Are you a strategic leader with a passion for advancing Indigenous education and building meaningful partnerships?
If so, consider this exciting opportunity with the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security!
The Indigenous Education Branch is seeking a visionary manager to lead the Strategic Initiatives Unit. In this impactful role, you'll drive initiatives that promote access, inclusion, and success for Indigenous learners across Ontario's postsecondary education system.
This is your chance to lead transformative work, inspire collaboration, and help shape the future of Indigenous postsecondary education in the province.
The Ontario Public Service: Strengthening Ontario, together.A career in the Ontario Public Service (OPS) is driven by purpose. We're building a stronger Ontario by delivering programs and services that make a real difference in people's lives. If you share this ambition, you'll find a workplace that reflects the diversity of the people we serve and empowers you to lead with confidence.
Why Your Leadership Belongs Here•
Purpose that drives you: Lead work that matters. Your leadership will shape policies, programs, and services that improve lives across the province—every day.
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A culture that supports you: Thrive in a flexible, inclusive, and respectful workplace that values your well-being and empowers you to bring your whole self to work.
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A career that grows with you: Explore leadership opportunities across ministries and sectors. With access to mentorship, learning, and mobility, your career can evolve here.
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Recognition that reflects your impact: We value the difference you make. You'll receive competitive pay, a defined-benefit pension, and benefits that support your well-being—plus meaningful recognition for your contributions.
About the job
We hold our leaders to high standards because we believe in their potential to drive meaningful change. In the Ontario Public Service, leadership means showing up with authenticity, acting with integrity, and having the courage to do what's right—even when it's hard.
As a leader, you'll be expected to create a team culture that encourages innovation, supports collaboration, and champions inclusion. You'll help build a diverse, anti-racist, and accessible workplace where everyone feels safe, respected, and able to thrive.
To succeed in this role, you will:
• Lead the development, implementation and evaluation of strategic initiatives that advance Indigenous postsecondary education.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with a variety of Indigenous postsecondary education partners and key stakeholders.
• Provide strategic advice to senior leadership on emerging trends, cultural considerations, and policy impacts
• Support ministry-wide learning and engagement activities that expand knowledge of Indigenous histories, cultures, and communities
• Collaborate across divisions to ensure Indigenous perspectives are integrated into policy and program development
• Represent the ministry in bilateral and multilateral discussions, fostering respectful dialogue and advancing shared priorities.
Meet Your New TeamThe
Indigenous Education Branch provides strategic leadership and support in the planning, development and implementation of policy frameworks and programs that promote access to and success in postsecondary education for Indigenous learners.
Information SessionInterested in the Manager, Strategic Initiatives position? Join us to learn more about the team, vision, and key priorities.
The session will be held on
Friday August 15th at 1:00 - 1:45 pm.Click here to join the meeting
What you bring to the team
Leadership Experience:
• Ability to lead high-profile initiatives and manage professional teams in dynamic, fast-paced environments.
• Provide strategic direction, coaching, and built a culture of high performance, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
• Set priorities, identify critical issues, and deliver results under pressure.
• Apply strategic and operational planning to manage financial and human resources effectively.
Policy and Analytical Skills:
• Strong understanding of public policy development and implementation, including decision-making and approval processes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead research and analysis to inform evidence-based policy and program decisions.
• Experience in strategic planning and the design of cross-cutting initiatives that align with organizational goals.
• Skilled in project management and coordinating complex initiatives across multiple stakeholders.
Communication and Relationship Management Skills:
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills to convey complex information clearly and effectively.
• Ability to build and maintain respectful, inclusive partnerships with Indigenous communities and organizations.
• Political acuity to navigate sensitive issues and respond effectively in complex, high-stakes environments.
Indigenous Engagement and Cultural Competency:
• Strong understanding of cultural and social dynamics within First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities.
• Ability to develop and implement tailored stakeholder engagement strategies that reflect Indigenous perspectives.
• Lead ministry-wide learning initiatives to expand awareness of Indigenous histories, cultures, and communities.
• Advance Indigenous cultural competency through internal engagement and knowledge-sharing activities.
Don't meet every qualification?
If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!
How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility
We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.
Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's
Human Rights Code and the
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer
accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please
contact us.Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace: