Director of Policy and Research

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Canada.

📋 Description

• Provide strategic leadership for WES Canada's policy, research, and advocacy initiatives.

• Oversee significant policy efforts and create evidence-based policy positions.

• Utilize economic and quantitative analysis, including econometric data on immigration and labor market outcomes.

• Manage complex policy research projects that support evidence-informed organizational decision-making.

• Counsel senior leadership on policy risks, opportunities, and emerging challenges.

• Formulate policy frameworks, recommendations, consultation submissions, advocacy plans, executive briefings, policy papers, presentations, and strategic reports.

• Act as WES's representative in external policy forums, advisory committees, and stakeholder consultations.

• Design and lead applied economic research focused on immigration and workforce integration.

• Direct strategic research initiatives that align with public policy, advocacy, and systems change goals.

• Enhance the team’s technical research capabilities and ensure adherence to research quality standards.

• Establish and sustain senior-level relationships with governments, business associations, post-secondary institutions, regulatory bodies, employers, and sector organizations.

• Spearhead collaborative research, policy formulation, strategic partnerships, thought leadership publications, policy briefs, and research reports.

• Oversee external research partnerships and commissioned research projects.

• Represent WES as a subject matter expert through speaking engagements, conferences, and stakeholder meetings.

• Guide strategic planning, environmental scanning, and scenario planning activities.

• Manage cross-functional projects involving various departments and external stakeholders.

• Support organizational governance through the preparation of board materials, executive briefings, dashboards, and performance reporting.

• Create systems and processes for knowledge management, organizational learning, and policy coordination.

• Lead, mentor, and develop policy and research staff, consultants, and project teams.

• Establish work plans, prioritize tasks, and set performance expectations.

• Support workforce planning, recruitment, and professional development initiatives.

• Foster collaboration across WES departments.

⛳️ Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in economics, Public Policy, Political Science, Social Sciences, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in economic research or public policy within the social impact, public, or non-profit sectors.

• Proven technical research capability, including experience in designing and conducting applied economic research on immigration and labor markets.

• Strong econometric and quantitative analysis skills, encompassing regression analysis, causal inference methods, and labor market outcome analysis.

• Proficiency in statistical software such as Stata, R, or Python.

• Minimum five (5) years of management or leadership experience overseeing teams, consultants, or complex cross-functional initiatives.

• Demonstrated expertise in Canadian labor market policy, workforce development, credential recognition, immigration, or related public policy areas.

• Experience managing external research partnerships and commissioned research projects.

• Familiarity with Canadian labor market and immigration data, including the Longitudinal Immigration Database (IMDB), Census, and Labour Force Survey.

• Experience with Statistics Canada Research Data Centre or administrative microdata settings.

• Extensive experience leading policy development, consultation submissions, research projects, and strategic advocacy efforts.

• Proven ability to influence policy through research, stakeholder engagement, and strategic partnerships.

• Experience in building and maintaining relationships with senior government officials, business leaders, funders, and sector organizations.

• Strong capabilities in strategic planning, analytical thinking, and systems thinking.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including creating executive-level briefings, reports, and presentations.

• Proven capacity to manage multiple complex projects in a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment.

• Excellent judgment, political awareness, and ability to handle sensitive issues with discretion.

• Understanding of federal and provincial government decision-making processes.

• Experience in developing organizational policy and advocacy strategies.

• Desired: a track record of published economic or policy research.

• Desired: experience representing an organization publicly at conferences, in the media, or during government consultations.

• Functional bilingualism in English and French is regarded as a significant asset.

🏝️ Benefits

• Remote work and flexible scheduling options.

• Generous time-off policies.

• Comprehensive wellness programs.

• Comprehensive benefits package.

• Competitive compensation.

• Tangible rewards and recognition.

• Opportunities for learning and pathways for personal and professional development.

• Comprehensive training programs.

• Tuition reimbursement opportunities.

• Career advancement possibilities.

• Employee-led resource groups.

• Town halls and collaborative team events.

• Meaningful volunteer opportunities.

• An inclusive and accessible work environment.

• Accommodation support during the recruitment process.