Position title:          Research Manager

Team:                  Socio-Economic Research

Reports to:          Business Lead/Technical Lead/Research Director

Job Location:        Flexible – Firelight office or home-based remote office

Travel:                Up to 5 days/month (1 work week), on average (25%)

ORGANIZATIONAL STATUS

One of the largest Indigenous-owned research firms and values-based organizations, the Firelight Group has provided socially responsible, community-driven research services across Canada since 2010. Indigenous clients have trusted Firelight to provide high-quality research and technical services that decolonize research practices and centre on Indigenous Knowledge and values to protect rights and advance self-determination. Firelight has an expanding, diverse team of over 100 talented professionals working on multi-disciplinary projects in nine business units: Indigenous Knowledge Research, Socio-Economic Research, Environmental Assessment, Indigenous Negotiations, Mapping & GIS, Planning & Implementation, Ecology, and Indigenous Health.

Firelight has offices in Xwmélch’tstn, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm Territory, Lkwungen, Tkarón:to, and ᐊᒥᐢᑿᒌᐚᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ (Amiskwacîwâskahikan). Firelight acknowledges that most of our work is with clients on territories where we are invited guests, and we are deeply grateful for this trust. We bring respect, humility, and a willingness to learn while recognizing that our work supports realizing our clients’ needs and objectives. Firelight proudly provides client-identified services that amplify and strengthen community voice and participation.

JOB OVERVIEW

The Firelight Group’s Socio-economic Research unit collaborates with local Indigenous Nations, experts, governments, and organizations to develop Indigenous-led and data driven research projects that are centred on Indigenous Knowledges, are scientifically rigorous, and provide practical tools for decision-making in complex governance environments. The Research Manager is passionate about socio-economic research and impact assessment while applying their expertise to support the exercise of Indigenous rights through major project proposals and regulatory processes, community planning and decision-making. The Research Manager leads and supports projects from development, design, and strategy to project management, research implementation, and final deliverables. They apply their research and facilitation expertise to address challenges and opportunities related to social and economical change. The Research Manager consistently provides a superior client experience, enhances the company’s reputation, and ensures Firelight’s values guide project strategies and processes. They report to the Program Manager and are supervised by a Technical Lead, Research Director, or Business Lead.

RESPONSIBILITIES + DUTIES

Technical Advising

• Lead project design, strategy, and execution, primarily focused on Indigenous-led socio-economic impact assessments pertaining to major projects in Canada’s regulatory environment.
• Lead and oversee the development of socio-economic research and community well-being studies.
• Produce high-quality, innovative deliverables in socio-economic research by applying technical and strategic research and evaluation expertise.
• Lead and support the application and development of best practices in community-driven socio-economic research, including Indigenous wise practices at the local level.
• Lead community capacity-building efforts related to social, economic and/or culture monitoring and training programs.
• Lead discussions with Indigenous clients to define requirements and priorities on complex financial and/or organizational issues.
• Uphold diverse Indigenous Knowledges in all phases of socio-economic research through design and implementation by allowing local Indigenous Knowledges to guide the conversations.
• Ensure community-driven research applies a strengths-based approach by prioritizing and centring Indigenous Knowledges, traditions, core values, worldviews, and cultural integrity.
• Lead the development of high-quality research materials and reports under demanding timelines.
• Provide facilitation support to clients based on subject matter expertise.
• Support the implementation of innovative socio-cultural research practices aligned with emerging trends.

Project Management

• Oversee the development, execution and evaluation of complex, multi-methods projects rooted in Indigenous ways of knowing, and aligned to Firelight values and client expectations
• Develop and monitor project scope, plans, budgets and schedules to ensure successful project delivery; ensure timely execution of current, planned and/or adjusted tasks in alignment with the project scope and schedule
• Support the timely execution of current, planned, and modified tasks in alignment with project scopes and schedules.
• Identify and allocate fiscal and human resources, developing workplans and delegating tasks and work appropriately to achieve project success.
• Manage project budgets to ensure profitability and healthy cash flow.
• Coordinate with the Finance Department and communicate with clients to ensure timely invoicing and payments.
• Lead discussions with clients to prioritize requirements for complex financial and organizational issues.
• Manage information, data, and documents following established procedures.
• Assure quality control.
• Support Indigenous self-determination and data sovereignty by upholding Indigenous protocols and principles regarding data collection and repatriation processes.
• Oversee and coordinate logistics for multi-day community engagement with research teams.
• Manage multiple projects, ranging in value from $15,000-$500,000 at any time.

Client Engagement

• Demonstrate and communicate Firelight’s approach and ensure Indigenous voices are at the forefront of our work.
• Represent Firelight at client meetings and Indigenous community gatherings.
• Represent clients at technical meetings as an expert witness.
• Collaborate with community partners, clients, Firelight team members, and external consultants to coordinate activities, including developing, designing, and implementing projects.
• Cultivate partner and client relationships through service excellence, knowledge transfer, and skills development (capacity building).
• Coach and mentor Firelight team members in respectful community engagement aligned with Firelight values and shared objectives.
• Manage conflicts, disputes, and communications effectively and positively to serve as a strong facilitator of dialogue for clients.

People Leadership

• Foster a positive and respectful workplace aligned with Firelight’s vision, values, and goals.
• Inform performance management and professional development by providing feedback on staff performance to the Program Manager.
• Supervise Researchers and Research Analysts on project-specific work, including peer review, coaching, mentorship, and annual performance reviews to foster service excellence, knowledge transfer, and skills development (capacity building).
• Coordinate and oversee the work of Researchers and Research Analysts and provide feedback to identify areas for further development and growth.
• Mentor Researchers and Research Analysts in support of their growth and development

QUALIFICATIONS + EXPERIENCE

• 7+ years of experience in applied socio-economic research with expertise in impact assessment, major projects, or community well-being.
• 7+ years of experience working with, within, and for Indigenous communities.
• Master’s degree or equivalent experience, which may include community-based knowledge, lived experience, and connections to Indigenous communities (i.e. in-community on-the-land experience).
• Demonstrated strong writing experience, including publications of reports, guidance documents, or peer-reviewed reports.
• Experience navigating a fast-paced consulting environment, demonstrating strong self-management, prioritization, and problem-solving skills.
• Fluency in spoken and written English.

Please respond to our online ad with the following: (1) resume, (2) cover letter, and (3) writing sample. Please upload the (2) cover letter, and (3) writing sample as ONE document. All files should be in PDF format using your last name as the file name.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals will a full package (resume, cover letter, and writing sample) will be considered.

At Firelight, we are committed to developing a diverse and inclusive team and we welcome all cultures, ages, genders, sexual orientations, and abilities. We recognize and celebrate the diversity of all peoples and actively promote development of inter-cultural competence within our team.

As an Indigenous-owned organization, we are particularly committed to supporting the employment of Indigenous individuals because we recognize the unique challenges and barriers faced by Indigenous people and because we feel it is necessary to reflect Indigenous perspectives and values in the work that we do. We encourage all Indigenous applicants to self-identify in their cover letter so that we consider their application accordingly, as Firelight may give preference to these applicants.

If any candidate requires accommodation or support to participate in the application process, please contact our HR Department via email at hr@firelight.ca.

Working at the Firelight Group means being passionate about what we do. Be part of our amazing team, with a very exciting future.