President & Chief Executive Officer


President & Chief Executive Officer{

Public Policy Forum


The opportunity

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Public Policy Forum’s staff, operations, work, and network depend on traditional Indigenous territories to provide us physical space, sustenance, safety, and community to work, live, and play. Its head office is located in Ottawa is built on un-ceded Anishinabe Algonquin territory who have lived on the land for millenia and the work it does is on the traditional lands of many distinct nations, including Métis and Inuit. In the spirit of reconciliation with First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples in Canada. PPF is committed to contributing to making positive changes in our relationship with Indigenous Peoples

The Public Policy Forum (PPF) was born out of the belief that dialogue between leaders in the private and public sectors leads to better policy. Established in 1987 by Founding President and CEO Sheldon Ehrenworth, the organization created an independent and non-partisan space for leaders to meet regularly to discuss governance and public policy. Now with a membership of ~200 organizations from business, federal, provincial and territorial governments, academic institutions, unions, and non-profit organizations, PPF builds bridges among diverse participants in the policy-making process and gives them a platform to examine issues and feed fresh ideas aimed at producing actionable outcomes in key policy areas.

It is within this context that the Public Policy Forum welcomes applications and nominations for the appointment of its President & Chief Executive Officer, commencing early 2025.

Reporting to PPF’s highly recognized Board of Directors, the President & Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) provides the strategic and visionary leadership to the organization. Internally, the CEO is responsible for all aspects of the organization including financial management, human resources and organizational culture, board governance, program growth, membership stewardship, and ensuring that the organization remains focused on its mission and strategic priorities. The CEO works closely with the senior leadership team and the Board to ensure the organization’s short- and long-term sustainability through the creation and execution of PPF’s strategic and business plans. To achieve this goal, the CEO forges strategic alliances with likeminded organizations in Canada and convenes a number of prominent signature events including the well-regarded Canada Growth Summit and Testimonial Dinner in Toronto, and regional events in Western Canada, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada. The CEO leads a highly professional team and enjoys mentoring and creating a culture that embraces teamwork and collegiality.

As the ideal candidate, you are an accomplished, collaborative and respected executive, looking to steer an organization through its next phase of growth and impact. Your professional experience has provided you with an understanding and appreciation of the new and crucial public policy issues facing the country, and of its complexities and importance to individuals, communities and Canadian society. Your career includes progressive roles in senior leadership positions, including experience with financial management, human resources, governance policies and procedures, managing senior relationships across public and private sectors, and with fundraising and revenue generation activities. You are adept at building and maintaining strong, collaborative relationships with a wide array of partners who may hold different, and sometimes, opposing priorities. The leadership style and attributes which will benefit the successful candidate include being inclusive and engaging, consultative and collaborative, an outstanding communicator, and a strong advocate who believes that equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA), and Indigenous ways of being and knowing, are central to building better policy for Canada. Candidates must hold a degree from a recognized university, and a graduate level degree is considered an asset. The ability to communicate in both of Canada’s official languages (English/French) is desirable.

This role requires candidates to work at the PPF offices in both Ottawa and Toronto, Ontario and stay connected to a range of partners across the country The role includes domestic and global travel commitments, estimated at 10% of the CEO's time.

To learn more about this impactful leadership opportunity with the Public Policy Forum, please submit a comprehensive resume along with a cover letter in confidence to Jane Griffith (jane@griffithgroup.ca) and/or Caroline McClean (caroline@griffithgroup.ca).

PPF is a vibrant organization that fosters innovative thinking and a passion for public policy. It is always interested in hearing from talented people who want to join the team.  PPF provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to age, ancestry, race, citizenship, ethnic origin, place of origin, creed, disability, family status, marital status, gender identity, gender expression, record of offences, sex, and/or sexual orientation.

PPF and Griffith Group are committed to an inclusive, accessible and welcoming hiring process that provides reasonable accommodation to all applicants. Please advise Jane Griffith (jane@griffithgroup.ca) should you require any accommodation to participate in the recruitment and/or assessment processes.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

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