Manager, Engagement & Research

Long before there was a capital city on the Ottawa river, the Odawa were traders on this land. They carried goods, news, and understandings between Nations across enormous distances, and their standing rested on one thing: whether the people at both ends of the journey trusted them. We took the name because that is still the work.

Odawa Relations is a First Nations owned government and Indigenous relations firm with offices in Ottawa, Neyaashiinigmiing, Fort William First Nation, Thunder Bay, and Winnipeg. We work for First Nations, Tribal Councils, and Indigenous organizations. Our clients set the direction. Our job is to help them be heard where decisions get made, and to keep pushing after the meeting ends, when the commitment has been made and the follow-through is the hard part.

We are looking for a Manager of Engagement & Research to join us.

You would lead community engagement and advisory projects for First Nations, from early planning through facilitation, reporting, and follow-through. You would work directly with the Managing Partners to design engagement processes that reflect each Nation's priorities, governance structures, culture, and community context.

Much of this work happens in community. You would meet with Chiefs and Councils, program staff, Elders, advisory circles, and community members to listen, gather direction, and help translate what you hear into clear recommendations, strategies, and next steps.

You would also oversee research and policy analysis, manage project deliverables, and support team members working alongside you. This position requires someone who can move comfortably between community, leadership, and government spaces, and who can lead engagement projects with diplomacy, depth, and cultural responsiveness.

What the work actually looks like

• Planning, coordinating, and facilitating community and leadership engagement sessions for First Nations.
• Managing engagement and advisory projects from design through delivery, ensuring that timelines, deliverables, budgets, and relationships are upheld with care and accountability.
• Working with Nations to establish advisory circles, committees, and community-led decision-making structures.
• Developing engagement plans, facilitation materials, interview guides, surveys, presentations, and other tools suited to each community and project.
• Listening carefully to community members and leadership, identifying shared priorities and areas of concern, and accurately reflecting what was heard.
• Overseeing and mentoring Analysts in research, project coordination, engagement logistics, data organization, and reporting.
• Conducting and supervising research on legislation, public policy, government commitments, and priority files identified by First Nations.
• Writing clear, high-quality engagement reports, briefing notes, recommendations, summaries, and policy analyses.
• Turning complex information into materials that are grounded, accessible, and useful to leadership and community.
• Working with the Managing Partners to develop strategic engagement frameworks, policy positions, and approaches to relationship-building.
• Supporting proposal development, including scopes of work, project plans, budgets, and research contributions.
• Maintaining trusted relationships with First Nation partners, government representatives, and community stakeholders.
• Travelling across Turtle Island, particularly throughout Ontario, for engagement sessions, advisory-circle meetings, gatherings, and Nation-to-Nation discussions.

Who we are hoping to meet

We are less interested in whether someone matches every item on a checklist than in whether they can enter a community with humility, listen carefully, and be trusted to carry what they hear responsibly. That said, here is roughly what we picture:

• Significant experience in Indigenous community engagement, facilitation, policy analysis, Nation-based research, strategic advisory services, or a related area.
• Experience working directly with First Nations leadership, staff, Elders, community members, Tribal Councils, or Indigenous organizations.
• The ability to lead multiple projects from early design through final delivery with limited supervision.
• Strong facilitation skills and experience creating spaces where different perspectives can be shared respectfully.
• An understanding of community dynamics, political contexts, and diverse First Nations leadership and governance structures.
• Knowledge of federal and provincial policy environments affecting First Nations.
• Strong research and analytical skills, including the ability to assess legislation, policies, commitments, and emerging issues.
• Clear and thoughtful writing, with the ability to make complex information accessible.
• Sound judgment, discretion, and diplomacy when working with sensitive information and complex relationships.
• Alignment with Indigenous values, community integrity, and the advancement of First Nations rights, jurisdiction, and self-determination.
• Comfort working in a growing, fast-paced, and relational environment where flexibility and accountability go hand in hand.
• A valid Ontario Class G driver's licence and access to a reliable vehicle, as the position involves regular travel.

Education in Indigenous studies, public policy, political science, public administration, community development, research, communications, or a related discipline would be helpful. A combination of education, professional experience, community knowledge, and lived experience will also be considered.

What we offer

• An annual salary of $80,000 to $90,000, commensurate with experience.
• Three weeks of paid vacation, plus a two-week paid office closure over the winter holidays.
• A flexible, results-oriented work environment grounded in trust.
• $200 per month toward mental, emotional, spiritual, or physical wellness.
• $100 per month toward cellular phone or internet expenses.
• An employee benefit package.
• Opportunities to work alongside remarkable First Nation leaders, matriarchs, Elders, staff, and communities.
• Meaningful work supporting First Nations rights, jurisdiction, governance, and community priorities.
• A values-driven team that honours accountability, balance, community integrity, and joy in the work.
• The opportunity to help shape the engagement and research practice of a growing First Nations owned firm.

The details

• Location: Remote, with regular travel across Turtle Island, particularly throughout Ontario.
• Type: Full-time.
• Travel: Regular travel is required, including travel to First Nations and remote communities.
• Reports to: Managing Partners, Odawa Relations.

A note on preference

Odawa Relations is a First Nations owned firm. Preference in this competition will be given to qualified Indigenous candidates. This is a special program within the meaning of section 16 of the Canadian Human Rights Act. If you would like to be considered under this preference, please indicate this in your cover letter. Self-identification is voluntary, and the information provided will be used only for this purpose.