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About the Role

Reporting to the Vice-President, Government Relations and Indigenous Affairs, the Senior Advisor, Indigenous Relations plays a key leadership role within VIA Rail. This position is at the heart of VIA Rail’s Indigenous Relations strategy. You will be responsible for developing and implementing this strategy, along with an action plan designed to foster strong, sustainable relationships that support both the company’s objectives and its shareholder’s commitment to reconciliation. You will engage with nearly 80 Indigenous communities across VIA Rail’s service network, with a particular focus on communities located between Winnipeg and Churchill. You will be expected and encouraged to build meaningful relationships through ongoing meetings, consultations, discussions, and engagement activities, particularly in connection with VIA Rail’s pan-Canadian fleet renewal program and the future of passenger rail services from coast to coast.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement VIA Rail’s Indigenous Relations plan for approximately 80 Indigenous communities served by or interacting with VIA Rail across Canada, ensuring alignment with corporate business objectives
Define and execute a strategy to build and strengthen relationships with Indigenous peoples by identifying and understanding their needs and assessing current relationships and programs (internal and external) involving VIA Rail
Establish and maintain strong, long-term relationships with Indigenous communities and foster mutually beneficial partnerships with communities served by VIA Rail
Advise, support, and guide senior leadership in their interactions with Indigenous communities to ensure these engagements are strategic, consistent, and effective
Work collaboratively across the organization to manage situations that may impact VIA Rail’s relationships with Indigenous communities or the company’s reputation
Oversee the timely and effective development of communications directed to Indigenous communities, including letters, briefing notes, reports, and other materials
Monitor the political, social, and community landscape to identify emerging opportunities and issues that could affect VIA Rail’s reputation or strategic objectives
Provide senior management with timely strategic analysis, recommendations, and reports

Requirements

University degree in Political Science, Communications, or a related field
Approximately 10 years of experience in government relations, including significant experience working with Indigenous communities and organizations
Strong knowledge of Indigenous communities located along VIA Rail’s operating corridors and an understanding of relevant treaties
Excellent written and spoken English and French; knowledge of one or more Indigenous languages is considered an asset
Demonstrated experience in crisis and issues management
Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously and perform effectively under pressure
Strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to assess issues from a broad perspective and develop innovative solutions
Proven ability to communicate, influence, and advocate effectively
Ability to present and debate ideas effectively
Excellent analytical, synthesis, and conceptual thinking skills
Collaborative mindset with a strong commitment to partnership and teamwork
Initiative, autonomy, curiosity, creativity, and adaptability
Willingness to travel frequently within Canada
Flexibility to occasionally work outside normal business hours in response to operational needs or emerging events

Skills

Government relations
Working with Indigenous communities and organizations
Knowledge of Indigenous communities along VIA Rail’s operating corridors
Understanding of relevant treaties
Written and spoken English
Written and spoken French
Knowledge of one or more Indigenous languages (asset)
Crisis and issues management
Managing multiple priorities
Performing effectively under pressure
Strategic thinking
Assessing issues from a broad perspective
Developing innovative solutions
Communicating effectively
Influencing effectively
Advocating effectively
Presenting ideas effectively
Debating ideas effectively
Analytical skills
Synthesis skills
Conceptual thinking skills
Partnership and teamwork
Initiative
Autonomy
Curiosity
Creativity
Adaptability

Work Type

Permanent
Full-time

Experience Level

Senior

Education Level

University degree in Political Science, Communications, or a related field

Salary/Compensations

$96,110 - $113,071

About the Company

VIA Rail is carrying out ambitious projects to modernize its services and infrastructure, including new ultramodern train fleets and ongoing infrastructure improvement.
Working for VIA Rail is being a part of a collective effort in sustainable mobility.
Join our 3,000 other employees in helping provide Canadians with a safe, accessible, environmentally sustainable way to travel!

Equal Opportunity

VIA Rail is a proud employment-equity employer and strives to form teams that reflect the diversity of Canadian society.
We aim to remove barriers to employment accessibility and aspire to provide an inclusive and equitable work environment where everyone is valued, regardless of their identity or differences, to enable them to reach their full potential.
If you need assistance in making the recruitment process or the position you are applying for more accessible, please let us know. Alternate arrangements may be offered to individuals who request them at any stage of the recruitment process. All information received in relation to arrangements will be kept confidential.