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Job Summary
The Manager, Indigenous Relations is responsible for proactively engaging with Indigenous Communities, on their assigned territory, to build mutually respectful relationships. The role gathers information from and for the Senior Managers, Engagement, Indigenous Relations in order to prioritize the communities to engage with and to help the Senior Manager to develop strategic approaches, and various national programs. The position facilitates Operations and projects and works towards the implementation of the the CN Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan (IRAP), the CN Indigenous Visions and the Indigenous Relations Policy for its designated territory or any national initiative assigned to the position.
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Main Responsibilities
- Understand, implement, and live CN's IRAP, vision and Indigenous Relations Policy and approach matters in an enlightened and respectful fashion.
- Ensure community concerns are heard by CN and appropriately responded to ensure that no conflicts arise.
- Implement national programs developed by the Senior Managers
- Plan provincial engagement on the designated territory aligned with the global strategy
- Engage with Indigenous communities on the designated territory to proactively develop and maintain mutually respectful relationships and identify business opportunities or candidates to help implement CN's IRAP along with CN's vision and Indigenous Relations Policy
- Organize site visits with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to help Indigenous leaders and communities understand what the company stands for and potential projects.
- Build a strong internal and external network to ensure awareness of issues and prevent them from becoming sources of conflict or to resolve them quickly.
- Assist in the negotiation of agreements that protect CN and respect Indigenous Communities.
- Acts as a trusted advisor to Front Line Supervisors (FLS) and the diversity council on all Indigenous related matters
- Understand and apply methods of alternative dispute resolution in dealings between the organization, Indigenous communities and Governments.
- Understand the legal framework related to crown consultation for project development in general and how to best position CN regarding potential delegation of the procedural aspects of such consultation within the designated territory and document required consultation processes.
- Understand the overall business plan and the role that Indigenous Relations plays in supporting the strategy and initiatives
- Understand the culture, history, nuances, rituals, organizational structures, symbolism and social complexities of Indigenous communities
- Understand the physical placement of CN's right-of-way network by being familiar with facilities, subdivisions, track profiles and timetables
Working Conditions
The role has usually standard working conditions in an office environment with a regular workweek from Monday to Friday, but may required some work outside of the usual schedule. The incumbent is required to work in various communities and must employ exceptional focus in stressful situations. The position may be exposed to requires to maintain a high level of diplomacy, understanding, and knowledge of Indigenous governance and communities. The role requires frequent travel (up to 70%), mostly within the designated territory, in very remote locations, unconventional travel, and accommodations.
Requirements
Experience
Indigenous Relations
- Minimum 10 years of relevant work experience
Education/Certification/Designation
- Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Political Science, Indigenous Studies, or another related field or extensive experience in Indigenous Engagement and Relations
Competencies
- Sets direction and inspires others
- Communicates with impact
- Knows the business and stays current on industry needs
- Applies critical thinking
- Solves problems to create value
- Demonstrates active listening
- Creates a sense of belonging and inclusion
- Promotes diversity and equity
- Seeks and values all perspectives
- Demonstrates agility and drives change
Technical Skills/Knowledge
- Knowledge of CN Operations and Network, the designated territory, and Indigenous communities
- Knowledge of CN railway, structure, marketing and other systems
- Fluently bilingual in both written and verbal (English, French)
Organizational Impact
Decision Making & Impacts
The Manager, Indigenous Relations has the ability to make decisions regarding the strengthening of relationships with a constituency that is vital to the continued fluidity of CN's operations. The role helps various projects by facilitating Indigenous relationships and finding innovative ways to involve Indigenous people in these projects. and protect CN against substantial monetary liabilities Moreover, the incumbent confirms and protects CN's fee simple title to its rights-of-way while building mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous communities across the network.
Level of Interaction/Influence
The Manager, Indigenous Relations interacts with individuals internal and external to CN. Within the organization, the incumbent liaises with the Law, Public and Government Affairs, Operations, Engineering, Environment, Real Estate, Business Development, Procurement, Marketing, Human Resources, and Police as well as CN Executives. Outside of CN, the role communicates with outside counsel, researchers, and representatives from the various local, regional, federal, and provincial government agencies and Indigenous communities and governments.
Employees Supervised/Organizational Structure
The Manager, Indigenous Relations reports to the Senior Manager, Engagement Indigenous Relations and has no supervisory responsibility.
About CN
CN is a world-class transportation leader and trade-enabler. Essential to the economy, to the customers, and to the communities it serves, CN safely transports more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year. As the only railroad connecting Canada's Eastern and Western coasts with the Southern tip of the U.S. through a 19,500 mile rail network, CN and its affiliates have been contributing to community prosperity and sustainable trade since 1919. CN is committed to programs supporting social responsibility and environmental stewardship. At CN, we work as ONE TEAM, focused on safety, sustainability and our customers, providing operational and supply chain excellence to deliver results.