President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Commercial Corporation

If you applied between November 8, 2018 and May 10, 2019 you do not need to re-apply to be considered for this position.

The Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) is seeking a strategic, collaborative and innovative leader to be its new President and Chief Executive Officer. Headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, the Canadian Commercial Corporation is a federal Crown corporation mandated to facilitate international trade on behalf of Canadian industry, with governments of foreign countries. The Canadian Commercial Corporation plays a unique role in supporting economic growth, job creation, and broad-based prosperity for all Canadians. The Canadian Commercial Corporation offers commercial advocacy, collaborative project development and foreign contracting expertise to help Canadian exporters secure international contracts with government buyers around the world. In 2018-19, the Canadian Commercial Corporation signed $1.3 billion in export contracts and was active in 74 countries around the world. Through these efforts, the Canadian Commercial Corporation supported 162 Canadian exporters, delivered $3.4 billion in Canadian goods and services abroad, and supported approximately 14,250 value-added jobs for Canadians. The Canadian Commercial Corporation’s primary service is to facilitate government-to-government contracts with foreign government buyers to provide goods and services available for export from Canada in a transparent and accountable manner. In this role, the Canadian Commercial Corporation supports the growth of Canadian international trade by helping Canadian exporters gain access to foreign government procurement markets. The Canadian Commercial Corporation is a trusted partner of foreign government buyers seeking Canadian solutions ensuring projects get delivered as promised, or to reduce the risk of bribery and corruption during the procurement process.

Reporting to The Board of Directors, the President and Chief Executive Officer sets the course for the Canadian Commercial Corporation and is accountable for providing strategic guidance and leadership in the execution of the Canadian Commercial Corporation’s mandate, balancing risk and social corporate responsibility; considering the view of the Canadian Commercial Corporation’s diverse stakeholders; facilitating trade and supporting the activities of Canadian exporters to directly and indirectly benefit all Canadians. He/she is responsible for the financial sustainability and operational results of the Canadian Commercial Corporation.

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

• An advanced degree from a recognized university in a relevant field of study (business, international trade, etc.), or an acceptable combination of education, job-related training and/or business experience;


• Extensive experience at the senior executive level in a large private and/or public organization, reporting to a Board of Directors, with international or trade exposure;


• Experience in international trade, financing, business, export transactions or leading large capital or infrastructure projects, experience in emerging markets would be an asset;


• Experience in all or some of the following sectors:
  
  
  
  1. aerospace,
  
  
  2. construction and infrastructure,
  
  
  3. clean technology, environment and energy,
  
  
  4. information and communications technology,
  
  
  5. defence,
  
  
  6. health services;
  
  
  
  


• Experience in managing complex contract negotiations with multiple stakeholders;


• Experience in corporate social responsibility and managing complex risks and exposures;


• Experience in developing a significant organic growth platform, business strategies focusing on key enablers and value proposition, and driving execution to deliver stakeholder returns;


• Experience in leading organization change and business transformation;


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


• Experience in dealing with senior level government officials and/or public policy issues; and


• Experience in building and maintaining productive and effective multipartite relationships with partner organizations and diverse stakeholders, including media, Canadian exporters, and foreign governments.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the mandate, mission and business activities of the Canadian Commercial Corporation, as well as the legislative framework within which it operates (e.g. the Canadian Commercial Corporation Act and the Financial Administration Act);


• Knowledge of Global Affairs Canada’s 2019-20 policy priorities including key initiatives such as Canada’s feminist foreign policy, Gender Based Analysis +, and responsible business conduct as reflected in the new Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise;


• Knowledge of the public policy environment facing a Crown Corporation and the critical role Crown Corporations play in advancing the government progressive trade agenda;


• Knowledge of international projects and business at the senior management level;


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


• Knowledge of sound financial, project, risk management and corporate social responsibility;


• Knowledge of the emerging global trends and opportunities, including in the area of healthcare, information and communication technology, clean technology and renewable energy sectors, and the ability to advance ideas and innovation for Canadian exporters’ involvement in these sectors;


• Knowledge of the issues and concerns facing small- and medium-sized Canadian businesses developing opportunities in the international export marketplace would be considered an asset;


• Ability to identify, analyze and define priorities and strategies, and provide the corporate vision, leadership and strategic direction needed for the Canadian Commercial Corporation to carry out its mandate and objectives;


• Ability to develop strategies that enable the Canadian Commercial Corporation to capitalize on opportunities, resolve issues and derive benefits from organizational development;


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


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


• Ability to inspire and motivate nimble, high performing teams, identity business needs and areas of innovation, drive performance;


• Ability to focus the energies and talents of the Canadian Commercial Corporation’s employees and motivate them to achieve corporate objectives;


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


• A proven skilled negotiator, with experience negotiating with multiple parties to create Win-Win outcomes;


• A keen focus on customers with a demonstrated ability to address customer issues, concerns and complaints;


• Ability to work under pressure and make decisions in the face of competing interests and time constraints while simultaneously managing a number of complex issues;


• Ability to develop effective working relationships with a Board of Directors, the Minister and his/her Office, the Deputy Minister and the Canadian Commercial Corporation’s partners and stakeholders;


• Ability to manage key stakeholder relationships achieving double-digit organic growth;


• Ability to act as a spokesperson in representing the Canadian Commercial Corporation with stakeholders, media, public institutions, governments and other organizations;


• A skilled facilitator and persuasive communicator, able to influence key stakeholders;


• Superior analytical and conceptual skills and the ability to think creatively; and


• Superior communication skills, both written and oral and the ability to manage the Corporation’s communications with a wide range of stakeholders.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.

• High ethical standards, integrity and impartiality


• Superior interpersonal and communication skills


• Tact and diplomacy


• Motivated by challenge and change


• Collaborative


• Resourceful


• Persuasive


• A sensitivity to global cultures and the knowledge of how to work within these environments

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.


• If you are appointed to this position, you must be willing to travel across Canada and internationally as required to meet with customers, partners, employees, government and other stakeholders.

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 March 11, 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.