OCAD University acknowledges the ancestral territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabeg and the Huron-Wendat, who are the original owners and custodians of the land on which we work, stand and create.
This opportunity is open only to qualified individuals who identify as Indigenous Peoples of North America, including those who identify as First Nations (status, non-status, treaty or non-treaty), Métis, Inuit, or Alaska Native, Native American, and Native Hawaiian Peoples.
This initiative is a special program under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
OCAD University, Canada’s largest and oldest art and design university, is a vibrant community of bold, curious and compassionate artists, designers and scholars who are imagining and creating a joyful, equitable and sustainable world. The University is an internationally renowned hub for art, design, digital media, research, innovation and creativity, and arts administration. It embraces collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches to change-making through art, design-thinking curriculum and research, making OCAD U a local, regional, national and global leader in art and design.
It is an exciting time to join the OCAD U community as the University is at a key stage in its institutional transformation, with the implementation of its Academic and Strategic Plan and guiding principles — driving positive impact; decolonization, indigenization and equity; environmental sustainability; emerging as a vibrant hub; student centered approaches; innovation in learning teaching and research; and financial stewardship.
Reporting to the Vice-President, Academic & Provost (VPAP), the Executive Director, Indigenous Engagement is primarily responsible for maintaining and growing relationships between the University and various Indigenous communities through relationship building, community building, building justice, and mutual respect. Working collaboratively with the University, the Special Advisor to the Provost, Indigenous Initiatives, and external partners, this administrative role supports Indigenous success within the institution while contributing to the decolonization of OCAD University (OCAD U) practices, policies and structures through advocacy and community-building. This role acknowledges the important Indigenous artistic histories that inform, and contribute towards, recentering Indigenous Knowledge(s) within academic discourse. The Executive Director also provides oversight to the Indigenous Student Centre.
As part of the senior administration, the Executive Director serves to meaningfully connect Indigenous students, faculty, and staff with Indigenous Knowledge Leaders outside of the OCAD U community, as well as the Indigenous Education Council and the Indigenous Student Centre. The advocacy for Indigenous faculty, staff and students, including prospective students and their families, will recognize that intergenerational well-being is central to Indigenous communities and essential for decision-making processes, and will honour opportunities to enable the exchange of knowledge between these groups.
OCAD University is committed to restoring just and equitable relationships on an interpersonal, institutional and societal level by prioritizing Indigenous rights and knowledge systems, recognizing and acknowledging treaty obligations, and respecting Indigenous sovereignty. The Executive Director recognizes that the families of students and prospective students are entrusting the University community to provide a welcoming, respectful and safe environment for them. The role supports the production of Indigenous Knowledge and experience, as well as actively contributing to shaping future Indigenous Knowledge and experience within institutional systems. This position recognizes and prioritizes that important work to support the development of Indigenous artistic knowledge and skill within the art and design university context.
Summary of Responsibilities:
Qualifications:
Compensation: Commensurate with experience, plus benefits.
Hours of Work: Total of 35 hours per week. This is a hybrid opportunity, with the flexibility to report to work on campus and work remotely.
Application: The successful applicant will have Indigenous citizenship, connection to an Indigenous community (First Nations, Inuit, Métis), and a history and/or evidence of lived experience and an understanding of the Indigenous culture(s) and practices.
Application Deadline: Interested applicants are invited to submit an updated *resume and cover letter (PDF) by selecting "Apply Now" below. The review of applications will continue until the position is filled.
*Please upload your resume and cover letter as one PDF. Please name your upload: FirstName_LastName-Job Code
If you are an Indigenous applicant and require support during the recruitment process, please reach out to Alli O’Shea, Talent Acquisition Coordinator, at aoshea@ocadu.ca
As an employer committed to employment equity, we encourage applications from members of equity-deserving communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.
In order to alleviate the under-representation of Indigenous administrators, this opportunity is open only to qualified individuals who identify as Indigenous Peoples of North America, including those who identify as First Nations (status, non-status, treaty or non-treaty), Métis, Inuit, or Alaska Native, Native American, and Native Hawaiian Peoples.
This initiative is a special program under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
OCAD University is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier free experience to applicants with accessibility needs. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact People & Culture for more information or refer to OCAD U’s Policy of Accommodation in Employment for Persons with Disabilities
All qualified persons are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those short-listed will be contacted.