Senior Director, Strategy and Policy Research

Title: Senior Director, Strategy and Policy Research

Department: Canada Managing Director

Reporting to: Manager Director, WES CAN & Deputy Executive Director

Type: Full Time

Compensation: CAD 175K - 195K

Location: Remote - Ontario, Canada or willing to relocate

Who We Are:

World Education Services (WES) is a non-profit social enterprise that supports the educational, economic, and social inclusion of immigrants, refugees, and international students. For 50 years, WES has set the standard for international academic credential evaluation, supporting millions of people as they seek to achieve their academic and professional goals. Through decades of experience as a leader in global education, WES has developed a wide range of tools to pursue social impact at scale. From evaluating academic credentials to shaping policy, designing programs, and providing philanthropic funding, we partner with a diverse set of organizations, leaders, and networks to uplift individuals and drive systems change. Together with its partners, WES enables people to learn, work, and thrive in new places. For more information about WES, please visit our website at www.WES.org.

About the Opportunity:

The Senior Director of Strategy and Policy Research spearheads evidence-based policy development, strategy, research and analysis in the Canadian Office to influence public policy. This position leads the Strategy and Policy Research (SPR) team and be a key member of the Managing Director’s leadership team, supporting the capacity of WES to influence policy and program solutions in Canada. The Senior Director’s team will work collaboratively with allies and policymakers to advance reforms that foster economic and social inclusion for immigrants, refugees, and international students and that help receiving communities realize mutual benefit to build shared prosperity. This role requires an agile leader that possesses strong analytics and innovative systems design thinking to craft policy solutions and advocacy approaches to advance WES’s mission.

What You’ll Do:

• Setting direction and driving policy and strategic priorities based on WES Canada policy priorities, strategic plans, and the external landscape
• Leading the development and evaluation of strategic policy and programmatic advocacy goals, outcomes and impact
• Developing and guiding/overseeing the implementation of policy advocacy strategies in WES Canada priority areas, including workforce development and immigration
• Provide strategic direction, guidance, and supervision to Canadian policy advocacy and research staff and consultants.
• Lead team in the development of WES policy positions and proposals, and submissions to government and other stakeholder consultation processes in order to influence policy discussions and outcomes.
• Lead a team of managers in developing and implementing strategic research, policy and advocacy plans to support the MDO agenda.
• Effectively collaborate with other internal teams to achieve goals, share knowledge, and build a cohesive culture.

Your Experience:

Required

• Master’s degree in a relevant field or an acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 15 years of relevant experience in social impact work, including policy development, advocacy, policy-relevant research, and social impact planning and evaluation
• Minimum of 10 years of management and leadership experience, including managing teams
• High degree of judgement, tact and political acuity, able to anticipate and respond to sensitive situations.
• Adept working in a highly matrixed environment with rapidly changing external government policies, with ability to pivot and respond quickly to opportunities leveraging analytical and research skills to
• Specialized knowledge in areas such as workforce development, occupational licensing, refugee resettlement, and educational access.
• Demonstrated expertise in driving policy reforms, such as through policy analysis, bill or amendment drafting, testimony, communication strategies, and partner engagement.
• Established experience building and navigating complex internal and external stakeholder relationships.
• Excellent leadership and strategic planning skills.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including experience as a public spokesperson and advocate.
• Strong project management skills and the capacity to manage multiple tasks and projects at once.

Desired

• A candidate who is functionally bilingual in English and French is considered ideal
• Position is remote and ideally based near the Toronto area, with travel into Toronto office every six weeks.

What We Offer:

Joining our team at WES means embarking on a purpose-driven career with a global impact, where you contribute daily to making a tangible difference in the lives of people worldwide. You'll thrive in an employee-centric environment, with access to learning opportunities, pathways for personal and professional development, and recognition of your achievements. Our inclusive, mission-driven culture values employees and focuses on investing in our people through our culture, people framework, and programming while offering the flexibility of remote work options.

• Work-Life Harmony: We believe that success is all about maintaining balance. Enjoy the freedom of remote work and flexible scheduling, paired with generous time-off policies designed to assist you in maintaining a healthy equilibrium between your personal and professional commitments. Our comprehensive wellness programs and work environment are focused on fostering your well-being.
• Rewards and Recognition: Your dedication and achievements are the cornerstone of our success. We recognize the importance of valuing your hard work which is why we offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and tangible rewards to celebrate your contributions.
• Professional Growth and Development: We are committed to nurturing growth within our team, recognizing that growth is essential to providing opportunities for career advancement and ongoing professional development. To prioritize your learning and success, we invest in comprehensive training programs and offer tuition reimbursement opportunities. We promote a culture of continuous learning that empowers you to thrive and evolve in your career.
• Innovation and Impact: Engage in work that directly transforms lives and empowers individuals and communities by expanding access to global educational and professional pathways. Join us in fostering a culture that values innovation, embraces new approaches, and leverages transformation to implement and drive impactful change.
• Community and Connection: Our team is made up of individuals from different cultures and backgrounds who have varying perspectives and ideas. Our diverse workforce reflects the global community we serve, and we take pride in it. We are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and included. Experience the power of connection by participating in a range of activities, including employee-led resource groups, town halls, collaborative team events, meaningful volunteer opportunities, and initiatives that promote equity, celebrate diversity, and cultivate a strong sense of belonging within our organization.

Values:

• Opportunity - We open doors so people can build better futures.
• Inclusion - We become stronger, more creative, and more resilient when we embrace diversity.
• Equity - We uphold fairness and justice in our work and actions.
• Enterprising - We are resourceful, inventive, and driven.
• Expertise - We challenge ourselves to be the best at what we do.

Inclusive Recruitment Process:

We welcome all applicants, irrespective of their experience perfectly fitting the job description, as we value diverse and innovative viewpoints. At our organization, individuals who thrive in a culture of continuous learning and inclusive teamwork excel. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported and welcome members of all backgrounds and perspectives to apply.

Our Commitment:

At World Education Services, we're committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that reflects the rich tapestry of our communities, both in the US and Canada. This commitment is underscored by our unwavering dedication to providing equal opportunities to all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or genetics. This commitment extends to every aspect of employment, from recruitment and hiring to promotions, training, and benefits. We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. For us, diversity goes beyond compliance – it's about embracing unique perspectives and cultivating an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential.

If you require assistance and/or accommodation at any point during the recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected], we're here to support you. Our Talent Acquisition team is happy to work with you to find solutions that meet your needs.

For more information about WES, please visit our website at www.WES.org.