President and Chief Executive Officer, Export Development Canada

Export Development Canada is seeking a dynamic, strategic and innovative leader to be its new President and Chief Executive Officer. Export Development Canada is a financial Crown Corporation whose mandate is to: “support and develop, directly or indirectly, Canada’s export trade and Canadian capacity to engage in that trade and to respond to international business opportunities”. Export Development Canada’s long-term vision is to be the leader in helping every Canadian company go, grow and succeed internationally. Export Development Canada is financially self-sufficient and works alongside the financial private sector to provide a wide range of financing and risk management services to support Canadian exporters and investors of all sizes. At the core of Export Development Canada’s mission is its unique ability to harness its knowledge of international financial services, markets as well as global trade and international buyers to enable it to take on and manage significant levels of capital and risk for Canadian export minded firms. Export Development Canada is viewed as a vibrant organization that maximizes its contribution to Canadian international trade while returning significant financial returns to Canadians year over year. Export Development Canada’s aspiration in the coming years is to serve more customers than ever before in order to truly move the needle on Canadian trade. Export Development Canada’s enabling legislation was amended in 2017 and gives the Corporation an additional mandate and purpose through the creation of the Development Finance Institute Canada of providing, directly or indirectly, development financing and other forms of support to promote economic growth and reduce poverty in developing countries by engaging with the private sector.

With respect to its operating principles, Export Development Canada conducts its business in a manner that is respectful of international agreements to which Canada is a party; that is consistent with its commitments to corporate social responsibility; and that ensures the sound financial management of its activities. In 2017, Export Development Canada helped Canadian customers facilitate $103.7 billion of exports and international trade and 80% of these customers were small and medium-sized enterprises. Export Development Canada generated net income of $1 billion in 2017 and had total assets of $60 billion.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the President and Chief Executive Officer sets the course for Export Development Canada and is accountable for providing strategic guidance and leadership in the execution of Export Development Canada’s mandate and the management of its assets; balancing risk and reputation; considering the views of Export Development Canada’s diverse stakeholders; facilitating greater capacity and confidence among Canadian exporters and investors; and partnering with other financial institutions in support of the commercial activities of exporters that directly and indirectly benefit all Canadians. He/she is responsible for the financial sustainability and results of the Corporation and for creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace where employees are engaged and empowered to deliver results. The President and Chief Executive Officer is also called upon to provide executive direction, support and guidance to enable the Development Finance Institute Canada to achieve its mandate.

Salary range: under review

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 in a relevant discipline (e.g. business, finance, economics, etc.) or an acceptable combination of equivalent education, job-related training and/or experience;


• Extensive experience at the executive level of a revenue dependent organization with significant size and scale, ideally with some international exposure;


• Experience working collaboratively with stakeholders including a board of directors, representatives of business and senior government officials;


• Experience in credit analysis and risk management for lending and credit insurance;


• Experience in the areas of international trade/exports; and


• Experience in managing financial and human resources and leveraging technology to achieve goals.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of Export Development Canada’s mandate, role and responsibilities and the links to Government of Canada priorities;


• Strong knowledge of international markets, including a grasp of the economic structures and geo-political forces within Canada’s key and emerging export and investment markets;


• Knowledge of the global trade financing industry, including Export Development Canada’s international counterparts, mandates and emerging trends throughout this community;


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


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


• Knowledge of corporate lending practices, investments and transaction structures;


• Sound knowledge of the Canadian export sector – the key leaders, emerging trends and issues as well as competitive forces is an asset;


• Knowledge related to development finance would be an asset;


• Ability to provide vision and to demonstrate strong and ethical leadership to ensure Export Development Canada is able to carry out its mandate and achieve its longer-term objectives, including attracting and retaining a highly skilled and diverse workforce;


• Ability to balance the commercial orientation of the organization with public policy responsibilities;


• Ability to apply strategic thinking in complex business matters, planning activities and policy-making initiatives;


• Ability to anticipate, assess and address emerging issues and business risks, particularly as they relate to complex financial transactions and corporate social responsibility;


• Ability to exercise sound, innovative business judgment and acumen and function well in an environment that may simultaneously present many complex issues;


• Ability to lead significant organizational change;


• Ability to provide a strong customer orientation and to address customer issues, concerns and complaints;


• Ability to develop superior communication and engagement skills, and the ability to manage the Corporation’s communications and relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.

• Strategic and innovative leader with global perspective


• Sound judgment


• High ethical standards, integrity and impartiality


• Impact/Influence


• Excellent interpersonal and communication 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.


• 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.

A link to this notice will be placed in the Canada Gazette to assist the Governor in Council in identifying qualified candidates for this positions. It is not, however, intended to be the sole means of recruitment. A roster of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar opportunities.

How to Apply

Review of applications will begin on October 10, 2018. 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.