Research Manager – Environmental Assessment

The Firelight GroupToronto, ON, Canada

12 days ago

Job description

Job Location : Toronto, Montreal or Home-based remote working

Travel : Up to 10 days of travel per month required

Start Date : March 3, 2025

ORGANIZATIONAL STATUS

One of the largest Indigenous-owned research firms and values-based organizations, the Firelight Group has provided socially responsible, community-driven research services across Canada since 2010. Indigenous clients have trusted Firelight to provide high-quality research and technical services that decolonize research practices and centre on Indigenous Knowledge and values to protect rights and advance self-determination. Firelight has an expanding, diverse team of over 100 talented professionals working on multi-disciplinary projects in nine business units : Indigenous Knowledge Research, Socio-Economic Research, Environmental Assessment, Indigenous Negotiations, Mapping & GIS, Planning & Implementation, Ecology, and Indigenous Health.

Firelight has offices in Xwmélch’tstn, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm Territory, Lkwungen, Tkarón : to, and ᐊᒥᐢᑿᒌᐚᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ (Amiskwacîwâskahikan). Firelight acknowledges that most of our work is with clients on territories where we are invited guests, and we are deeply grateful for this trust. We bring respect, humility, and a willingness to learn while recognizing that our work supports realizing our clients’ needs and objectives. Firelight proudly provides client-identified services that amplify and strengthen community voice and participation.

JOB OVERVIEW

The Research Manager advances Indigenous self-determination by leading innovative and rigorous Environmental Assessment (EA) projects for major developments in sectors such as mining, energy, and infrastructure. Rooted in Firelight’s values of relationships, accountability, quality, and responsibility, the Research Manager supports Indigenous-led impact assessments, oversees interdisciplinary technical reviews, and guides communities through federal, provincial and territorial EA processes — ensuring alignment with the principles of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC).

This senior position leads transformative work in Indigenous-led EA, combining methodologies such as alternatives assessment, rights impact assessment and cumulative effects assessment with rigorous research. By ensuring that community knowledge and priorities shape every project, the Research Manager drives meaningful change and sets new standards for excellence in EA practice.

As a mentor and leader, the Research Manager fosters a collaborative, supportive environment for interdisciplinary teams, guiding staff development and strengthening Firelight’s organizational capacity. This role also provides opportunities to contribute to thought leadership in the field, including developing new frameworks, sharing knowledge at conferences, and publishing insights to advance Indigenous rights and values in EA. This is an opportunity to drive meaningful change, deliver values-driven work, and contribute to a just and sustainable future while advancing the practice of EA.

RESPONSIBILITIES + DUTIES

Technical Leadership

Lead the design, strategy, and execution of EA projects, ensuring methodologies and outcomes align with Indigenous rights, priorities, and values.
Support Indigenous Nations in navigating federal, provincial, and territorial EA processes, offering strategic guidance and representing clients in technical advisory committee meetings and discussions with proponents and EA agencies.
Oversee the execution of advanced methodologies, including rights impact assessment, cumulative effects assessment, and alternatives assessment, to address key project challenges and community concerns.
Design and oversee community-based research, including interviews, focus groups, and workshops, and conduct analysis of collected data (e.g., coding and synthesis) to generate actionable insights and findings.
Facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration by coordinating input from ecological, social, economic, health, heritage and cultural technical experts to create cohesive and impactful assessments and technical reviews.
Provide technical oversight and ensure the quality of research deliverables, including data collection, analysis, reporting, and presentation.
Develop and deliver training sessions to build community capacity for participating in EA processes, with a focus on Indigenous priorities and knowledge systems.
Contribute to thought leadership in the field by piloting innovative approaches, publishing findings, and presenting at conferences.

Project Management

Oversee the development, execution and evaluation of complex, multi-methods projects aligned with Firelight values and client expectations.

Develop and monitor project scope, plans, budgets, and schedules to ensure successful and timely project delivery.

Identify and allocate fiscal and human resources, develop workplans and delegate tasks and work appropriately to achieve project success.

Oversee and coordinate the activities of Firelight team members, external consultants and community partners to ensure timely execution of tasks in alignment with the project scope and schedule.

Manage project budgets, coordinating with the Finance Department to ensure profitability, healthy cash flow, and timely invoicing.

Ensure quality control and security of research information, data and documents following established procedures.

Oversee logistical coordination of multi-day community engagement with research teams.

Client Engagement

Represent Firelight to clients and communities ensuring alignment with Indigenous priorities and Firelight’s values.

Build and nurture trust-based relationships with Indigenous clients and partners, ensuring their priorities are at the center of all interactions and project outcomes.

Lead discussions with clients to understand their needs, define project requirements, and develop strategies that meet their goals and expectations.

Maintain proactive and transparent communication with clients throughout project lifecycles to ensure alignment, address concerns, and provide updates on progress.

Deliver exceptional client service by anticipating needs, adapting to evolving priorities, and consistently exceeding expectations.

Foster long-term partnerships with clients by demonstrating reliability, cultural sensitivity, and a deep understanding of their unique contexts and challenges.

Foster a positive, respectful and inclusive workplace culture aligned with Firelight’s values and objectives.

Supervise Research Analysts and Researchers on project-specific work, providing mentorship, guidance and feedback to support their learning, professional growth, and effective community engagement.

Collaborate with the Program Manager to support performance management processes, providing input on staff evaluations and identifying opportunities for professional development.

Foster team cohesion and engagement by promoting open communication, recognizing achievements, and supporting staff retention initiatives.

Contribute to Firelight’s organizational learning by developing systems, tools, and practices that enhance team capacity and support knowledge-sharing across projects.

Ensure the workplace, including in-community and on-territory work, adheres to health and safety guidelines and regulations.

QUALIFICATIONS + EXPERIENCE

At least 7 years of recent, relevant experience in Environmental Assessment, with a focus on Indigenous engagement and assessment.

Master’s degree or equivalent in experience (e.g., long-term, senior positions with demonstrated expertise in EA and community-based research conducted with or for Indigenous communities, organizations, or governments.)

Extensive experience working with and for Indigenous communities, demonstrating cultural awareness and sensitivity, expertise in Indigenous research methods, and a strong commitment to supporting Indigenous rights and self-determination.

Proven ability to produce high-quality written deliverables, including technical reports and client communications.

Strong oral and written communication skills in English, with the ability to engage diverse audiences, including Indigenous communities, regulatory agencies, and interdisciplinary teams.

Experience supervising and mentoring staff is an asset.

Must be legally entitled to work in Canada.

Please respond to our online ad with the following : (1) resume, (2) cover letter, and (3) writing sample. Please upload the (2) cover letter, and (3) writing sample as ONE document. All files should be in PDF format named using your last name as the file name.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals will a full package (resume, cover letter, and writing sample) will be considered.

At Firelight, we are committed to developing a diverse and inclusive team and we welcome all cultures, ages, genders, sexual orientations, and abilities. We recognize and celebrate the diversity of all peoples and actively promote development of inter-cultural competence within our team.

As an Indigenous-owned organization, we are particularly committed to supporting the employment of Indigenous individuals because we recognize the unique challenges and barriers faced by Indigenous people and because we feel it is necessary to reflect Indigenous perspectives and values in the work that we do. We encourage all Indigenous applicants to self-identify in their cover letter so that we consider their application accordingly, as Firelight may give preference to these applicants.

If any candidate requires an accommodation or support to participate in the application process, please contact our HR Department via email at [email protected].

Working at the Firelight Group means being passionate about what we do. Be part of our amazing team, with a very exciting future.

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