Chief Executive Officer, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority

The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority is a not-for-profit federal Crown corporation established in 2012 to deliver the $5.7 billion Gordie Howe International Bridge project between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan.

The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority is delivering this significant infrastructure investment via a public–private partnership with Bridging North America that covers the construction and its operation over 30 years.

The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority reports to Parliament through the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and is guided by its Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is composed of up to nine (9) members, including the Chairperson and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

The CEO is responsible for providing strategic guidance, oversight and leadership to the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority and is accountable to the Board of Directors. The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority is in a key 4th year build phase. The CEO will be required to develop and implement strategies for complex commercial negotiations. The CEO will lead the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority in overseeing massive construction activities and, at the same time, planning for the operations phase over the long-term and, finally, be responsible for the operations at the bridge once opened for traffic. This includes the establishment of tolling and traffic policies, cooperating with stakeholders responsible for the Ambassador Bridge and other crossings, as well as planning overall cooperation with partners in Michigan. The CEO will be responsible for creating vision and strategy, mobilizing people, upholding integrity and respect, collaborating with partners and stakeholders, promoting innovation and guiding change, and achieving results while ensuring appropriate integration with the shareholder and Bridge owners.

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


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


• Significant leadership experience at the executive-level in a private or public sector organization, including managing subject matter experts;


• Significant experience in building and maintaining strong teams and recalibrating team dynamics;


• Significant experience in the delivery of major infrastructure projects;


• Experience in transparent and collaborative engagement with senior levels of government, and managing in a complex public entity context;


• Experience working with a board of directors;


• Experience with public-private partnerships (P3s); and


• Experience dealing with multimodal transportation networks, bridges, tolling and/or international crossings would be an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority’s mandate, legislative framework and activities;


• Knowledge and understanding of the principles of sound governance and contemporary business practices, including human resources, financial and risk management;


• Knowledge of the role and accountability of federal Crown corporations;


• Knowledge of political and public policy environments, processes and best practices;


• Knowledge of the issues relating to public-private partnerships generally and/or infrastructure development in Canada;


• Knowledge of the complexities involved in commissioning and opening for public operation a greenfield asset;


• Knowledge of bridge engineering would be an asset;


• Ability to provide corporate leadership in a complex, sometimes ambiguous, and rapidly changing environment;


• Ability to effectively develop the partnerships required to construct and put into operations the Gordie Howe International Bridge, including Canadian and U.S. federal, provincial, state and municipal governments, as well as the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority’s stakeholders;


• Ability to engage with others, build on diverse perspectives, and create consensus to develop a compelling and responsive vision required to ensure the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority is able to carry out its mandate and achieve its objectives;


• Ability to set forward-looking goals that takes into account the complex external and internal environments, and communicate short and long-range objectives for the future of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority;


• Ability to analyze complex issues and develop strategies to ensure the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority builds a sustainable executive team, and optimizes its human, financial and material resources; and


• Superior communication skills, both oral and written, and the ability to manage communications with a variety of stakeholders.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.

• Sound judgment, proactive and solution-oriented


• High ethical standards and integrity


• Superior leadership, interpersonal and partnering skills


• Diplomacy, tact, ability for self-reflection, cultural sensitivity, confidentiality and discretion


• Strategic thinker and innovative leader

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 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 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 appointee must devote the whole of their time to the performance of their duties and shall not accept or hold any office inconsistent with the duties and functions of the position of Chief Executive Officer.

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 January 30, 2023. 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.