President and Chief Executive Officer, Export Development Canada

Headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, Export Development Canada is Canada’s export credit agency and a member of the Government of Canada's international trade portfolio. Operating as a financial Crown corporation, its 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 fulfills its mandate by engaging in complex finance and risk-based activities in banking, insurance, investment and advisory services and products. In addition, the corporation’s mandate includes providing development financing consistent with Canada’s international development priorities, which is done through its wholly-owned subsidiary FinDev Canada. The full mandate is laid out in the Export Development Act.

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.

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 consistent with Canada’s objectives for international trade and the guidance provided by the Minister, including through the Statement of Priorities and Accountabilities. The President and Chief Executive Officer must strategically manage Export Development Canada’s assets considering multiple factors including the views of Export Development Canada’s diverse stakeholders; facilitating greater capacity and confidence among Canadian exporters and investors; partnering with other financial institutions in support of the commercial activities of exporters that directly and indirectly benefit all Canadians; and the balance between risk and reputation.

The President and Chief Executive Officer 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.

Further details about the organization and its activities can be found on its Web site at www.edc.ca.

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 achieve 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 business 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 and exports;


• Experience in managing financial and human resources, leading through change and leveraging technology to achieve goals; and


• Senior executive experience in an organization with a publicly oriented mandate would be considered an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the mandate, mission and activities of Export Development Canada, the legislative framework within which it operates and the public policy environment facing a Crown corporation;


• 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 and the Government of Canada's trade objectives and economic and development agendas;


• Knowledge of sound financial and risk management of an enterprise and related environmental, social, and governance factors;


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


• Superior interpersonal and communication skills;


• Demonstrated ability to set and execute corporate vision and strategy and to apply strategic thinking in complex business matters, balancing the commercial orientation of the organization with public policy responsibilities;


• Demonstrated ability to provide strong and ethical leadership at the highest level to deliver results and ensure Export Development Canada is able to carry out its mandate and achieve its longer-term objectives;


• Ability to develop effective working relationships with a Board of Directors, the Minister and their office, the Deputy Minister and Export Development Canada's partners and stakeholders, with the capacity to understand and balance the differing needs and agendas of multiple stakeholders;


• Demonstrated ability to anticipate, assess and address emerging issues and business risks, particularly as they relate to customer needs, complex financial transactions, the accelerating pace of digital technology and corporate social responsibility; and


• Ability to create and maintain a diverse and inclusive work environment to attract, retain and engage highly skilled talent and focus their energies to achieve Export Development Canada's objectives.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.

• High ethical standards, with a demonstrated affinity to conduct affairs in a manner consistent with Export Development Canada’s core values


• Sound judgement and decision-making skills


• Strategic and innovative, with a global perspective


• Resilience and adaptability in a fast-paced environment

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 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 behaviors 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 behaviors 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 be willing to relocate to the National Capital Region, or to a location within a reasonable commuting distance.


• The appointee must be willing to travel across Canada and internationally as required to meet with customers, partners, shareholder representatives, employees, governments and other key stakeholders.

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 August 27, 2024. 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.