President and Chief Executive Officer, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited

As a federal Crown corporation, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) is mandated to enable nuclear science and technology and to protect the environment by fulfilling the government of Canada’s radioactive waste and decommissioning responsibilities. AECL receives federal funding to deliver on its mandate and reports to Parliament through the Minister of Natural Resources. It also leverages the unique capabilities at its sites to support industry and other third parties on commercial terms.

As the head of a Crown corporation and an accountable member of the Natural Resources portfolio, the President and Chief Executive Officer provides timely and expert advice to both the department and the Minister of Natural Resources. The President and Chief Executive Officer is responsible for providing strategic guidance, oversight and leadership to AECL and is accountable to the AECL Board of Directors for the administration of contractual arrangements for the operation and management of AECL’s Nuclear Laboratories under the Government-owned, Contractor-operated (GoCo) model. The President and Chief Executive Officer will use the highly-incentivized GoCo contract to achieve the Government objectives of containing and reducing costs and risks for Canadian taxpayers, while leveraging the Nuclear Laboratories’ capabilities and resources to successfully deliver a federal nuclear science and technology program, commercial services, and a decommissioning and waste management program.

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 or an acceptable combination of education, job-related training and/or experience;


• A degree in science business/commerce, economics, engineering, finance, public administration or law would be considered an asset;


• Significant experience at the senior executive level, including operational and leadership roles managing complex technical, commercial and stakeholder issues with support from senior-level subject matter experts;


• Experience developing, managing, or implementing highly incentivized, large, complex, multi-year, high-value contracts ($100 million or more per year), requiring the use of significant commercial/business judgment and negotiation skills to, among other things, secure value for money;


• Experience in a highly regulated or high-hazard industry with a broad and complex set of stakeholders, such as the Canadian or international nuclear sector;


• Experience, at the executive-level, at an enterprise focused on science, technology or complex infrastructure;


• Experience building and nurturing trusting relationships, promoting partnerships, and working with Indigenous Peoples and communities, as well as other stakeholder groups to support and/or shape decision-making processes; and


• Experience in any of the following would be considered an asset:




1. Experience in the development, oversight, change management or implementation of complex Government-owned, Contractor-operated-type arrangements;


2. Experience working with or in government, Crown corporations and/or regulatory agencies, including experience engaging with government agencies to help set and implement public policy outcomes;

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the management and role of Crown corporations within the Canadian system of government, including accountability to Parliament and legislative requirements under, for example, the Financial Administration Act;


• Knowledge of the mandate and activities of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, as well as the legislative, regulatory and business environments within which it operates, including the role of government operations and machinery of government in support of AECL as an agent of government;


• Knowledge of the roles of relevant departments and agencies within the federal government;


• Knowledge of the structure and operation of the Canadian and international nuclear industry;


• Knowledge and understanding of the principles of sound governance and business practices, including human resources and effective financial and non-financial stewardship and oversight of organizational resources;


• Knowledge of the rights of Indigenous Peoples (Section 35 of the Constitution Act), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the principles respecting the government of Canada’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples, and awareness of the concerns and priorities of Indigenous Peoples as they relate to development, environmental assessment and/or environmental protection would be considered an asset;


• Ability to manage a public institution with diverse responsibilities, and provide the intellectual leadership, vision, and strategic direction needed for Atomic Energy of Canada Limited to carry out its mandate and achieve its objectives in accordance with the Financial Administration Act and other relevant law;


• Ability to effectively coach and mentor a highly specialized senior management team to create a unified and collaborative leadership team, and lead this team in making recommendations to a board of directors, to seek the input of members, draw lines of consensus where appropriate, identify risks and resolve points of debate, manage complex contract issues, evaluate potential business opportunities and risks and ensure buy-in for final decisions;


• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships and to work successfully with senior industry counterparts, different levels of government, as well as non-government and community officials;


• Ability to negotiate skillfully and reach positive outcomes on complex financial and contractual matters, as well as highly technical issues; and


• Ability to cultivate and advance comprehensive and proactive communications strategies, including public outreach, media and networking activities, as well as to effectively deal with public and political scrutiny and communicate complex matters such as science and technology and decommissioning and waste management in a clear and straightforward manner to elicit public understanding and buy-in.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.

• High ethical standards, accountability, integrity and impartiality


• Sound judgment and political intelligence


• Superior interpersonal and communication skills


• Tact, diplomacy and humility


• Leadership and 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 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 successful candidate must devote the whole of his/her time to the performance of his/her duties, and shall not accept or hold any office inconsistent with his/her duties and functions.


• The successful candidate must reside in or be willing to relocate to Ottawa, Ontario or Chalk River, Ontario, or to a location within reasonable commuting distance.


• The successful candidate must be prepared to travel occasionally to represent Atomic Energy of Canada Limited.

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 September 1, 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.