Executive Assistant to the President & CEO (Chief-of-Staff-Lite)

Executive Assistant to the President & CEO

(Chief-of-Staff –Lite | National Association – Governance & Policy Focus)

Part-Time (3 Days/Week)

Location: Remote (Must be based in the National Capital Region – Ottawa)

The Opportunity

This is a unique moment to contribute to Canada’s health research and innovation ecosystem. As national conversations around science, health, and economic growth accelerate, Research Canada is playing an increasingly important role in convening leaders, shaping policy dialogue, and advancing a whole-of-ecosystem approach to impact.

We are seeking a highly capable Executive Assistant (Chief-of-Sta –Lite) to serve as a strategic right hand to the President & CEO during this period of momentum and opportunity.

This is not a traditional administrative role.

This position blends executive support, governance coordination, communications leadership, and operational oversight. The successful candidate will help maximize the CEO’s e ectiveness, strengthen Board processes, and ensure excellence in executive-level communications and stakeholder engagement.

The ideal candidate has experience within a national association or member-based organization and understands the professionalism required to interact with senior leaders across government, academia, industry, and the charitable sector.

This is a remote position (3 days per week), with the requirement that the candidate be located in Ottawa to support occasional in-person meetings and high-profile events.

Core Responsibilities

Communications & Writing

• Draft and edit letters, formal correspondence, briefing notes, and stakeholder communications
• Prepare high-quality executive summaries, reports, and presentations
• Ensure consistency of tone, positioning, and professionalism across materials
• Support bilingual communications (English/French) where applicable

Meeting & Event Leadership

• Coordinate high-profile meetings, roundtables, and executive gatherings
• Support logistics for both virtual and in-person engagements
• Liaise professionally with senior stakeholders
• Ensure seamless execution and follow-through

Governance & Board Coordination

• Support preparation of Board and Committee materials (briefing books, minutes, presentations, governance documents)
• Ensure professionalism, clarity, and strategic alignment in Board-facing materials
• Assist in coordinating Board communications and documentation flow
• Support governance best practices and documentation management

Executive & Administrative Support

• Serve as a trusted partner to the CEO, helping triage and prioritize competing demands and commitments
• Anticipate needs and resolve issues before they escalate
• Track decisions and action items to ensure follow-through
• Maintain highly organized digital filing systems and workflows
• Manage and optimize the CEO’s calendar with a strategic lens

Qualifications & Experience

Required:

• 5+ years supporting a CEO, President, or senior government o icial
• Exceptional writing and editing skills
• Demonstrated ability to support Board governance processes
• Highly tech-savvy, with strong proficiency in Microsoft 365, virtual platforms, collaborative tools, and digital document management systems, CRMs, AI
• Excellent judgment, discretion, and political acuity
• Strong ability to work independently in a remote environment

Strong Assets:

• Experience in health research, innovation, public policy, or adjacent sectors
• Experience within a national not-for-profit, association, or member-based organization
• Bilingualism (English/French)
• Experience supporting high-profile meetings and events
• Experience tracking and monitoring operational budgets

Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinker who sees both detail and big picture
• Calm, steady, and solutions-oriented
• Highly organized and proactive
• Professional presence suited to senior leadership environments
• Deeply trustworthy and discreet

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range (Pro-Rated 3 Days/Week): $45,000 – $56,000 per year (part-time, approximately 60% FTE)

We are prepared to be competitive for exceptional candidates who bring advanced governance experience, sector knowledge, and strong executive communications capability.

We o er a comprehensive benefits package, HOOPP pension plan, flexible work arrangements, and a collaborative team environment.

About Us

We are a national, member-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing Canada’s health research and innovation ecosystem. Our work spans strategic partnerships with government, academia, industry, and the charitable sector to influence policy and catalyze impact at a national level.

We value collaboration, integrity, and excellence — and we are proud to o er a supportive and inclusive workplace.

As a HOOPP employer, we provide an attractive pension and benefits package, professional development opportunities, and a flexible work environment that recognizes the importance of work-life balance.

Application Instructions

To be considered, applicants must submit a resume plus tailored cover letter outlining:

1. Experience supporting a CEO or senior executive

2. Experience within a national not-for-profit or association environment

3. A brief example of governance or Board-level work supported

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by Wednesday, April 8, 2026. The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.

Applications without a tailored cover letter will not be considered.