Director, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility

Export Development Canada (EDC) is a financial Crown corporation dedicated to helping Canadian businesses make an impact at home and abroad. EDC offers financial products and knowledge to help Canadian businesses confidently enter new markets, reduce financial risk, and grow their business.

When you join our team, you’ll be helping Canadian businesses learn the endless possibilities that open to them through export and help bring their vision, passion, and innovation to the world. Your knowledge and expertise will support more than 25,000 Canadian businesses and their customers in as many as 200 markets worldwide. You’ll work amongst the best and brightest in an inclusive, collaborative environment that fosters professional development and success. And you’ll know that you’re making an impact every day – for businesses, for Canada and for the people you work with.

Are you ready to make an impact? Join EDC, recognized as a Top 100 and Top Family-Friendly Employer, as we take on the risk so Canadian businesses can take on the world. #LI-Hybrid

Team & Job Overview

Responsible for the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) strategy, including setting targets, developing a roadmap and implementation plan, and helping to lead the execution efforts required to achieve organizational goals.
Co-develops and implements corporate IDEA initiatives in collaboration with internal stakeholders, Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), and leadership teams to create an inclusive, equitable, and accessible workplace culture.
Acts as a trusted advisor to the People & Culture team, guiding the enhancement of policies, programs, and strategies to identify and remove barriers to inclusion, equity, and accessibility.
Builds strong, collaborative relationships with stakeholders across all levels of the organization, securing support and alignment for embedding IDEA principles in all aspects of operations.
Proactively builds and sustains relationships with external IDEA partner organizations, local partnerships, and internal stakeholders to align efforts with organizational objectives.
Partners with and supports Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to ensure their contributions positively impact employees and organizational outcomes, while aligning their initiatives with broader IDEA goals across the organization.
Leads and supports a diverse team with a wide mandate, empowering them to deliver meaningful results while fostering an environment that reflects the organization's commitment to IDEA.

What We’re Looking For in the Ideal Candidate

We are seeking a results-oriented leader who thrives in collaborative environments and is passionate about embedding IDEA principles into the fabric of an organization. The ideal candidate:

Demonstrates exceptional leadership and communication skills, with the ability to inspire and influence others while fostering trust and transparency.
Is a strategic thinker with a proven ability to design and implement innovative solutions to complex challenges, particularly those tied to equity, diversity, and accessibility.
Excels at building strong, inclusive relationships, working effectively with diverse teams, employee groups, and external partners to achieve shared goals.
Has a deep understanding of the systemic barriers to inclusion and accessibility, along with the skills to proactively address and dismantle them.
Shows a commitment to empowering others, particularly ERG leaders and team members, by providing mentorship, resources, and visibility.
Brings a data-informed approach to tracking progress and driving continuous improvement in IDEA outcomes.
Embodies empathy, curiosity, and a growth mindset, with the ability to navigate sensitive topics and foster meaningful dialogue across diverse perspectives.

Discipline Summary

Combines expertise across disciplines to design, implement, and monitor IDEA-focused strategies and programs, including workforce planning, employee relations, accessibility initiatives, corporate culture development, talent management, and performance management.
Drives organizational change with empathy and innovation, inspiring others to embrace IDEA values and addressing systemic challenges to equity and accessibility.
Ensures compliance with policies, legislation, and regulations, emphasizing accessibility standards (e.g., universal design, workplace accommodations).

Key Responsibilities

Co-leads the development and execution of corporate IDEA initiatives to achieve strategic business goals, collaborating with diverse teams and stakeholder groups.
Champions accessibility improvements across all HR/ER programs to ensure inclusive experiences for employees and stakeholders.
Advises the People & Culture team, applying an equity and accessibility lens to improve policies, programs, and practices, while addressing systemic barriers.
Effectively communicates the value of IDEA principles, tailoring messages to diverse audiences and building alignment across the organization.
Collaborates with ERG leaders to provide resources, mentorship, and visibility, integrating their contributions into the organization’s culture and strategic objectives.
Supports team members' professional growth, fostering a culture of innovation, learning, and continuous improvement.

Screening Criteria

Undergraduate degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field. Equivalent experience and education may be considered.
Demonstrated experience in leading and implementing organizational change to foster a culture of inclusion, equity, and accessibility across diverse teams and stakeholders.
Proven track record of designing and executing initiatives that successfully address systemic barriers and create measurable improvements in workplace culture.
Proven experience as a leader with exceptional communication and relationship-building skills.
Knowledge of IDEA and human resources principles, including accessibility frameworks, universal design, and related legislation.
Minimum 5 years of leadership experience, with the ability to lead cross-functional teams and build alignment across departments.
Experience working with or supporting Employee Resource Groups, with a demonstrated ability to align their initiatives with organizational priorities.
Bilingual in both official languages (French and English).*

In the event a qualified bilingual candidate is not found, a qualified unilingual candidate will be considered. Both bilingual and unilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

Compensation Details:

Dir ID&E 20: Salaries typically range from $124, 273 to $165,696 annually, based on qualifications and experiences, plus a performance-based incentive

Location

Export Development Canada is a hybrid work environment.
This role will be performed from EDC’s headquarters in Ottawa.
Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates.

EDC's Commitment to Employment Equity

EDC is committed to employment equity and achieving a diverse workforce. EDC actively encourages applications from women, Aboriginal peoples, visible minorities, persons with disabilities and members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community. If selected for an interview, please advise us if you need any special accommodation.
How to apply

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Application deadline : Jan 17, 2025, 10:59:00 PM