Senior Director of Learning and Friendship Centre Development

Please note: This job posting will close on March 2, 2026, at 5 PM and this posting is for an existing vacancy.

Objective:

To provide visionary institutional leadership, developing and driving the mission, strategies and advancement of the OFIFC’s Learning and Friendship Centre development priorities 

Key Deliverables

• Lead and advance a clear, Indigenous-led strategic vision for OFIFC education, training, and instructional design that strengthens Friendship Centre standards of performance, service excellence, and organizational capacity across Ontario.


• Design, deliver, and continuously improve high-quality education and training initiatives that support OFIFC programs, internal staff, Friendship Centres, the urban Indigenous community, and partners


• Strengthen and protect OFIFC’s reputation as a trusted provincial leader in Indigenous-led education, training, and capacity-building by demonstrating excellence, accountability, and alignment with Friendship Centre standards.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership (50%):

• Provide senior leadership in defining, implementing, and sustaining OFIFC’s education and training mandate, ensuring full alignment with Friendship Centre standards of performance, quality, and service excellence.


• Lead strategic and business planning processes for education and training initiatives, including identifying growth opportunities, setting performance and revenue targets, and aligning resources to achieve strategic objectives.


• Work collaboratively with the OFIFC senior leadership, and advisory bodies to establish strategic priorities, performance expectations, and resource allocations that support consistent, high-quality, standards-based service delivery across Friendship Centres.


• Position OFIFC education and training initiatives as Indigenous-led, credible, and responsive to community and sector needs.


• Champion innovation in curriculum development, training delivery, and instructional methods to expand access, relevance, and impact while maintaining high standards of performance.


• Lead the development, implementation, and ongoing refinement of strategic, operational, and policy frameworks governing education, training, and instructional design.


• Protect and enhance OFIFC’s organizational reputation by upholding Friendship Centre standards, fostering strong strategic partnerships, and modeling accountability and excellence.

Administrative Leadership & Internal Engagement (25%):

• Provide leadership and oversight to education, training, and instructional design teams, ensuring effective use of resources, operational excellence, and measurable performance outcomes.


• Support research, innovation, service, and outreach activities that strengthen Friendship Centre capacity and improve program quality and effectiveness.


• Establish and maintain organizational structures and workforce plans that support sustainable growth, high performance, and alignment with Friendship Centre standards.


• Foster a culturally grounded, inclusive, and accountable organizational culture that attracts, develops, and retains skilled facilitators, educators, administrators, and staff.


• Ensure administrative systems and processes support performance monitoring, reporting, continuous improvement, and organizational accountability.

External Engagement (25%):

• Build and maintain strong partnerships with Friendship Centres, Indigenous organizations, academic institutions, industry, and community partners to advance high-quality, standards-based education and training.


• Engage with businesses, industry, and governments to ensure OFIFC education and training initiatives support workforce development, community priorities, and positive outcomes for the urban Indigenous community.


• Represent and advocate for OFIFC in engagements with municipal, provincial, national, and international governments, and with education and training networks and organizations.

Education/Work Experience:

• Completed Masters degree in education or other relevant discipline and/or equivalent professional experience


• 5-7 years’ experience at a Senior Management level in higher education, not-for-profit or business.


• Experience establishing, building or growing an academic program or institution, preferably within an Indigenous context

Behavioural Competencies:

• Entrepreneurial & Visionary


• Strategic Thinking


• Creativity/Innovative


• Problem Solving/Decision Making


• Integrity and Credibility


• Leadership

Technical Competencies:

• Demonstrated leadership of a complex and comprehensive higher education institute or equivalent experience in managing and reviewing the work of educators and academics


• Ability to observe, anticipate and act on trends in post-secondary education


• Ability to define, assess and develop the competencies and capabilities required in education, research and anti-indigenous racism work.


• Knowledge of Ontario not-for-profit Governance, Board, Bylaws, relevant legislation


• Understanding of Public Policy as it relates to urban Indigenous issues


• Ability to work well with diverse groups of internal and external constituencies

What we offer:

• Culture-based organization


• Registered Pension Plan - Employer Matching


• Hiring Range: $144,000 - $150,480


• Full Pay Range: $144,000 - $176,000


• Comprehensive Health benefits after the probationary period including Health Care Spending Account & Lifestyle Spending Account (100% Employer paid)

The OFIFC is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce; we promote employment equity and encourage applicants to indicate if you belong to one of the four designated employment equity groups Women, Indigenous peoples, Persons with disabilities, or Members of visible minorities when you apply. 

Preference will be given to qualified Turtle Island Indigenous people including members of First Nations, Inuit and Métis (recognized by the Metis National Council).  Applicants claiming Indigenous ancestry will be required to provide supporting documentation to substantiate their claim.

Accommodation:

The OFIFC is committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Candidates who participate in an interview will be informed of the outcome of their candidacy within 45 days following their final interview.

OFIFC does not use artificial intelligence or automated decision-making tools in the screening or selection of candidates for this position.

Pre-screen Interviews are scheduled to start March 3 – 13, 2026.

Formal interviews are scheduled to take place March 16 – 20, 2026.