Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Invest in Canada Hub

Invest in Canada is seeking a strategic, collaborative and innovative leader to be its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Invest in Canada was created in 2018, to enhance Canada’s ability to attract foreign direct investment. Invest in Canada’s mandate is to: align a cohesive foreign direct investment strategy with the government’s overall economic growth strategy for Canadian companies and competencies as expressed by the Growth Council and Economic Strategy Tables; promote Canada as a premier investment destination; provide a single-window investor support framework; and deliver world-class retention and reinvestment services.

Invest in Canada works with all levels of government to promote Canada as a top investment destination, to facilitate investment flows across the country, and to accelerate large-scale transformative investment opportunities for Canada. In addition to creating good-paying jobs, increased foreign direct investment into Canada connects Canadian industries to global value chains and markets, facilitates the transfer of knowledge and technology while protecting intellectual property, increases our competitiveness, stimulates innovation, and promotes the prosperity of Canadians and communities.

Now into its third full year of operations, Invest in Canada is seeking a new CEO. The position of CEO is an exciting opportunity for an individual who wants to make an impact on Canada’s competitiveness and economic growth by attracting foreign direct investment from around the world.

The CEO has the rank and the powers of a deputy head of a department, setting the course for Invest in Canada, accountable for day-to-day operations including financial and resource management and providing strategic guidance and leadership in the execution of Invest in Canada’s mandate. The CEO is accountable to the Board of Directors and must submit, for its approval, an annual business plan and an annual report on IIC’s operations and performance during the preceding fiscal year. The CEO needs to ensure IIC successfully attracts and retains talent from all sectors, including the private sector. The CEO must understand the needs of FDI in digital trade, while safeguarding Canadian Intellectual Property ownership. The CEO will need to ensure that they, and the overall organization, develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with provincial, territorial and municipal Investment Promotion Agencies, while applying a Canada Brand approach to FDI attraction.

Further details about the organization and its activities can be found on the Invest in Canada 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 education, job-related training and/or experience;


• Extensive experience at the senior-executive level in a private and/or public organization, with international or trade exposure;


• Experience in the field of foreign direct investment and/or international trade;


• Experience in governance principles and best practices in a culture of accountability and transparency;


• Experience dealing with different levels of government, preferably with senior officials and Ministers;


• Experience in creating a culture of accountability and performance, leading a team of individuals to success, and creating an environment that encourages high performance focused on environmental, social, and governance-based issues;


• Experience in building and maintaining productive and effective multipartite relationships with partner organizations and diverse stakeholders, including media, Provinces, Territories, and Municipalities, and foreign businesses; and


• Experience in managing financial and human resources.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of IIC’s mandate and activities related to the attraction of foreign direct investment;


• Knowledge of international business practice and global investment drivers;


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


• Knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of the Chief Executive Officer, Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, the Board of Directors and corporate governance principles and best practices, including fundamental accountabilities to the Government of Canada as Shareholder;


• Knowledge of government and public policy;


• Knowledge of international affairs, the international trade and investment environment and a general understanding of the legislative environment in which IIC operates and the global economy;


• Knowledge and experience in sound financial and risk management of an enterprise and corporate social responsibility;


• Knowledge and experience in large national and trans-national corporations to small and medium sized businesses and of Canada’s diverse industry sectors;


• Knowledge and awareness of the importance of federal, provincial, territorial and municipal collaboration when applying the Canada Brand on the international stage;


• Ability to set priorities and focus the energies and talents of IIC employees to support the corporate vision needed to fulfil IIC’s mandate and attain its objectives;


• Ability to lead at an executive level delivering high performance results;


• Ability to think creatively with superior analytical and conceptual skills;


• Ability and willingness to foster a diverse and inclusive working environment;


• Ability to understand the impact of the differing needs and agenda of multiple stakeholders; and


• Superior communication skills, both written and oral, and the ability to manage communications with a wide range of stakeholders including senior governmental and private-sector officials, media, and international organizations.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.

• Informed Judgment


• Tact and Diplomacy


• Integrity and Accountability


• Impact and Influence


• Sound management


• Trust and commitment


• Cultural Sensitivity

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 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 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.

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 February 28, 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 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.