Director, Office of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Department: Office of the CEO

Location: Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, other locations in Canada (remote)

At Mitacs, we take a talent first approach to building Canada’s innovation capacity. We connect researchers with organizations across every region of the country to help solve pressing challenges and accelerate economic growth. By enabling business academic collaboration and supporting the development of highly skilled talent, we contribute to a resilient, future ready Canadian economy.

Guided by our values — Impact, Integrity, Collaboration, Excellence, and Talent — we work with partners nationwide to advance research, commercialization, and innovation.

At Mitacs, you become part of a team committed to empowering Canadian talent, fostering meaningful partnerships, and driving innovation that supports Canada’s long-term competitiveness. If you’re inspired by big ideas and passionate about creating national impact, we encourage you to apply.

Position Summary:

Reporting directly to the CEO, the Director, CEO’s Office is responsible for overseeing the strategic and day-to-day execution of business operations of the CEO’s Office. This includes providing coordination support and strategic advice to the CEO on a range of Mitacs’ activities.  In addition to supervising and working closely with colleagues in the CEO’s office, the Director works with senior leaders (Vice-Presidents and equivalent) and other key contacts to advance and support the CEO’s activities, the day-to-day issues management of Mitacs’ priorities, and to support strong alignment, cross-functional collaboration, and information flow within Mitacs.

Key Responsibilities:

Providing direction and taking actions as required to support the CEO and manage day-to-day operations of the CEO’s office, including issues management, coordination and oversight of associated CEO activities and meetings, including working within and across teams to oversee and support matters related to Mitacs’ governance; CEO meetings; correspondence; external invitations and engagement, etc.

Providing support and strategic advice to the CEO on matters related to operational and strategic opportunities for the CEO’s office and Mitacs, and recommendations to the CEO on internal and external communications and engagement; governance structures and practices; policies; organization-wide initiatives, etc.

Managing human and financial resources of CEO office, including leading the coordination of CEO Office’s input on regular reporting and planning exercises.

Human resources: including leading and developing a high-performing team, including supervision of two staff. Oversee activities related to recruitment, onboarding, training, performance evaluations, and professional development for staff.

Financial resources: including overseeing budget planning, maintenance and reporting for the CEO Office, with authorities delegated by CEO as appropriate. Approve expenses and manage team resources responsibly.

Other strategic roles, as assigned, e.g. Leading, as required, tasks or initiatives as directed by the CEO, such as support for strategic plan implementation oversight, secretariat support for the coordination of working group or committee meetings, supporting coordination of Mitacs’ cross-functional priorities or organizational initiatives, and ad hoc internal or external initiatives as directed.

Required Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Relevant Experience

Experience supporting a senior-level executive (CEO or Vice-President equivalent), including issues management activities, and mobilizing a team to develop and oversee processes related to operations and governance

Extensive experience in developing and providing strategic advice, recommendations and briefings to senior-level executive(s) (CEO or Vice-President equivalent) on complex and/or sensitive issues.
This includes demonstrating strong strategic thinking to formulate advice and recommendations, and providing clear and concise briefings, in writing and orally.

Experience in mobilizing people, and establishing and managing working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support organizational objectives: a trusted relationship builder with a track record of mobilizing teams around an objective and cultivating productive working relationships across diverse groups. Excels at navigating complex situations and aligning partners around shared objectives.

Experience in the management of a team, including managing human resources and financial resources. Please indicate number of years’ experience, number of direct reports, and budget amount in your application.

Knowledge of Mitacs’ structure, priorities and strategic directions, and operations.

Knowledge of research and innovation ecosystem in Canada.

Leadership: Provides inclusive and consultative leadership within cross-functional teams and external stakeholder settings. With strong interpersonal skills, leads through influence and credibility, often in environments where authority is shared or indirect. Demonstrates the ability to build internal consensus while advancing external strategies.

Action management: Demonstrates ability to plan, organize, track progress, and execute tasks to achieve objectives aligned with the CEO’s priorities and management of the CEO’s office. Operates with a clear sense of purpose and accountability.

Communication: A clear, compelling communicator with experience engaging senior leaders and external stakeholders. Skilled at translating strategic objectives into persuasive messaging and well-aligned actions. Bilingualism in English and French is an asset. Knowledge of written and spoken English is required in this role as you will interact with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders located across Canada

Mitacs is committed to reconciliation with Indigenous communities across Canada. Lived experience or perspectives connected to Indigenous worldviews are considered strong assets.  

Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and reconciliation are strong commitments at Mitacs: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion - Mitacs. We believe a diverse workforce comprised of individuals with different lived experiences, ideas, strengths, and backgrounds (e.g., gender identities and expressions, Indigeneity, race, abilities, sexual orientation, and other identities) are crucial to our success. We welcome everyone to apply and encourage you to connect with us if you require accommodations during the recruitment process.

Hiring Range: $130,000 - $146,000

Hiring and Salary Range Transparency

Typically, employees are hired, transferred, or promoted within the salary range, specifically between the minimum and midpoint in the hiring range. The salary range refers to the range of base salaries for a given position, encompassing the minimum and maximum amounts. The midpoint of the range is positioned approximately halfway between the minimum and maximum, indicating a fully qualified employee with comprehensive job knowledge and experience for the role. Only in rare and exceptional circumstances, where a candidate has the experience, skills, and expertise that far exceed those required for the position, would we consider paying above the hiring range for this role.