Research Associate, Sustainability (12-Month Contract) (Remote)

at  The Conference Board of Canada

The Conference Board of Canada is the nation’s largest independent applied research organization offering unbiased, evidence-based information and analysis to both industry and federal/provincial governments. We have one of the country’s largest private economic analysis and forecasting teams and are widely recognized for expert economic forecasting, modeling, and leading analysis. Simply put, we deliver insights that help leaders cut through the noise and make informed decisions.
Our Ideal Candidate… is a skilled researcher and intellectual with demonstrated expertise in sustainability, the circular economy, and the science of materials. You have deep knowledge of innovations, public policies, and regulatory shifts that are shaping the circular economy and material futures. If you are an exceptional writer with quantitative and qualitative analysis skills, intellectual curiosity, as well as passion and commitment to a culture that values thought leadership-please apply! The successful candidate will be part of a professional research team and will undertake integrated, non-partisan, applied research for public and private sector decision-makers.
We are a virtual organization and as a remote worker you must be comfortable and able to work 100 per cent of the time from a home office in Canada. To be successful as a remote worker you need to have a self-starter attitude, possess strong organizational and time management skills, and be a proactive communicator. Having a home office environment that provides for a productive, professional, and safe work environment during regular working/business hours is a requirement of this role.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• PhD or Masters’ degree with strong a sustainability focus in areas such as industrial ecology, environmental engineering, chemical engineering, material science and other related disciplines.
• Expertise with technology and innovations that advance circularity and sustainability across one or more industrial material systems or products e.g. plastics packaging or lithium batteries.
• Deep knowledge of Canadian regulations, policies, value chain relationships, and competitive forces in one or more material systems e.g. the plastics economy.
• Proficiency with analyzing and visually communicating trends in large data sets using advanced capabilities in MS Excel.
• Demonstrated understanding of material flow analysis and other industrial ecology methods.
• Demonstrated ability in developing data-intensive models used to analyze the circularity of material systems or products is an asset.
• Demonstrated research experience and understanding of sustainable finance, as well as trends in environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosures by private and public entities is an asset.
• Demonstrated project management acuity including priority setting, time management, working under pressure, and delivering high quality outcomes.
• Advanced writing skills with the ability to write clearly, concisely, and quickly.
• Strong presentation and communication skills – including the ability to condense complex and technical subject matter into clear and cogent insights for decision-makers in the public and private sector.
• Demonstrated success in handling multiple responsibilities, deadlines and deliverables.
• Strong sense of teamwork, professionalism and responsiveness to client needs.
• A passion for collaboration across disciplines, and an ability to navigate uncertainty and bottlenecks in the research process.
• A drive for impact through research and a commitment to research excellence, integrity, and evidence.
• Ability to travel within Canada for client and team meetings when needed.
• Bilingualism is an asset.
• Having a home office environment that provides for a productive, professional, and safe working environment during regular working hours is a requirement of this role. This includes internet service and a reliable connection.

At CBoC, we believe that putting People First is key to our success and attracting the best people. We are committed to providing a supportive and inclusive work environment where everyone can thrive and we are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Virtual First – work from home anywhere across Canada with a budget to set up your home office
• Work/Life Balance: We close between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, observe 13 holidays per year and offer Friday afternoon closures
• A modern, defined benefit (DB) pension plan: We care about your future and offer a pension plan with a 5% match from Day One
• Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP): We understand that life can be unpredictable and challenging and EFAP supports you and your family during difficult times.

At the Conference Board of Canada, we are more than an organization – we are a collective of thinkers, analysts, and problem solvers. As the country’s largest private sector forecasting group, we are renowned for our economic modeling and analytical prowess, we offer insights that shape futures. As part of our remote workforce, you will play a crucial role in navigating the complexities of Canada’s economic landscape. Your expertise can lead the way in understanding and anticipating the nation’s economic trends. If you’re ready to make an impact where insights meet innovation, we want to hear from you.
The salary for this position ranges from $67,320 to $91,080 CAD annually for candidates from any Canadian province or territory. Salaries are based upon candidate experience, qualifications, specific skillsets, as well as market and business considerations. The recruiter can share more information about the salary range for the position during the hiring process.
We value the unique skills, experiences, and insights that each employee brings to The Conference Board of Canada. 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. If you require an accommodation at any point during the recruitment process, please email cbocjobs@conferenceboard.ca and we will work with you to meet your needs.
We wish to thank all applicants for their interest in The Conference Board of Canada. Please note that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

• Contribute to research projects utilizing quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
• Support new business by identifying opportunities, developing pitches and proposals, and contributing to and finalizing stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Work closely with Senior Research Associates in executing and finalizing project deliverables.
• Participate in conceptualizing new research ideas, methodologies and strategies to maximize research impact.
• Participate and contribute subject matter expertise during client engagement and business development activities.
• Support content development, stakeholder relations, speaker identification, sponsorship outreach, and event delivery for sustainability-related leadership roundtables and convenings.
• Support membership growth and retention strategies for the Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Council.
• Demonstrate values of collaboration, ownership, excellence, evidence, passion and integrity in all aspects of work and interactions with colleagues and clients.