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Director, Indigenous Relations - City of Hamilton

Employer
Phelps
Location
Hamilton (City), Ontario (CA)
Salary
Above $100,000 per year
Closing date
Jun 24, 2023

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The City of Hamilton one of Canada’s largest cities – is home to a diverse and strong economy, an active and inclusive community, a robust cultural and dining scene, hundreds of kilometers of hiking trails and natural beauty just minutes from the downtown core, and so much more. Hamilton boasts a diverse team of talented and ambitious staff who embody its values f sensational service, courageous change, steadfast integrity, collective ownership and being engaged, empowered employees. You are invited to help the City #BeTheReason the entire country is talking about Hamilton, and to help the City achieve its vision of being the best place to raise a child and age successfully.

About the Role

Reporting to the General Manager, Healthy & Safe Communities, the Director, Indigenous Relations provides action oriented, strategic leadership and expert advice to advance the implementation of the City’s Urban Indigenous Strategy (UIS). The Director will provide oversight to the City’s Indigenous Relations Team and support leaders and staff from all City divisions and departments in making progress towards the goals of the UIS.  As an Indigenous individual and leading from personal and professional experience and expertise, the successful candidate will strengthen the City’s relationship with the Indigenous community including internal change initiatives and community priorities.

This mandate requires a highly strategic, long-term outlook, as well as highly developed relational skills that can be utilized within and across City government and broader Hamilton community. The director will have the ability to implement, develop, and drive immediate actions and represent the City in discussions with local First Nations and urban Indigenous community, Council and City staff across the corporation.

The Director will be responsible for providing recommendations to the council, Senior Leadership Team and Community advisory tables on strategies and implementation approaches with respect to reconciliation. You will evaluate and report on the City’s overall performance with respect to the goals of the UIS. As an experienced leader, you will provide leadership to a multi-disciplinary team that is responsible for the coordination of a broad range of activities and services pertaining to the UIS and Indigenous relations.

A relationship builder, the Director will leverage collaborative opportunities and develop networks with local Indigenous leaders, local Treaty Nations, other municipalities, business leaders, appropriate provincial and federal agencies, and leaders from community organizations. The Director will act as the City’s primary internal and external spokesperson with respect to Indigenous Relations related matters and support division leaders to identify and implement actions and opportunities that advance the goals of the UIS and strengthen Indigenous Relations within divisions and departments.

As a champion of Indigenous Relations and advancing the Urban Indigenous Strategy, you will be a catalyst for innovation and reconciliation across and within City divisions and among community stakeholders. You will identify opportunities to embed an Indigenous lens into City programs, policies, and processes. Action oriented, you will be a champion for the UIS and Indigenous relations within the City, where you will transition plans and strategies into concrete deliverables and tangible outcomes. Through your leadership, you will position Hamilton as a leader in innovative and action-oriented solutions to the Truth & Reconciliation Calls to Action and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Calls to Justice.

A team builder, the Director will lead an effective divisional management team by providing coaching, mentoring and advice to managers and supervisors and staff within the Indigenous Relations division to optimize performance. You will identify and manage human resources requirements necessary for division planning, measure staff performance and provide adequate training and career development.

Through adept stewardship, you will offer strategic advice and take part in various internal corporate committees to ensure Indigenous Relations considerations are embedded within the City’s decision-making framework at all levels. As a member of the Departmental Leadership Team within the Healthy & Safe Communities Department, you will provide cost-effective delivery of services and provide regular tracking and reporting on spending, contributions, investments, and budgets. In accordance with applicable City, Provincial or Federal guidelines, Indigenous relations actions will be provided in the most effective and efficient manner consistent with the City’s core values. The Director will also develop annual and multi-year implementation workplans for the UIS and contribute to the advancement of Indigenous relations by serving on committees and planning bodies and advise government officials.

Leveraging your senior level experience, the Director will ensure that all staff are provided with and use the appropriate equipment, material and/or procedures required to perform assigned duties. All work will be conducted in accordance with applicable Health and Safety legislation and all City of Hamilton corporate and departmental policies and procedures. You will recommend appropriate action for any employees who do not work in compliance with applicable legislation, policies, and procedures. A skilled mediator, you support the department with negotiations on the retainment of external consultants and/or the purchase of research support as required for specific projects.

About the Candidate

As the ideal candidate, you are Indigenous and will hold a post-secondary degree in municipal administration, health, human or social services, planning, or related discipline with relevance to the broad focus of the City’s UIS and Indigenous Relations work. Following your academic background is a progressive work experience at a senior management level, in the private, non-profit, or public sectors. You will also possess a working knowledge of computer software applications.

An in-depth understanding of social, historical, political, and economic factors that shapes the experience of Indigenous peoples, as well as extensive knowledge of Indigenous culture and history gained through lived experiences will prove invaluable to this role. You hold a thorough understanding of statutes, regulations and by-laws affecting Indigenous Relations. Through your highly developed knowledge of corporate strategic planning, you will have strong familiarity with managerial principles, and municipal government administration. Given the scope of the Directorship, you will have a demonstrated understanding of the Health and Safety Act and all applicable regulations as they relate to the position.

Through your extensive experience and knowledge, you demonstrate political acuity, diplomacy, and capability to work with elected and senior government officials, First Nations, Indigenous partners, community organizations and media. A skilled collaborator, you will take initiative in building relationships between and across sectors, including City government, community partners, local Treaty Nations, as well as other levels of government, divisions, and departments.

A highly analytic problem solver with a strong business acumen, you have a proven track record for long-term visioning and a highly developed ability to articulate a vision to lead and inspire others. Through your demonstrated mediation and dispute resolution skills, you have an ability to effectively negotiate complex agreements to build consensus. Your highly effective leadership, facilitation, communication, presentation, interpersonal and organizational skills will allow you to lead transformational changes and inspire others.

To apply for this key role in Indigenous Relations, submit your application to Phelps, by clicking: https://bit.ly/3MVfnID

Application deadline: ­­June 23, 2023

THE INCUMBENT SHALL COMPLY WITH ALL HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR THIS POSITION AND THE WORKPLACE.

 

401 Bay Street, Suite 1400, Toronto, ON M5H 2Y4

 

Phone: 416 364 6229

 

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