Director, Indigenous Relations & Sustainability

Toronto Hydro is committed to powering a sustainable future and strengthening relationships with the communities we serve. Reporting to the EVP & Chief Customer Officer, the Director of Indigenous Relations & Sustainability will lead transformative strategies that embed First Nations engagement, partnership, and reconciliation as well as corporate sustainability and ESG principles into our operations—building trust, transparency, and shared responsibility with First Nations and the communities we serve.

Toronto Hydro acknowledges that the land on which we operate is the traditional territory of many nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee, the Chippewa and the Wendat peoples, and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. We also recognize that this land is covered by Treaty 13, signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit and are committed to building respectful relationships and advancing reconciliation.

As a trusted advisor and subject matter expert, you will build meaningful relationships and partnership models, champion various corporate education, define operational strategies, enhance ESG performance, and ensure accountability through transparent reporting. This is a unique opportunity to shape important relationships with Toronto’s First Nations communities, implement a sustainability vision and reconciliation journey and create meaningful impact for generations to come.

The incumbent is expected to behave ethically and follow the established code of business conduct, policies and internal control procedures, laws and regulations governing Toronto Hydro.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Build and nurture respectful, long-term relationships with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, grounded in trust, transparency, and shared responsibility. Engage with First Nations communities and consider the perspectives of rights holders whose Treaty rights may be affected by Toronto Hydro’s operations or projects.
• Design and lead Toronto Hydro’s Indigenous relations, sustainability, and ESG strategies and roadmaps, ensuring alignment with corporate priorities and embedding these perspectives into enterprise‑wide strategies, business plans, and policies.
• Serve as Toronto Hydro’s senior ambassador for First Nations engagement, leading engagements and partnership initiatives and providing strategic advice to senior leadership on First Nations considerations, community relations, sustainability and ESG matters.
• Develop Toronto Hydro’s sustainability and ESG vision in alignment with corporate strategy by setting short, medium, and long-term goals; implementing actions to identify and mitigate environmental, social, and community impacts; collaborating with internal stakeholders to embed sustainable practices into business decisions and operations; and leading the development and transparent disclosure of corporate sustainability and ESG performance reports.
• Embed reconciliation as a corporate priority, guided by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action 92 and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
• Design and deliver education programs internally on sustainability, ESG awareness, and the histories, rights, and cultural practices of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples.
• Integrate engagement and communication efforts into public affairs strategies to strengthen relationships and advance Toronto Hydro’s position within the community and broader ESG landscape.
• Champion initiatives that create shared value in areas such as economic development, employment, partnerships, and procurement, with a focus on inclusion and social impact.
• Foster open communication and collaboration to address stakeholder concerns and build consensus on prominent issues.
• Monitor, report, and disclose progress on community relations, reconciliation, sustainability and ESG strategies, ensuring transparency, accountability, and alignment with emerging standards.
• Lead the development of Toronto Hydro’s annual sustainability and ESG reporting.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Post-secondary degree in Indigenous Relations, social sciences, or humanities, or equivalent combination of education and lived/community-based experience.
• 7–10 years’ experience in Indigenous relations, sustainability programs, or community engagement.
• Specialized certification or designation in Sustainability and/or Indigenous Relations (asset).
• PMP certification (asset).
• Demonstrated strategic leadership of complex stakeholder programs and initiatives.
• Experience supporting meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities.
• Deep understanding of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis histories, languages, traditions, and worldviews.
• Knowledge of Indigenous governance within Ontario, associated legal context, business ecosystems, economic development strategies, and funding mechanisms, including familiarity with Canadian constitutional law, treaties, land claims, UNDRIP, and TRC Calls to Action.
• Strong understanding of sustainability business practices, performance goal setting, operations, and engagement strategies.
• Cultural sensitivity and a commitment to collaboration, ensuring community voices are heard and integrated into decision-making.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills, including the ability to build trust and long-term partnerships across diverse settings.
• Superior listening, storytelling, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to navigate complex relationships and resolve disputes with sensitivity and fairness.
• Strong interpersonal, project management, and communication skills.

TOTAL REWARDS

To support the overall well-being and success of our employees, Toronto Hydro provides a comprehensive total rewards package which includes:

• 100% employer paid Health & Dental benefits
• 24/7 access to Employee & Family Assistance Program and Virtual Healthcare
• Company-paid life insurance and long term disability
• Spending account to support fitness goals (e.g. gym memberships)
• Competitive paid time off (including vacation and parental leave)
• Defined Benefits Pension Plan through OMERS
• Career development and tuition reimbursement
• Exciting employee engagement and appreciation events throughout the year

This position is based in a hybrid environment allowing for remote work two days per week, based on business needs. Employees will be required to come onsite Tuesday to Thursday. You are expected to live in Ontario and within reasonable commuting distance of the office.

Toronto Hydro is committed to leveraging new technologies to support an efficient and inclusive recruitment process. As part of this, artificial intelligence (AI) systems may be used to assist in screening, assessing, or selecting applicants for this position. These tools are used in combination with human decision-making to ensure fairness and consistency. 

ACCESSIBILITY AND APPLICATION SUPPORT

Toronto Hydro is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Thank you for considering a career with Toronto Hydro. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. If you’re having difficulty using our online application system and require accommodation, please email hr_talent@torontohydro.com or call (416) 542-8000. Toronto Hydro is pleased to provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals throughout the job application process. Please note this email is for accommodation requests only. Resumes sent to this email address will not be considered. Learn more about our commitment to accessibility.