Director, Social, Economic and Policy

INTERNAL / EXTERNAL POSTING

Bulletin No. 2026-05

National Director – Social, Economic and Policy Department

Ottawa, Ontario

Internal Posting Deadline: April 7, 2026

External Posting Deadline: April 17, 2026

The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) is the largest labour organization in Canada, bringing together dozens of national and international unions, provincial and territorial federations of labour, and community-based labour councils to represent more than 3 million workers across the country.

Our team is a group of dynamic professionals dedicated to growing worker power and ensuring every working person has a voice on the job. At the CLC, you're not just an employee – you're a catalyst for change.

The CLC has a vacancy for the permanent position of National Director within the Social, Economic and Policy Department. This position is based at the CLC Headquarters office in Ottawa, Ontario.

This position reports to the Executive Director overseeing the Social, Economic and Policy Department.

This position is based at CLC’s headquarters located in Ottawa, Ontario with the expectation of regular presence in the office to help facilitate collaboration with colleagues, management, and the leadership team.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Support the work of the President and Officers in the implementation of CLC priorities for research and policy development.
• Initiate and support activities with Canadian affiliates, NGOs and government departments involved in related work.
• Contribute to the development of popular education materials on major economic and social issues for use by CLC staff and affiliated unions.
• Participate in the CLC educational program and develop the public profile of the CLC on social and economic issues.
• Work with other national and regional directors to integrate CLC research into national campaigns.
• Maintain working relationships with other labour bodies, research organizations and academic institutions.
• Brief CLC Officers on major policy issues.
• Represent the CLC in meetings with affiliated unions, other national labour bodies, government representatives, NGOs, the media and public forums.
• Work with the Communications Department to disseminate research findings.
• Provide analysis on the impact of federal and provincial government positions and decisions on working people, their families and communities.
• Develop, implement, monitor and report on Department work plans and budgets.
• Assign and supervise work of Department staff.
• Maintain budget and administrative systems for the Department.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will have the following:

• Sound knowledge of the Canadian labour movement and our social and economic equality goals.
• A graduate level degree in the social sciences, preferably economics or equivalent experience.
• A knowledge of quantitative techniques.
• Experience as a researcher/analyst in a labour organization and the ability to write briefs, research papers, speeches and other policy documents.
• Demonstrated understanding of the current major social and economic issues affecting working people.
• Knowledge of labour legislation, labour relations, pension and retirement issues, labour market policies, unemployment insurance and training issues.
• Ability to communicate social and economic analysis and issues clearly in both written and verbal form.
• Ability to meet with senior government, business and NGO representatives on a broad range of issues.
• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• Experience in a supervisory capacity directing a research department and the capacity to direct staff on technical matters.
• Ability to work cooperatively with other staff, departments and affiliated unions.
• Administrative and budgeting skills.
• Ability to integrate an equity perspective into the Department’s work.
• Ability to work within CLC structures including national affiliated unions and provincial and territorial Federations of Labour.
• Oral and written fluency in English required, with French considered an asset.
• Ability to travel within Canada and internationally.

The annual starting salary for this position is $136,765.76 along with comprehensive benefits under the IAMAW, Local Lodge 3111 CULR collective agreement. Benefits include health, vision, and dental coverage, group life insurance, LTD coverage, pension contributions, as well as a monthly vehicle allowance and coverage for fuel, internet, and cell phone expenses.

Please submit your application to the attention of Lori McCarthy, Director of Human Resources, via email at careers@clcctc.ca by April 7, 2026 for internal candidates, and April 17, 2026 for external candidates. Please quote Bulletin No. 2026-05 in your application.

Note: The CLC will complete its internal hiring process prior to proceeding with external candidates. While we appreciate all applications received, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not used as part of the hiring process at the CLC.

The CLC is an equal opportunity employer. Members of equity seeking groups are encouraged to self-identify. Women, workers of colour, workers with disabilities, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirit, intersex and Indigenous workers are encouraged to apply for this position.

The CLC is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities during the hiring process as needed. Please inform us if you require any accommodation.