*This is a 1-Year Term Position*

Supporting reconciliation and Indigenous excellence is one of the five Pillars of UWinnipeg’s Strategic Plan 2025-2030, and the Office of Indigenous Engagement (IE) is integral to achieving the objectives set forth in the strategic plan and advancing university-wide priorities.

The Executive Assistant is a full-time term position that acts as an essential support role to both the AVP, Indigenous and their unit in supporting the advancement of efforts towards Indigenization and Reconciliation, and Indigenous Excellence at UWinnipeg.

In accordance with the University of Winnipeg Employment Equity and Diversity Policy and section 11 of The Human Rights Code, this position is designated for qualified candidates who self-identify as Indigenous persons. Please confidentially self-identify at the time of application.

Please note: In the latter stages of the selection process, additional steps supporting the verification of Indigenous identity will occur for the selected candidate as a condition of employment.

Responsibilities:

Administrative Support

• Daily review, action and follow up of emails and phone calls to the AVP’s office.
• Provides high level administrative and support services, keeping the AVP informed on issues, events, special concerns and other information of strategic importance/interest and makes decisions on priority of information.
• Schedules meetings for AVP and their team.
• Initiates, formulates, and prepares for review/signature correspondence, reports, and emails which are often confidential and sensitive in nature.
• Conducts research as requested by gathering, reading and summarizing data and information, and preparing briefing documents.
• Assists in arranging for educational, governmental and Indigenous officials to tour campus faculties and meet with senior and strategic University representatives.
• Assists in planning and coordinating special events and other events designed to promote interaction with government, Indigenous governments, organizations and communities, and the community at large.
• Develops and maintains accurate Indigenous and community contact lists.
• Arranges all aspects of travel and submits travel claims.
• Acts as coordinator and recording secretary for all IE committees.
• Privy to concerns and complaints by community and Indigenous organizations about the University that require solutions.
• Acts as a liaison with other organizations and with university areas, departments and programs.
• Files and couriers packages.
• Assists in preparing PowerPoint presentations and documents in support of engagement with government, Indigenous governments and organizations, and for connecting with donors on Indigenous priorities.
• Works closely with departments across campus in support of their efforts towards Indigenization and reconciliation.
• Provides academic administrative support to AVP in relation to AVP teaching and research.

Management of Budget

• Responsible for the daily management and operations of the office, its programs and initiatives, and ongoing support of campus-wide Indigenization as identified in the strategic plan.
• Works with the AVP in overseeing and managing budgets, and with the Budget and Finance Coordinator in the administration of budgets.
• Responsible for corporate Visa expenditures and providing monthly reconciliation backup to the Budget and Finance Coordinator.
• Manage and approve invoices for department budgets.
• Monitors, balances and reconciles accounts payable.

Management of Daily Operations

• Acts as a liaison with other institutions/universities, departments, governments and programs as required for provision and collection of information.
• Assist with Indigenous Engagement Staff.
• Supports and nurtures relationships with University designed Elders, community Elders and Knowledge Keepers, which involves supporting elders and ensuring the university respects cultural protocols.
• Provides education and guidance to units across campus regarding Indigenous cultural protocols and cultural practices.
• Recommends additional supports/systems for the University community in support of Indigenous reconciliation and growth.
• Helps arrange cultural experiences as requested for Senior Executive or others.
• Helps support the development and implementation of special programs. Program implementation may include relationship building with partnering organizations, planning and developing, budget management, advertising and reporting.
• Assists other programs that report to IE with their operations and programming
• Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

Qualifications:

• Post-secondary diploma or degree preferred, or an equivalent program of studies with office management and administrative skills diploma.
• Five years of directly related senior executive level administrative experience preferred.
• Must have experience working with Indigenous people, especially regarding reconciliation.
• Must have understanding of Indigenous governments, organizations and communities.
• Understanding of the role and hierarchy of colonial governments is an asset.
• Must be able to work independently.
• Must exhibit a professional, customer-oriented approach at all times using tact, diplomacy, and grace.
• Must respect confidentiality at all times.
• Must have excellent English oral and written communication skills. Knowledge of an Indigenous language is an asset.
• Must have knowledge of versions of video conference systems (Zoom, Microsoft Teams), Outlook, Adobe Professional, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Must have excellent organizational skills.
• Must have experience in organizing events (and supporting ceremonies).
• Understands budget management and has a moderate level of excel skills.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, coordinate and establish work priorities and deadlines.
• Must be able to work effectively in a complex environment with varying demands for attention and changing priorities.
• Proven skill in making sound independent judgments and utilizing problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to communicate effectively with external and internal communities.
• Must be flexible and possess the ability to work as part of a team and within the University overall.
• Must be able to build relationships and work effectively and in harmony with a variety of people, many of whom are outside the University community.
• Must be able to adapt to a cross-cultural setting.
• Must be aware of and sensitive to Indigenous issues and concerns, and to inner-city issues and concerns.
• Must have a strong sense of service to university constituencies and the public.

An equivalent combination of education, experience, skills, knowledge and abilities may be considered.

Condition(s) of Employment:

• Must be legally entitled to work in Canada.
• Ability to work the occasional evening or weekend shift, when required.

The salary range for this position will be from $62,234 to $78,836 annually.

Note: The work described in this posting will be conducted in-person.

The University of Winnipeg is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognizes that a diverse staff and faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research environments, and is essential to academic and institutional excellence. In accordance with the University of Winnipeg Employment Equity and Diversity Policy and section 11 of The Human Rights Code, this position is designated for qualified candidates who self-identify as Indigenous persons.

The University of Winnipeg is committed to ensuring employment opportunities are accessible for all applicants. If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact human_resources@uwinnipeg.ca.

The personal information of applicants is collected under the authority of the University of Winnipeg Act and 36(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. All personal information collected via the recruitment process is used to assess the applicant’s suitability, eligibility, and qualifications for employment, and to otherwise support recruitment activities. This information will be provided to participating members of the recruitment process. Questions regarding the collection of your personal information may be directed to the Director, HR Services, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2E9 or human_resources@uwinnipeg.ca.