Vice President, Indigenous Relations

Toronto, ON

Come Build Your Career at Aecon!

As a Canadian leader in infrastructure development, Aecon is safely and sustainably building what matters for future generations to thrive! We lead some of the most impactful infrastructure projects of our generation, at the forefront of transformational change in transportation and energy, and partnering every day to build, connect, power, and strengthen our communities.

At Aecon, You Can Count On

Safety First. Our number one core value. If we can’t do it safely, we don’t do it at all.
Integrity. We lead by example, with humility and courage.
Accountability. We’re passionate about delivering on our commitments.
Inclusion. We provide equitable opportunities for everyone.

We lead the infrastructure industry with purpose, and our people are at the heart of everything we do. So, we invest in our people, just like they invest in us!

At Aecon We

Ensure you and your family receive the services needed to support your mental, emotional, and physical well-being
Believe in helping you build your career through our Aecon University and Leadership Programs
Are committed to supporting and investing in inclusive work environments, through initiatives like Equity, Diversity & Inclusion training, our Aecon Women in Trades and Aecon Diversity in Trades programs, and our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to ensure we are building inclusion into every aspect of our culture at Aecon.
Are a leader in sustainable construction. With a strong commitment to operating responsibility by minimizing our impact on the environment and surrounding communities.

Our business success relies on strong execution and continuous improvement – driven by the diversity, expertise and teamwork of our people. We’re always searching the globe for innovative, collaborative minds to join our best-in-class Aecon community!

What is the Opportunity?

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Corporate Development & Investor Relations, and working collaboratively with the Sustainability, Corporate Affairs, and Communications teams, the Vice President, Indigenous Relations develops and maintains engagement and strategic partnerships with Indigenous Nations on behalf of Aecon. You will provide leadership to the organization through strengthening awareness of Indigenous culture, developing and managing key Indigenous relationships, and managing emerging issues, as well as supporting the successful delivery and implementation of Indigenous Relations Plans. You will also leverage lived experience to provide insights to senior leadership on ways to facilitate truth and reconciliation through various aspects of Aecon’s business on an ongoing basis.

What You'll Do Here

Plan and execute Indigenous Relations Plans, including Reconciliation Action Plan, the Progressive Ab-original Relations Plan, and other key organizational initiatives, including relevant policies, standard op-erating procedures, and procurement plans.
Oversee the creation and implementation of Joint Venture agreements with Indigenous Communities.
Set the strategy for engagement with Indigenous Nations. Act as the primary contact for Indigenous Relations.
Build and manage productive relationships with Indigenous Nations to facilitate community relations program development.
Provide subject matter expertise to Aecon project teams or technical working groups in relation to Indigenous affairs.
Establish and actively build effective working relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders (i.e., government agencies, clients, etc.) to identify risks, implications, and opportunities to enhance Aecon’s collaboration with Indigenous communities.
Ensure Indigenous Relations are considered as part of Aecon’s corporate strategic objectives and with-in Aecon’s operating sector business plans.
Direct the preparation of reports and deliver presentations to Aecon’s Board of Directors and at public meetings.
Ensure communication channels are effective in keeping the Indigenous Relations team informed and engaged with the business.
Support the implementation of innovative ideas for improvement and explore alternative methods of construction by leveraging insights from Indigenous workers.
Develop and manage annual budgets and staffing plans for the Indigenous Relations function.
Monitor and grow Indigenous supplier relationships and work with Operational leaders and the procurement function to support the use of Indigenous vendors. Advise on the procurement of Indigenous goods and services including defining requirements, evaluation of submissions and management of contractor relationships.
Monitor Indigenous Relations programs on Aecon’s projects to ensure delivery of the objectives on time and within budget to achieve intended results.
Oversee external community relations (i.e., First Nations Development Corporations, Progressive Aboriginal Relations) to ensure Aecon is effectively engaging with all relevant communities and nurturing strong, symbiotic business partnerships
Foster external relationship building, with a focus on business development, with Indigenous communities across the country and with tribes in the USA.
Cultivate and manage critical relationships with Indigenous leaders to ensure their requirements and concerns are addressed. Actively manage relationships with First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities nationwide.
Support the Indspire program, support Aecon joint ventures such as A6N, A3F, A6G, AC7G, and AMP7G, engage with Working Warriors (and other relevant recruitment agencies) to ensure Aecon is well positioned to recruit
Indigenous Talent
Lead Aecon’s effort in obtaining and maintaining Bronze-tier status in Progressive Aboriginal Relations which requires targets and evidence of reaching them.
Engage with operational teams on required bid and proposal submissions – ensuring that Aecon’s Indigenous Relations efforts are well captured and communicated.
Provide insight and guidance to the Social Impact team on building community among the Indigenous workforce and leverage this group to run their cultural events.
Work with the Aecon University and Social Impact teams on updating and/or developing Indigenous Awareness training (web-based or in-person).
Liaise with relevant national associations such as (but not exclusive to) the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, the First Nations Major Projects Coalition, and the National Coalition of Chiefs.
Engage with operational executives to understand their business and how to evolve Aecon’s Indigenous Relations strategy collaboratively.
Provide leadership and management to the Indigenous Relations team, ensuring that employees have clear goals set, receive regular performance feedback, and have clear career development support.
Work closely with the broader Corporate Development team, including Sustainability, Corporate Affairs, and Communications to collaborate on relevant initiatives.

What You Bring To The Team

Completion of a degree in Communications, Community Engagement, Business Administration or a related discipline or a combination of education, training and experience deemed equivalent.
Progressively senior experience in developing and executing strategic Indigenous relations programs and activities, including issues management.
Demonstrated track record of building meaningful relationships with Indigenous businesses and organizations across Canada.
Strong knowledge of Indigenous issues, perspectives, and knowledge systems.
Expertise in strategic communications, planning, and issues management to direct and oversee a critical Indigenous community and stakeholder relations program.
Strategic planning and project execution experience managing multiple and changing priorities with competing deadlines.
Strong creative problem solving and organizational skills to establish effective networks and creative and innovative approaches to Indigenous community relations strategy.
Business acumen and aptitude to work closely with the executive team, internal business leaders and Indigenous community leaders.
Negotiating and influencing capabilities, with a demonstrated ability to effectively manage emerging and potentially contentious issues, and proactively develop and execute strategic issues management plans.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, experience writing speeches and briefs at the executive level.
Demonstrated ability to build effective business relationships across regions and nations.
Experience with US Tribal engagement is highly desirable.
Experience working in Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec is highly desirable.
Experience working collaboratively with other organizational functions and teams is required.

What Makes Us Aecon Proud

Engaging and agile workplace culture, collaborative and inclusive teams
Commitment to sustainability and to becoming a net-zero company by 2050
Investing in our people through a variety of learning and development programs such as Aecon Uni-versity, BluePrint leadership program, and Project Management Academy
Variety of wellness benefits, access to virtual health care, 100% employer-paid health and dental pre-miums, Employee Assistance Program, Best Doctors Program, and more.
Tuition reimbursement opportunities
Recognition and rewards through Aecon Accolades, Aecon Achievement Awards and more
Employee Stock Options, Short Term Incentive Program, Retirement Savings and Pension Plan

Aecon fosters diversity , inclusion and belonging within and across our organization. We welcome all to apply including, women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity.

We are committed to adhering to the objectives and requirements outlined in the Accessible Canada Act (ACA), and to meeting the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner, through the implementation of the requirements of the ACA and its applicable regulations. If you require accommodation under the ACA during any step of the application process please click here.