Director, Advisory Services

At the heart of CSA Group is a vision: making the world a better, safer, more sustainable place. It's been part of our mission for nearly one hundred years: from the first engineering standard for railway bridges developed in 1919, to more than 3,500 standards, codes & related products today.

Headquartered in Canada, with a global footprint of more than 30 labs and offices across Europe, Asia and North America, CSA Group tests, inspects and certifies a wide range of products - from every day househould items to leading edge technology-to meet exacting requirements for safety, performance and environmental impact.

Our employees take pride in making a difference in people's lives through the work that we do. We're looking for people like you to help make it happen.

This role will be responsible for developing the strategy and focus for the delivery of advisory services to governments and key industry sectors, in alignment with our core offerings as a standards organization (standards research, development, education, and advocacy). 

It will lead the execution of the strategy and business plan, as well as ensuring alignment with organizational priorities through close collaboration with internal partners. 

Examples of advisory services include but are not limited to the following:

• Working directly with clients or conducting multi-stakeholder workshops to explore emerging or challenging standardization issues.
• Advising organizations on the utilization of standards solutions to achieve public policy or business goals.

The above will be accomplished by taking various actions, including the following:

• Determining the value proposition for CSA Standards related to professional advisory services for government and industry.
• Registering CSA Standards as a supplier on government procurement sites, and monitoring opportunities as they arise.
• Providing guidance to Standards personnel to support their positioning of professional advisory services in client proposals.
• Working directly with clients, or indirectly through internal teams to continually reinforce our value proposition with governments and industry at all levels (e.g. through speaking engagements at conferences and symposia).

Understanding the Business

• Demonstrate knowledge of government public policy objectives at the federal, provincial and municipal levels, and key objectives of major industry sectors.
• Based on sound knowledge of the offerings of CSA Standards, and the needs of governments and industry, create the strategic direction for the development of  professional advisory services business opportunities.
• Develop annual business plan for professional advisory services, including the execution plans and budgets.
• Conduct literature-based research (e.g. government documents, strategic industry plans).

Working Well with Others

• Recruit, lead, coach and motivate a high-performance team.
• Work effectively and collaboratively with external clients in positioning CSA’s professional advisory services, either directly or in cooperation with internal teams.
• Meet regularly with internal teams with knowledge of government and industry issues and needs.
• Provide guidance to Standards team to support their positioning of professional advisory services in client proposals.
• Work closely with Standards team to execute advisory services.
• Foster good relationships with government and industry officials.

Delivering Results

• Oversee the management of all professional advisory services activities including the annual strategic and business plan, budget, revenue, cost requirements, timeline, headcount, etc.
• Identify development opportunities related to professional advisory services for government and industry.
• Achieve the revenue objectives related to driving the delivery of CSA professional advisory services as approved for each fiscal year. 
• Demonstrate ability to conduct research and analysis, and from that, create and execute complex business strategies.
• Provide guidance and leadership outside of direct reporting relationships to motivate and focus staff to achieve strategic business objectives, and as required builds consensus, obtain buy-in, and present recommendations.
• Strong initiative and ability to develop new customer contacts and relationships.

Preferred Education & Experience

• Undergraduate or graduate degree, or related work experience, in business, government, not for profit, or consulting.
• Minimum 10-15 years’ experience with demonstrated results in the promotion and delivery of professional services, business development, relationship management, strategic planning, project management, and budgeting.
• 5 years of leadership experience in managing a team.
• Demonstrated knowledge of government public policy objectives at the federal, provincial and municipal levels, and key objectives of major industry sectors.
• Working knowledge of industry and government funding programs
• Expertise in preparation of clear, effective and professionally written communications, presentations, applications and proposals to senior officials and business leaders.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent organizational, planning, coordination, and time management skills.
• Strong facilitation/negotiation and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• Ability to self-manage, influence others without direct reporting authority, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise initiative, discretion and diplomacy.
• Verbal and written fluency in English and French is mandatory.

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