Lead

Position: Lead, Various Practice Areas

Status: Permanent Full-time

Salary range: $85,000 – 105,000

Location: Vancouver, BC, or remote office with the ability to travel to our office in Vancouver as required

About Castlemain

At Castlemain, we work for and with Indigenous organizations and communities. We strive to build meaningful and productive relationships that serve the needs of our clients, and we are proud that many of our new clients choose to work with us on a repeat basis. Based on our expertise, our services are also sought after by all levels of government. With offices on the unceded territories of the Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam in Vancouver, our team consists of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous professionals who bring together diverse backgrounds in communications and engagement, policy development, natural resource management, and sustainable economic development. Our people are the most important asset in our pursuit of achieving excellence in the work we undertake.

 At Castlemain our services are organized with one objective in mind: to achieve results for our clients. Our services are performed by an award-winning team that possesses a wide range of knowledge, experience, and skill. At Castlemain, the services we offer are organized within five practice groups: Governance and Policy, Economic Development, Programs, Strategic Engagement and Communications, and Negotiation and Government-to-Government Relationship.

What we offer at Castlemain

Our success is built on the drive, initiative and dedication of our clients and team. We are focused on providing a highly engaged client focused culture. Our team is passionate about driving the business and making a difference.

• Competitive salary

• Comprehensive medical and dental benefits

• Professional development and training program

• Centrally located head office in the heart of downtown Vancouver on transit

• Flexibility for remote work

Summary

Castlemain has Lead positions in all five practice areas: Governance and Policy, Economic Development, Strategic Engagement and Communications, and Negotiation and Government-to-Government Relationship, we are currently looking to add to one of these practice areas.

Under the direction of the Vice President, the Lead is responsible for the management of project and client relations, as well as the marketing and sales of Castlemain’s services, and for meeting business development targets through the delivery of these services.  They have excellent written and oral communications skills and are passionate about partnering with Indigenous communities and organizations to advance their vision and goals.

The Lead has demonstrated expertise in their respective practice area, they lead client relationships and they manage people and resources inside projects. They also provide overall project support to other practice areas based on their experience and expert knowledge.

Job responsibilities

Project Management

• Work with the Castlemain leadership team to coordinate project resources;

• Managing a range of client projects from smaller to those of intermediate scope, complexity and duration;

• Work with the corporate team to ensure project time and expenses are accurately tracked, invoiced and collected;

• Develop work plans, budgets and schedules and manage all aspects of their execution during the lifecycle of a project;

• Act as the primary point of contact and work closely with clients to keep them informed of progress and making relevant decisions;

• Manage scope change and change order processes; and

• Develop and implement recommendations/solutions and ensure the client receives the necessary assistance to carry the work forward.

Practice area specific

• Provide expert advice to the Vice President during the development of project proposals and work plans;

• Organize and oversee all aspects of the practice area projects;

• Liaise with Indigenous leadership and internal administrative contacts to identify opportunities, develop appropriate plans, and implement projects to support goals of clients;

• Build strong and effective working relationships with project partners and stakeholders; and

• Maintain expertise and currency in industry leading information;

• Contribute leadership, knowledge and expertise to projects led by other team members; and

• Use best practices, manage and mentor junior project staff ensuring quality work with internal capacity building.

Business Development

• Driving new business opportunities and overseeing proposal development, reports, briefing notes, communications for clients, partners as well as internally for Castlemain;

• Attend and participate in internal learning, business planning and focus sessions;

• Identify and engage possible clients;

• Participate in marketing and business development meetings;

• Attend key networking functions and conferences;

• Proactively seek opportunities for business development; and

• Write proposals and funding applications and engage directly with potential clients and funders.

Internal Communications and Systems

• Enhance and develop client relations across all areas of Castlemain practice areas;

• Use company systems for time tracking, project management and contact management software in alignment with Company guidelines;

• Contribute skills and expertise to a variety of projects, working within time and budget constraints;

• Assist team members with internal, consulting and communications work as assigned;

• Use best practices to manage the work of and mentor junior project staff thereby ensuring quality of work and internal capacity building;

• Interact with our Indigenous clients, staff, visitors, government agencies/personnel; and

• Provide project support to other Castlemain Practice Areas as required.

Qualifications and skills

Professional

• A graduate degree in a related discipline to relevant Castlemain Practice Area

• 7+ years of work experience in a comparable role or an equivalent combination of education and work experience;

• A depth of knowledge in policy drafting and institution development;

• Experience working with Indigenous communities or an in-depth knowledge of Indigenous governance and policy issues through learned experience (3 years preferred); and

• Minimum seven (7) years project management or management experience;

• Experience as a consultant or within a consulting  practice would be an asset.

Additional

• Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, staff, visitors, government agencies/personnel;

• Adaptable and can provide project support when needed to Castlemain’s other practice groups;

• Demonstrated knowledge and interest in Indigenous issues in BC and Canada, including Indigenous governance and community development;

• Demonstrated knowledge of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, and Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls;

• Advanced writing and communications;

• Strong ability in facilitating small to medium sized meetings;

• Ability to work effectively both independently and with a team;

• High degree of professionalism in representing the organization at meetings with government officials, affiliated organizations, and the public;

• Excellent organizational and planning skills;

• Ability to prioritize and complete multiple assignments, meeting deadlines and budgets, while ensuring high quality work;

• Strong technical ability and experience with a range of software applications such as MS Office, particularly an intermediate working knowledge of Excel;

• Hold a valid BC Drivers Licence; and

• Willingness to travel to remote locations.

Self-identifying as Indigenous and/or having first-hand knowledge or experience living in and/or working with an Indigenous community will be considered an asset.

Additional duties and responsibilities may be added or modified as required throughout the course of employment.

More generally, we are looking for someone to:

• Share a passion for partnering with Indigenous communities to support their plans and goals;

• Demonstrate a passion for learning, both to improve your skill set as well as develop a better understanding of our clients and our company;

• Demonstrate a willingness to roll up one’s sleeves and employ a “can do” attitude across all tasks;

• Engage in employee performance evaluations, staff and practice area meetings; and

• Establish a good working relationship with other members of the Castlemain team.

Apply today by submitting a cover letter, resume and position reference before February 13, 2023.

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.