Director, Programs

Anyone legally entitled to work in Canada who is currently residing in Canada.

Work Arrangement:

Closing Date: November 1, 2026

Special posting considerations: The intent of this process is to staff one (1) indeterminate appointment. A pool of partially and fully qualified candidates may be established through this process and may be used to staff similar term or indeterminate positions within NSERC and SSHRC.

Who we are: The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) is Canada’s largest funder of science and engineering. A career at NSERC means supporting the visionaries, explorers and innovators who are searching for the scientific and technical breakthroughs that will advance knowledge, improve the lives of Canadians and transform the world for the better.

What you will do: As a Director, Programs, your responsibilities include:

• Providing operational direction and strategic leadership for the design, delivery, and evaluation of programs managed by the division.
• Leading the development and implementation of program policies that support NSERC's strategic objectives and generate long-term benefits for Canadian society and the economy.
• Ensuring programs and policies advance innovation, research excellence, and capacity-building initiatives.
• Representing the organization and engaging with the research community, post-secondary institutions, partners and other government departments and agencies.
• Overseeing the effective management and continuous improvement of divisional programs.
• Aligning program outcomes with NSERC's mandate and organizational priorities.

What you need to succeed:

Education

Completion of a university degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience

• Managing research funding, award programs, and merit review processes.
• Developing, implementing, and evaluating complex research funding programs and strategic initiatives in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
• Building and maintaining effective partnerships and relationships with senior officials across government, academia, and non-governmental organizations.
• Representing an organization and consulting with a broad range of stakeholders, including post-secondary institutions, government departments, agencies, and national organizations.
• Providing strategic advice and recommendations to senior management on complex organizational, program, and policy issues, including change management initiatives.
• Leading strategic and business planning and managing human and financial resources.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the mandate of the granting agencies, strategic priorities and situation within the federal apparatus (e.g., policy issues, as they relate to government priorities and operations).
• Knowledge of the broad strategic issues, both domestic and international, and key challenges facing the Canadian research ecosystem, including the private sector.
• Knowledge of research areas in natural sciences and engineering and associated Canadian research strengths.
• Knowledge of the structures, policies and priorities governing the management of research and policy development within the federal government.

Equity, diversity and inclusion: We are committed to inclusive and barrier-free recruitment to create a workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply. We welcome all candidates, and encourage applications from women, Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Métis and Inuit), veterans, persons with disabilities, Black and other racialized persons, persons of ethnic origins, diverse religions, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.