Director, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Per diem:                                                            Established by by-laws

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC/Radio-Canada) is Canada’s national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. It celebrates Canadian culture and supports democratic life. The mandate of CBC/Radio Canada is to inform, enlighten and entertain; to contribute to the development of a shared national consciousness and identity; to reflect the regional and cultural diversity of Canada; to offer local, national and international information and analysis from a Canadian point of view; and to contribute to the development of Canadian talent and culture. To achieve its mandate, CBC/Radio-Canada produces, procures, and distributes Canadian programming in English, French and eight Indigenous languages.

CBC/Radio-Canada is transforming the way it engages with Canadians in a rapidly changing environment by making the public broadcaster more digital and more ambitious in its Canadian programming. CBC/Radio-Canada is ensuring a space for Canada and Canadians in the digital world and wishes to increase and deepen audience engagement.

The board has the overall stewardship of the Corporation and is expected to provide strategic guidance to management and to oversee the activities of the Corporation. It has a duty to act in the best interests of Canadians and of the Corporation, and to exercise care and due diligence. The board is also responsible for evaluating the performance of the Chief Executive Officer on an annual basis.

The composition of CBC/Radio-Canada’s Board of Directors should include representation of the geographical regions of Canada and maintain a balance of gender, cultural and linguistic representation to ensure that the Board represents the diversity of Canada’s population and its regions.

Further details about the organization and its activities can be found on CBC/Radio-Canada’s website.

Diversity and Official Languages

We are committed to providing a healthy and accessible workplace that supports one’s dignity, self-esteem and the ability to work on one’s full potential. With this in mind, all appointees will be expected to take steps to promote and maintain a healthy, respectful, inclusive and harassment-free work environment.

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.

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.

Education and Experience

• A degree from a recognized university in a relevant field of study or an acceptable combination of equivalent education, job-related training and/or experience;


• A professional accounting designation (CPA) would be considered an asset;


• A degree in finance, law or public administration would be considered an asset;


• Experience serving on, or working with, a board of directors/trustees of a major public and/or private corporation;


• Experience at the executive or senior management level within the private or public sector (preferably in a large and complex organization) or in dealing with senior-level subject-matter experts;


• Experience in the development of strategies, objectives, corporate plans, issues management and best business practices; and


• Experience in one or more of the following areas:
  
  
  
  • the cultural sector, the field of broadcasting, journalism, media or production, children’s programming, information technology or multimedia, including digital innovation and transformation;
  
  
  • communications, marketing, government affairs or public affairs;
  
  
  • human resources, diversity, equity and inclusion and/or labour relations;
  
  
  • accounting, financial management or financial risk; or
  
  
  • real estate and project management or in legal practice.
  
  
  
  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the mandate and activities of CBC/Radio-Canada, as well as the legislative framework within which it operates;


• Knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of the Chairperson, the board and the Chief Executive Officer of an organization of similar size and complexity;


• Financial literacy and knowledge of sound corporate governance principles, strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation of performance;


• Understanding of global, societal and economic trends, social justice, consumer interests, the federal government’s policy framework, and how all of these relate to and impact CBC/Radio-Canada;


• Understanding of trends in digital technology and the evolution in the consumption of information and entertainment by diverse audiences; the public policy environment and objectives for public media organizations internationally; and how these relate to and impact CBC/Radio-Canada;


• Understanding of the importance and way in which a public broadcasting or public institution can instill trust in with its audience;


• Knowledge of the media environment and the emerging trends in broadcasting, as well as the challenges linked to increasing competition, safety of journalists and technological changes within the industry would be considered an asset;


• Superior communication skills, both written and oral;


• Ability to engage in discussions and debate among board members in a respectful, meaningful and constructive manner;


• Ability to develop and maintain strong and effective relationships with other board members and the Corporation’s management;


• Ability to build consensus; and


• Ability to analyze complex issues, recognize and address emerging trends, to seize opportunities, and to advance ideas and innovation.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.

• High ethical standards and integrity


• Tact and diplomacy


• Sound judgment


• Superior interpersonal skills


• Strategic thinking


• Collegiality

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 Conflict 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.


• Appointees must be a Canadian citizen who is ordinarily resident in Canada (statutory).


• Appointees must not (directly or indirectly, as owner, shareholder, director, officer, partner or otherwise) be engaged in the operation of a broadcasting undertaking; have any pecuniary or proprietary interest in a broadcasting undertaking; or are principally engaged in the production or distribution of program material that is primarily intended for use by a broadcasting undertaking (statutory).


• Appointees must be willing to meet at least six times per year, as well as for additional meetings by telephone or videoconference as files evolve. Meetings are mostly held Monday to Friday, alternatively in Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto, but may also be held elsewhere in Canada.


• Appointees must be available for a minimum annual time commitment of 25 days, which includes time for meetings, travel, preparation and training.

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 (more information available here) will begin on March 3, 2023. Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their application by this date, along with a resume and cover letter addressed to Odgers Berndtson firm. Applications will continue to be accepted after this date and may be considered up until an appointment to the position is made.