Director, Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21

Canada has been profoundly shaped by immigration. Pier 21, a National Historic Site in Halifax, Nova Scotia, served as the primary gateway to Canada for nearly one million immigrants between 1928 and 1971. It also served as a departure point for approximately 368,000 Canadian military personnel during the Second World War.

Today, Pier 21 is home to the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, Atlantic Canada’s only national museum. The Museum is mandated to explore the theme of immigration to Canada, with the objective of enhancing public understanding of the immigrant experience upon arrival, the vital role immigration has played in the building of Canada, and the lasting contributions of immigrants to Canada’s culture, economy, and way of life. As a Crown corporation in the Canadian Heritage Portfolio, the Museum is accountable to Parliament through the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages.

The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 is governed by a Board of Trustees composed of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and nine other trustees. The Board holds overall responsibility for the stewardship of the Corporation and provides strategic direction to management while overseeing the institutions activities. It is expected to act in the best interests of the Corporation and to exercise due care and diligence. The Board is also responsible for evaluating the Director’s performance on an annual basis.

The Director serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Museum and, under the direction of the Board of Trustees, provides corporate leadership for the management of the Museum’s resources and assets. The Director is responsible for ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of operations in achieving the Museum’s mandate and serves as the institution’s chief spokesperson, with responsibilities that include national and international travel.

Additional information on the organization and its activities is available on the Organization’s website listed above.

Education and Experience

Please ensure that the information provided in your curriculum vitae and cover letter clearly demonstrates how you meet the following requirements:

• A degree from a recognized university in a relevant field of study such as history, museum studies, heritage resource management, cultural studies, Canadian studies, public administration, business administration, migration and immigration studies or another discipline related to the Museum’s mandate, or an acceptable combination of relevant education, job-related training, and / or senior-level experience;


• Senior executive experience in providing strategic, operational, and financial leadership in a complex organization;


• Experience leading or working within the cultural, heritage, museum, or public sector, including understanding of public programming, collections and audience engagement;


• Experience in developing and executing strategic vision and leading organizational change at the executive level;


• Experience in fostering an inclusive, equitable, and respectful workplace culture and leading diverse, multidisciplinary teams;


• Experience in developing and implementing outreach and fundraising strategies, as well as establishing strategic partnerships, to advance organizational goals;


• Experience in policy or program work related to immigration, citizenship, or refugee matters would be considered an asset;


• Experience in leading a unionized workforce and engaging in collective bargaining processes would be considered an asset;


• Experience in implementing digital or virtual access to heritage materials would be considered an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

The following criteria will be assessed:

• Knowledge of the legislative framework, mandate and activities of the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21;


• Knowledge of the current challenges and opportunities facing Canadian cultural institutions, along with an understanding of the federal government’s policy agenda and its implications for national museums;


• Knowledge of the Canadian immigration landscape and the diverse realities and experiences of immigrant communities in Canada;


• Financial literacy and a thorough understanding of sound governance and management principles;


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


• Ability to lead, support and manage personnel, including fostering employee engagement and promoting a healthy, respectful and inclusive workplace;


• Ability to provide strategic leadership, including articulating a clear vision, managing competing priorities, and guiding the organization through change;


• Ability to lead and represent the Museum with credibility and accountability, demonstrating professionalism, sensitivity and sound judgment and fostering a culture of inclusion and high performance;


• Ability to develop and maintain constructive relationships with the Museum’s Board of Trustees and senior management, the Minister and his staff, the Deputy Minister and departmental officials, and the Museum’s key stakeholders and partners.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages is preferred.

The Government of Canada will consider bilingual proficiency when assessing applicants. Your online profile must include your proficiency in speaking and understanding your second official language.

Personal Attributes

The following will be verified by references at a later date:

• Integrity and high ethical standards


• Strategic and innovative leadership


• Sound judgment


• Tact and discretion


• Strong interpersonal skills

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The Government of Canada is committed to providing a healthy and accessible workplace, and to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the population it serves. Appointees will be expected to promote and maintain a healthy, respectful, inclusive and harassment-free work environment.

Candidates who belong to one or more of the designated employment equity groups are encouraged to self-identify when applying. Preference may be given to applicants who are members of one or more of the following groups: Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, and women.

Eligibility Factors and Conditions of Employment

• All appointees must comply with the Ethical and Political Activity Guidelines for Public Office Holders throughout the duration of their appointment.


• 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 Commissioner, within 60 days of their appointment, a confidential report in which they disclose all of their assets, liabilities and outside activities.


• All appointees are subject to the Terms and conditions applying to Governor in Council appointees. They 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, principles 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 throughout their time in public office.


• Appointees must also respect the principles of any code of conduct that applies to the organization to which they are appointed.


• The appointee must reside in or be willing to relocate to Halifax, Nova Scotia, or to a location within reasonable commuting distance.


• The appointee must be willing to travel across Canada and internationally.

A link to this notice will be placed in the Canada Gazette.

A list of qualified candidates may be established and may be considered for other appointment opportunities.

How to Apply

Candidates must submit their application package, including their curriculum vitae and a cover letter addressed to the Director of Selection Processes, Senior Personnel Secretariat, Privy Council Office, by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 28, 2026, via the Governor in Council Appointments website.

To learn more or if you require support or accommodation to submit your online application, please visit the How to apply page on the website. For alternatives to online applications, please visit the Application Assistance page.