Key Details

• Job Title: Director, Policy & Research 
• Report to: Managing Director, Programs, Planning and Policy 
• Salary Range: $100,000 – $120,000 commensurate with experience 
• Location: Hybrid
  Status: Permanent, Full-Time 

About the Canadian Urban Institute

The Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) is the heart of Canadian city building. We are a collaborative and inclusive platform where policymakers, urban professionals, leaders, activists, and academics from diverse backgrounds come together to shape vibrant and equitable urban communities across Canada.

Position Overview

CUI is seeking an experienced Director to oversee CUI’s Research and Policy project delivery. Reporting to the Managing Director, the Director is an efficient leader with excellent people skills, broad organizational and institutional management experience, strong project and financial management skills, familiarity with urban issues in Canada and globally, proven leadership in addressing systemic equity both within organizations and in program design and implementation externally, and entrepreneurial. Ideally, the Director will bring a broad range of experience working with governments, the private sector, local communities, and the charitable and foundation sectors, and has worked in public, non-profit and/or private sector to deliver critical projects related to policy, engagement, investment and storytelling to positively impact city-building across Canada.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Partner with the Executive Team to advance CUI’s vision and Strategic Plan and to set organizational goals and identify funding and project opportunities.
• Lead proposal development and other fundraising and business development activities.
• Hire, supervise, coach, and retain staff; set performance goals and support professional development.
• Lead and manage cross-disciplinary teams (including consultants, stakeholders, and support staff) to deliver CUI’s applied research portfolio.
• Oversee project initiation, management, reporting, and closeout, including contracts and financial reporting.
• Lead end-to-end project design and delivery, including research, data and policy analysis, report writing, community engagement, partnerships, and project closeout.
• Identify, investigate, and analyze complex urban planning, economic development and other urban policy issues; develop practical solutions.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to clients, communities, and other stakeholders.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with partners and stakeholders.
• Other duties as assigned by the Managing Director.

Qualifications and Experience

• Post-secondary education in urban planning or an equivalent field (graduate degree preferred) and 10 plus years of experience leading complex planning, policy, and applied research projects.
• Demonstrated competency in strategic planning, business and program development, and generating new revenue streams, including building relationships with funders and partner institutions.
• Experience in community development, urban planning or design, program design, and project management, including leading work in fast-paced, nimble environments.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with demonstrated experience in report writing, presenting to diverse audiences, and using data analysis and performance/operational metrics.
• Knowledge of municipal, provincial, and federal laws, policies, and programs related to planning (e.g., Planning Acts, Provincial Policy Statement, provincial plans, federal programs, and local planning regulations).
• Experience working with all orders of governments.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to build and maintain diverse stakeholder relationships, collaborate effectively, and identify new ideas and opportunities.
• Strong organizational and financial management skills, including planning and delegation, program development and facilitation, and budget preparation, analysis, decision-making, and reporting.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity in all aspects of work.
• French-English bilingualism is an asset; strong work ethic and high energy.

General requirements:

• A keen interest in urban issues.
• Interest in working across multiple projects, building relationships with stakeholders and doing what it takes to achieve project outcomes.
• Well-developed ability to effectively communicate with diverse and cross-cultural and cross-sector audiences.
• Commitment to team success, shared knowledge, highly ethical behavior and working for an organization whose mandate is to serve the public good.
• Ability to work flexible hours from time to time.

Work Settings and Conditions

This is a flexible position (hybrid or remote) and requires the ability to work during regular business hours (ie.9:00am – 5:00pm ET Monday to Friday), with the ability to work flexible hours from time to time. Occasional travel within Canada for in-person meetings and engagement is required of this position. CUI has head offices in Toronto and maintains shared working space in Ottawa and Montreal. Location in any of these cities to provide opportunities for in-person work is considered an asset.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Canadian Urban Institute is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace culture, where people from all backgrounds can thrive. We place high value on diversity and encourage applications from all equity-deserving groups. We are committed to an environment that is barrier free. If you require accommodation during the hiring process, please inform us and we will arrange for accommodation.

Compensation

Salary range is $100,000 – $120,000 and is commensurate with experience.

Apply today!

Interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter to jobs@canurb.org with your full name and “Director, Policy & Research” in the subject line by 5:00 p.m. (Eastern) on April 15, 2026. Applications will be reviewed when submitted. Please include where you found this posting.

No telephone inquiries please. CUI thanks all applicants for their interest. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. For more information about CUI visit www.canurb.org.