MNO’s culture is at our core
The MNO workplace culture is full of potential ready to be unlocked. As our Self-Governance agreement materializes, we are building a workplace culture of action, responsibility, and most importantly a desire to serve the Métis community. When defining what MNO culture is, it’s difficult, because of our diverse leadership styles, and the different programs and services offered. What that really means is there is a place for almost everyone under the MNO employer umbrella. We recognize people are different, and that is our source of strength. We bring opinions together, welcome healthy conflict, and look to always find answers, not problems.
Click here to learn about the Métis Nation of Ontario, and help you decide if we are the right fit for you
What We Can Offer You
Comprehensive employer-paid health benefits and pension plan
Generous vacation allotment starting at 15 day's for regular employees and 20 day's for management
Annual paid two-week holiday closure in December
16 paid public and employer holidays
15 paid health & wellness days
Challenging, multi-disciplinary work environment that fosters learning and professional development
Substantial educational incentive to promote personal and professional growth
An opportunity to make a direct or indirect impact on the lives of the Métis Peoples across the Province
Other perks
Employee Assistance Plan
Telemedicine plan
Health care spending account
Goodlife corporate membership discount
Bell Mobility's exclusive partner program
Staple's corporate discount
Dell member purchase program
Mark's corporate discount
About the Role:
The Director of Economic Development leads the strategic economic vision of the Métis Nation of Ontario (‘MNO’). This is a senior leadership role responsible for designing, implementing, monitoring, and refining economic development strategies, programs, and policies that foster self‑sufficiency, investment, and sustainable prosperity in Métis communities across Ontario. The Director provides oversight of a team, liaises with government, private sector, and community stakeholders, and ensures accountability for results and financial stewardship.
The Director is accountable for achieving Branch planning and operational goals and objectives and for furthering MNO goals and objectives within policy guidelines. The Director is also responsible for the safety and health of their employees and the workplace, managing and coaching their employees to deliver at the highest level of performance, the mitigation of risk to the organization, and the integrity of the organization.
What you will be doing:
Lead major development or investment projects (industrial, commercial, resource, innovation sectors), including feasibility analyses, business cases, negotiations, approvals, and regulatory compliance.
Develop, refine and lead long‑term economic development strategies (aligned with MNO’s Economic Sustainability Frameworks and regional plans).
Support with implementing a Métis Community Economic Development Fund, offering targeted funding to support capacity building, business growth, training, and mentorship opportunities to Métis business owners.
Advise executive leadership and Provisional Council of the Métis Nation of Ontario (PCMNO) on policy issues, legislative changes, and regulatory matters that affect economic development opportunities.
Conduct scans of economic, demographic, market and technological trends to inform strategic direction and anticipate new opportunities / threats.
Oversee the design, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of programs to attract investment, support entrepreneurship, retain and expand Métis‐owned businesses.
Ensure programs meet performance indicators, targets, and reporting obligations.
Prepare, manage, and monitor departmental budgets; ensure efficient allocation of resources and compliance with funding agreements.
Support with employee management for the economic development division: hiring, mentoring, performance management, capacity building.
Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and organizational policies (e.g., health & safety, financial controls).
Develop and maintain a Métis Nation of Ontario directory of Métis citizen-owned businesses in Ontario.
Consult and partner where appropriate, with Métis Capital Corporations.
Build and sustain strong relationships with Métis Chartered Community Councils, federal, provincial, municipal governments, Indigenous organizations, private sector partners, and other stakeholders.
Represent MNO in external forums, negotiate agreements, advocate for economic development interests of Métis communities; focus on Métis Community Economic Development Fund.
Collaborate with internal departments (e.g. Lands & Resources & Consultations, Administration, Communications, Self-Government Strategy) to align efforts and leverage cross‑departmental synergies to optimize business growth opportunities for Metis Communities and MNO’s investment arm.
Work with Métis Infinity Investments (MII) to develop opportunities for investment, both domestic and foreign; create strategies to attract venture capital, business relocation/expansion.
Establish and maintain relationships with the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) to align the organization’s services with key Indigenous‑business financing programs, including but not limited to the Inclusive Entrepreneurship Loan.
Act as a feedback conduit between Métis business community and BDC, identifying barriers, gaps, or policy constraints in existing loan programs, and working with internal and external stakeholders to advocate for improvements or additional supports.
Develop tools, indicators, profiles (social, economic, demographic) of Métis communities and regional areas to promote investment.
Develop performance metrics/KPIs for economic development initiatives; track outcomes and report regularly to senior leadership and Council.
Prepare clear, compelling reports, research papers, briefing notes and presentations for internal and external audiences.
Ensure transparency and accountability in project execution, financials, stakeholder feedback, and community impact.
Promotes the values of the organization within the workplace and in the community by demonstrating positive and professional relationships with others (employees, citizens, council, volunteers, advocates, etc.)
Reports all unsafe conditions, hazards or practices, accidents and incidents in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and adheres to all Health and Safety requirements within the MNO’s policies and procedures and provincial legislation.
Performs other job/branch-related duties as required.
Qualifications:
7-10 years of experience working or interacting with federal, provincial municipal and Indigenous governments.
5 years of senior management experience.
Masters Degree OR University Degree + Applicable Professional Designations; Chartered Manager (C.Mgr); Certified Management Consultant (CMC); Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA); Economic Developer (Ec.D – EDAC); Entrepreneurship Development Professional (EDP);CMM; Project Management Professional (PMP).
Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing strategic approaches within organizations through effective regional economic development, collaboration and working in partnership with private sector, government and other stakeholders.
A demonstrated ability to manage staff and work collaboratively using a team-based approach.
Demonstrated ability to adhere to MNO Policies and Procedures and MNO’s Financial Policies and Procedures and uphold MNO’s Standards of Professional Conduct.
Demonstrated ability to adhere to all relevant employment related legislation, including privacy laws, and respect confidential information.
Proven ability to conduct feasibility studies, risk assessments, and cost-benefit analyses to support business cases and large-scale development initiatives.
Experience in negotiating partnerships and funding agreements with governments, financial institutions, and private sector organizations to advance community infrastructure priorities.
Proven ability to develop and execute business strategies that drive sustainable economic outcomes for Indigenous or community-based organizations.
Strong, effective management and organizational skills, and demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced multi-issue environment, serving a wide range of varied internal and external interests.
Strong interpersonal skills in order to liaise with MNO leadership and management, government, community partners and other internal and external stakeholders.
A solid understanding of government processes and protocol.
Significant skill and experience speaking to a variety of audiences.
Knowledge of the Ontario Employment Standards Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Workers' Safety and Insurance Board, Ontario Human Rights Code, Canadian Human Rights Act, and other legislative requirements.
Ability and willingness to work flexible hours (including weekends as required) and travel throughout Ontario.
A high degree of digital literacy, including demonstrated knowledge of MS Office software including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
AODA Statement
The Métis Nation of Ontario commits to providing accommodation as required by the Ontario Human Rights Act, unless to do so would cause undue hardship. Accommodations will be provided in accordance with the principles of dignity, individualization, and inclusion. The Métis Nation of Ontario will work cooperatively and in the spirit of respect with all partners in the accommodation process. These accommodations will extend to all aspects of the employment relationship including recruitment and selection.
Please email human resources if you require an accommodation during the hiring process.
Special Services Organization
The Métis Nation of Ontario is a special services organization. All applicants are encouraged to apply. Preference may be given to qualified applicants who meet the requirements for MNO Citizenship as per the MNO Bylaws and who are in good standing.
The Métis Nation of Ontario uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help in the screening and assessing of applicants within our Applicant Tracking System (ATS).
