Research Manager - Indigenous Led Assessment

Position Title:   Research Manager

Team:                Indigenous Led-Assessment (ILA)

Reports to:        Research Director

Job Location:    Edmonton or Vancouver office or home-based remote office

Travel:               Some travel required

Start Date:        November 10, 2025

ORGANIZATIONAL STATUS

Firelight is an Indigenous-owned consultancy that provides research and technical support to Indigenous Nations and organizations across Turtle Island. We specialize in six core areas: Livelihoods (Indigenous Knowledge Research, Socio-Economics), Indigenous-led Assessment, Indigenous Negotiations, Mapping & GIS, Stewardship (Ecology, Planning, Implementation), and Health.

Majority-owned by First Nations individuals from Ebb & Flow First Nation (MB), Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in (YK), and Garden River First Nation (ON), our work is grounded in community values and guided by the principles of relationships, accountability, quality, and responsibility.

Since 2010, Firelight has supported over 250 clients and delivered more than 1,000 projects focused on Indigenous rights, knowledge, and self-determination. Our growing team of 100+ professionals works remotely across Canada, with offices in West Vancouver, Vancouver, Victoria, and Edmonton.

JOB OVERVIEW

Reporting to the Research Director, the Research Manager is a technical specialist on their team. The Research Manager advances Indigenous self-determination by leading innovative and rigorous Environmental Assessment (EA) projects for major developments in sectors such as mining, energy, and infrastructure. Rooted in Firelight’s values of relationships, accountability, quality, and responsibility, the Research Manager supports Indigenous-led impact assessments, oversees interdisciplinary technical reviews, and guides communities through federal, provincial and territorial EA processes — ensuring alignment with the principles of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC).

This senior position leads transformative work in Indigenous-led EA, combining methodologies such as alternatives assessment, rights impact assessment and cumulative effects assessment with rigorous research. By ensuring that community knowledge and priorities shape every project, the Research Manager drives meaningful change and sets new standards for excellence in EA practice. As a mentor and leader, the Research Manager fosters a collaborative, supportive environment for interdisciplinary teams, guiding staff development and strengthening Firelight’s organizational capacity. This role also provides opportunities to contribute to thought leadership in the field, including developing new frameworks, sharing knowledge at conferences, and publishing insights to advance Indigenous rights and values in EA. This is an opportunity to drive meaningful change, deliver values-driven work, and contribute to a just and sustainable future while advancing the practice of EA.

RESPONSIBILITIES + DUTIES

Technical Advising

• Lead the design, strategy, and execution of consulting projects within the business area under the supervision of the Research Director

• Support Indigenous Nations in navigating federal, provincial, and territorial EA processes, offering strategic guidance and representing clients in technical advisory committee meetings and discussions with proponents and EA agencies.
• Oversee the execution of advanced methodologies, including rights impact assessment, cumulative effects assessment, and alternatives assessment, to address key project challenges and community concerns.
• Design and oversee community-based research, including interviews, focus groups, and workshops, and conduct analysis of collected data (e.g., coding and synthesis) to generate actionable insights and findings.
• Facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration by coordinating input from ecological, social, economic, health, heritage and cultural technical experts to create cohesive and impactful assessments and technical reviews.
• Provide technical oversight and ensure the quality of research deliverables, including data collection, analysis, reporting, and presentation.
• Develop and deliver training sessions to build community capacity for participating in EA processes, with a focus on Indigenous priorities and knowledge systems.
• Contribute to thought leadership in the field by piloting innovative approaches, publishing findings, and presenting at conferences.

Project Management

• Oversee the development, execution and evaluation of complex, multi-methods projects aligned to Firelight values and client expectations 
• Develop and monitor project scope, plans, budgets, and schedules to ensure successful project delivery; ensure timely execution of current, planned, and/or adjusted tasks in alignment with the project scope and schedule
• Identify and allocate fiscal and human resources, developing workplans and delegating tasks and work appropriately to achieve project success
• Oversee and coordinate the work of Intermediate and Junior Researchers, and provide feedback to identify areas for further development and growth 
• Oversee and manage project budgets to ensure project profitability and healthy cash flow
• Coordinate with the Finance Department to ensure timely invoicing
• Manage information, data and documents following established procedures; assure quality control and security of research data
• Oversee logistical coordination of multi-day community engagement with research teams

Client Engagement

• Represent Firelight to clients, communities and in expert technical meetings with minimal supervision and review
• Work with and coordinate the activities of community partners and others, including Firelight team members and external consultants to develop, design, and implement projects
• Nurture and cultivate partner and client relationships through service excellence, knowledge transfer, and skills development
• Support and coach others in effective community engagements aligned to Firelight’s values and with shared objectives 

People Leadership 

• Foster a positive and respectful workplace, aligned to Firelight’s values and objectives
• Provide feedback on Junior and Intermediate staff performance to Program Managers to inform performance management and professional development
• Supervise Intermediate and Junior Researchers on project-specific work, including quality review and mentorship

• Ensure the workplace, including while traveling for in-community and on-territory work, meets all health and safety guidelines and regulations

• Support the development of Firelight’s organizational learning and knowledge
• Mentor intermediate and junior staff in support of their growth and development

QUALIFICATIONS + EXPERIENCE

• 8 years of recent, relevant experience
• 8 years of experience working with and for Indigenous communities
• Masters degree or equivalent in experience
  • Equivalent experience includes long-term, senior positions with a focus on community-based research with or for Indigenous communities, organizations, governments, or Nations
• Fluency in spoken and written English

WHY JOIN US?

Firelight offers compensation that is commensurate with skills and experiences. We provide a progressive and flexible work environment, along with the following benefits:

• Four-day work week (32 hours/week) with options for remote or hybrid work - Offices located in Vancouver, Victoria and Edmonton.
• Comprehensive Health, Dental and Vision Benefits
• Long Term Disability (LTD)  and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
• Health Spending Account (HSA) and Wellness Spending Account (WSA)
• Parental Leave Top-up payments
• Child & Elder Care Benefit
• Paid time off and holidays
• Indigenous Cultural Leave - Time off for cultural practices
• Anniversary vacation and Winter Break

Please respond to our online ad with the following: (1) resume, (2) cover letter, and (3) writing sample. Please upload the (2) cover letter, and (3) writing sample as ONE document. All files should be in PDF format using your last name as the file name.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals with a full package (resume, cover letter, and writing sample) will be considered.

At Firelight, we are committed to developing a diverse and inclusive team and we welcome all cultures, ages, genders, sexual orientations, and abilities. We recognize and celebrate the diversity of all peoples and actively promote development of inter-cultural competence within our team.

As an Indigenous-owned organization, we are particularly committed to supporting the employment of Indigenous individuals because we recognize the unique challenges and barriers faced by Indigenous people and because we feel it is necessary to reflect Indigenous perspectives and values in the work that we do. We encourage all Indigenous applicants to self-identify in their cover letter so that we consider their application accordingly, as Firelight may give preference to these applicants.

If any candidate requires accommodation or support to participate in the application process, please contact our HR Department via email at careers@firelight.ca. 

Working at Firelight means being passionate about what we do. Be part of our amazing team, with a very exciting future.