Job Description
About Waapihk Research
We are an Indigenous-led research and consulting firm supporting transformation in health, education, and community well-being. Since 2015, we’ve partnered with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, governments, and health authorities to deliver evidence that drives policy and real-world outcomes. Our work sits at the intersection of research excellence, public policy, and real-world implementation. We are committed to rigorous analysis, relational integrity, and long-term impact.
As a successful and growing firm, we are seeking a Director of Marketing and Client Relations to scale our business development and marketing functions.
Position Overview
Waapihk Research is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven leader to serve as Director of Marketing and Client Relations, joining our senior management team to strengthen and grow the partnerships that drive Indigenous health, education, and research transformation.
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Director of Marketing and Client Relations will build trusted, long-term partnerships with Indigenous organizations, governments, and sector leaders; lead business development; ensure a best-in-class client experience; and scale our marketing functions and brand visibility.
Responsibilities
Partnership Strategy & Outreach
Develop and lead an integrated partnership strategy that advances Waapihk’s mission and five-year goals.
Initiate partnerships with governments, health authorities, organizations, and industry leaders to enhance service delivery, shape policy, and improve health and well-being outcomes for Indigenous peoples.
Business Growth & Innovation
Lead and oversee the business development team in identifying, pursuing, and securing new business opportunities.
Oversee and refine proposal development and execution to ensure timely, values-aligned submissions.
Bring back market and community insights to sharpen our services and new product lines.
With support from the Executive, develop and launch new products and services.
Client Engagement & Representation
Define and monitor client satisfaction measures, ensuring a consistently exceptional client experience.
Represent Waapihk Research publicly, including at industry conferences, public forums, and high-level stakeholder meetings, to maintain positive client relationships and develop new prospective client opportunities.
Present research findings and act as client liaison in the assessment, design, execution, delivery, and evaluation phases of projects.
Team & Organizational Leadership
Oversee, grow, and mentor a team of 0-5+ staff engaged in business development-focused initiatives.
Collaborate with internal teams, including Research and Operations, ensuring external communications, relationships, and business development align with organizational objectives.
Develop and manage departmental budgets, ensuring effective resource utilization and measurable outcomes.
Marketing & Communications
Develop and implement marketing and communications strategies aligned with organizational mission and goals.
Lead brand positioning and ensure consistent messaging across platforms and materials.
Direct marketing campaigns and content creation to increase visibility and influence.
Oversee media relations, including press releases, inquiries, and external partnerships.
Monitor market trends, community needs, and stakeholder feedback to refine marketing strategies.
Collaborate with internal teams to ensure communications align with organizational objectives.
Supervise and mentor marketing and communications staff.
Manage marketing-related budgets and resources for measurable outcomes.
Represent the organization publicly through promotional and communications opportunities.
Report to senior leadership on marketing and communications effectiveness.
What We Are Looking For
Core Competencies
5+ years of experience in client-facing leadership roles (consulting, public/health systems, research, or adjacent).
Undergraduate education in any field, with a preference for those with business, marketing, economics, quantitative analysis, or a health-related field.
Proven business development, account growth, and relationship management record.
Excellent communication, marketing, interpersonal, and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
Experience leading people and managing budgets.
Ability to travel inter-provincially as needed.
Commitment to Indigenous community engagement and understanding of Indigenous issues is essential.
Comfort with CRM/PM (i.e., ClickUp; Monday.com) and productivity tools (e.g., MS Office, Power BI).
Who You Are
You may have experience as:
Director or Manager of Client Relations, Partnerships, or Strategic Engagement.
Business Development Lead in consulting, health systems, research, or public sector settings.
Senior Account Manager serving government, health, or community-based clients.
Director of Marketing & Communications in a mission-driven organization.
Partnerships or Stakeholder Relations Lead working with Indigenous or public institutions.
Senior Project or Program Manager with significant client-facing responsibilities.
You are someone who:
Values trust and respectful, long-term relationships.
Leads with humility and cultural respect.
Communicates clearly and respectfully.
Is collaborative, innovative, and mission-aligned.
Brings diplomacy and sound judgment to every situation.
Brings structure, accountability, and follow-through to partnership and business development work.
Represents with credibility, professionalism, and relational integrity.
Is adaptable and initiates.
Thrives in mission-driven work.
Why Join Waapihk
Work at the forefront of Indigenous health and governance.
Be part of a high-intellect, mission-driven team.
We offer a comfortable, friendly, and professional work environment.
Meaningful growth opportunity as the organization scales.
Our downtown Winnipeg office is conveniently located near bus routes for easy commuting.
Flexible working hours.
Competitive compensation aligned with experience.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary
On-target earnings of $135k+ as a combination of base salary and performance bonus.
Benefits
Paid time off.
Health Spending Account (HSA).
Wellness Spending Account (WSA).
Professional Development Fund.
RRSP Matching Program.
RESP Matching Program.
Radon Mitigation Benefit.
Working Conditions
Winnipeg or Montreal candidates preferred.
Hybrid working environment (this is not a remote position).
Must have legal eligibility to work in Canada.
Our Commitment
We are proudly Indigenous-led and welcome applications from First Nations, Inuit, and Métis candidates. Candidates are invited to self-declare if comfortable doing so. We value lived experience, community knowledge, and non-linear career paths.
How to Apply
Please submit the following items to [email protected]:
Résumé.
Cover letter explaining why this role interests you, and how your qualifications align with the above.
Two strong references are requested who can speak to your competence in a similar context.
Timeline
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; first conversations begin within two weeks of the original posting.
Our process includes: 1) a 30-minute intro, 2) a follow-up interview, and 3) a reference check.
Please consider viewing our website before applying: www.waapihk.com
Pay: $90,000.00-$135,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Casual dress
Extended health care
Paid time off
RRSP match
Wellness program
Education:
Bachelor's Degree (preferred)
Location:
Winnipeg, MB R3B 0X1 (preferred)
Willingness to travel:
25% (required)
Work Location: In person
We are an Indigenous-led research and consulting firm supporting transformation in health, education, and community well-being. Since 2015, we’ve partnered with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, governments, and health authorities to deliver evidence that drives policy and real-world outcomes. Our work sits at the intersection of research excellence, public policy, and real-world implementation. We are committed to rigorous analysis, relational integrity, and long-term impact.
As a successful and growing firm, we are seeking a Director of Marketing and Client Relations to scale our business development and marketing functions.
Position Overview
Waapihk Research is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven leader to serve as Director of Marketing and Client Relations, joining our senior management team to strengthen and grow the partnerships that drive Indigenous health, education, and research transformation.
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Director of Marketing and Client Relations will build trusted, long-term partnerships with Indigenous organizations, governments, and sector leaders; lead business development; ensure a best-in-class client experience; and scale our marketing functions and brand visibility.
Responsibilities
Partnership Strategy & Outreach
Develop and lead an integrated partnership strategy that advances Waapihk’s mission and five-year goals.
Initiate partnerships with governments, health authorities, organizations, and industry leaders to enhance service delivery, shape policy, and improve health and well-being outcomes for Indigenous peoples.
Business Growth & Innovation
Lead and oversee the business development team in identifying, pursuing, and securing new business opportunities.
Oversee and refine proposal development and execution to ensure timely, values-aligned submissions.
Bring back market and community insights to sharpen our services and new product lines.
With support from the Executive, develop and launch new products and services.
Client Engagement & Representation
Define and monitor client satisfaction measures, ensuring a consistently exceptional client experience.
Represent Waapihk Research publicly, including at industry conferences, public forums, and high-level stakeholder meetings, to maintain positive client relationships and develop new prospective client opportunities.
Present research findings and act as client liaison in the assessment, design, execution, delivery, and evaluation phases of projects.
Team & Organizational Leadership
Oversee, grow, and mentor a team of 0-5+ staff engaged in business development-focused initiatives.
Collaborate with internal teams, including Research and Operations, ensuring external communications, relationships, and business development align with organizational objectives.
Develop and manage departmental budgets, ensuring effective resource utilization and measurable outcomes.
Marketing & Communications
Develop and implement marketing and communications strategies aligned with organizational mission and goals.
Lead brand positioning and ensure consistent messaging across platforms and materials.
Direct marketing campaigns and content creation to increase visibility and influence.
Oversee media relations, including press releases, inquiries, and external partnerships.
Monitor market trends, community needs, and stakeholder feedback to refine marketing strategies.
Collaborate with internal teams to ensure communications align with organizational objectives.
Supervise and mentor marketing and communications staff.
Manage marketing-related budgets and resources for measurable outcomes.
Represent the organization publicly through promotional and communications opportunities.
Report to senior leadership on marketing and communications effectiveness.
What We Are Looking For
Core Competencies
5+ years of experience in client-facing leadership roles (consulting, public/health systems, research, or adjacent).
Undergraduate education in any field, with a preference for those with business, marketing, economics, quantitative analysis, or a health-related field.
Proven business development, account growth, and relationship management record.
Excellent communication, marketing, interpersonal, and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
Experience leading people and managing budgets.
Ability to travel inter-provincially as needed.
Commitment to Indigenous community engagement and understanding of Indigenous issues is essential.
Comfort with CRM/PM (i.e., ClickUp; Monday.com) and productivity tools (e.g., MS Office, Power BI).
Who You Are
You may have experience as:
Director or Manager of Client Relations, Partnerships, or Strategic Engagement.
Business Development Lead in consulting, health systems, research, or public sector settings.
Senior Account Manager serving government, health, or community-based clients.
Director of Marketing & Communications in a mission-driven organization.
Partnerships or Stakeholder Relations Lead working with Indigenous or public institutions.
Senior Project or Program Manager with significant client-facing responsibilities.
You are someone who:
Values trust and respectful, long-term relationships.
Leads with humility and cultural respect.
Communicates clearly and respectfully.
Is collaborative, innovative, and mission-aligned.
Brings diplomacy and sound judgment to every situation.
Brings structure, accountability, and follow-through to partnership and business development work.
Represents with credibility, professionalism, and relational integrity.
Is adaptable and initiates.
Thrives in mission-driven work.
Why Join Waapihk
Work at the forefront of Indigenous health and governance.
Be part of a high-intellect, mission-driven team.
We offer a comfortable, friendly, and professional work environment.
Meaningful growth opportunity as the organization scales.
Our downtown Winnipeg office is conveniently located near bus routes for easy commuting.
Flexible working hours.
Competitive compensation aligned with experience.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary
On-target earnings of $135k+ as a combination of base salary and performance bonus.
Benefits
Paid time off.
Health Spending Account (HSA).
Wellness Spending Account (WSA).
Professional Development Fund.
RRSP Matching Program.
RESP Matching Program.
Radon Mitigation Benefit.
Working Conditions
Winnipeg or Montreal candidates preferred.
Hybrid working environment (this is not a remote position).
Must have legal eligibility to work in Canada.
Our Commitment
We are proudly Indigenous-led and welcome applications from First Nations, Inuit, and Métis candidates. Candidates are invited to self-declare if comfortable doing so. We value lived experience, community knowledge, and non-linear career paths.
How to Apply
Please submit the following items to [email protected]:
Résumé.
Cover letter explaining why this role interests you, and how your qualifications align with the above.
Two strong references are requested who can speak to your competence in a similar context.
Timeline
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; first conversations begin within two weeks of the original posting.
Our process includes: 1) a 30-minute intro, 2) a follow-up interview, and 3) a reference check.
Please consider viewing our website before applying: www.waapihk.com
Pay: $90,000.00-$135,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Casual dress
Extended health care
Paid time off
RRSP match
Wellness program
Education:
Bachelor's Degree (preferred)
Location:
Winnipeg, MB R3B 0X1 (preferred)
Willingness to travel:
25% (required)
Work Location: In person
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Director of Marketing and Client Relations position is now open for candidates interested in the Operations Executive Jobs sector. This role in Winnipeg offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Operations Executive Jobs is a plus.
