Original job description
Archived listing. The details below describe a past opening.
We acknowledge and respect the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Xʷsepsəm/Esquimalt) Peoples on whose territory the university stands, and the Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.
Ocean Networks Canada invites nominations and applications for the position of President and Chief Executive Officer.
Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) is a world-leading organization supporting ocean discovery and technological innovation. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2026, ONC has evolved from the world's first large-scale cabled ocean observatories into one of Canada's most significant pieces of research infrastructures. Operating as a not-for-profit society on behalf of the University of Victoria (UVic), ONC manages innovative cabled ocean observatories along with other monitoring systems that provide continuous power and connectivity to scientific instruments located in coastal, deep-ocean, and Arctic environments. Its infrastructure enables groundbreaking research, scientific discovery, and ocean intelligence that serves science, society, industry, and communities across Canada and around the world.
ONC is internationally recognized for its leadership in ocean observation, climate research, community-based coastal monitoring, big data analytics, and ocean technology innovation. Through partnerships with researchers, governments, Indigenous communities, industry, and international organizations, ONC delivers critical insights that support climate resilience, public safety, ocean stewardship, and Canada's growing blue economy. Guided by a clear vision and ambitious mission, ONC is exceptionally well-positioned to build on its strong foundation and expand its national and global impact.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the President and CEO provides strategic leadership to advance ONC's mission, scientific excellence, operational effectiveness, and long-term sustainability. As the organization's chief executive and public representative, the President and CEO is responsible for shaping and executing ONC's strategic direction, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, building strong relationships with governments, funders, Indigenous partners, industry, and the research community, and ensuring the organization continues to deliver world-class infrastructure, services, and research impact. The President and CEO also works closely with UVic and the ONC Board to secure sustainable funding, support organizational growth, and position ONC as a global leader in ocean observation and climate solutions.
The ideal candidate will be an accomplished, collaborative, and innovative executive with a demonstrated record of leadership in a complex organization. They will bring experience working within research, government, not-for-profit, academic, or technology-intensive environments and possess a strong understanding of scientific research, innovation, and stakeholder engagement, with a focus on government relations. They will have a proven ability to build strategic partnerships, secure funding, navigate complex governance and stakeholder environments, and lead organizational growth and change. Equally important, they will be an inclusive and engaging leader who fosters trust, empowers teams, embraces diverse perspectives, and inspires others around a compelling vision for the future. A commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigenous engagement will be essential.
ONC has partnered with Andrea Patrick and Krutika Hotwani at Odgers for this recruitment. Consideration of candidates will begin immediately, and applications are encouraged through https://careers.odgers.com/en-ca/31938. To enquire, apply, or suggest a nomination for this opportunity, please contact Odgers at oncpresident@odgers.com. The appointment is expected to commence early 2027. This is a publicly advertised job posting for an existing vacancy.
ONC strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our mission.
In accordance with the AODA Act, accommodation will be provided to individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. Please write to oncpresident@odgers.com or call +1 (416) 366-1990 for accommodation at any point in the search process
More about this job
Responsibilities
Lead ONC's strategic direction, scientific excellence, operational effectiveness, and long-term sustainability, while representing the organization publicly. Build partnerships with governments, funders, Indigenous partners, industry, researchers, and the University of Victoria; secure sustainable funding and advance ONC's growth and global impact.
Requirements
The ideal candidate is an accomplished executive with a demonstrated record of leadership in a complex organization and experience in research, government, not-for-profit, academic, or technology-intensive environments. They should bring knowledge of scientific research and innovation, strong government relations and stakeholder engagement capabilities, a record of building partnerships and securing funding, and an inclusive leadership approach with a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigenous engagement.
Skills
- Strategic Leadership
- Organizational Leadership
- Scientific Research
- Innovation
- Government Relations
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Strategic Partnerships
- Fundraising
- Governance
- Organizational Growth
- Change Management
- Team Leadership
- Equity, Diversity, And Inclusion
- Indigenous Engagement
- Ocean Observation
- Climate Research
Visa sponsorship
Not detected in the job text
Hiring contact
Andrea Patrick
Categories
- Management & Leadership
- Science & Research
- Environmental & Sustainability
- Government & Public Sector
- Technology
Keywords
- Ocean Networks Canada
- Ocean Observation
- Cabled Ocean Observatories
- Ocean Monitoring
- Scientific Research
- Climate Research
- Ocean Technology
- Big Data Analytics
- Ocean Intelligence
- Research Infrastructure
- Scientific Discovery
- Climate Resilience
- Public Safety
- Ocean Stewardship
- Blue Economy
- Strategic Direction
- Operational Effectiveness
- Sustainable Funding
- Government Relations
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Strategic Partnerships
- Indigenous Engagement
- Organizational Growth
- Change Management
- Governance
- Equity, Diversity, And Inclusion
