Director of Indigenous Relations

The Director of Indigenous Relations - Major Projects is a senior leadership role responsible for developing, leading, and executing labor relations and Indigenous engagement strategies that support Amico's Major Projects Division.

Working collaboratively with executive leadership, project teams, Human Resources, and external stakeholders, this role provides strategic guidance on labor relations, workforce planning, collective bargaining, and union partnerships across complex, unionized project environments. The position will also lead Amico's Indigenous Relations strategy, fostering meaningful and long-term partnerships with Indigenous Nations, communities, and organizations while supporting responsible project development and delivery.

Supporting major infrastructure programs in sectors including aviation, transit, transportation, and other large-scale capital projects, this role will help ensure projects are delivered in a manner that is collaborative, respectful, and aligned with Indigenous engagement best practices. The Director will identify and advance opportunities for Indigenous employment, training, procurement, and business participation while helping project teams achieve successful project outcomes.

The successful candidate will also guide and advance Amico's participation in the Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAIR) Program, building upon the company's current Committed Status.

Reports to: Head of Human Resources

Indigenous Relations & Engagement

• Develop and lead a comprehensive Indigenous Relations strategy that supports Amico's growth within the aviation, transit, nuclear, and major infrastructure sectors.

• Establish, build, and maintain respectful, long-term relationships with Indigenous Nations, communities, organizations, and economic development partners in regions where projects are pursued or executed.

• Support project pursuit and proposal teams by developing Indigenous participation strategies and engagement commitments.

• Collaborate with project teams to develop and implement Indigenous Engagement Plans (IEPs) throughout project lifecycles.

• Identify and advance opportunities for Indigenous employment, apprenticeships, training, mentorship, and long-term career development.

• Facilitate Indigenous business participation through procurement initiatives, subcontracting opportunities, supplier diversity programs, and strategic partnerships.

• Support the development of Community Benefit Agreements, partnership agreements, MOUs, and other project-specific commitments where applicable.

• Provide guidance and education to internal stakeholders on Indigenous rights, reconciliation, consultation expectations, cultural awareness, and engagement best practices.

• Lead and advance Amico's participation in the PAIR Program and support reporting related to Indigenous relations objectives and outcomes.

Labor Relations Leadership

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve labor relations strategies that support the Major Projects Division and its long-term growth objectives.

• Serve as the division's subject matter expert on collective agreements, labor legislation, workforce mobility, and union relationships across complex project environments.

• Provide strategic guidance to senior leadership and project teams on labor relations matters, including grievances, disputes, investigations, discipline, arbitration preparation, and workforce planning.

• Partner with Business Unit leaders and Human Resources to establish labor relations KPIs, dashboards, and tracking tools to proactively identify risks and opportunities.

• Support collective bargaining preparation and negotiations, including strategy development, labor costing, manpower planning, and risk analysis.

• Build and maintain productive working relationships with union representatives, labor organizations, and industry stakeholders.

• Monitor labor market trends, legislative developments, and workforce availability to support successful project execution and future growth.

Strategic & Advisory Role

• Act as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, project executives, operations teams, and pursuit teams on labor and Indigenous relations matters.

• Support major project pursuits by identifying labor relations and Indigenous engagement risks, opportunities, commitments, and mitigation strategies.

• Partner with Human Resources, Legal, Communications, Operations, and Project Management teams to ensure alignment and consistent implementation of corporate strategies.

• Assess and mitigate project-related risks associated with workforce availability, labor relations, Indigenous engagement, stakeholder commitments, and project delivery requirements.

• Support ESG, sustainability, reconciliation, and social responsibility initiatives through measurable Indigenous and workforce development programs.

• Represent Amico with Indigenous communities, unions, industry associations, clients, government agencies, and other key stakeholders as required.

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Business Administration, Law, Indigenous Studies, Public Policy, or a related field. A Master's degree is considered an asset.

• Minimum 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in labor relations, Indigenous relations, stakeholder engagement, human resources, or a related discipline.

• Demonstrated experience supporting large-scale infrastructure projects within sectors such as aviation, transit, nuclear, transportation, energy, or other major capital projects.

• Strong knowledge of labor legislation, collective bargaining, grievance administration, arbitration processes, and unionized work environments.

• Proven success developing and maintaining meaningful relationships with Indigenous Nations, communities, organizations, and economic development corporations.

• Experience leading Indigenous engagement initiatives, participation plans, community benefit commitments, and workforce development programs.

• Working knowledge of Indigenous consultation frameworks, reconciliation principles, and best practices for engagement within major infrastructure projects.

• Experience developing and implementing Indigenous Engagement Plans (IEPs), partnership agreements, Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), and procurement participation strategies.

• Familiarity with the Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAIR) Program or similar Indigenous relations frameworks is considered a strong asset.

• Strong understanding of project delivery models, including Design-Build, Progressive Design-Build, Alliance, Construction Management, and P3 projects.

• Exceptional relationship-building, negotiation, mediation, and conflict resolution skills with the ability to engage effectively at all organizational levels.

• Demonstrated ability to influence senior leadership, project teams, unions, Indigenous leaders, clients, and external stakeholders.

• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and the ability to balance operational objectives with long-term partnership development.

• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and facilitation skills.

• Ability to travel periodically to project sites, partner communities, and industry events across Ontario and Canada.

Employment Type: Permanent Full-Time

Vacancy Status: A current vacancy exists for this position

Artificial Intelligence: AMICO does not use Artificial intelligence to screen, assess or select applicants for this position

What Amico Can Offer You

• Competitive Salary

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Employer Matching Retirement Program

• Life insurance

Strictly no third-party resumes accepted.

Amico fosters diversity, inclusion and belonging within and across our organization. We welcome all to apply, including women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity. We also recognize that experience and potential are not always reflected by a checklist. If you are excited about this opportunity but do not meet every listed requirement, we encourage you to apply as your skills, perspective and experience may make you a strong fit for this role or another opportunity.

While Amico utilizes Artificial Intelligence to assist in our recruitment process, all final hiring decisions are made entirely by members of our team.

We are committed to adhering to the objectives and requirements outlined in the Accessible Canada Act (ACA), and to meeting the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner. By implementing the requirements of the ACA and its applicable regulations, we will provide appropriate accommodation upon request throughout the interview and hiring process. If you require accommodation, please contact [email protected], and we will work with you to support your individual needs.

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Strictly no third party resumes accepted.

Come Build Your Career at Amico

Amico delivers complex and impactful infrastructure projects that help communities grow, move and thrive. From highways and bridges to transit and residential and commercial environments, our work strengthens Ontario’s communities and helps build a more connected future.

As a Canadian-owned and operated construction company, Amico brings together expertise in general contracting, civil engineering and road building to deliver projects of significant scale and complexity. Through careful planning, innovative thinking and disciplined execution, we work alongside our clients and partners to create infrastructure that will serve communities for generations.

At Amico, our people are at the heart of our success. As one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies, we are proud to be recognized for the strength of our leadership, culture and commitment to continuous improvement. We foster a collaborative, inclusive and performance-driven environment where employees are empowered to contribute their expertise, take on meaningful challenges and continue developing their careers.