8 Research Director jobs in Canada

Position Title: Director, Policy, Research & Standards

Position Type: Regular/Full-Time

Location: Mississauga, ON

Job Grade: 8

Salary Range: $123,534.84 - $167,781.43/year

Hours of work: 36.25 hours/week

Reporting to: Chief Operating Officer/Deputy Registrar

This posting is applicable to: Internal/External Applicants

Skilled Trades Ontario (STO) is a Crown agency responsible for skilled trades certification in Ontario, which includes:

• Establishing apprenticeship programs, including training standards, curriculum standards and certification exams.
• Administering apprenticeship programs , including approving apprentices and sponsors, registering training agreements and assessing applications for apprenticeship program completion.
• Issuing certificates of apprenticeship to completed Ontario apprentices.
• Assessing experience and qualifications of individuals who have not completed an apprenticeship program in Ontario.
• Administering exams , including certifying exams, in all trades subject to certifying exams.
• Issuing Certificates of Qualification in all trades with certifying exams.
• Renewing Certificates of Qualification in compulsory trades.
• Maintaining a Public Register of people authorized to work in compulsory trades.
• Researching apprenticeships and the trades.

The Director, Policy, Research and Standards provides operational leadership in the development and management of Skilled Trades Ontario’s (STO) apprenticeship system policies, research, and data functions. This role supports the organization’s mandate by overseeing the processes that inform apprenticeship program development, curriculum standards, and certification tools. The Director advises the Registrar and Deputy Registrar and works closely with senior stakeholders to ensure alignment with STO’s operational priorities.

Responsibilities:

Operational Policy, Research, and Data

• Lead the development and implementation of operational policies related to Ontario’s apprenticeship system.
• Oversee STO’s research and data functions, including identifying trends, analyzing system performance and supporting evidence-based decision-making.
• Oversee STO’s data strategy, including collection, analysis, and reporting to support operational policy development and system performance monitoring.
• Support the planning and execution of public consultation processes in collaboration with the Manager,
• Communications and Stakeholder Engagement.
• Provide policy advice to the Registrar and Deputy Registrar on matters within STO’s operational scope.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure operational policies and standards are implemented consistently across STO functions.
• Lead the design and implementation of the Trade Prescription Process, establishing a consultative
• framework to assess and recommend trade designations and classification changes. This includes coordinating stakeholder input, developing criteria for evaluation, and preparing policy advice for the Minister.
• Oversee the development and administration of the Credential Recognition framework (Provincial, National and International), ensuring that applicants with equivalent training and experience are appropriately assessed for eligibility to challenge the Red Seal exam. This includes aligning recognition practices with national standards and supporting mobility across jurisdictions.

Apprenticeship Standards, Curriculum and Exams

• Collaborate with the Standards team to support the development of apprenticeship programs, curriculum standards, and certification examinations.
• Fulfill Ontario’s obligations under the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) by contributing to the development and implementation of Red Seal trade standards and examinations, ensuring continued participation in the national program. Ensure the alignment of standards development processes with STO’s operational policies and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain awareness of emerging issues and trends in apprenticeship and skilled trades.

Board Support

• Prepare and present relevant policy, research, and data materials to the Board of Governors and its committees.
• Ensure materials are clear, accurate, and aligned with STO’s operational mandate.

Stakeholder Engagement for Standards Development

• Engage with senior stakeholders across government, industry, and education sectors to support STO’s operational initiatives.
• Collaborate with senior stakeholders to inform and implement apprenticeship-related policies and standards.
• Maintain professional relationships that support the development and implementation of apprenticeship policies and standards.

Qualifications:

• Progressive experience in government, regulatory bodies, or professional organizations related to apprenticeship, public policy, or skilled trades.
• Experience advising senior stakeholders and working within complex operational environments.
• University degree in Political Science, Education, Public Policy, or a related field.
• Experience in apprenticeship program or trade standard development is an asset.
• Background in trades or apprenticeship is an asset.

Skills Include:

• Operational policy development within a regulatory or apprenticeship context.
• Research methodologies and data analysis to support policy and program development.
• Data governance, analytics, and performance measurement frameworks.
• Adult learning principles and curriculum design.
• Apprenticeship systems and skilled trades.
• Relevant legislation and regulations under the Building Opportunities in Skilled Trades Act, 2021 (BOSTA).
• Project management and stakeholder engagement.
• Professional communication and relationship-building with senior stakeholders.

*Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

We thank all applicants for their interest and will contact those whose skills, knowledge, and experience most closely match the requirements of the position.

Skilled Trades Ontario embraces diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. Our goal is to attract, develop and retain highly talented employees from diverse backgrounds, allowing us to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives. In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and Skilled Trades Ontario’s Accommodation Policy, accommodation will be provided at any point throughout the hiring process, provided the candidate makes their accommodation needs known to Skilled Trades Ontario. We welcome applications from all qualified persons.

Skilled Trades Ontario is an equal opportunity employer.

Position Title: Director, Policy, Research & Standards

Position Type: Regular/Full-Time

Location: Mississauga, ON

Job Grade: 8

Salary Range: $123,534.84 - $167,781.43/year

Hours of work: 36.25 hours/week

Reporting to: Chief Operating Officer/Deputy Registrar

This posting is applicable to: Internal/External Applicants

Skilled Trades Ontario (STO) is a Crown agency responsible for skilled trades certification in Ontario, which includes:

• Establishing apprenticeship programs, including training standards, curriculum standards and certification exams.
• Administering apprenticeship programs , including approving apprentices and sponsors, registering training agreements and assessing applications for apprenticeship program completion.
• Issuing certificates of apprenticeship to completed Ontario apprentices.
• Assessing experience and qualifications of individuals who have not completed an apprenticeship program in Ontario.
• Administering exams , including certifying exams, in all trades subject to certifying exams.
• Issuing Certificates of Qualification in all trades with certifying exams.
• Renewing Certificates of Qualification in compulsory trades.
• Maintaining a Public Register of people authorized to work in compulsory trades.
• Researching apprenticeships and the trades.

The Director, Policy, Research and Standards provides operational leadership in the development and management of Skilled Trades Ontario’s (STO) apprenticeship system policies, research, and data functions. This role supports the organization’s mandate by overseeing the processes that inform apprenticeship program development, curriculum standards, and certification tools. The Director advises the Registrar and Deputy Registrar and works closely with senior stakeholders to ensure alignment with STO’s operational priorities.

Responsibilities:

Operational Policy, Research, and Data

• Lead the development and implementation of operational policies related to Ontario’s apprenticeship system.
• Oversee STO’s research and data functions, including identifying trends, analyzing system performance and supporting evidence-based decision-making.
• Oversee STO’s data strategy, including collection, analysis, and reporting to support operational policy development and system performance monitoring.
• Support the planning and execution of public consultation processes in collaboration with the Manager,
• Communications and Stakeholder Engagement.
• Provide policy advice to the Registrar and Deputy Registrar on matters within STO’s operational scope.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure operational policies and standards are implemented consistently across STO functions.
• Lead the design and implementation of the Trade Prescription Process, establishing a consultative
• framework to assess and recommend trade designations and classification changes. This includes coordinating stakeholder input, developing criteria for evaluation, and preparing policy advice for the Minister.
• Oversee the development and administration of the Credential Recognition framework (Provincial, National and International), ensuring that applicants with equivalent training and experience are appropriately assessed for eligibility to challenge the Red Seal exam. This includes aligning recognition practices with national standards and supporting mobility across jurisdictions.

Apprenticeship Standards, Curriculum and Exams

• Collaborate with the Standards team to support the development of apprenticeship programs, curriculum standards, and certification examinations.
• Fulfill Ontario’s obligations under the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) by contributing to the development and implementation of Red Seal trade standards and examinations, ensuring continued participation in the national program. Ensure the alignment of standards development processes with STO’s operational policies and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain awareness of emerging issues and trends in apprenticeship and skilled trades.

Board Support

• Prepare and present relevant policy, research, and data materials to the Board of Governors and its committees.
• Ensure materials are clear, accurate, and aligned with STO’s operational mandate.

Stakeholder Engagement for Standards Development

• Engage with senior stakeholders across government, industry, and education sectors to support STO’s operational initiatives.
• Collaborate with senior stakeholders to inform and implement apprenticeship-related policies and standards.
• Maintain professional relationships that support the development and implementation of apprenticeship policies and standards.

Qualifications:

• Progressive experience in government, regulatory bodies, or professional organizations related to apprenticeship, public policy, or skilled trades.
• Experience advising senior stakeholders and working within complex operational environments.
• University degree in Political Science, Education, Public Policy, or a related field.
• Experience in apprenticeship program or trade standard development is an asset.
• Background in trades or apprenticeship is an asset.

Skills Include:

• Operational policy development within a regulatory or apprenticeship context.
• Research methodologies and data analysis to support policy and program development.
• Data governance, analytics, and performance measurement frameworks.
• Adult learning principles and curriculum design.
• Apprenticeship systems and skilled trades.
• Relevant legislation and regulations under the Building Opportunities in Skilled Trades Act, 2021 (BOSTA).
• Project management and stakeholder engagement.
• Professional communication and relationship-building with senior stakeholders.

*Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

We thank all applicants for their interest and will contact those whose skills, knowledge, and experience most closely match the requirements of the position.

Skilled Trades Ontario embraces diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace. Our goal is to attract, develop and retain highly talented employees from diverse backgrounds, allowing us to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives. In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and Skilled Trades Ontario’s Accommodation Policy, accommodation will be provided at any point throughout the hiring process, provided the candidate makes their accommodation needs known to Skilled Trades Ontario. We welcome applications from all qualified persons.

Skilled Trades Ontario is an equal opportunity employer.

Job Description

Director of Research and Development - Bakery, Food Manufacturing

Are you ready to elevate your career and be a part of creating the world's best desserts? Dessert Holdings partners with some of North America's most iconic chains to bring people together to celebrate life's sweetest moments!

Do you have a passion for creativity and development and are a scientific, results oriented, meticulous leader that provides leadership for the development, implementation, and execution of both new and existing projects?

Dessert Holdings is looking for a Director of Research and Development to join our team onsite in London, ON or Delta BC . This individual will be responsible for delivering products within time, taste, functionality, quality, and cost expectations. In addition to working with and leading cross functional teams across facilities, this role will be hands on with leading, managing, and ultimately commercializing new products, Continuous Improvement projects, and Design to Value procurement opportunities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage all necessary channels of communication to facilitate customer needs. Create a culture of urgency within the R&D Department.
• Coach, mentor and develop the R&D staff.
• Maintain high awareness of consumers, technical trends, and new developments in the food industry, with strong emphasis on baking.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Purchasing, Operations and Marketing, to execute scale up and long-term planning.
• Work as a technical liaison between Sales and Customers.
• Work with Purchasing Department on Vendor Approval and Sourcing Alternate Raw Materials.
• Work on Product Improvement Opportunities with short- and long-term benefits including cost savings or efficiencies in operations.
• Consistently provide guidance as technical leader regarding solving technical, processing, and ingredient issues. Evaluate current and future technologies for recommendation of process improvements for cost savings and/or product improvement.
• Facilitate cross functional teams (marketing, sales, R&D) to integrate technical and culinary strengths in product development, with strong consumer and customer focus.
• Execute highly disciplined innovation process with a focus on commercial feasibility.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor of Science in Food Science, Food Engineering, Chemistry, or similar discipline
• 10-15 years of product development or closely related experience in the food industry (bakery manufacturing), with 5 or more years of direct management of large technical group
• Experience with setting annual budgets, tracking and controlling expenses, and overall financial management of a technical department/group consisting of both personnel and technical components.
• Academic food science knowledge with product development, new technology creation, and food manufacturing experience of bakery products
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite with emphasis on SharePoint, Excel, and Word
• Ability to read and write correspondence which uses technical/scientific terminology.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all contacts inside and outside of the company with strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Proven Bakery or Functional Ingredient experience.
• This role will require travel up to 25% of the time.

About Dessert Holdings

Dessert Holdings is North America's fastest-growing premium dessert company, recognized for providing retail and foodservice customers with chef-inspired, innovative desserts made with real ingredients, a flexible and low-cost supply chain, and best-in-class service. The company is a collection of premium dessert companies and brands: Steven Charles, The Original Cakerie, Lawler's Desserts, Atlanta Cheesecake Company, Kenny's Great Pies, and Dianne's Fine Desserts. Dessert Holdings is owned by Bain Capital, employing more than 3,200 people across nine manufacturing facilities, and is continuing its journey of rapid growth.

EEO Statement

Dessert Holdings and its related entities provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or any other characteristics protected by law.

#DH1 #LI-MF1

Job Description

Who we are 

Carbon Removal Canada is an independent non-profit accelerating the scale-up of carbon removal technologies by advocating for policy that enables responsible deployment, producing evidence-based research and analysis, and connecting the right people to the right information. We work with public and private actors to rapidly build the carbon removal industry. Together, we can position Canada as a global leader, unlocking investment for carbon removal, driving economic growth, and meeting our climate targets.

The role

We are seeking a Director of Policy & Research to set Carbon Removal Canada’s strategic policy direction, build the evidence base for action, and help unlock carbon removal at scale. 

In this role, you will design and champion high-impact policy pathways and produce the research and analysis that will shape Canada’s enabling environment for high-integrity carbon removal. Your expertise will anchor Carbon Removal Canada’s advocacy and thought leadership - translating rigorous policy analysis, quantitative modeling, and market intelligence into actionable recommendations. 

You will identify and advance innovative solutions that remove barriers to scaling carbon removal, whether by strengthening existing regulations or designing new approaches for emerging methods. Working closely with our Public Affairs team, you will ensure these evidence-backed approaches resonate with decision makers, while cultivating relationships and gathering insights across the carbon removal ecosystem. 

This position is remote in Canada, and reports to the Executive Director.

What you’ll do 

Policy Strategy

• Shape Carbon Removal Canada’s policy agenda and strategy by defining what effective, high-integrity carbon removal policy looks like in Canada and identifying the most impactful policy levers and pathways 
• Identify opportunities to integrate carbon removal into existing policies and programs (federal and provincial) or to design entirely new policy and regulatory regimes
• Collaborate with the Public Affairs team to ensure policy proposals are grounded in evidence and ambition, and that they resonate with decision makers 

Research & Analysis 

• Produce high-quality reports, papers, briefs and other written materials that communicate findings and recommendations clearly and persuasively
• Conduct and commission quantitative analysis and economic modeling to assess policy impacts and strengthen the case for carbon removal 
• Track market developments and analyze how policy design influences private investment and technology deployment 
• Manage external engagements with contractors, advisors, and interns as needed, and liaise with partner organizations to produce joint research products

Stakeholder Engagement 

• Build relationships with and gather insights from carbon removal companies, academic institutions, ENGOs, coalitions, and civil society groups
• Provide strategic oversight for community engagement efforts, ensuring responsible carbon removal principles are embedded in policy and research design 
• Represent Carbon Removal Canada at technical meetings, conferences, and policy forums, bringing credibility to the carbon removal conversation

What we’re looking for 

All candidates must have: 

• A graduate degree in public policy, political science, economics, or a related field 
• 7+ years of experience in policy research, analysis, and development in a think tank, government, advocacy organization, issues-based non-profit, or similar
• Experience working in emerging fields within climate, and / or familiarity with carbon removal or carbon management
• A deep understanding of the Canadian government and public policy environment, including both federal and provincial contexts
• Comfort with scientific papers and quantitative analysis; experience translating complex technical and policy concepts into actionable recommendations for diverse audiences
• Proven ability to build credibility with and engage decision makers, industry leaders, academics, and civil society stakeholders 
• Experience supervising and collaborating with consultants, partners, and other stakeholders to drive development of knowledge products 
• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills 
• Highly organized, self-directed, and a problem solver with demonstrated leadership and project management skills 

You’ll really impress us if: 

• You have a track record of developing innovative policy solutions in emerging technology fields 
• You have experience with carbon removal, carbon management, carbon markets, or related clean technologies 
• You are obsessed with data and how it can be used to measure impact and help shape effective policies - and have quantitative modeling capabilities  
• You have a PhD in a related field or equivalent advanced research experience

Location, travel, and hours 

This is a remote role, based anywhere in Canada. Applicants must have legal authorization to work in Canada. We typically work standard hours (9am to 5pm ET), and meetings will usually fall within that, but we are more focused on getting things done effectively than on the hours you work. 

We hold in-person team retreats quarterly, and additional ad-hoc meetings may be necessary where in-person collaboration is preferable. Director-level staff should be ready to travel to events, conferences, and meetings to represent the organization as needed. 

What we offer 

Carbon Removal Canada is committed to providing competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits to our team. The salary for this position starts at $125,000, commensurate with experience, plus comprehensive health benefits and generous paid vacation. We will discuss salary expectations at our first meeting to ensure alignment. 

Carbon Removal Canada recognizes the importance of building an inclusive organization and the value of diverse backgrounds, attributes, and perspectives. We welcome applications from Indigenous peoples, members of visible minorities, persons with disabilities, persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to fill this role.

Please reach out if you have any questions or requests for accommodation during the application or interview process.

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