Members of the Board of Directors, Canada Post Corporation

Canada Post is a federal Crown corporation that is mandated to provide quality postal services that meet the needs of all Canadians including individuals and businesses, in a secure and financially self-sustaining manner. The Canada Post Corporation has three subsidiaries: Purolator Holdings Ltd.; SCI Group Inc. and Innovapost Inc.

Board members are responsible for: establishing the corporation's strategic direction; evaluating its performance; safeguarding the corporation’s assets; and reporting to the Crown on the corporation’s activities and performance. Specific roles and responsibilities of the corporation’s board members are:

• Promote a culture of integrity and of ethical business conduct throughout the corporation;


• Facilitate the achievement of long-term goals by overseeing the corporation’s strategic planning processes;


• Identify emerging issues that may affect the corporation;


• Ensure adequate systems are in place to evaluate, monitor, and manage the principal risks facing the corporation;


• Oversee the appointment and discharge of all executive officers, regularly review the management succession plan, and promote programs to develop leadership throughout the corporation;


• Ensure the integrity of the corporation’s information systems and management practices; and


• Ensure that timely information is provided to the Government of Canada, through the Minister, accurately reflecting the corporations’ state of operations and plans for the future.

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


• Experience serving as a member of a board of directors of a large complex government organization, non-profit organization, and/or a private sector organization. Experience and/or leadership in a unionized environment would be an asset; and


• Extensive experience at the senior or Board level in a large corporation in one or more of the following areas:
  
  
  
  • Managing the digital function of a large complex corporation; extensive understanding of eCommerce and retail transformation; data assets; and/or new digital industry business models and emerging trends, including digital enablement;
  
  
  • Managing a national retail or network-based organization; understanding of transportation, logistics or related industries;
  
  
  • Managing the information technology function of a large complex corporation, including cyber security, determining information technology strategies to reach corporate objectives, and application and software development and management;
  
  
  • Management, oversight or administration of large scale pension plan(s); management of funds holding assets over a longer term; balancing assets and liabilities; and understanding a variety of financial products;
  
  
  • Managing business transformation in a large unionized environment;
  
  
  • Auditing large, complex organizations, with a Chartered Accountant or Chartered General Accountant designation;
  
  
  • Managing the human resources function of a large corporation, including: determining human resources strategies to reach corporate objectives; hiring, training, and retaining appropriate resources; and setting principles and policies for compensation;
  
  
  • Managing labour relations in a large complex corporation, including understanding collective agreements, stakeholder engagement, negotiations and arbitration and union structures;
  
  
  • Experience in dealing with federal or provincial governments, stakeholders or agencies;
  
  
  • Formulating and implementing public and social policy objectives;
  
  
  • Managing communications/marketing for a large, sophisticated, public and commercial corporation; understanding public relations; brand management; and reputational risks;
  
  
  • Monitoring corporate performance against the strategic and business plans, including assessing operating results to evaluate whether the business is being properly managed and providing forward-looking suggestions for its continuing sustainability; and
  
  
  • Managing financial risks; monitoring cash flow; analyzing the financial strengths and weaknesses of a corporation; creating a financial improvement plan; supervising a finance unit; and reporting the financial status to higher authority.
  
  
  
  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the mandate of Canada Post, its business activities and public policy issues, as well as its governing legislation, including the Canada Post Corporation Act and the Financial Administration Act;


• Knowledge of the federal government’s policies and priorities and how they relate to Canada Post;


• Knowledge of financial planning and reporting processes;


• Knowledge of principles and best practices in: corporate governance; public policy development; financial and risk management; human resources; corporate planning and reporting; and performance management;


• Knowledge of the trends and practices affecting Canada Post, including digital services, information technology, pension management, labour relations, operational management, and logistics;


• Knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of the Chairperson, the board of directors, and the President and Chief Executive Officer, including the corporation’s fundamental accountabilities to the shareholder and taxpayers, would also be an asset.

• Ability to provide corporate vision, leadership, and the strategic direction needed for Canada Post to fulfill its mandate and attain its objectives;


• Ability to develop effective relationships with a Chairperson, President and Chief Executive Officer, board of directors, labour unions, federal, provincial, and municipal governments, employees and Canada Post’s partners;


• Ability to recognize and address emerging issues, to seize opportunities, and to advance ideas;


• Ability to analyze complex issues, think strategically, and balance the business needs of the organization with the public interest; and


• Superior communication skills, both written and oral.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.

• Superior interpersonal skills


• Sound judgment


• High ethical standards and integrity


• Initiative


• Tact and diplomacy

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.


• The position requires you are willing to travel across Canada for Board meetings. However, given the current situation with COVID restrictions, Board meetings are held virtually.


• The time commitment required of a Board member is approximately 20 days per year. This includes travel time, review and preparation time, and meeting attendance.


• You may be required to attend additional meetings and events, as deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors.

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 will begin on November 18, 2020. 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.