Director – Education, Training and Research
Location: Central Office, Edmonton, AB
Closing Date: Until Suitable Candidate Found
Position Status: Full-time (40 hours/week) Permanent
The Organization
Rupertsland Institute (RLI) is an affiliate of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government and has a triple mandate in education, training, and research. With a decentralized network of 9 METI-Service Centres, a Corporate Head Office in Edmonton, and two mobile service units; RLI designs and delivers training and education services to more than 140,000 Alberta Métis.
The RLI Vision is: “A Skilled and Knowledgeable, Self-Reliant Métis Nation.”
The RLI Mission is: “To enhance the self-sufficiency and well-being of Alberta Métis through quality education, training, and research.”
For more information about RLI and its services and programs, visit us at www.rupertsland.org
The Opportunity
Rupertsland Institute is seeking a Director of Education, Training and Research who will be responsible for strategic leadership and executive-level oversight of RLI’s Education, Training and Research programming across Alberta. As a key member of the senior executive team, the Director will ensure the alignment of departmental operations with RLI’s mandate to advance Métis prosperity through lifelong learning and workforce development. This role oversees the implementation of multimillion-dollar programs and services that directly support Métis citizens, with responsibility for managing multiple funding agreements, stakeholder relations, community and industry partnerships, performance outcomes, and staff leadership across three core areas: Early Learning and Childcare, Client, Student Services, and Internal Operations. The successful candidate will be a strong leader with excellent interpersonal skills and experience engaging effectively with students, families, educators, and other stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities:
Provide strategic leadership that advances RLI’s mandate of empowering Métis Citizens through education, training, and research.
Lead strategic planning and ensure alignment of departmental operations with RLI’s mission, vision, funding agreements, and the Alberta Métis Education and Training Strategy.
Ensure program and research directions support RLI’s transition into the Otipemisiwak Métis Government (OMG), ensuring programs, operations, and governance are fully self-government ready.
Develop program business plans to guide annual work plans and operational strategies aligned with priorities and funding agreements.
Promote innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement to support Métis self-reliance and prosperity.
Ensure research-informed practice is at the forefront of decision-making in programs, initiatives, and strategy development.
Lead the implementation of provincial and federal education programs and services supporting Métis learners across Early Learning & Childcare, Kindergarten to Grade 12, post-secondary, and workforce development pathways.
Oversee implementation of: Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program, Métis Nation Post-Secondary Education Program and Early Learning and Childcare initiatives
Lead program development in partnership with stakeholders to ensure alignment with Métis needs and learner success.
Ensure evaluation, monitoring, and service excellence across all provincial programming.
Lead the education team in advancing academic and community-based research initiatives such as the Alberta Streaming Project to advance equitable access.
Direct research on Métis labour market participation, post-secondary access, program impact, and economic outcomes.
Strengthen partnerships with the Rupertsland Centre for Métis Research and other academic institutions to advance Métis-specific research.
Lead internal and external research collaborations following Indigenous research methodologies and ethical standards.
Ensure research outputs inform program development, policy development, and advocacy.
Ensure alignment with the governance framework of RLI and OMG, including reporting, compliance, and transparency requirements.
Lead development, implementation, and monitoring of policies and governance frameworks across education, research, and training.
Maintain compliance with regulatory frameworks, legislation, and funding agreements.
Lead systematic policy reviews and updates to ensure relevance, ethical practice, transparency, and operational effectiveness.
Ensure financial oversight, internal controls, and reporting systems meet or exceed requirements of funders and government bodies.
Secure and manage diversified funding streams to sustain and expand RLI’s mandates.
Demonstrate responsible stewardship of financial and operational resources on behalf of Métis Citizens.
Ensure reporting is timely, accurate, and aligned with funder and governance expectations.
Ensure financial, technical, and human resources are aligned with the Otipemisiwak Metis Government and strategically allocated to maximize outcomes and demonstrate value to Metis Citizens and funding agencies
Build and maintain strategic relationships with governments, post-secondary institutions, Indigenous organizations, private sector organizations, and community partners.
Represent RLI in provincial and national education, Indigenous education, and research forums.
Advocate for Métis inclusion and leadership in education design, curriculum development, and post-secondary policy.
Support the Métis Education Foundation in advancing scholarship endowments and learner supports.
Lead and develop high-performing teams across three core areas: Early Learning and Childcare, Client and Student Services and Internal Operations
Foster a culture grounded in Métis identity, values, and excellence.
Ensure effective staff development, training, talent planning, and succession planning.
Model collaborative, transparent leadership aligned with Métis governance values.
Other duties as required or assigned.
Skills and Competencies:
Excellent administrative and organizational skills.
Strong leadership skills with a recognized strength in leading and engaging teams, creating a culture that promotes the development of individual and organizational capacity.
Strong sense of initiative with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects or tasks, delegate, set expectations, and monitor progress of direct reports.
Proven strategic thinker with the ability to execute complex business plans and establish short-and long-term plans to meet key objectives.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with an ability to produce professional documents, reports, and presentations.
Strong understanding of labour market trends, Indigenous education and training issues, and pathways to employment and post-secondary for Métis Citizens.
Knowledge of program evaluation, performance measurement, and reporting requirements for government-funded programs.
Familiarity with Indigenous data sovereignty principles and their application to research, program design, and reporting.
Strong knowledge of education priorities, government reporting, and funding compliance is an asset
Superior interpersonal skills and a proven track record of building collaborative partnerships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to thrive in a dynamic and changing environment and be adaptable and flexible to changing needs.
Knowledge of Métis history, culture, and issues affecting Métis people including an in-depth understanding of RLI or the Otipemisiwak Métis Government is a strong asset.
Qualifications:
A minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in experience in education, training, workforce development, research, or Indigenous program administration.
Graduate degree in, Education, Indigenous Studies, Public Administration, Business, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and senior leadership experience).
Proven experience working with federal and provincial funding agreements (e.g., Employment and Social Development Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, Alberta Education) and program accountability frameworks.
Demonstrated work experience with Indigenous communities, governments, post-secondary institutions, and research organizations.
Experience in developing and managing large-scale business plans, strategic initiatives, and multi-year funding agreements.
Demonstrated success in building and leading high-performing teams.
Other Requirements:
Ability to work in office a regular schedule of 8:30am-4:30pm Monday to Friday, with flexibility for weekend and evening work, as required.
Ability to travel throughout Alberta as well as various provinces, as required.
Valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation.
Submission of a clear Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check.
Rupertsland Institute (RLI) Offers:
A competitive salary with comprehensive benefits plan including life insurance, critical illness, health spending & more!
Employer matching pension plan.
Generous vacation and time-off policies.
An opportunity to learn about Métis culture, history, and art.
Meaningful work in a fun and supportive work environment.
Continuous Learning and Professional development
Let’s Connect – Please Reach Out
We genuinely welcome a conversation to explore how this opportunity can work for you. If this opportunity resonates with your passion and experience, we encourage you to email your application package, including a resume/CV and a cover letter to info@rupertsland.org.
Alternatively, if you have questions about how this opportunity will fit your professional journey, please email the same address and we will be pleased to coordinate a time for an exploratory conversation.
Métis applicants are encouraged to apply.
Rupertsland Institute thanks all applicants for their interest. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Please note that candidates who have been selected to move forward to the next stage of the recruitment process will receive an email to complete a short online one-way video interview. Should you have any concerns with completing the video interview, please reach out to Human Resources by responding to the email invitation. No phone calls please.
