Manager, Indigenous Youth in STEM Program

About this opportunity

Actua is seeking a dedicated, detail‑oriented manager to drive the operational success of our national Indigenous Youth in STEM (InSTEM) program. In this pivotal role, you’ll ensure that all initiatives are grounded in Actua’s relational approach to Indigenous community engagement, serving as the primary bridge between our program model and its practical application across the country.

Reporting to the Director of InSTEM, you’ll act as a strategic advisor for Network Members, with a primary focus on cultivating and sustaining meaningful STEM pathways for Indigenous youth. As a key member of the InSTEM team, you’ll provide the operational insight and coordination necessary to strengthen Actua’s commitment to reconciliation through education.

This is a full‑time, 12‑month contract position. We offer the choice of a remote work arrangement within Canada or a hybrid arrangement for Ottawa‑based staff (four days in office/one day work from home), balancing individual flexibility with our commitment to high‑impact collaboration.

• You bring lived Indigenous experience and a deep‑rooted understanding of Indigenous ways of knowing and being. This perspective allows you to lead with a relational approach, prioritizing the long‑term cultivation of trust and reciprocity with Indigenous communities and organizations. You recognize that building meaningful relationships is not just a precursor to program delivery—it is the work itself—and you have a demonstrated track record of navigating these spaces with cultural humility, respect, and insight.
• You are a highly organized project manager and relationship builder with a proven track record of connecting with Indigenous youth, educators, and community leads. You don't just understand land‑based programming; you have the operational expertise to translate a high‑level model into successful, on‑the‑ground delivery across a national network.
• You thrive as a strategic advisor, capable of guiding diverse partners through the nuances of the InSTEM model while ensuring every initiative is grounded in Actua’s relational approach to Indigenous community engagement. You are a process‑oriented thinker who excels at synthesizing complex information and identifying exactly what is needed to move a project forward.
• A natural problem‑solver and self‑starter, you navigate ambiguity with ease and possess an extraordinary ability to organize information and streamline processes. You are driven by a commitment to breaking barriers for Indigenous youth in STEM and are ready to act as the essential bridge between Actua’s InSTEM model and local impact.

• Lead the annual InSTEM check‑in process to evaluate the strength and progress of network member programs; synthesize findings to identify where proactive support and coaching is required.
• Develop and implement tailored coaching plans for members, ensuring network members have the pedagogical and operational support needed to meet their InSTEM objectives.
• Serve as the primary line of support for the network, providing responsive guidance on community relationship management, Indigenous staff recruitment and retention challenges, and the delivery of culturally relevant content.
• Provide stewardship for InSTEM resources, ensuring that training modules, communications, and materials are impactful, accessible, and responsive to member needs.
• Review Network Member annual reports to identify and synthesize national trends, common challenges, and success stories to inform InSTEM team strategy.

• Lead the full lifecycle of the InSTEM Youth Delegation, managing recruitment, program design, delivery, participant engagement, and managing the program budget.
• Leverage the InSTEM Youth Delegation and Network Internships as a cohesive pathway, ensuring that Indigenous high school and post‑secondary youth stay connected to the Actua ecosystem.
• Monitor and track Network Member hiring of Indigenous interns, following the journey of these participants to ensure they are invited to participate in the InSTEM Youth Delegation and subsequent leadership opportunities.