Associate Director, Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation

Bow Valley College•Calgary, AB

About The Position

Bow Valley College invites applications for the position of Associate Director, Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, a key leadership role dedicated to advancing Indigenous excellence and fostering a culture of continuous improvement for Indigenous students and staff across the College community. Reporting to the Director, Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, the Associate Director provides administrative leadership and plays a central role in co-leading the activation of Iikaakiimaat, Bow Valley College’s Indigenous Framework. This includes the development and execution of a comprehensive three-year plan to guide the framework’s implementation, ensuring alignment with the College’s Strategic Plan: Launch, Advance, and Evolve, and the broader commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. The role is responsible for overseeing the design, implementation, and ongoing sustainment of the framework, including resourcing, operational planning, and identifying additional supports required for successful execution. Drawing on research, data, and Indigenous-informed leading practices, the Associate Director will recommend and implement initiatives that strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities and advance reconciliation in meaningful and measurable ways. The Associate Director works collaboratively across the College and with external Indigenous partners to build strong, respectful, and inclusive relationships that reflect the values of teamwork, resilience, and cultural understanding. This role brings together cross-functional stakeholders to operationalize the four foundational pillars of the Iikaakiimaat framework—Exceptional Indigenous Student Experience, Exceptional Indigenous Employee Experience, Internal Engagement and Processes, and Community Advocacy and Partnerships—ensuring a coordinated and integrated approach to advancing Indigenous priorities. The Associate Director also provides strategic leadership to embed reconciliation across the institution by promoting understanding of Indigenous histories, knowledge systems, and traditions, and by fostering safe and collaborative spaces for dialogue. A key aspect of this work is ensuring that all College employees recognize and contribute to Iikaakiimaat as a shared responsibility, supporting its long-term sustainability and impact. As a people leader, the Associate Director is responsible for building and developing a high-performing team, including setting clear priorities, aligning team objectives with institutional goals, and ensuring excellence in service delivery. This includes full responsibility for recruitment, performance management, staff development, and workforce planning, as well as interpreting and applying collective agreements and supporting labour relations processes as required. The role also contributes to the effective operation of the broader division through collaboration with leadership colleagues, oversight of budgets and operational reporting, and participation on College committees. The Associate Director maintains strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders and contributes to the continuous improvement of policies, procedures, and programs with a student-centered and reconciliation-focused lens. This position is ideal for a strategic and collaborative leader who is deeply committed to advancing Indigenous relations and reconciliation within a post-secondary environment.

Requirements

Bachelor of Arts or Education
4 years of related experience
Familiarity with local Indigenous peoples’ cultures and Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Being, Doing and Learning
Experience in working with Indigenous communities or organizations
Understanding of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action
Demonstrated knowledge of and appreciation for the diversity of cultural traditions and spiritual practices of First Nation, Metis and Inuit peoples.
Extensive experience working with and within Indigenous communities, in roles including community development and/or partnership building.
An equivalent combination of directly related education and experience may be considered
Police Information Check
Ability to travel

Nice To Haves

Leadership experience in the field of Indigenous adult education and in a public, private or First Nations post-secondary setting
Experience in an adult education environment
Post-secondary Indigenization work experience
Project Management certification/work experience
Process improvement certification/experience
International education assessment through IQAS, WES, or one of the other nationally designated organizations upon hire (if education was received internationally)

Responsibilities

Provide administrative leadership and co-lead the activation of Iikaakiimaat, Bow Valley College’s Indigenous Framework.
Develop and execute a comprehensive three-year plan for the framework’s implementation.
Oversee the design, implementation, and ongoing sustainment of the framework, including resourcing, operational planning, and identifying additional supports.
Recommend and implement initiatives that strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities and advance reconciliation.
Work collaboratively across the College and with external Indigenous partners to build strong, respectful, and inclusive relationships.
Bring together cross-functional stakeholders to operationalize the four foundational pillars of the Iikaakiimaat framework.
Provide strategic leadership to embed reconciliation across the institution by promoting understanding of Indigenous histories, knowledge systems, and traditions.
Foster safe and collaborative spaces for dialogue.
Ensure all College employees recognize and contribute to Iikaakiimaat as a shared responsibility.
Build and develop a high-performing team, including setting clear priorities, aligning team objectives with institutional goals, and ensuring excellence in service delivery.
Manage recruitment, performance management, staff development, and workforce planning.
Interpret and apply collective agreements and support labour relations processes.
Contribute to the effective operation of the broader division through collaboration with leadership colleagues, oversight of budgets and operational reporting, and participation on College committees.
Maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Contribute to the continuous improvement of policies, procedures, and programs with a student-centered and reconciliation-focused lens.