Senior Advisor, Indigenous Collaboration

SENIOR ADVISOR, INDIGENOUS COLLABORATION

SALARY
Starting Salary $75,000

WHO WE ARE
United Way Winnipeg is a century-old movement for community change. We bring people, workplaces, and community organizations together to take collective action on the issues shaping life in Winnipeg today. Through a network of over 125 Agency Partners—and over 20,000 donors, volunteers and community champions—we align generosity, insight, and effort to strengthen the systems our community relies on.

At our core, we believe that everyone belongs, and that the wellbeing of each of us is tied to the wellbeing of all of us. Our role is to help Winnipeg see itself clearly, act together intentionally, and build a community where people are supported, connected, and able to thrive.

Guided by community insight and shared accountability, United Way Winnipeg connects people to purpose and action. We mobilize generosity, steward critical social infrastructure, and create spaces for shared understanding and dialogue. We invest in what works, strengthen what’s needed, and help our community respond to what’s next—together.

Our Mission is to improve lives and build community by engaging individuals and mobilizing collective action. 

Our Vision is a thriving community where everyone can reach their potential. 

We are accountable to the community we serve and the movement we help lead. That means being transparent in how resources are used, intentional in how decisions are made, and inclusive in how people participate. We don’t do this work alone—and we don’t do it for the community. We do it with the community: united, every step of the way.

THE OPPORTUNITY OF THIS ROLE
The Senior Advisor, Indigenous Collaboration works to deepen, guide, and steward United Way Winnipeg’s collaboration with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples and communities—supporting the organization, its volunteers, and its governance bodies to work in ways that are informed, relevant, respectful, and grounded in Indigenous ways of being, knowing, and doing.

Working in close partnership with the President & CEO, Strategic Leadership Team, and the Council for Indigenous Relations (CIR), the Senior Advisor is responsible for building organizational knowledge and capability, supporting leadership decision-making, and ensuring that United Way Winnipeg’s work is relevant, responsible, and meaningful to Indigenous peoples and communities.

RESPONSIBILTIES
Council for Indigenous Relations (CIR) Support

• Serve as the primary staff partner to the Council for Indigenous Relations, building trusted relationships with Council members and Co-Chairs
• Coordinate and support Council gatherings, including planning, communication, and follow-through
• Support the Council’s role in providing guidance, accountability, and learning to the organization
• Work with leadership to bring forward key strategies, policies, and initiatives for Council advice, and ensure guidance is communicated and integrated

Advisory Support to Leadership & Governance

• Provide senior advisory support to the President & CEO, Strategic Leadership Team, Board of Trustees, and volunteer leaders on Indigenous collaboration
• Offer insight and guidance to inform decision-making, strategy, and organizational practice
• Support leaders in navigating complex and sensitive issues with care, curiosity, and accountability
• Review and advise on major strategies, policies, and initiatives, contributing to leadership discussions
• Identify and escalate risks or misalignment related to Indigenous collaboration priorities

Knowledge & Capacity Building

• Work with leadership to develop and implement strategies that integrate an Indigenous collaboration lens across the organization
• Support Indigenous collaboration as an ongoing, evolving, whole-organization practice
• Build organizational understanding of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples through coaching, learning opportunities, and contextual teaching
• Support staff and volunteers to build confidence and competence in working respectfully with Indigenous communities
• Provide guidance on Indigenous approaches to philanthropy, generosity, and reciprocity
• Support the integration of Indigenous perspectives into United Way Winnipeg’s practices and partnerships

Relationship Development & External Collaboration

• Support strategies and initiatives that deepen relationships with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, organizations, and leadership
• Guide the organization in building relationships grounded in trust, relevance, and mutual respect, including coordination of executive presence in community
• Ensure Indigenous community perspectives inform planning and decision-making
• Support the development of feedback and accountability approaches that reflect reciprocity and respect in relationships
• Provide guidance on responding to harm, missteps, or breaches of trust

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

• Demonstrated experience advising and supporting senior leaders, boards, elected officials, or volunteer governance bodies 
• Experience working with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, with the ability to translate, partner, and bridge Indigenous knowledge within non-Indigenous organizational or institutional environments 
• Knowledge and expertise—developed through post-secondary education, professional practice, community leadership, lived experience, or sustained independent learning—in philanthropy, community engagement, public administration, non-profit work, or related fields is an asset 
• Experience within the United Way movement is an asset 

In addition, you bring:

• Strong judgment, discretion, and the ability to navigate complex, sensitive, and relationally dynamic environments 
• The ability to build trust, work across organizational and governance boundaries, and provide constructive guidance to leadership 
• Adaptability, systems thinking, and the ability to manage competing priorities while contributing to continuous improvement

CREDENTIALS & ELIGIBILITY
This is an Indigenous-specific role. Applicants must be Indigenous and demonstrate membership or citizenship in an Indigenous nation, as determined by that nation

BENEFITS
United Way Winnipeg offers opportunities for personal and professional growth in a rewarding career! We offer excellent benefits, including: 

• Company paid Health and Dental Coverage 
• Defined Benefit Pension Package with Company Match 
• Generous Paid Time off and Holiday schedule 
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth 
• Flexible hybrid work arrangements to support work life balance 

EQUITY, ACCESSIBILITY & HIRING APPROACH
This role is specific to Indigenous peoples. Applicants will be asked to demonstrate membership or citizenship in an Indigenous nation in a manner that respects the practices of that nation. We are committed to approaching this process with care, respect, and cultural sensitivity—balancing Indigenous self-determination, authentic identity, and the purpose of this role.

United Way Winnipeg is committed to achieving and maintaining a workforce that reflects the demographics of the communities we serve. Applicants are asked to self-declare.

We are committed to providing an inclusive, barrier-free work environment, beginning with the hiring process. Individuals applying for employment with United Way Winnipeg may request accommodations at all stages of recruitment and employment from the People & Culture team. All information received as it relates to accommodation will be kept confidential.  

Applicant reviewal will begin on May 7th. This posting will remain open and will continue to receive applications until the position is filled.

To apply, please visit our website or click Apply today!   

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