Job Details

The Senior Director, Indigenous Innovation Initiative and Transition will report to GCC’s Chief Operating Officer (COO). The Senior Director will be guided by the advice of the Indigenous Innovation Council (IIC) on key transitional matters in conjunction with GCC’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

As Senior Director, you will be responsible for finalizing and executing a detailed transition strategy to support I3 in realizing its self-determination goals. You will help identify and explore new growth and next-chapter scenarios while overseeing existing operations. You will play a key role in communicating with internal and external stakeholders while ensuring effective change management within the I3 team. Through the transition, you will lead I3 with experience, wisdom and agility while implementing key initiatives to ensure the success of the initiative.

How to Apply
Please share a cover letter and resume to applications@pathwaysexecutivesearch.com with the organization and position title in the subject line.

Job Description

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The Senior Director, Indigenous Innovation Initiative and Transition will report to GCC’s Chief Operating Officer (COO). The Senior Director will be guided by the advice of the Indigenous Innovation Council (IIC) on key transitional matters in conjunction with GCC’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

As Senior Director, you will be responsible for finalizing and executing a detailed transition strategy to support I3 in realizing its self-determination goals. You will help identify and explore new growth and next-chapter scenarios while overseeing existing operations. You will play a key role in communicating with internal and external stakeholders while ensuring effective change management within the I3 team. Through the transition, you will lead I3 with experience, wisdom and agility while implementing key initiatives to ensure the success of the initiative.

Key Responsibilities

TRANSITIONAL AND STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP

With support from GCC’s CEO and COO, keep good relations and engagement with the Indigenous Innovation Council (IIC) on key transitional matters.

Identify and explore new growth and next-chapter scenarios, including developing and executing a transitional fundraising strategy.

Shape a detailed transition plan to support I3 in its self-determination and autonomous ambitions, including outlining scope, goals, deliverables, resources, risks, and dependencies and defining key roles and responsibilities through the transitional period.

Implement the transition plan to manage the day-to-day activities and tasks of the transition, including monitoring/reporting progress and tracking milestones, issues, and risks.

Manage communications with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective change and stakeholder management to align actions and expectations of all key parties.

PARTNER RELATIONS

Nurture and grow strong relationships with current and potential government and private foundation funders.

Maintain and cultivate strategic partnerships in the Indigenous innovation ecosystem.

Steward public funds, working closely with GCC’s COO, Senior Director of Finance and General Counsel to ensure compliance with GCC and l3 funders’ accountability requirements.

TEAM OPERATIONS AND PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

Provide senior leadership, direction, and oversight to the I3 team and supervisory support to the deputy director, who manages the day-to-day program delivery and innovator support.

In concert with the deputy director, the director should provide accountability to innovators and funders for I3 execution on program commitments and oversight of active funding agreements with Indigenous innovators.

Lead with an inclusive, people-centric approach to bring out the best of a talented, diverse, high-performing team and nurture their professional development.

Model work behaviours that align with Grand Challenges Canada’s commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (Policy posted here).

Work collaboratively with other Directors and Functional Leads across Grand Challenges Canada (e.g., Senior Director of Finance, Director of Knowledge Management, General Counsel, Sr. Director of People & Culture, etc.), recognizing that the Deputy Director will focus more on internal relations and operations.

THE CANDIDATE
A builder. Visionary. Wise and fearless.

Leading with diplomacy and tact, the new Senior Director, I3 and Transition will bring direct experience leading with Indigenous knowledge and values along with a combination of the following experience, skills and attributes:

Skills and Experiences We Are Looking for:
Minimum of 15 years relevant experience with at least 5 years in a director role.
Senior management experience with managing complex change/transition initiatives.
Proven ability to mobilize and inspire multiple stakeholders towards a common vision while nurturing relationships and building trust.
Outstanding ability to manage ambiguity and cope with uncertainty while contributing to the development of clear and concrete direction.
Excellent understanding of Indigenous context and proven track record of relations with Indigenous community.
Experience balancing Indigenous ways of working with Western/non-Indigenous approaches.
Experience managing community and partner engagement using culturally rooted and gender-affirming approaches.
Proven excellence in team leadership in a way that promotes inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.
Proven excellence in fundraising and fund management. General understanding of the role of innovation in economic development.

Benefits:
A percentage (%) in lieu of benefits 20 days of vacation (10.5 days covered by 4% in lieu of vacation and 9.5 topped up by GCC to equalize with permanent full-time staff)
Four (4) day work week (with Friday as a flex/off day), excluding weeks with Statutory holidays (program reviewed annually)
Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Term:

Start date:
January 6, 2025
Full-time, Temporary

Location and Work Requirements: Remote Domestic travel may be required Applicants must be eligible to work in Canada