Government Film Commissioner, National Film Board

The National Film Board of Canada is recognized as one of the world’s great creative laboratories. As Canada’s public producer and distributor, it produces and distributes distinctive, relevant, and innovative audiovisual productions that add to our understanding of the issues facing Canadians as well as raise awareness of Canadian values and viewpoints across the country and around the world. Over the decades, it has become the standard for audiovisual innovation in Canada and plays an important role by highlighting the changes and key events in Canadian society. The National Film Board of Canada carries out its responsibilities by constantly investing in new creative fields in documentary, auteur animation and interactive media. It seizes the artistic and technological opportunities that arise in the media landscape and collaborates with emerging and established filmmakers, creators, co-producers in every region of Canada, Indigenous and culturally diverse communities, as well as international partners. Creativity and social relevance are the core features of its productions. Its audiovisual works offer special insight into the diversity and vitality of our culture and are an essential part of our national heritage. Its international successes have garnered Canadian filmmaking unrivalled attention, affirming the excellence of the National Film Board’s offerings.

The National Film Board of Canada is currently composed of eight members: the Government Film Commissioner, who acts as the Board’s Chairperson; the Executive Director of Telefilm Canada; and six other part-time members appointed by the Governor in Council. The Chairperson and Government Film Commissioner’s primary role is to provide leadership and guidance to the organization in the formulation of its strategic direction and to ensure that the institution carries out its mandate and objectives effectively.

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;


• Significant leadership and management experience at the senior executive level in a public or private organization, including the management of human and financial resources, ideally with an international business focus;


• Experience in strategic management, organizational change management and implementing modern corporate governance principles and best practices;


• Experience working with or for a board of directors and senior government officials, and building and maintaining productive and multipartite relationships with partner organizations and diverse stakeholders;


• Experience in the cultural sector (such as film, television, video or new media industries) and the digital sector;


• Experience with social cohesion methodology and approaches, including building consensus and partnerships, would be an asset; and


• Experience working in a dynamic and competitive business environment, with a record of developing innovative industry partnerships both domestically and internationally with a view to promoting Canada on the world stage, would be an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the mandate of the National Film Board of Canada, its main activities, productions, history and place in the Canadian and international film communities;


• Knowledge of the current challenges and opportunities for the Canadian film, television and digital media industries, domestically and abroad;


• Financial literacy and knowledge of the principles and practices of sound management, risk management and corporate governance;


• Knowledge of strategic corporate planning, monitoring and evaluation of corporate performance;


• Knowledge of the National Film Board of Canada’s partners and stakeholders, as well as emerging and global trends and new technologies;


• Ability to position the organization to ensure that it meets the rapidly evolving digital world and the changing needs of audiences;


• Ability to manage and provide corporate vision, leadership, and the strategic direction needed to ensure that the National Film Board of Canada is able to fulfill its mandate and achieve its objectives;


• Ability to focus the energies and talents of the employees of the National Film Board of Canada and motivate them to achieve corporate objectives;


• Ability to develop effective working relationships with the organization’s management, the Minister of Canadian Heritage and his Office, the Deputy Minister of Canadian Heritage, and the key stakeholders and partners of the National Film Board of Canada; and


• Superior communication skills, both written and oral, as well as the ability to manage interactions with a variety of stakeholders and appear before Parliamentary Committees when required.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.

• Familiarity with the audiovisual field, including the production and distribution of audiovisual works and digital media


• A strong commitment to the project of fostering social cohesion across diverse communities


• Strategic and innovative leader


• High ethical standards and integrity


• Tact and diplomacy


• Superior interpersonal skills

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.


• No person who has any pecuniary interest, direct or indirect, individually or as a shareholder or partner or otherwise, in commercial film activity is eligible for appointment to the Board. (statutory)


• If you are appointed to this position, you must reside in a location within a reasonable commuting distance of, or be willing to travel frequently to, the National Film Board’s headquarters in Montreal, Quebec.


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

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 June 16, 2022. 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.