Indigenous Relations & Social Procurement Lead

Position Overview

Location

This position will be based in our Winnipeg, MB office on a full-time basis. Frequent travel to communities across Manitoba is required. #LI-RP1 

Responsibilities

• Participate in the development and implementation of project social procurement strategies and plans. 
• Build and maintain relationships with Indigenous communities, community groups, workforce development agencies, educational institutions, and training partners. 
• Create and implement programs that increase employment, apprenticeship, internship, and work-experience opportunities for Indigenous Peoples and other under-represented groups. 
• Support Indigenous hiring, retention, mentorship, and workforce development initiatives throughout project delivery. 
• Develop partnerships with employment organizations, training centres, educational institutions, and community organizations to create pathways into construction careers.  
• Work with project teams, subcontractors, and suppliers to identify and expand participation opportunities for Indigenous-owned and diverse businesses. 
• Develop and maintain inclusive supplier registries, bid lists, and procurement engagement strategies. 
• Support the delivery of apprenticeship programs, paid internships, work placements, and skills training initiatives. 
• Track workforce participation, subcontracting outcomes, apprenticeship hours, and other social procurement metrics. 
• Prepare reports, presentations, and performance updates demonstrating progress toward project commitments and objectives. 
• Collaborate with owners, project leadership, community partners, and external stakeholders to address challenges and identify opportunities for continuous improvement. 
• Ensure compliance with project-specific social procurement requirements, workforce participation commitments, and reporting obligations.  

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in Indigenous relations, social procurement, workforce development, community engagement, supplier diversity, economic development, or a related field. 
• Experience working within construction, infrastructure, industrial, energy, transportation, or major project environments. 
• Strong understanding of Indigenous engagement, reconciliation, and Indigenous economic participation. 
• Demonstrated success developing partnerships that support employment, training, apprenticeship, and business participation outcomes. 
• Experience working with Indigenous communities, employment and training organizations, and community service providers. 
• Experience developing and monitoring performance metrics, reporting frameworks, and community benefit programs. 
• Excellent communication, facilitation, relationship-building, and stakeholder engagement skills. 
• Strong organizational and project management abilities. 
• Knowledge of Manitoba workforce development organizations and Indigenous business networks is considered an asset. 
• Experience supporting large infrastructure projects is preferred.