
• Represent FortisAlberta on committees or boards, special projects and business process teams as assigned.
• Purchase and distribute culturally appropriate gifts for traditional ceremonies.
• Ensure team members are supporting internal departments on approvals, access issues and adherence to existing agreements respecting traditional land access.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated knowledge of Indigenous customer needs.
• Proven ability to develop and successfully deploy proactive engagement strategies and plans.
• Technical knowledge of electricity distribution operations, construction and emerging technologies associated with the electricity distribution grid.
• Thorough understanding of various Acts governing the operation of an electrical utility as well as the Acts governing Indigenous communities.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders; this includes excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• Effective analytical and conflict resolution skills required to resolve issues, evaluate possible solutions, and gain consensus; this includes the ability to recognize opportunities for improvement and efficiency in processes and practices.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills in order to manage multiple priorities and a diverse portfolio of projects under tight timelines.
• Demonstrated presentation skills with the ability to create and deliver presentations and training programs tailored to various audience types.
• Proven ability to lead and work within a team environment; this includes providing insight and guidance to senior management as it pertains to political, regulatory and operational issues.
• Intermediate skills in MS Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree or diploma in one of the following areas: Indigenous Studies, Indigenous Relations, Business, Marketing, Economics, Communications, Engineering, Environment, and a minimum of 10 years of experience in the utility or oil and gas industry; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a leadership role is required.
• Minimum of 7 years of customer service experience would be an asset
• Minimum of 5 year of Indigenous relations experience would be an asset.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in an operations role with specific knowledge of all technical aspects of electrical distribution systems would be an asset
• Experience with SAP and CRM would be an asset.
• Robust knowledge of FortisAlberta’s core business and the electricity sector would be an asset.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

• A valid class 5 Alberta Driver’s License is required.
• Travel, evening work and participation at evening and weekend events is required.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those candidates to be considered for an interview will be contacted.