PROJECT LEAD, INDIGENOUS RELATIONS

Horseshoe Bay

BC Ferries acknowledges the enduring ancestral connections of coastal First Nations on whose beautiful lands and waters that the company is privileged to operate in every day.

The opportunity

At BC Ferries, we connect communities along the coast of British Columbia, and we do so within the traditional territories of more than 80 First Nations. We recognize the responsibility that comes with operating in these territories and are committed to fostering respectful, transparent, and enduring relationships grounded in meaningful engagement, consultation, and collaboration.

We are seeking a Project Lead, Indigenous Relations to join our team and play a critical role in supporting some of the most significant infrastructure programs in our organization’s history, including Fleet Renewal and the Horseshoe Bay / Langdale Infrastructure Programs.

As a Project Lead, you will partner closely with the Fleet Renewal and Horseshoe Bay/Langdale Infrastructure Program teams to support engagement and consultation efforts with First Nations. You will lead the development of standardized resources and engagement frameworks, review and refine correspondence, participate in meetings with Nations, and provide strategic guidance to program leadership. You will also supports senior staff in facilitating and implementing business-to-business and relational agreements that strengthen long-term, respectful partnerships with First Nations.

This is more than a project role. Tt is an opportunity to help shape how major capital projects are delivered in partnership with First Nations communities.

The Role

This role is responsible for strengthening and streamlining engagement and consultation processes, and building strong relationships, with the objective of supporting alignment and agreement on project plans and activities. Acting as a central knowledge resource, the Project Lead maintains a comprehensive understanding of consultation requirements, referral and authorization processes, the status of multiple projects across the broader landscape, the current state of relationships with Nations, and any commitments that influence engagement.

The role also ensures that the interests, priorities, concerns, and aspirations of the Nations with whom BC Ferries engages are clearly understood and thoughtfully considered in project planning and delivery.

Reporting to the Indigenous Relations Manager, you add value and are energized by key areas of oversight such as:

• Acting as a key advisor to the Indigenous Relations Manager and Program Leads;
• Acting as a primary point of contact for First Nations for project engagement and consultation and representing the organization in a culturally sensitive manner;
• Leading and facilitating project engagement and consultations with First Nations, in person and virtually, in collaboration with the Relationship Lead;
• Corresponding regularly by email and telephone to establish contacts and relationships and identify interests, opportunities, and concerns, particularly as they relate to current or future projects, and liaising with and advising the program teams in efforts to simplify engagement and reach agreement;
• Tracking and reporting on outcomes of engagement or consultation meetings with First Nations, including identifying potential risks, opportunities, and areas of interest so that the Indigenous Relations Manager and Program Leads can consider these details in strategic approaches to relationship building and project engagement and consultation;
• Drafting, researching, and engaging with First Nations to help guide the development of engagement and consultation plans, corporate policies, and other Indigenous relations strategies;
• Coordinating with the Indigenous Relations Manager, Relationship Leads, and Program Leads to support a common understanding of the status of projects and relationships with Nations, including a landscape view of project activities, impacts, and benefits, and providing strategic advice and proposed next steps;
• Proactively engaging with government agencies to understand requirements and timelines for authorizations and to raise any enterprise-wide issues of concern;
• Sharing knowledge and providing advice and guidance to other departments within BC Ferries to support engagement activities or policy and process development;
• Supporting the development of cultural awareness and capacity building within the organization by developing workshop materials and presenting at workshops and lunch and learns for the Program teams and other employees, including speaking to areas of expertise;
• Creating and updating templates and flow charts used by the Program teams, reviewing and verifying correspondence, attending and participating in meetings with Nations, and providing strategic advice;
• Ensuring the Terminal Guidebook is updated through engagement with Nations;
• Drafting correspondence, briefing materials, and meeting materials;
• Performing record keeping and administrative activities;

What you bring to the team

• Degree in Indigenous studies, anthropology, public administration or related field
• Project management education or certification an asset
• Experience working in major infrastructure programs on behalf of the owner is considered an asset
• 5 years of experience in managing relationships with or on behalf of Indigenous communities
• Construction project or project management experience
• Experience in building cultural awareness, understanding and capacity within an organization
• Experience working in government or large organizations

Preference will be given to candidates who identify as Indigenous.

Join us!

If this sounds like your next great career move, please submit your cover letter and resume by March 18, 2026 at 11:59pm.

Additional information

The target salary range: $83,500 to $104,300 per annum.  The starting salary is determined based on the successful candidate’s knowledge, experience and internal equity.

"We connect communities and customers to people and places important in their lives”

At BC Ferries, our employees are our most important assets in delivering our commitment to customer safety, service and satisfaction. We support employment equity and diversity in the workplace and we encourage applications from all qualified individuals including women, visible minorities, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity or expression (LGBTQ2S+), and others who reflect our ever-changing workplace.

We appreciate the interest of all applicants; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.