Position Overview


Reporting to the Senior Relationship Manager (“SRM”), the Relationship Manager (“RM”) is accountable for supporting existing and potential clients of the First Nations Financial Management Board (“FMB”). The RM coordinates and collaborates with all FMB business lines and contributes to a high performing and engaged relationship building team.


Accountabilities
Outreach / Engagement with prospective clients

• Work with the SRM to identify prospective clients within a specific region and develop a client engagement strategy and work plan;

• Conduct ongoing scans of the economic landscape in region to identify potential opportunities;
• Implement the marketing and outreach strategy designed to generate interest and promote the First Nations Fiscal Management Act (“FMA”) and FMB services and certification processes to prospective First Nation clients;
• Develop a rapport with potential clients and provide support to continually improve the relationship –continue to grow, maintain, and leverage networks;
• Take steps to ensure and/or actively manage key relationships, outreach initiatives and engagement strategies with the objective of supporting potential clients;
• Develop and deliver customized presentations and FAL/FAB workshops to First Nations;
• Support First Nations to develop their Financial Administration Law (“FAL”) or Financial Administration By-Law (“FAB”);
• Liaise with clients, their legal counsel, to support the development their FAL or FAB;
• Engage with the IELR Legal and Paralegal to ensure the clients FAL or FAB is in compliance with FAL Standards;
• Lead the client management process from initial engagement through to FAL compliance approval or FAB compliance opinion;
• Act as the point of contact for all inquiries related to FAL Standards and the Sample Law templates related to law compliance approvals/opinions, and FP and FMS Certification; and
• Prospective client segments include but are not limited to:
  • First Nations on FMA schedule: support these First Nations in reviewing and enacting a FAL and seeking Financial Performance (“FP”) and Financial Management System (“FMS”) Certification
  • First Nations not on FMA schedule: bring awareness of opportunities of the FMA, FMB services and benefits of a FAL, FP and FMS Certification
  • First Nations that wish to remain under the Indian Act : Provide awareness of FMB services and benefits of a FAB
  • First Nations seeking 10-Year Grant eligibility: Provide awareness of the pathways and requirements
  • New Client Segment FMB Standards 141.1 NPO, Modern Treaty, SG, Tribal Councils: Maintain engagement and value proposition during development of Standards and legislation

Relationship Management

• Provide thorough reporting on qualifiable metrics that meet IELR and FMB corporate goals, strategic goals, and objectives;
• Complete quality assurance for all material, including legal documentation, provided to the IELR Legal team on behalf of a First Nation.

Supporting the Journey to FP & FMS Certification

• Remains the primary point of contact with Chief & Council;
• Develop rapport and remain engaged with the Chief & Council to maintain an understanding of the Nations’ needs, objectives, and timeframes;
• As needed, provides additional presentations to re-engage Chief & Council and senior staff to reinforce the benefits of capacity development services and FP and/or FMS Certification;
• In collaboration with Capacity Development and Intervention (“CDI”) support First Nations with a FAL in re-engaging workplans towards FMS certification;
• In collaboration with Standards and Certification (“SAC”) business Line, support First Nations in evaluating the benefits of FP Certification and obtain financial information required;
• Client segments currently include but are not limited to:

• First Nations on FMA schedule, with a FAL.
• First Nations not on FMA schedule and wish to currently remain under Section 83 of the Indian Act and have a FAB.

Supporting clients’ journey to 10-Year Grant

• First Nations with a FAL or FAB seeking eligibility for the 10-Year Grant. Guide clients thought the eligibility requirements.

Supporting clients in the DMPPP

• Default Management Prevention Pilot Program. Support clients with a Law that are in DMPPP program as they move towards enacting a FAL and obtaining certifications.

Stakeholder Relations & Engagement

• As directed by the SRM:
  • develop, and implement an FMB stakeholder relationship strategy for assigned region to promote the FMA and FMB;
  • attend regional conferences, events, and industry functions to promote the FMA and FMB
  • coordinate with the other FMA Institutions - First Nations Financial Authority (FNFA), First Nations Tax Commission (FNTC); and
  • establish relationships and partnerships with Indigenous organizations, agencies, institutions, including but not limited: Indigenous Services Canada (regional), AFN (national and regional), Aboriginal Finance Officers Association (national and regional), Lands Advisory Board, NATOA, CANDO, Governance Development Network, Indigenomics, and First Nations Market Housing.

The Relationship Manager performs other related duties as requested.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field;
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a business development related role, ideally working with First Nations;
• Previous experience working with First Nations is required;
• Indigenous cultural awareness essential;
• Intermediate to advanced working knowledge of MS Suite;
• Working knowledge of Customer Relationship Management software;
• Ability to follow through and complete overlapping projects;
• Superior communication skills and an excellent command of written and spoken English; French language skills an asset;
• Ability to attend and conduct presentations virtual and eventually in person;
• Equivalent or relevant education and/or experience may be considered.

Work Conditions

• Based in Thunder Bay, ON.

• Requires extensive regional and sometimes national travel.
• Evening and weekend work may be required occasionally.