Chief of Staff

Employment Opportunity: Chief of Staff

The C.D. Howe Institute is seeking a Chief of Staff to support the CEO in advancing the Institute’s strategic priorities and ensuring the effective implementation of key cross-functional initiatives. Reporting directly to the CEO and working closely with the Institute’s Leadership Team, this role will be instrumental in driving organizational effectiveness, coordinating strategic initiatives across the Institute, and ensuring the successful execution of key organizational objectives.

This is a unique opportunity for a senior professional to play a central role in a fast-paced, mission-driven organization, bringing strong capabilities in strategy, communications, project execution, and organizational leadership.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Effectiveness

• Partner closely with the CEO and Leadership Team to advance strategic priorities and ensure the effective implementation of key cross-functional initiatives.


• Coordinate and monitor cross-functional projects, ensuring alignment with Institute goals and objectives.


• Develop and track key performance metrics and measures of success to support organizational planning and decision-making.


• Work with department heads on project outcomes and return on investment (ROI) to inform prioritization and resource allocation decisions.


• Monitor the public policy, funding, and competitive landscape, providing insights and recommendations to the CEO and Leadership Team.


• Support talent management and workforce planning strategies that strengthen organizational capacity and support the Institute’s long-term success.

Communications Leadership

• Lead the development and execution of the Institute’s communications strategy to maximize the impact of research and policy work.


• Provide leadership and development support to the Manager, Communications.


• Ensure clear and consistent communication with key stakeholders, including donors, policymakers, media, and the public.

CEO & Leadership Team Support

• Serve as a representative of the CEO in coordinating with managers on operational and administrative matters.


• Facilitate clear and effective communication between the CEO’s Office, Leadership Team, and staff.


• Work closely with the Executive Assistant to the CEO to coordinate internal governance and communication processes, including staff and leadership meetings and organizational updates.

Qualifications :

• Graduate degree in a relevant discipline.


• Strong knowledge of Canadian public policy.


• Minimum 5 years of experience in a senior leadership, communications, project management, policy, or related role.


• Demonstrated experience leading complex projects and cross-functional initiatives.


• Extensive experience communicating policy issues, research findings, and strategic recommendations to diverse audiences.


• Strong understanding of strategic planning and organizational performance measurement.


• Familiarity with evaluating organizational metrics and tracking ROI relative to competitors.


• Outstanding interpersonal and relationship-building skills.


• Proven ability to work collaboratively across teams and with a variety of stakeholders.


• Strong judgment, discretion, and professionalism.


• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.


• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a dynamic environment.


• Proficiency in French is an asset.

We offer:

• Competitive compensation package


• Opportunities to do challenging and meaningful work


• Defined Benefit Pension Plan with employer match


• Annual wellness account


• Learning and Development account


• Group benefit plan including health and dental benefits as well as life insurance


• Hybrid work environment with prime downtown Toronto location close to transit

The expected annual base salary range for this position is $130,000–$150,000 CAD.

The final base salary offered will be commensurate with the candidate’s relevant experience, expertise, and qualifications.

The Organization

The C.D. Howe Institute is Canada's leading economic think tank. It is an independent not-for-profit organization whose overarching mission is to raise Canadians’ living standards by fostering economically-sound public policies. Non-partisan in nature and national in scope, the Institute commissions authoritative peer-reviewed papers by recognized experts on emerging issues and convenes policy events that bring together private and public sector leaders. If you want to know more about us, learn more at: and

How to Apply

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to BambooHR directly

We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Our hiring process may occasionally use AI-assisted tools to help review applications based on job-related criteria; however, all final hiring decisions are made by our hiring team. This is an active vacancy for immediate hire.

Our Commitments

C.D. Howe Institute welcomes applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. We are dedicated to building a more diverse and inclusive team that supports the people and communities that we serve and where we live. We embrace everyone and encourage job applications from every community.