Research Manager - Livelihoods

Position Title:      Research Manager

Team:                   Livelihoods (LIV)

Reports to:           Research Director or Technical Lead

Job Location:       Flexible – Firelight office or home-based remote office

Travel:                  Up to 15 days of travel per quarter

Start Date:           January 5, 2026

ORGANIZATIONAL STATUS

Firelight is an Indigenous-owned consultancy that provides research and technical support to Indigenous Nations and organizations across Turtle Island. We specialize in six core areas: Livelihoods (Indigenous Knowledge Research, Socio-Economics), Indigenous-led Assessment, Indigenous Negotiations, Mapping & GIS, Stewardship (Ecology, Planning, Implementation), and Health.

Majority-owned by First Nations individuals from Ebb & Flow First Nation (MB), Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in (YK), and Garden River First Nation (ON), our work is grounded in community values and guided by the principles of relationships, accountability, quality, and responsibility.

Since 2010, Firelight has supported over 250 clients and delivered more than 1,000 projects focused on Indigenous rights, knowledge, and self-determination. Our growing team of 100+ professionals works remotely across Canada, with offices in West Vancouver, Vancouver, Victoria, Winnipeg and Edmonton.

JOB OVERVIEW

Reporting to the Program Manager and supervised by the Research Director or Technical Lead, the Research Manager is a technical specialist on their team. With expertise in research, project management, engagement and implementation, the Research Manager supports and/or leads their own consulting files, informing the design, strategy and execution of projects. Research Managers receive supervision and mentorship from the Research Director and Business Lead, who are committed to helping staff gain experience and grow their careers as we provide best practice, Indigenous-led research services to our clients. The Research Manager provides  consistently superior client experience, enhancing the image and reputation of the company and  ensuring Firelight’s values guide project strategies and processes.

Livelihoods services include knowledge and use studies, socio-economic baseline studies, culture and rights studies, cumulative effects studies, gender based analysis, ethnohistorical research, data integration for Indigenous-led assessments, and more. We tailor our methods to meet client needs, approaching the work from a wholistic perspective, using strengths based approaches to identify wisdom, lessons, and solutions from within the Nation itself.  We provide results that are timely and effective, and strengthen local voices both within and beyond the community. This work is designed to be objective and stand up to the highest levels of scrutiny, and can be integrated into regulatory, legal, planning, and negotiation settings.

COMPETENCY

Research Managers will have a focus on indigenous knowledge, use and occupancy studies, understanding cumulative impacts to culture and rights, and methods and approaches for community-based research. A qualified Research Manager will build relationships and partner with multiple communities to complete community-led research projects. Research Managers will be expected to incorporate Indigenous sovereignty, jurisdiction and ways of knowing and being in project design, implementation and people leadership. Research Managers are also expected to support communities in regulatory and legal processes, as needed, and must be confident and competent in these settings.  

RESPONSIBILITIES + DUTIES

Technical Advising

• Lead the design, strategy, and execution of consulting projects within the business area under the supervision of the Research Director
• Work with Research Director and other Research Managers to provide strong technical skills in research, strategy and evaluation to ensure innovative and high quality deliverables
• Support and lead the application of best practices, Indigenous research methods, engagement, and implementation
• Lead the development of research materials and reports for clients and external stakeholders
• Lead discussions with clients to define client requirements and priorities on complex financial and/or organizational issues
• Support the implementation of innovative practices that are aligned to emerging trends and best practices in their business area

Project Management

• Oversee the development, execution and evaluation of complex, multi-methods projects aligned to Firelight values and client expectations 
• Develop and monitor project scope, plans, budgets, and schedules to ensure successful project delivery; ensure timely execution of current, planned, and/or adjusted tasks in alignment with the project scope and schedule
• Identify and allocate fiscal and human resources, developing workplans and delegating tasks and work appropriately to achieve project success
• Oversee and coordinate the work of Researchers, and provide feedback to identify areas for further development and growth 
• Oversee and manage project budgets to ensure project profitability and healthy cash flow
• Coordinate with the Finance Department to ensure timely invoicing
• Manage information, data and documents following established procedures; assure quality control and security of research data
• Oversee logistical coordination of multi-day community engagement with research teams

Client Engagement

• Represent Firelight to clients, communities and in expert technical meetings with minimal supervision and review
• Work with and coordinate the activities of community partners and others, including Firelight team members and external consultants to develop, design, and implement projects
• Nurture and cultivate partner and client relationships through service excellence, knowledge transfer, and skills development
• Support and coach others in effective community engagements aligned to Firelight’s values and with shared objectives 
• Research Managers will be required to travel regularly, up to 4 trips per quarter, in remote communities

People Leadership 

• Foster a positive and respectful workplace, aligned to Firelight’s values and objectives
• Provide feedback on staff performance to Program Managers to inform performance management and professional development
• Supervise Researchers on project-specific work, including quality review and mentorship

• Ensure the workplace, including while traveling for in-community and on-territory work, meets all health and safety guidelines and regulations

• Support the development of Firelight’s organizational learning and knowledge
• Mentor staff in support of their growth and development

QUALIFICATIONS + EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field such as anthropology, indigenous studies, geography, community, economic and social development, sociology, linguistics, Indigenous governance, ethnology, cultural history, or a related discipline
• 7+ years of recent, relevant experience in research and/or programs, policy analysis, and governance – particularly within Indigenous contexts – related to Indigenous knowledge, use, and socio-economics.
• 7+ years’ experience working with Indigenous communities, organizations, and governments across various settings, with a good understanding of the political, legal, and jurisdictional complexities of Indigenous knowledge, use, and socio-economics
• Fluency in spoken and written English 

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Experience with and knowledge of Indigenous communities. Candidates who can prove significant community experience will be preferred
• Experience working with Indigenous governments and organizations in government, regulatory, and legal settings
• Excellent written and analytical skills
• Excellent oral communication skills
• Experience leading research projects and teams
• Experience developing and bringing in new work
• Ability to work within a fast-paced environment and communicate effectively with diverse groups, including Indigenous communities and their members
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage information
• Proven ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences such as existing and potential clients, funders, directors, associates, and internal staff
• Driver’s license required

WHY JOIN US?

Firelight offers compensation that is commensurate with skills and experiences. We provide a progressive and flexible work environment, along with the following benefits:

• Four-day work week (32 hours/week) with options for remote or hybrid work - Offices located in Vancouver, Victoria, Edmonton and Winnipeg.
• Comprehensive Health, Dental and Vision Benefits
• Long Term Disability (LTD)  and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
• Health Spending Account (HSA) and Wellness Spending Account (WSA)
• Parental Leave Top-Up payments
• Child & Elder Care Benefit
• Paid time off and holidays
• Indigenous Cultural Leave - Time off for cultural practices
• Anniversary Vacation and Winter Break

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

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals with a full package (resume, cover letter) 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 accommodation or support to participate in the application process, please contact our HR Department via email at careers@firelight.ca. 

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