Job Description
Lead with Purpose. Shape the Future.
Welcome to FinDev Canada, Canada’s development finance institution. At FinDev Canada, we are driven by our mandate and the opportunity to create meaningful impact in the areas of climate and nature action, gender equality, and market development. We advance sustainable development by working with—and through—the private sector in Emerging Markets and Developing Economies.
We are seeking a visionary, purpose-driven executive to join our leadership team as Vice President, Chief Strategy & Engagement Officer. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of development finance in Canada and globally – at the intersection of strategy, policy, partnerships, and storytelling. In this role, you will build a high-performing team across Corporate Strategy and Strategic Planning , Public Policy & Government Relations, Partnerships, and Communications, while serving as a key advisor to the CEO and Executive Team.
You will be the architect of FinDev Canada’s corporate strategy, the steward of our brand and voice, and the bridge to our most critical stakeholders—from government and global institutions to civil society and the private sector.
Your Responsibilities
Corporate Strategy & Strategic Planning
- Shape and champion FinDev Canada’s long-term strategic vision, ensuring alignment with Canada’s global development priorities and positioning the organization as a bold, forward-thinking leader in sustainable development finance.
- Lead the development and integration of a cohesive corporate strategy, synthesizing cross-functional sub-strategies into a unified roadmap that drives transformative growth, organizational ambition, and measurable impact.
- Oversee enterprise-wide strategic planning and execution, including corporate planning cycles and strategic project management, while fostering a culture of alignment, accountability, and high performance across all levels of the organization.
Public Policy & Government Relations
- Serve as FinDev Canada’s senior liaison to the Government of Canada, aligning institutional priorities with public policy objectives, influencing the shaping of such, and reinforcing the organization’s role within Canada’s international development architecture.
- Lead a proactive government and stakeholder engagement strategy, cultivating high-impact relationships across government to position FinDev Canada as a trusted and influential partner.
- Represent FinDev Canada in high-level policy and global forums, providing strategic oversight to public policy initiatives and advancing the organization’s thought leadership in sustainable development and development finance.
Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement
- Forge and lead strategic alliances with DFIs, MDBs, international organizations, industry associations, the private sector, and civil society through innovative collaboration models that amplify FinDev Canada’s influence and deliver mutual value aligned with corporate strategy.
- Oversee long-term relationship management with key external partners, ensuring sustained engagement and strategic alignment across the global development finance ecosystem.
- Build and nurture a robust stakeholder ecosystem within Canada, effectively communicating FinDev Canada’s impact and value to Canadians, and strengthening domestic support for its mission.
Communications & Brand Leadership
- Position FinDev Canada as a global thought leader in development finance, leveraging compelling storytelling, executive visibility, and strategic media engagement to amplify the organization’s voice and impact.
- Lead a unified brand, communications, and digital strategy, enhancing trust, transparency, and stakeholder engagement while evolving FinDev Canada’s on-line presence to connect with global audiences and elevate its impact narrative.
- Oversee enterprise-wide internal and external communications, including crisis communications, ensuring consistent, values-driven messaging that fosters employee engagement, cultural cohesion, and strategic clarity.
Cross-Functional and Team Leadership
- Inspire, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of directors and professionals.
- Foster a culture deeply rooted in our core values—Collaboration, Agility, Impact, and Respect—ensuring they are reflected in every aspect of our work and leadership.
- Collaborate closely with the Executive Team and the CEO to ensure strategic coherence and organizational agility.
- Lead enterprise-wide initiatives that integrate strategy, policy, and communications to drive organizational transformation.
Your Profile
Education & Experience
- Graduate degree in Business, Public Policy, International Development, or Communications (MBA or equivalent preferred).
- 15+ years of progressive experience, including 10+ years in senior roles within complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
Sector & Strategic Expertise
- Strong understanding of development finance, public policy, and global development/development finance trends.
- Experience with DFIs, MDBs, industry collaboration platforms, and government relations is a strong asset.
Leadership & Influence
- Proven ability to shape strategy, influence policy, and lead high-level stakeholder engagement.
- Executive presence in national and international forums, with strong media and public speaking skills.
Language & Communication
- Bilingual in English and French is an asset, with exceptional communication and storytelling abilities.
Values & Collaboration
- Passionate about sustainable development, gender equality, and climate action.
- Collaborative, values-driven leader with a track record of uniting teams around shared goals.
Why You’ll Love Working Here
- Impactful Work – At FinDev Canada, we are committed to promoting sustainable and inclusive growth in emerging markets and developing economies. Your work will help shape solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges—climate change, gender inequality, and market development.
- Your Colleagues – Join a diverse and talented team that brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and passion to everything we do.
- Collaborative Culture – Collaboration is at the heart of our success. We believe that working together not only enhances our business but also strengthens our ability to achieve our mission. Our culture is built on mutual support and teamwork, ensuring that we collectively drive our mandate and strategy forward.
Position Details
- Location: FinDev Canada’s headquarters is in downtown Montreal. For the right candidate, Ottawa or Toronto will be considered. FinDev Canada operates in a hybrid work environment, currently requiring leaders to work in the office 3 days per week.
- Team: Lead a team of Directors in Marketing & Communications, Strategic Planning, and Public Policy & Partnerships.
- Reports to: CEO
- Employment Type: Permanent
- Salary: $174,625 – $250,000 plus short-term and long term incentives.
