Job Details

Temporary Full-Time Two Year Excluded Position
8:30am to 4:30pm / Monday to Friday


ABOUT EMILY CARR UNIVERSITY OF ART + DESIGN
Situated on unceded, traditional and ancestral x?m??k??y??m (Musqueam), S?wx?wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), and s?l?ilw??ta?? (Tsleil-Waututh) territories in Vancouver, Canada, Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECU) is where creativity meets practice. Ranked among the world’s top 30 universities for art and design (QS 2024), ECU is recognized globally for its hands-on, practice-based teaching and learning environment that equips students to experiment, take risks and drive innovation.

Since 1925, ECU has championed bold ideas and emerging talent through a close-knit, studio-intensive setting that connects students with award-winning faculty, cutting-edge facilities, and real-world opportunities. Today, ECU serves more than 2,400 undergraduate and graduate students, along with thousands more through continuing studies, contributing to Canada’s cultural and creative sectors and shaping the future of art, media, design and research.

As we mark our centennial in 2025, ECU continues to ask what art and design can make possible.100 years in the making, we are shaping what comes next.

ABOUT THE ROLE
The Manager, Aboriginal Programs is the operational lead in the planning and implementation of Indigenous programs and services at the Aboriginal Gathering Place (AGP). They will assist the Executive Director, Indigenous Initiatives and Associate Director, Aboriginal Programs, with strategic planning, leadership, and integrated administration for both Indigenous education and support services for Indigenous learners. In collaboration with the AGP team, the Manager contributes to the cultural voice on Aboriginal programs, enhances access for Aboriginal learners to the University, advances the Indigenization and decolonization of the University, and strengthens relationships with Aboriginal communities, organizations, and other partnerships. The Manager supports team initiatives that promote and encourage the active inclusion of Indigenous pedagogies in a broad range of university activities and strategies. This position directly influences students, staff, and faculty within the university through various trainings and workshops. This role will also promote an environment of cultural safety with Indigenous students, staff, faculty, alumni and the visiting public. The Manager will be part of a team actively engaged in contributing to and accomplishing the vision, mission, and goals of the AGP and the university, as well as supporting the aspirations and needs of learners.


AS THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT, YOU SHOULD POSSESS
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of embedded cultural experience, skills, and knowledge of Aboriginal epistemology. A master’s degree is an asset.
• Minimum three years’ full-time administrative and/or management experience relating to Aboriginal education in a post-secondary institution.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong knowledge of Aboriginal Peoples, cultures, material practices and protocols on local, provincial, and national levels.
• Knowledge of historical, current and emerging issues in Aboriginal education as well as relevant legislation.
• Working relationship with British Columbia Aboriginal communities/organizations.
• Strong knowledge of Aboriginal Post-Secondary education pedagogies.
• Thorough knowledge of Aboriginal student success literature and evidence-informed practices.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of the structures and processes of the public and post-secondary educational system in British Columbia and other Canadian provinces.
• Experience with Microsoft Teams, Colleague, Informer, and WordPress is an asset.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with experience specific to Aboriginal learners.
• Demonstrated ability to create and maintain a positive student-centred working environment that supports learning and the provision of services for students and employees.
• Demonstrated experience in human resource management, budget development and related administrative areas.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, interpersonal, communication (oral and written), and presentation skills.
• Ability to serve as a support resource, facilitator, and collaborator with external Aboriginal community members, peer institutions, and with a variety of staff, students, and faculty.
• Exceptional conflict management skills resulting in effective communication and dispute resolution.
• Ability to network and build effective relationships internally and externally.
• Ability to manage the design and delivery of workshops and the preparation of studio materials.
• Demonstrated ability to engage with Aboriginal people, communities, and community organizations.
• Demonstrated commitment to justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation.
• Knowledge of computer software, including Microsoft Office.
• Ability to exercise tact, diplomacy, and cultural sensitivity when interacting with people who hold a diverse range of perspectives, worldviews, and experiences.
• Indigenous material practice and knowledge of an Indigenous language are considered strong assets.


To apply for this job, please visit https://ecuad.peopleadmin.ca. Competition closes on Thursday, 6 November 2025.

Emily Carr University especially invites those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada, we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized. These include women, persons with diverse gender expressions and identities, persons of all sexual orientations, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and First Nations, Metis, Inuit and Indigenous persons. All qualified people are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those short-listed will be contacted.

Job Description

TYPICAL DUTIES INCLUDE:
1. Provides programmatic and operational support to the AGP team, including assisting with the development and support of workshops, events, community development initiatives, recruitment, and grants.
2. In collaboration with the AGP team and Student Services, assists in coordinating and implementing recruitment strategies and services for future and existing students, focusing on Indigenous (First Nations, Metis, and Inuit) students locally, regionally, and provincially.
3. Represents the University and more specifically, the AGP, at events pertaining to Aboriginal/Indigenous education locally, nationally and internationally.
4. Provides information to Indigenous students on the application, admission, and registration process as well as degree requirements, referring to Student Services areas as appropriate.
5. Facilitates Indigenous students’ access to workshops, counselling, advocacy and liaison support.
6. Assists with the establishment of academic and cultural programs to support Aboriginal student success.
7. Represents the University at events pertaining to Aboriginal education in conjunction with campus representatives.
8. Assists the Aboriginal Program team with facilitating, coordinating, and delivering various activities, events, and workshops to foster awareness and understanding of current and emerging education issues within Aboriginal communities, Aboriginal history, cultural practices, and traditional knowledge.
9. Works collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff to ensure that services and activities are socially and culturally appropriate for Aboriginal students.
10. Assists the Executive Director and Associate Director as an advocate for Emily Carr University with internal and external partners to build and maintain effective partnerships and programs locally, provincially, and nationally.
11. Assists the Executive Director and Associate Director to engage Aboriginal communities to strengthen relationships and raise awareness of Emily Carr’s commitment to services supporting culturally responsive Aboriginal education, and develops local, provincial, and national relationships as appropriate.
12. Supports Strategic Plan priorities.
13. Assists with the development and monitoring of Aboriginal project grants. Ensures the effective use of resources and undertakes reporting as required. Identifies funding opportunities and secures funding for Aboriginal initiatives and projects.
14. Assists with information gathering and data collection within the University to assess the effectiveness of activities and action plans regarding Aboriginal student services and education.
15. Provides coaching and mentorship to motivate, lead, and engage team members in collaborative work and the application of best practices.
16. Supports and maintains communications with the three Host Nations: Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil Waututh, and participates in meetings as required.
17. Works in collaboration with the AGP team for the implementation of any Aboriginal Services Plan recommendations.
18. Responsible for hiring, management, and development of the Aboriginal Program team, overseeing recruitment, performance management, and professional growth.
19. Provides leadership in departmental workforce planning, performance management and employee development.
20. Fosters a culture of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) by remaining current in JEDI trends that impact their field of work and make recommendations to the Executive Director, Indigenous Initiatives, and the Associate Director, Aboriginal Programs for improvements in support of the ECU community, and the strategic goals of the University.
21. Performs other related duties as required.