Director, Indigenous & Northern Services (INS)

SUMMARY

Reporting to the President & CEO, the Director, Indigenous & Northern Services (INS) will have a strong interest in Indigenous culture, knowledge and issues as well as be invested in learning and building relationships. They will lead, direct and manage all aspects of Catalyste+ ’s Indigenous & Northern Services projects. They will support new business development and oversee project implementation and reporting.

The Director, INS will strengthen the profile of Catalyste+ and in particular the delivery of services of our program in Canada. They are responsible for promoting the work, creating partnerships and building strong relationships with key stakeholders. The Director INS will work with International Services to maximize synergies. They must have excellent people management skills, business acumen and an exemplary work ethic.

As a member of the Leadership Team, the Director, INS will provide leadership advice and support across the organization, as an expert in economic development and act as a key driver and contributor toward building larger, stronger and more diversified projects. The Director, INS will work closely with the President & CEO and the Leadership Team, so that, together, the organization achieves its longer-term strategy of diversification and growth.

This position is preferred to be based in either Toronto or Montreal. However, qualified candidates based anywhere in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia or Northwest Territories will also be considered.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Directs and manages the INS program and staff

• Identify goals for the INS team aligned with the organization’s strategic objectives and lead the design of the strategy to achieve those goals, with targets and a budget
•  Lead the INS team to ensure:

o   compliance with high standards and donor requirements and operates within the terms and conditions of all funder agreements

o   engagement of partners is held as the highest priority in the delivery of the projects

o   that robust systems of planning and delivering projects are established and implemented including monitoring and reporting for Programming, Finance and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) on each initiative

• Strengthen project governance frameworks to drive accountability and efficiency
• Develop and refine project processes, tools, and best practices on Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid project management methodologies based on project needs to enhance efficiency
• Implement advanced risk management strategies to anticipate and mitigate potential project challenges.
• Oversee project's performance, ensuring milestones are met
• Ensure project capacity planning and resource optimization across multiple initiatives.
• Lead multi-stakeholder engagement, fostering collaboration between internal teams, external partners, and funders
• Build/strengthen relationships with existing and potential partners, clients, funders and donors, in order to promote, broaden support and/or improve existing contracts, projects and services

• Accountable for program delivery and contract compliance of all INS projects
• Manages program budgets for INS contracts to achieve maximum value and optimum cost effectiveness
• Lead the strategy for impact measurement and reporting to ensure the INS project(s) are able to clearly demonstrate the impact of its work
• Lead change management initiatives, ensuring smooth adaptation of new processes, tools, and methodologies
• Promote and disseminate the project’s impact and learning within the organization, to partner organizations and beyond
• Ensure that established policies and procedures on HR, administration, finance, and projects are understood by staff, implemented and regularly reviewed
• Lead staff member on the Indigenous and Northern Services Committee of the Board of Directors

New Business Development

• Attend conferences, events and ceremonies as well as engage with new partners
• Expand projects (revenue and market penetration) through the development of deeper and broader relationships with ISC, other government funders, indigenous organizations, Indigenous governing institutions and others as appropriate
• In consultation with proposal development resources, initiate, direct and build funding proposals for all new and renewal agreements with partners/funders for INS
• Seek opportunities to replicate project(s)’ strengths and achievements in Canada and other countries of strategic interest for business development to support organizational growth and expansion

Leadership and Operations

• Strong communication skills
• Responsible for all program deliverables for INS and other projects as assigned
• Works closely with the Director of Finance regarding budget planning and financial reporting, and in support of funder and corporate compliance requirements
• Contribute to the development of new tools to facilitate effective program management as required
• Signing Officer responsible for reviewing and approving weekly payments as requested
• Works closely with Volunteer Services, Monitoring & Evaluation, Finance, IT, HR and International Services to implement organizational improvement projects and drive sustainable organizational effectiveness and efficiency and customer service excellence

Human Resources

• Responsible for performance management assessments of staff to ensure formal goals and objectives are developed, achieved and aligned with Catalyste+’s overall strategic plans
• Provides direction, guidance, training, coaching, supervision and professional support to staff including performance feedback and career planning

DESIRED SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS

• Accountable for strategic thinking, making decisions, managing resources efficiently, and achieving results for our participants
• Strong communications skills to hold others accountable to deliver on their responsibilities and results – empowering them to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary professional development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved
• Negotiation and conflict management skills
• Organizational skills to create a managerial environment within in-country teams to lead, enable and maintain our culture of making positive change

• Take responsibility for own personal and professional development and encourage team to do the same
• Set ambitious and challenging goals for self and team to make tangible changes
• Future oriented, thinks strategically about ways in which Catalyste+ can contribute to Stronger Economies for Better Lives.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIREMENTS

• University degree or equivalent expertise in economic development
• Ten years in increasingly senior roles, including in Indigenous projects
• Demonstrated leadership skills, proven ability to build consensus, to strengthen relationships among disparate stakeholders, and to influence with/without formal authority
• Experience effectively managing budgets of varying sizes and complexities, as well as financial / governance reporting
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written
• Energetic self-starter
• Strong presentation and project management skills
• Exceptional time-management, organization and prioritization skills
• Existing relationships with key Indigenous organizations, an asset
• Bilingual, French/English, an asset 

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU

• Rewarding and meaningful work environment 
• Work/Life balance; remote or hybrid work and flexible schedules 
• Comprehensive Health Benefits plan 
• Employer matched pension plan
• Mental Health & Wellness Programs
• Internal training & development events
• Mentorship program
• Innovative, collaborative & creative work environment
• Competitive base salary
• General time-off policies
• Holiday office closure
• Value diversity and inclusiveness 

To apply to this position, please click on the link below.
https://catalysteplus.bamboohr.com/careers/29?source=aWQ9MjY%3D

Application deadline: March 16, 2025

Catalyste+ is an employer who subscribes to the principle of equal access to employment.

We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.