Manager, Indigenous Relations

City of Richmond BC; Richmond; On-site; CAD 109,000 - 137,000; Full time

Job summary

A municipal government in Richmond is seeking a Manager of Indigenous Relations to develop and implement strategies for engagement with Indigenous communities. The ideal candidate has strong leadership skills and at least 3 years of experience in a related role, preferably in Indigenous Studies. Responsibilities include building partnerships, providing research and analysis, and guiding engagement initiatives focused on reconciliation. Competitive salary and full-time benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of related experience in leadership roles.
• Experience working with Indigenous communities in British Columbia.
• Knowledge of community engagement strategies and tactics.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement Indigenous Relations strategies for the City.
• Build and maintain relationships with Indigenous Nations and organizations.
• Provide research, analysis, reports and presentations on Indigenous Relations.

Skills

Leadership

Indigenous community engagement

Public speaking

Negotiation

Cultural understanding

Education

University degree in Indigenous Studies or comparable field

Job description

Manager, Indigenous Relations

The City of Richmond is committed to be the most appealing, livable, well-managed community in Canada, a vision that is only made possible by developing our most valuable asset – our people. This is a great opportunity to join our team and shape our community. The City of Richmond offers competitive pay programs, comprehensive benefits and attractive incentives. If you are looking to make a difference, and to share our vision, then please apply.

This is a great opportunity to join the City of Richmond as the Manager, Indigenous Relations and be a leader in providing input to and implementing the overall Indigenous Relations strategy for the City. The Manager works with people from a range of backgrounds, including staff representatives from Indigenous Nations and Indigenous organizations as well as City staff to advance Indigenous Relations initiatives, including but not exclusive to policies, programs, training, events, and communications. This will also entail the development of resources to support the City’s efforts of listening, learning and advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.

Key Accountabilities

• Identifies, builds and maintains trusting strategic relationships by working directly with Councils and staff from Indigenous Nations and Indigenous organizations finding common goals and opportunities, and fostering a clear understanding of the City.
• Creates Indigenous Relations strategies/action plan for the City which will guide the organization to support such directives as work on Truth and Reconciliation and UNDRIP.
• Builds strong working relationships with staff from departments across the enterprise to assist in the development and implementation of Indigenous Relations projects and initiatives.
• Develops procedures and resources to help guide the City’s engagement activities that promote cultural knowledge and safe and respectful cross-cultural interactions.
• Identifies activities where Indigenous engagement and consultation should occur and provide advice on consultation activities.
• Organizes, attends and leads meetings to represent the City to discuss matters related to regulatory processes, consultation and engagement, and community interests with respect to Indigenous relations.
• Participates in engagement meetings and internal meetings to provide support with Indigenous Nations’ leadership, staff and community members, including engagement plans, presentations, action items, and reporting.
• Provides research, analysis, reports and presentations to the Senior Management Team, Mayor and Council and Committees regarding Indigenous Relations issues, interests, projects, and policies.
• Delivers expert understanding of relevant protocols, procedures, principles and considerations for engaging with Indigenous partners.
• Follows emerging promising practices around Indigenous engagement that can be incorporated into the City of Richmond’s work.
• Works closely with senior levels of government, partners and community stakeholders to ensure efforts are coordinated.
• Participates, as needed, in relationship-building opportunities, including conferences, boards, and other meaningful prospects.

Qualifications

• An established leader with 3 or more years related experience supplemented by a university degree in Indigenous Studies or comparable field (preferred but not mandatory).
• Passion and commitment to work towards building longstanding relationships.
• Experience working with Indigenous communities in British Columbia.
• Can navigate through complex political situations effectively and tactfully while being sensitive to how people, organizations, and culture’s function.
• Indigenous cultural safety training or equivalent lived experience. Trauma informed practice education or experience would be an asset.
• Lived experience within the dynamics of building relationships and reconciliation between communities.
• Knowledge of community engagement strategies, approaches and tactics.
• Superior business writing and oral communication skills along with well-developed public speaking skills.

If this opportunity is of interest to you, apply today. Interviews are expected to begin after September 22, 2025 with the posting remaining open until filled.

Additional Information:

• Employee Group: Exempt
• Position Status: Regular Full-Time
• Duration of Appointment: Regular
• Salary Range: $109,182 to 136,478
• Hours of Work: 8:15 am to 5:00 pm working a compressed work week
• Application Posted: 9/3/25
• External Closing Date:
• PCC#: 1589