CANADA WOOD GROUP PRESIDENT
Job Description
Strategic leadership, funding stewardship, and government and industry relations
POSITION
President
ENGAGEMENT
Part-time contract, average two days per week
LOCATION
Vancouver / British Columbia-based
TRAVEL
International and within Canada
REPORTS TO
Board of Directors
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Oct 30, 2026
Contact Email: hiring@kmconsultingsolutions.ca
ROLE FOCUS
A highly external and relationship-driven executive role responsible for strategic leadership, governance oversight, funding stewardship, advocacy, industry alignment and international representation.
PURPOSE OF POSITION
The President of Canada Wood Group (CWG) provides strategic leadership and serves as the organization’s senior representative with governments, industry and international partners on behalf of Canada’s forest products sector. Working with the Board, the President helps shape CWG’s direction, supports effective governance, advances long-term funding and builds relationships that strengthen overseas demand for Canadian wood products.
This part-time role is primarily external and relationship-driven. Success depends on the confidence of industry leaders, senior government officials, and overseas partners, and on the President’s ability to bring their perspectives into CWG’s strategic decisions. The President provides guidance and organizational oversight, while the Vice President, Operations leads operational planning and execution.
The time commitment for this role will vary with CWG’s priorities and calendar, with some periods requiring full-time availability for travel, Board meetings and key government or industry engagements, and others requiring limited involvement.
1. STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP, GOVERNANCE AND ORGANIZATIONAL OVERSIGHT
The President provides strategic leadership for CWG, working with the Board to shape its long-term direction and respond to changes in international markets, member priorities and the funding environment. As the Board’s principal advisor and the organization’s senior representative, the President brings together the perspectives of members, government funders and overseas partners to inform decisions. The role provides high-level oversight of organizational performance, finances and risk, while the Vice President, Operations is responsible for day-to-day management and program delivery.
Key responsibilities
- Work with the VP, Operations and overseas Country Directors to set annual priorities, assess performance and adjust resources to meet organizational goals.
- Serve as Secretary to the Board and its principal advisor, providing timely, candid information and strategic advice.
- Support Board and committee meetings, the Annual General Meeting, director onboarding and other governance processes.
- Help the Board understand differing member and funder priorities and make decisions that are in the interests of CWG.
- Work with the Board, VP, Operations and CFO to maintain a multi-year financial plan covering executive leadership and organizational costs, funding sources and implications for member contributions.
- Identify costs ineligible under public funding agreements and secure a funding approach before making related commitments.
- Oversee budgets, contracts, legal agreements, organizational risks and senior human resource matters in coordination with CFO and the Vice-President, Operations.
- Apply strong understanding of non-profit governance to ensure compliance with applicable legislation, regulations and contractual obligations, and maintain accountability for public and industry funding.
- Advise VP, Operations on oversight of Vancouver operations and international offices to support consistent program delivery and reporting to funders.
2. GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AND FUNDING STEWARDSHIP
The President leads CWG’s senior government relationships and funding strategy, engaging throughout the year with federal and provincial governments, foreign government ministries, Canadian embassies, trade commissioners and key funding partners, particularly BC Forestry Innovation Investment (FII), the Government of Alberta, and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). By building and maintaining confidence in CWG as the most credible delivery partner for publicly funded market development, the President helps secure sustainable funding through the renewal, growth and diversification of funding sources.
Key responsibilities
- Build and maintain relationships with senior elected officials and public servants in the federal government and the governments of BC, Alberta and Ontario.
- Represent CWG with foreign governments, international stakeholders, Canadian embassies, and trade commissioners.
- Advocate for the renewal and expansion of existing government funding programs and pursue new sources of support.
- Align CWG’s advocacy and funding proposals with member priorities and relevant government objectives.
- Advise the VP, Operations on the strategic direction of proposals and the negotiation of contribution agreements.
- Manage expectations regarding industry matching requirements and eligible cost recovery.
- Maintain funder confidence through regular senior-level engagement and clear communication about CWG’s results and challenges.
3. INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP AND STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT
The President serves as CWG’s principal point of contact with member companies and industry associations across Canada. Through regular engagement with CEOs, sales executives, and association leaders, the President builds trust, demonstrates CWG’s value, understands member priorities, and helps align CWG’s strategic direction with the needs of the wood products industry. The President also represents CWG internationally, building relationships that support member interests and CWG’s market diversification strategy.
Key responsibilities
- Strengthen relationships with existing and prospective members and support member retention and growth.
- Seek industry perspectives on overseas market opportunities, new product offerings, commercial challenges and the value of CWG’s work.
- Communicate CWG’s strategic direction, market intelligence and results to industry leaders.
- Build consensus among organizations with different commercial interests.
- Advise the Board on shifts in member expectations and opportunities to strengthen the value of membership.
- Participate in overseas trade missions and deliver keynote presentations to advance CWG’s profile and industry priorities.
- Build relationships with international stakeholders and sign cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding that support CWG’s strategic objectives and advance program delivery in market.
Ideal Profile
CANDIDATE PROFILE
The ideal candidate will be an established leader in Canada’s forest products sector with a strong understanding of industry perspectives and meaningful exposure to export activities and international market development. They will bring the credibility, judgement and relationships needed to represent Canada Wood Group effectively with senior government officials, industry leaders, funding partners and international stakeholders.
The successful candidate will be comfortable operating in a highly external and relationship-driven role, with the ability to build trust, communicate clearly at the executive level, and bring together organizations with different priorities and commercial interests. Experience working with governments, public funding programs and industry associations will be important, along with a sound understanding of non-profit governance, financial stewardship and Board processes.
The role also requires strong strategic and political awareness, including the ability to understand changing government priorities, market conditions and industry needs, and translate them into clear direction for the organization. International experience and cross-cultural leadership will be valuable, particularly in representing Canada’s forest products sector in overseas markets and developing relationships that support market diversification and long-term demand for Canadian wood products.
MEASURES OF SUCCESS
- Secure and diversify government funding and maintain government confidence.
- Lead effective advocacy and support successful funding proposals and business cases.
- Retain and grow industry membership and demonstrate clear value to members.
- Strengthen international and domestic partnerships.
- Support national alignment where directed by the Board.
- Strengthen governance practices and support high-performing staff.
- Advance Canada’s position in international wood products markets.
- Provide clear, timely reporting of outcomes to the Board.
Potential Key Performance Indicators
- Funding renewal and diversification.
- Quality and effectiveness of government relations.
- Advocacy outcomes and successful proposal development.
- Member retention, growth and demonstrated member value.
- Governance effectiveness and delivery of approved strategic priorities.
- Financial sustainability of the President position and the organization.
- • Clear reporting of results and outcomes to the Board.
