Chief Executive Officer

Canadian Credit Union Association; Toronto; On-site; CAD 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

Canadian Credit Union Association in Toronto seeks a visionary Chief Executive Officer to lead the national voice for 156 credit unions and over six million members. The CEO will steer strategic direction, navigate regulation, and strengthen sector impact.

The role demands extensive executive leadership in financial services, with an MBA or equivalent, and a proven ability to influence policymakers, drive collaboration, and maintain cooperative values nationwide.

Qualifications

• Executive leadership experience guiding organizations through regulatory environments.
• Strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and change management.
• Strong communication and public policy advocacy skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead CCUA as the national voice for credit unions and caisses populaires in Canada (excl. Quebec).
• Guide strategic transformation, regulatory navigation, and member-focused advocacy.
• Collaborate with the Board to shape policy positions and industry representation.

Education

MBA or equivalent

Graduate degree

Job description

CCUA is the national credit union trade association for credit unions and caisses populaires in Canada (outside of Quebec), and regional Central organizations. They actively support credit unions in staying competitive and navigating industry disruptions, while staying true to the cooperative principles at the core of their mission. The credit union sector provides Canadians with a vital choice in financial services, and now more than ever, it’s essential that credit unions operate with an aligned and mobilized voice to influence decisions that shape their future. CCUA advocates with a single, strong voice to ensure that national and provincial public policy, regulatory, and compliance regimes reflect credit unions’ distinctive strengths, best interests, and contributions.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Canadian Credit Union Association (CCUA) will lead the national voice representing 156 credit unions and over six million members across the country. This is a rare and influential opportunity for a strategic, forward-looking executive to shape the next stage of CCUA’s evolution and strengthen the sector’s collective impact. The CEO will guide CCUA through a rapidly changing financial services environment—navigating regulatory shifts, system transformation, accelerating consolidation, and evolving member needs—while safeguarding the cooperative values that define the credit union movement. As the primary ambassador for the sector nationally and internationally, the CEO will unite diverse stakeholders, deepen CCUA’s advocacy and thought leadership, and elevate the visibility and reputation of credit unions across Canada. Leading a high-performing team and working closely with an engaged Board, the CEO will have significant reach to influence public policy, strengthen system collaboration, and ensure that credit unions remain a competitive, innovative, and trusted alternative for Canadians.

The ideal candidate is a visionary and transformational executive with a graduate degree, MBA, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. They bring 10+ years of enterprise‑level executive leadership experience within financial services, a regulated sector, a trade association, or a cooperative organization—experience essential for building credibility with CEOs, Boards, regulators, and government officials. They demonstrate deep strategic clarity and the ability to understand and integrate the long‑ -and short-term implications of decisions, while navigating ambiguity and complex sector-wide transformation. With sophisticated stakeholder management skills, they build trust across a diverse national network, synthesize diverse perspectives, and leverage strong influence to drive alignment. Agile in leading change, they foster innovation, balance urgency with thoughtful execution, and provide sound rationale to guide others through transition. Personally resilient, they remain calm and optimistic in the face of uncertainty and demonstrate empathy while standing firm on key decisions. A compelling communicator, they articulate clear, diplomatic messages, inspire teams, cultivate a high‑performance culture, and confidently represent the sector locally, nationally, and internationally.

This is a publicly advertised job posting for an existing vacancy.

Reason for Posting: Existing Vacancy

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

CCUA is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with the Accessible Canada Act, 2019 and all applicable provincial accessibility standards, upon request, accommodation will be provided by both Odgers and CCUA throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.