President and Chief Executive Officer in Ottawa

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited is a federal Crown corporation that advances Canada’s nuclear science, technology and environmental stewardship mandates. It delivers its mandate through a Government-owned, Contractor-operated model, under which Canadian Nuclear Laboratories operates its sites subject to governance, oversight and performance management. Its mandate includes nuclear innovation, radioactive waste management and decommissioning, and the stewardship and commercialization of Canada’s CANDU® and other nuclear intellectual property, aligned with national priorities in clean energy, safety, security, health, environmental protection and operational excellence.

The organization will play a strategic role in implementing Canada’s Nuclear Energy Strategy, and its role may need to evolve to meet the requirements for implementing projects and programs deemed priorities for achieving the strategy's objectives.

The President and Chief Executive Officer provides strategic leadership and governance for one of Canada’s most complex and high-profile Crown corporations, operating in a highly regulated nuclear environment subject to significant public, governmental and international scrutiny. Accountable to the Board of Directors and reporting to Parliament through the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, the President and Chief Executive Officer oversees multi-billion-dollar nuclear science and technology, environmental stewardship, decommissioning and radioactive waste management programs, while ensuring the performance of the contractor under the government-owned, Contractor-operated model.

The President and Chief Executive Officer advances the long-term strategy through innovation, commercialization, business development and strategic partnerships, including maximizing the value of Canada’s CANDU® intellectual property and supporting emerging nuclear technologies, while serving as a key advisor to government, representing Canada nationally and internationally, advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and communities, and fostering a diverse, inclusive, safety-focused and high-performing organizational culture.

Education and Experience

• A degree from a recognized university in a relevant field of study (e.g., science, business/commerce, economics, engineering, finance, public administration, law, or another discipline relevant to leading a large, complex, science-and-technology-based organization), or an acceptable combination of education, job-related training and/or experience;
• Significant senior executive experience leading a multidisciplinary organization or major business unit in a complex, highly regulated or high-hazard environment, with accountability for strategy, governance, operations, people, financial stewardship and organizational performance;
• Experience governing, negotiating, renewing or managing highly incentivized, large, complex, multiyear and high-value contracts or public-private delivery arrangements, using sound commercial judgment, performance frameworks and negotiation skills to secure value for money and manage risk;
• Executive-level experience in a science, technology, energy or complex infrastructure organization, preferably in the nuclear sector, with exposure to safety, security, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, environmental stewardship and public scrutiny;
• Experience building durable relationships and partnerships with Indigenous Peoples and communities, regulators, governments, industry, academia, international partners and other stakeholders, including experience supporting reconciliation and collaborative stewardship;
• Experience in the development, oversight, change management or implementation of complex Government-owned, Contractor-operated-type arrangements would be considered an asset;
• Experience working with or in government, Crown corporations and/or regulatory agencies, including experience engaging with government agencies to help set and implement public policy outcomes would be considered an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the management and role of Crown corporations within the Canadian system of government, including accountability to Parliament and legislative requirements under, for example, the Financial Administration Act;
• Knowledge of the mandate and activities of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, as well as the legislative, regulatory and business environments within which it operates, including the role of government operations and machinery of government in support of it as an agent of government;
• Knowledge of the structure and operation of the Canadian and international nuclear industry;
• Knowledge of the rights of Indigenous Peoples (Section 35 of the Constitution Act), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the principles respecting the government of Canada’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples, and awareness of the concerns and priorities of Indigenous Peoples as they relate to development, environmental assessment and/or environmental protection would be considered an asset;
• Superior communication skills, both written and oral, and the ability to act as a spokesperson when interacting with the public, stakeholders, governments and other organizations;
• Ability to lead a strategically significant Crown corporation, set and execute a compelling vision, mobilize a multidisciplinary executive team, and provide the Board with clear recommendations, transparent performance information and rigorous advice on opportunities, trade-offs and risk;
• Ability to inspire, coach and hold accountable a highly specialized leadership team while building an ethical, inclusive, collaborative, safety-first and high-performing culture across the organization and its contractor network;
• Ability to negotiate complex contractual, commercial, financial and technical matters, govern contractor incentives and performance, and make sound, timely decisions that protect Canada’s interests and deliver public value;
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships and to work successfully with senior industry counterparts, different levels of government, as well as non-government and community officials;
• Ability to influence public policy, develop and deliver proactive communications and stakeholder strategies, and clearly explain complex nuclear, environmental, commercial and risk matters while operating under sustained public, governmental and international scrutiny.

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

• High ethical standards, accountability, integrity and impartiality;
• Sound judgment and political intelligence;
• Tact, diplomacy and humility;
• Leadership and collegiality.

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 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 Ottawa, Ontario, Chalk River, Ontario, or a location within reasonable commuting distance of either location. The appointee must be willing to travel occasionally on behalf of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited. The appointee must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.