President and CEO, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

CMHC is a Crown corporation governed by a Board of Directors and accountable to the Parliament of Canada through the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development. CMHC has been helping to house Canadians for over 70 years, and is committed to its aspiration that by 2030, everyone in Canada will have a home that they can afford and that meets their needs. We’re mobilizing the expertise and energy of governments, non-profits, lenders, developers, social entrepreneurs and co-ops to create the future of housing. With its head office in Ottawa, CMHC has five regional business centres and other local offices across Canada. CMHC employs approximately 1900 people and ranks as the largest federal Crown Corporation with total revenues of $4.8 billion, a net income of $1.4 billion in 2018, and approximately $264 billion in assets.

The President and Chief Executive Officer is accountable for setting the vision and strategic direction needed to attain CMHC’s 2030 aspiration, and providing advice to the Chair and Board of Directors on carrying out their responsibilities under the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Act, the National Housing Act, the Financial Administration Act, the National Housing Strategy and other relevant legislation. The President and CEO is also responsible for understanding the various housing needs of Canadians and developing effective working relationships with Government, industry partners and stakeholders, to shape housing policy, which serves all people living in Canada. The President and CEO unifies CMHC’s workforce by effectively breaking down silos, championing the belief that we are better together, leading people through periods of ambiguity, engaging them for impact, and building a culture of trust and psychological safety that drive results.

Diversity and Official Languages

The Government of Canada will consider bilingual proficiency and diversity in assessing applicants. You are therefore encouraged to include in your online profile your ability to speak and understand your second official language. Preference may be given to applicants who are members of one or more of the following groups: women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of a visible minority group.

Education and Experience

• A degree from a recognized university in a relevant field of study such as commerce, accounting, law, economics; and/or combined experience;


• A professional accounting designation (CPA-CA, CGA, CFA or CMA) is considered an asset;


• Notable and proven senior level decision-making experience with respect to complex and sensitive issues;


• Demonstrated experience in leading an organization of similar size and scale;


• Previous experience working with a board of directors and/or government officials; and


• Significant senior level management experience in a large private and/or public organization, including the management of human and financial resources, and experience leading the day-to-day operations of a multidisciplinary and decentralized organization.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of CMHC’s housing policy mandate and activities, and of land and asset management;


• Knowledge of the financial management of a large financial services organization and skilled in risk management;


• Sound knowledge of housing and financial markets, and their role in macroeconomic policy and CMHC’s market activities;


• Demonstrated success in leading an organization through transformative change, at exploring new ideas and advancing strategy;


• A strong history of building and maintaining productive and effective multipartite relationships with partner organizations and diverse stakeholders;


• Astute ability to navigate the political and complex environment;


• An understanding of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Act, the National Housing Act and the Financial Administration Act;


• An understanding of the National Housing Strategy including married approaches to financing of affordable housing development and diverse needs;


• Ability to influence and lead in orienting housing markets, financial regulation, partnership and public resources towards achieving a right to housing for all Canadians;


• An understanding of the Government’s social, economic and fiscal policies and priorities, and its role in housing; and


• Proficient and authentic communicator with the ability to act as a spokesperson in representing CMHC with the media, stakeholders and parliamentarians in both official languages.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.

• High ethical standards and integrity


• Sound judgment


• Superior interpersonal skills


• Tact and diplomacy


• Growth mindset


• Strategic and innovative thinker

Eligibility Factors and Conditions of Employment

• Appointees must comply with the Ethical and Political Activity Guidelines for Public Office Holders throughout their appointment as a term and condition of employment. The guidelines are available on the Governor in Council Appointments website under the Forms and reference material.


• All appointees are subject to the Conflicts of Interest Act. Public office holders appointed on a full-time basis must also submit to the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics within 60 days of appointment, a confidential report in which they disclose all of their assets, liabilities and outside activities. For more information, please visit the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's website.


• Appointees must uphold the highest standards of probity and are expected to demonstrate behaviours in the workplace that afford respect, equality and dignity, to everyone they interact with at work at all times. The Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector outlines the values and expected behaviours for public servants, including valuing diversity and creating workplaces free from harassment and discrimination. Governor in Council appointees are expected to uphold and respect these values and principles in a positive and active manner.

• The Canada Mortgage and Housing Act stipulates that no person shall be appointed or continue as a director from outside the federal public service if that person (statutory):


• is a director, officer or employee of a lending institution;


• is not a Canadian citizen or otherwise a British subject ordinarily resident in Canada; or


• is employed in any capacity in the federal public administration or the public service of a province or holds any office or position for which a salary is payable out of public moneys, but nothing in this paragraph prohibits such a person from holding office while performing temporary services for the Government of Canada or of a province.


• The Canada Mortgage and Housing Act further stipulates that a person appointed as a director from outside the federal public administration who is a shareholder of a lending institution shall divest themselves of ownership of their shares of the lending institution within three months after the date of their appointment and afterwards shall not during their term of office have an interest or right either directly or indirectly as a shareholder in a lending institution.(statutory)


• If you are appointed to this position, you must be willing to travel across Canada and internationally, as required, to meet with employees and other stakeholders, including the Board of Directors, which normally meets five to six times a year.


• If you are appointed to this position, you must reside in or be willing to relocate to the National Capital Region, or to a location within a reasonable commuting distance.

A link to this notice will be placed in the Canada Gazette to assist the Governor in Council in identifying qualified candidates. It is not, however, intended to be the sole means of recruitment.

A list of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar opportunities.

How to Apply

Review of applications will begin on July 30, 2020. Candidates must apply online via the Governor in Council Appointments website. Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their applications by this date. After this date, your application will be retained and may be considered up until an appointment to the position is made. Your cover letter should be addressed to the Deputy Director of Selection Processes, Senior Personnel Secretariat, Privy Council Office, and should be sent only through the online application.

Instructions on how to apply for an appointment opportunity can be found on the Governor in Council Appointments website.