Bilingual Senior Specialist, Housing Accelerator Fund

CMHC; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 101,000 - 128,000; Full time

Job summary

A housing agency in Canada is seeking a Bilingual Senior Specialist, Financial Solutions to manage a portfolio of housing development projects. This role requires at least seven years of experience in housing programs and fluency in both English and French. The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership and build relationships with municipalities and Indigenous communities. This is a hybrid position based in Ottawa.

Benefits

Accrued vacation

Annual individual performance bonus

Group insurance coverage

Support for personal and professional growth

Inclusive workplace culture

Qualifications

• A minimum of seven years of experience in delivering housing programs.
• Experience working with municipalities or other levels of government.
• Strong understanding of regional planning and development contexts.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of applications and support decision-making.
• Provide strategic guidance and leadership to a team of underwriters.
• Review and approve complex applications, identifying risks.

Skills

Excellent oral and written communication skills in both French and English

Leadership and influence

Critical thinking and problem-solving

Relationship management

Education

Undergraduate or graduate degree in Urban Planning or related discipline

Tools

CRM software proficiency

Job description

Job Requisition ID: 11248

Position Status:Temporary Full Time

Position Type:Hybrid

Office Location:Ottawa (ON); Calgary (AB); Halifax (NS); Montreal (QC); Toronto (ON); Vancouver (BC)

Travel Requirement:Limited

Language Designation:Bilingual

Language Skill Levels (Read/Write/Speak):CBC

Security Requirement: Secret

Salary:Our salaries generally range from $101639.3to $127049.13and are based on qualifications and experience.

About CMHC

The work you do and the work we do together matters. We come to work every day with a common purpose: to contribute to a well-functioning housing system.

At CMHC, we hold ourselves accountable for our results and support our colleagues in their achievements. We thrive on collaboration, connecting across CMHC and involving the right people to get our work done. Our leadership style is guided by trust, where our leaders favour an adaptive approach based on the needs of their teams.

Join us and be part of a team that's committed to making a real difference and be part of something meaningful.

What’s in it for you

We’ve got the purpose, the people and the perks you need for a fulfilling career. Here’s the comprehensive and generous benefits you get when you’re a contract employee:

• Accrued vacation.
• Annual individual performance bonus.
• Group insurance coverage to support your well-being from day one.
• Support towards your personal and professional growth with training, mentorship and more.
• An inclusive workplace culture and environment.
• While positions at CMHC require some in-office presence, alternative work arrangements may be considered for Indigenous candidates.

About the role

Join the Government Relations team as a Bilingual Senior Specialist, Financial Solutions. In this role, you’ll support the delivery of the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), partnering with local governments to implement action plans that remove barriers and accelerate housing development. You’ll manage a portfolio of municipalities and Indigenous communities across Canada, overseeing agreement administration, annual reporting, and performance measurement.

This is a temporary position ending on March 31, 2027.

What you’ll do:

• Manage a portfolio of applications, applying in-depth knowledge of local regulations, policies, and planning frameworks to support informed decision-making.
• Provide strategic guidance, technical expertise, and leadership to a team of underwriters.
• Review and approve complex applications, identifying and managing risks while monitoring performance and key indicators.
• Ensure strategic national and regional links are made to foster a cohesive and consistent approach in working with other governments.
• Manage politically sensitive issues using critical thinking, sound judgment, and experience to find solutions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with municipalities and Indigenous communities.

What you should have:

• An undergraduate or graduate degree in Urban Planning or a related discipline.
• A minimum of seven years of experience in delivering housing programs and working with municipalities or other level of governments.
• Experience leading the direct delivery and administration of government and/or housing programs.
• Strong understanding of regional planning, development contexts and related challenges.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in both official languages (French and English), including the ability to influence, negotiate and present effectively.

It would be great if you also had:

• Urban Planning designation is preferred.
• CPA or Chartered Accountant (CA) designation is considered an asset.
• Experience working with Indigenous communities is an asset.
• Proficiency in CRM software is preferred.
  

Posting closing date: Note, the competition will remain active until filled.

Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

We’re committed to employment equity and encourage women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, veterans and persons of all races, ethnicities, religions, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities and expressions to apply. We also welcome applications from non-Canadians who are eligible to work in Canada.

CMHC is an inclusive workplace where diversity of thought – and of people – are recognized, valued, and considered essential to achieving our mission.

Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion

What happens after you apply

We know that applying for a new job can be both exciting and daunting, and we appreciate your effort. Learn more about our hiring process . If you are selected for an interview or testing, please advise us if you require an accommodation.

If you applied before and you were not successful don’t worry – we're always posting new positions, so don’t hesitate to give it another shot. We’re excited to see what you bring to the table this time around!