Position Title:     Manager, Culture & Language 

Reports to:          Director of Culture & Heritage 

Job Overview

Reporting to the Director, Culture & Heritage, the Manager, Culture & Language is responsible for the leadership and oversight of the Haisla Nation’s culture and language programs that promote the use of x̄áʼislak̓ala language, culture, and traditions within the organization and community. This includes developing and implementing a comprehensive language revitalization strategy; overseeing culture and language-based event coordination; establishing partnerships with other organizations for the development, implementation and evaluation of cultural programming; managing the research, analysis, and development of program policies and guidelines in response to language and culture protocol inquiries; and promoting and assisting the inclusion of traditional knowledge and land-based programs in educational opportunities for Haisla youth, community, educators and relevant stakeholders.  

To ensure Haisla culture and language is reflected in the development, planning, and implementation of programs, events and activities, the Manager, Culture & Language collaborates with internal and external stakeholders and organizations.

The Manager, Language & Culture is responsible for the leadership, management, and supervision of the Community Culture Coordinator, Language Education Coordinator, Culture & Language Teachers, Culture & Language Revitalization Coordinator, Language Researcher & Instructor, Haisla Culture Camp Administrator, Land-Based Wellness Coordinator, and the Administrator.

Organizational Status

The Haisla Nation is the band government of the Haisla people. Our mission is to build a powerful, prosperous and proud community, healthy in mind, body and spirit. We believe in building a strong and thriving community, with healthy and happy members and a sustained and prosperous environment. We are about 2023+ people, with approximately 700 living in Kitamaat Village. We have lived off the land and waters of our traditional territory for thousands of years, and it remains the focus of all we do.

The HR department supports the Nation’s vision by cultivating a productive, respectful, and thriving work environment. Our purpose is to ensure the well-being and professional growth of all employees, while aligning human resources strategies with the Nation’s values and goals.

Duties & Responsibilities

Program Leadership: The Manager, Culture & Language supports the Culture & Language program in achieving strategic and operational objectives.

• Work with the Director, Culture & Heritage to develop and implement the Culture & Language operational plan, ensuring alignment with the department and organization-wide strategic objectives.
• Support the implementation of appropriate monitoring and evaluation frameworks for all program deliverables to drive continuous improvement and impact of the Haisla Nation’s services.
• Implement departmental policies and procedures.
• Ensure all required reporting is completed accurately and on time.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to inform service delivery and ensure the organization’s services are consistently presented positively.

Program Operations: The Manager, Culture & Language oversees and manages the day-to-day operations of the Culture & Language program.

• Oversee the daily operations of the Culture & Language program, including all services and initiatives in the portfolio.
• Ensure effective and efficient delivery of services in alignment with policies and procedures, relevant legislation, and professional standards.
• Oversee the development and implementation of culture and language programming.
• Liaise with other departments, groups, organizations, and relevant stakeholders regarding culture and language programming.
• Oversee the development and implementation of Haisla culture and language curriculum within the K-12 education system as well as in adult education.
• Manage the development of teaching tools and resources.
• Oversee the accreditation process for Haisla culture and language teachers.
• Liaise with industry partners pertaining to Haisla culture and language questions or requests.
• Manage the Haisla Nation’s cultural awareness program.
• Develop program-related policies and procedures.
• Proactively evaluate the individual and overall performance of the Haisla Nation’s culture and language projects on a regular and ongoing basis; use collected data and information to make needed improvements.
• Support the Director, Culture & Language to actively pursue, develop, and/or participate in new initiatives to expand culture and language services in response to identified needs in the community and the goals of the organization.

Financial Management: The Manager, Culture & Language manages the program’s budgets, ensuring sound financial management.

• Manage and oversee program budgets and reporting requirements.
• Direct program staff in maintaining appropriate fiscal controls to ensure operations are within the scope of the annual budget.
• Support the allocation of funds and forecasting.
• Ensure program activities are in compliance with policies, procedures, and legal standards.

People Leadership: The Manager, Culture & Language supports the capacity and capability of their direct reports, including their professional development. The Manager, Culture & Language is a resource and mentor to the team, providing guidance and direction on risks, issues, or problems to ensure services achieve intended benefits and meet expectations.

• Foster a respectful workplace and cooperative working relationships with all employees.
• Ensure employees are appropriately trained and aligned with the Haisla Nation’s mission, vision, values, policies, and procedures.
• Work with the HR department to identify capacities needed (skillsets and competencies) to achieve departmental goals.
• Lead the hiring, evaluation, professional development, discipline, and dismissal of program staff.
• Build the capacity of program staff by implementing processes for orientation, training, and performance appraisal.
• Monitor the attendance of program staff and manage attendance issues including absenteeism, authorizing overtime, leave requests, vacations, etc.
• Support the HR department in ensuring human resource and labour relations processes are effective, efficient, and timely.
• Support the HR department in ensuring the workplace meets all health and safety guidelines.
• Serve as a role model regarding the organization’s values and leadership principles.

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Indigenous Studies, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• 7 to 10 years of experience providing operational leadership and working in a First Nations’ language, heritage, or in a First Nations’ cultural capacity delivering programming.
• Considerable experience working as First Nations’ Early Childhood Educators, School Age Educators (K-12), or Adult Education is an asset.
• Knowledge of Indigenous history with formalized education systems, residential school and on-going inter-generational effects specific to education and social programming and familiarity with Haisla and Henaksiala history, culture, goals and aspirations. 
• Experience working for a band government or Indigenous organization is an asset.
• Strong knowledge of and experience sharing and teaching language and culture.
• Ability to set goals and implement an operational plan for the department.
• Ability to provide leadership to direct reports and ongoing support for their performance and development.
• Strong proficiency in using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with an attention to detail.
• Experience monitoring and reporting on activities funded from various sources.
• Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills with the ability to professionally connect with and influence a diverse group of individuals.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to lead projects and work with diverse individuals to identify issues, design solutions, and evaluate results.
• Strong people leadership skills, including experience with building and leading high-performing teams.
• Satisfactory completion of criminal records check (with vulnerable sector screening if relevant)

Compensation Range: $40.14 - $51.95

Closing Date:  Will remain open until fulfilled

While we sincerely appreciate all applications, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.