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Executive Brief

President & Chief Executive Officer
Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP)

January 2021
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The President & Chief Executive Officer

General Duties

The President & Chief Executive Officer reports to a 16-member Board of Directors with pan-Canadian representation from the academic, private, public and not-for-profit sectors. The President & CEO also ensures effective support of Board committees (Executive, Finance and Audit, Governance and Nominations, Investment, and Research, and Ad Hoc committees established as require).

The President & CEO leads, motivates and provides strategic direction to a highly skilled team of professionals in Montréal. Direct reports include the Vice President, Research; Vice President, Operations; Executive Director, Centre of Excellence on the Canadian Federation; Editor-in-Chief, Policy Options; Director of Communications and the Controller.

Externally, as a credible spokesperson and ambassador, the President & CEO represents and promotes the work of the IRPP to a wide range of audiences in government, academia, civil society and industry.

Major Functions and Responsibilities

The President & CEO’s major functions and responsibilities fall under four executive functions:

1. Vision and Strategic Leadership

  • Build on and strengthen the IRPP’s position as a national resource on public policy issues, further enhancing its pan-Canadian and regional focus

  • Develop and deliver on a strategy that further enhances the IRPP’s reputation and brand as a high-quality public policy research institute

  • Strategically position the IRPP’s operations and programs in an ever changing and complex environment

  • Develop and deliver on a focused and purposeful fundraising strategy that supports the IRPP’s activities, mandate and independence

  • Support and provide strategic advice and direction to researchers, internally and externally, in the development and delivery of research programs

2. External Relations and Representation

  • Maintain and build relationships across Canada with the research community in universities, government, other organizations, and with private industry, the public sector and the not-for-profit community

  • Act as a spokesperson and ambassador, promoting the value of research and evidence informed policy making to the IRPP’s constituents

  • Seek input and insights from the policy community to inform future research programs

  • Travel the country, meeting with potential partners and donors to promote the IRPP and secure interest in and financial support for its activities

  • Identify and initiate strategic relationships with new national and international partners 

 

3. People Leadership

  • Promote and nurture the IRPP’s responsive, dynamic and enterprising team culture

  • Motivate, mentor and coach a dedicated team of professionals

  • Support effective succession planning, including talent recruitment, development and retention strategies

  • Nurture a collegial, collaborative and welcoming work environment that supports the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion

  • Encourage staff to be creative and innovative to ensure the IRPP remains highly valued and on pace with advances in communications, knowledge dissemination, new media platforms and technologies 

4. Operational & Administrative Leadership
  •  Ensure the IRPP’s systems, platforms, programs, processes and operations are of the highest standard in consistency, accountability, transparency, objectivity, etc.

  • Optimize and enhance existing, and identify new, revenue streams and opportunities, while maintaining the IRPP’s commitment to research integrity and independence

  • Support the Board, and its various committees, in the execution of its duties, providing counsel and guidance on matters of strategic importance

  • Promote and support internal efficiencies, innovation and ongoing process improvement

  • Oversee the IRPP’s budgeting and financial reporting and ensure its ongoing financial viability 

General Selection Criteria

Given the breadth of the role, the ideal candidate will have a range of skills and experiences, as set out below:   

Specific Criteria and Desired Assets

More specifically, the ideal candidate will have or demonstrate the following attributes:

1. Education, Experience, and Knowledge

  • A university degree, preferably at the graduate level, in an appropriate discipline

  • A record of work and activity related to public policy, government or public administration

  • The understanding and credentials necessary to oversee and direct the projects, programs and operations of a research institute in a manner befitting the Institute’s reputation for rigour and objectivity

  • Experience building relationships with government partners, including senior public servants and elected officials

  • Exposure to university research environments and to Canada’s community of public policy researchers

  • A record of sound organizational leadership and administrative management (financial, human resources, investments, technology, etc.) in a comparable sized organization

  • Experience reporting to or supporting a Board of Directors

  • Success demonstrating the important public good and long-term value of sound research and innovation

  • Knowledge of private sector and governmental funding procedures at all levels - An asset

  • Established networks and connections across the public, private and non-profit sectors, that can be leveraged for the IRPP’s benefit - An asset

  • Experience raising revenues with public and private funders and donors - An asset 

2. Skills & Personal Characteristics

  • Authenticity and pragmatism

  • Superior communication and presentation skills, in French and English

  • Unquestioned integrity and the conviction, social conscience and commitment to sound public policy

  • Skill and comfort in media and government relations

  • A record of and commitment to research rigour, objectivity and excellence

  • Comfort, confidence and competence engaging the public and private sectors at all levels of senior leadership (CEOs, Boards, Ministers and their staff, Deputy Ministers, ADMs)

  • A compelling, credible and respected voice for public policy

  • A high level of energy

  • The leadership ability to develop and enthuse team spirit and commitment

  • Proven abilities to analyze, conceptualize and develop ideas and opportunities 

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