Director, Indigenous Engagement

About the client:

Our client is a boutique strategy and advisory consultancy specializing in permitting, regulatory affairs, and environmental advisory services. They support clients across the mining, energy, infrastructure, and broader natural resource sectors, as well as provincial government partners. Their work often intersects directly with executive leadership teams, CEOs, and Boards, guiding high-stakes projects that require exceptional precision, strategic insight, and cross-sector coordination.

They operate with deep respect for and collaboration with First Nations communities and work closely with provincial and federal regulators to advance responsible, sustainable development. With offices nationwide and a rapidly expanding presence in Vancouver, their firm is recognized for a unique business model that aligns risk and reward through performance-based outcomes rather than traditional fee structures.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior-level strategic leadership on Indigenous relations for complex resource, infrastructure, and community development projects across Canada
• Lead and oversee Indigenous engagement, consultation, and relationship-building initiatives on behalf of clients
• Lead negotiations of Indigenous partnership, participation, and impact-benefit agreements in support of responsible development
• Develop and implement integrated strategies that align Indigenous relations with regulatory, government, stakeholder, public, and technical considerations
• Advise clients on Indigenous rights, title, consultation obligations, and risk management
• Support proactive regulatory engagement related to Indigenous relations and consultation processes
• Design and deliver Indigenous-focused public affairs, advocacy, consultation, and communications programs
• Oversee corporate reputation management, issues management, and crisis response related to Indigenous relations
• Act as senior account lead for key client relationships, ensuring high-quality delivery and trusted advisory support
• Contribute to business development through networking, proposal development, pitches, and client acquisition
• Serve as a member of the senior leadership team, reinforcing one-eighty’s brand, culture, and strategic approach
• Lead, mentor, and manage team members, supporting professional development, performance, and day-to-day execution

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree in a relevant field (Indigenous studies, law, public policy, environmental studies, planning, or related discipline)
• 12–20+ years of senior experience in Indigenous relations, consultation, or advisory roles within Canada
• Strong knowledge of Canadian Indigenous rights, title, duty to consult, and related jurisprudence
• Proven experience leading Indigenous engagement and negotiations in resource, infrastructure, or community development contexts
• Experience working across one or more sectors, including mining, energy, infrastructure, or major development projects
• Strong understanding of government decision-making and regulatory processes
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with Indigenous communities, leadership, government, and industry stakeholders
• Proven negotiation, mediation, and conflict resolution experience
• Strong client leadership, project management, and advisory experience
• Experience developing and executing government relations or public affairs strategies
• Demonstrated people leadership experience, including mentoring, team-building, and professional development
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging to diverse audiences
• Business development and client acquisition experience considered a strong asset
• Familiarity with provincial and/or federal regulatory processes (including EA processes) considered an asset

Salary: Up to $200,000 | Benefits | Paid Vacation