President, Public Service Commission

The Public Service Commission of Canada (Public Service Commission) is dedicated to building a public service that strives for excellence. The Commission protects merit, non-partisanship, representativeness and the use of both official languages. Its mission is to safeguard the integrity of staffing in the Public Service and the political impartiality of public servants; develop policies and guidance for public service managers and hold them accountable for their staffing decisions; conduct audits and investigations to confirm the effectiveness of the staffing system and to make improvements; recruit talented Canadians to the Public Service, drawn from across the country; and continually renew its recruitment services to meet the needs of a modern and innovative public service.

The President is the head of the agency and provides leadership to shape the Commission's role, as an independent agency, to protect the integrity of the appointment system in the federal Public Service and safeguard the best interests of the public by ensuring that Canadians are served by a highly competent Public Service that is non-partisan and representative of Canadian society.

Further details about the organization and its activities can be found on its Web site at www.psc-cfp.gc.ca.

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 achieve 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;


• Significant management experience at the senior executive level in a public sector organization;


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


• Demonstrated leadership of people, including motivating employees to reach corporate objectives, talent management and organizational change;


• Experience in building and maintaining productive and effective multipartite relationships with partner organizations and diverse stakeholders, including elected officials;


• Experience as a leader and client of human resources services in a public sector context would be considered an asset;


• Experience leading an organization with a consensus-based decision-making model, including a board, tribunal or commission, would be considered an asset; and


• Experience leading an oversight function would be considered an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the Public Service Commission's mandate, challenges, accountabilities as well as the legislation and institutional context in which the Public Service Commission operates, including knowledge of the values and ethics that guide the public service;


• Knowledge of the federal government's policies and priorities, particularly related to the staffing system, human resources management, and the roles and responsibilities of the key players in the federal human resources management system;


• Knowledge of the challenges facing the federal public service and federal public service managers, such as fiscal restraint and demographic changes;


• Ability to provide the leadership and strategic direction to elaborate a corporate vision for the Public Service Commission;


• Ability to build the capacity of the federal Public Service through modern, forward-looking approaches to staffing, recruitment and audit;


• Ability to achieve the strategic objectives of the Public Service Commission within an environment of divergent interests, in a manner that fosters collaboration and partnerships to achieve shared objectives for federal human resources management; and


• Superior communication skills, both written and oral, and ability to act as a spokesperson in representing the Public Service Commission with Parliament, the Deputy Minister community, other stakeholders and the media.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages.

• Sound judgement, high ethical standards and integrity


• Superior interpersonal skills


• Independence of mind


• Innovative

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 Forms and reference material.


• All appointees will be 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 Commissioner, 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 behaviors 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 behaviors 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 Language Skills Act requires that any person appointed as President of the Public Service Commission must, at the time of his or her appointment, be able to speak and understand clearly both official languages.


• If you are appointed to this position, you must devote the whole of your time to the performance of the President's functions. (Statutory)


• 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. (Statutory)


• If you are appointed to this position, you must be willing to travel across Canada and internationally.


• Obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret security clearance is a condition of employment.

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 here) will begin on April 6, 2023. Candidates should 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 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.