Senior Indigenous Economic Strategist

At Alto, we are actively contributing to the transformation of Canada's future with our high-speed train project connecting Quebec City and Toronto. With the support of the Government of Canada, this innovative project aims to improve the quality of life of our citizens, strengthen ties between communities and stimulate economic growth.

Would you like to take on a stimulating, high-impact challenge? We are looking for a Senior Advisor, Indigenous Economic Benefits. This position may be based in either our Montreal or Quebec City office.

The role

Reporting to the Director, Indigenous Economic Benefits & Partnerships, the Senior Advisor, Indigenous Economic Benefits, will be a key contributor in developing and executing strategies for the Alto Project with a strong focus on optimizing socio-economic benefits and fostering strong Indigenous relations for the Project. The Senior Advisor will work in close collaboration with the Indigenous Relations team and Alto’s other internal functions (including technical, legal, finance, etc.).

The Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of Indigenous socio-economic benefit approaches and initiatives (including but not limited to Indigenous procurement, employment, training, business development and community readiness) with Indigenous communities along the Alto high speed rail corridor.
• Lead the development of approaches for Indigenous employment & workforce development.
• Support engagement on Indigenous socio-economic benefits in communities and at events.
• Lead research and policy analysis, including designing community engagements, roundtable discussions with experts, and develop reports that inform decision-making.
• Lead and facilitate round table discussions with the private development partner, government officials, and Indigenous partners.
• Provide senior level advice and prepare decision-ready recommendations, briefing materials, and presentations for senior leadership to support decisions.
• Provide project management support, ensuring all deliverables are tracked and on-time.
• Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with Indigenous communities and organizations to maximize Indigenous economic participation.
• Collaborate with other functions and departments within and outside of the organization to ensure that initiatives align with broader corporate objectives, legal requirements, and Project timelines.
• Monitor and analyze evolving market conditions, government policies, and best practices related to Indigenous Economic Participation and infrastructure projects to inform strategy and implementation.
• Identify, assess, and provide recommendations to mitigate risks and barriers related to Indigenous economic participation initiatives while advancing opportunities that support project objectives and community priorities.

• Postsecondary education in the social sciences, Indigenous studies, Indigenous community development, urban planning, economics, or any other relevant discipline.
• 8 to 10 years of relevant experience in Indigenous community development or Indigenous engagement in large-scale projects, as well as experience in co-designing initiatives with Indigenous communities, ideally in the transportation, infrastructure, or natural resources sectors.
• A solid understanding of Indigenous rights, history, and cultures, as well as the specific legal, political, and economic context of Indigenous peoples in Canada.
• Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills, with a proven ability to establish credibility, build trust, and maintain productive partnerships with First Nations, Indigenous organizations, government representatives, financial institutions, and internal stakeholders.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to draft high-quality briefing notes, presentations, advocacy materials, and strategic recommendations for a variety of audiences.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills, with the ability to simultaneously lead multiple complex initiatives, set priorities, and manage timelines and deliver results in a dynamic environment, from design through implementation.
• A high degree of autonomy, initiative, and professional judgment, with the ability to work independently, identify opportunities, and proactively advance priorities with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated experience in leading strategic initiatives from conception through implementation, including developing strategies, engaging…