Director, Sanya’k̓ula, Indigenous Recruitment and Employee Experience
PHSA Corporate
Vancouver, BC – Remote Work Options Available
PHSA is seeking a visionary leader who deeply understands the complex realities of our healthcare systems, particularly the challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples. This leader must possess the resilience and self-awareness necessary to navigate these challenges while maintaining a commitment to self-care and centering relational practice. We are looking for someone who can work effectively in a demanding environment, fostering strong relationships and connections, and who embodies the strength, wisdom, and compassion needed to drive meaningful change. If you are this leader, we invite you to join us as the Director, Sanya’k̓ula, Indigenous Recruitment.
About the Role:
As the Director of Sanya’k̓ula –Indigenous Recruitment you will lead an Indigenous team focused on transforming the recruitment process for Indigenous employees across PHSA and BCEHS. Collaborating with the Director of Sanya’k̓ula -Indigenous Retention and Employee Experience, Talent Acquisition teams and reporting to the Executive Director, Indigenous Health, People and Culture, you will be a key member of the People & Culture leadership team. Your role will be crucial in advancing PHSA’s North Star priority to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism and create an anti-racist, safe culture free from discrimination. You will drive the integration of Indigenous-specific anti-racism policies and strategies, dismantle systemic barriers, foster a culturally safe environment, and ensure that Indigenous perspectives and values are central to all recruitment practices, while modeling the six Coast Salish Teachings: truth, good medicine, we are one, open your hearts and minds, make up your mind to be strong, and do your best.
In this role, you will:
- Lead Systems Transformation: Formulate and implement strategies that align with the Indigenous-Specific Racism & Discrimination (ISRD) policy, driving systemic change across PHSA to improve the Indigenous applicant experience. Lead the advancement, development, delivery, and enhancement of Indigenous-focused recruitment practices and procedures at PHSA and BCHES
- Hardwire Cultural Safety & Humility: Integrate Indigenous-specific anti-racism approaches into all aspects of recruitment and operational practices, ensuring that Cultural Safety & Humility are embedded throughout People & Culture and the organization.
- Inspire and Develop Your Team: Lead the Sanya’k̓ula Recruitment team by modeling the Coast Salish Teachings, fostering a climate of continuous learning, and promoting mutual respect and collaboration.
- Build Strategic Partnerships: In solidarity with the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion team, cultivate strong relationships with internal and external partners, fore fronting First Nations Rights and Title and the Indigenous right to health and embedding inclusive practices across PHSA. -Lead the Sanya’k̓ula Team and other corporate partners to enhance Indigenous-specific recruitment processes. This includes identifying and implementing best practices, tools, and resources that facilitate the recruitment and retention of Indigenous staff
- Champion Change Management: Lead initiatives that drive the eradication of Indigenous-specific racism, ensuring that Cultural Safety & Humility are at the heart of all organizational changes. Identify key priorities and innovative approaches to increase Indigenous representation within the healthcare sector and PHSA and BCEHS and forecasts pending Indigenous recruitment and retention issues/concerns for the organization.
- Provide Strategic Oversight: Work closely with the Sanya’k̓ula Leadership team to align Recruitment strategies with PHSA’s broader strategic goals, ensuring compliance with legislative obligations and provincial commitments.
Pursuant to section 42 of the British Columbia Human Rights Code, preference will be given to applicants of Indigenous ancestry. We invite you to self-identify within your cover letter and/or resume.
Qualifications
- A level of education, training and experience equivalent to a master’s degree in human resources or a related discipline supplemented by a minimum of ten (10) years of related experience that includes working at a leadership level.
- Comprehensive knowledge of HR processes, legislation, relevant collective agreements, and principles of union/management relationships, with all aspects informed by a commitment to Indigenous-specific anti-racism and Cultural Safety & Humility. Proven interpersonal skills as a dynamic team player who can inspire and engage others, build networks, and develop trusting relationships, with a focus on fostering a culturally safe and inclusive environment. Demonstrated ability to supervise, lead, mentor, and coach staff while establishing courses of action that prioritize Indigenous perspectives and values.
- The ability to make decisions, influence change, and facilitate problem-solving is guided by a deep understanding of the systemic barriers faced by Indigenous Peoples within settler colonial institutions. Strong analytical skills, with the ability to think critically and address issues systemically, are essential in creating equitable outcomes for Indigenous staff and communities. Capable of developing and evaluating strategic plans, guiding the translation of strategy into operations with a focus on Indigenous-specific anti-racism, and managing workloads effectively to meet deadlines.
- Excellent communication skills, including facilitation, negotiation, and persuasion, are required to advocate for and implement culturally safe HR practices.
- In addition, the ability to lead Indigenous recruitment for PHSA and BCEHS through a critical Indigenous-specific anti-racism lens is essential. This includes understanding the harms experienced by Indigenous people in settler colonial institutions and recognizing the structure of Whiteness embedded in healthcare. Lived experience as an Indigenous person is crucial to contextualize these impacts. Demonstrated knowledge of Canadian colonial impacts on Indigenous Peoples in social and health contexts, supported by significant knowledge of Indigenous ways of knowing and being, is necessary. Lived experience, knowledge, and appreciation of the unique history, cultures, and rights of Indigenous Peoples in Canada are required, along with a deep understanding of Indigenous health care needs, services, and issues. Familiarity with the culture, protocols, traditions, ideology and Title and Rights of First Nations, and Rights of Indigenous people and organizations in British Columbia is an asset.
- Additionally, the candidate must be able to work in solidarity with the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion team through a deep commitment to relational practice, ensuring that efforts are aligned and collaborative in fostering an inclusive environment for all.
You will also have
- Demonstrated knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples in social and health contexts, underpinned by significant expertise in Indigenous-specific mandates, with a clear understanding of and commitment to eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination while embedding Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility. This includes a clear understanding of and commitment to eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination. Additionally, it involves embedding Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility, and an advanced expertise and unwavering dedication to engaging with diversity, centering equity, and advancing inclusion (DEI).
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within healthcare / recruitment contexts found in the foundational documents including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, Anti-Racism Data Act, BC Human Rights Code - and how they intersect across the health care system.
- Brings an understanding of Indigenous-specific racism and broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure. Demonstrated leadership in breaking down barriers and ensuring an environment of belonging and Indigenous Cultural Safety. Demonstrates action-oriented practices addressing Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as confronting/addressing broader issues of racism and discrimination. Exhibits strong DEI and anti-racism competencies/skills to lead by example fostering a culture of continuous learning, equity, inclusion and belonging.
- Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (The Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.
- Demonstrated deep understanding of their personal learning/unlearning journey in relation to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Able to articulate and share this journey to motivate and inspire others enhancing a culture of learning/unlearning and self-reflection.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the social, economic, political realities of settler-colonialism and impacts on Indigenous peoples in social and health contexts as well as knowledge and understanding of, and commitment to upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments in the foundational documents: Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, and the Distinctions Based Approach.
What we bring
Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.
- Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
- Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
- Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
- Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
- PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
- Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.
Job Type: Regular, Full-Time
Salary Range: $118,923-$170,951/year. The starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant education and experience, and would be in alignment with the provincial compensation reference plan. Salary will be prorated accordingly for part time roles.
Location: 1333 W Broadway Vancouver, BC V6H 1G9
Closing Date: June 10, 2026
Hours of Work: Monday to Friday 0800-1600
Requisition #198290E
What we do
The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Create equity – Be courageous.
Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services
PHSA is committed to anti-racism and equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently excluded groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.
One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at [email protected].
Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents including the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.
ATTN: PHSA Employees:
To be considered as a PHSA employee (internal applicant) for this position, you must apply online via your internal profile at internaljobs.phsa.ca
Please note the internal job posting will no longer be accessible after the expiry date of May 25, 2026. If the internal job posting has expired, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk and advise that you would like to be considered as a late internal applicant for this position. Please do not apply for the external job posting.
If you have not registered your internal profile, a password is required to log in for the first time. To obtain your password, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk at [email protected]. Please note regular business hours are Monday – Friday (excluding stats), 8:30am to 4:30pm. A Help Desk Representative will respond to your inquiry within 1-2 business days.
