Director, Research and Thought Leadership

Socket.dev; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 130,000 - 162,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Home office stipend

Learning and development opportunities

Job summary

CPA Ontario is seeking a Director, Research and Thought Leadership to shape the profession’s future through research-driven content and executive dialogue.

You will lead strategy, build partnerships across departments and with external stakeholders, and craft influential messages for high-profile audiences. The role blends research, storytelling and strategic communications to position CPA Ontario as a trusted voice.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years developing, researching, writing, managing and implementing thought leadership around complex issues.
• Experience leading research teams and undertaking complex research projects.
• Strong understanding of the Ontario business and political landscape.
• Ability to synthesize information and present it concisely.
• Strong aptitude for technical subjects such as big data, AI, intangibles, cryptocurrency, and cyber-security.
• Passionate storyteller, problem solver and big-picture thinker.
• Exceptional multi-tasking and prioritization skills.
• Ability to influence cross-functional and executive teams and drive decisions to closure.
• Ability to collaborate with internal and external partners at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and evolution of CPA Ontario's Research and Thought Leadership Strategy.
• Create and oversee research and thought leadership platforms and activities, including high-profile content and Insight Speaker Series.
• Foster partnerships across Marketing, Communications, Sponsorship, Events, Membership and other teams.
• Develop qualitative and quantitative research and analysis using diverse methodologies.
• Oversee thought leadership messaging, presence and sponsorship activations.
• Support the CEO and Executive Team with points of view, key messages and media positioning.
• Create and manage a thought leadership calendar and provide updates to senior leadership.
• Ensure activities align with regulatory responsibilities, strategic priorities and brand standards.
• Establish measures of success and evaluate impact of initiatives.
• Monitor global trends and emerging issues relevant to the profession.
• Provide senior leaders with timely perspectives for decision-making and future planning.
• Recruit, coach and develop a thought leadership specialist.

Skills

Research leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic thinking

Storytelling

Team leadership

Project management

Education

Undergraduate degree

Advanced degree or research master’s

Job description

Director, Research and Thought Leadership - An Opportunity To Shape The Debate on Issues That Matter

CPA Ontario is not like other organizations

We operate at a rare intersection, both regulator and membership body, responsible for upholding the integrity of the CPA designation while supporting more than 105,000 members and 19,000 students across the province. Our work sits between business and the public interest, between the evolving demands of industry and the standards that make trust possible.

Careers built here tend to look different because the work itself is different. You are not simply contributing to an organization. You are helping shape a profession that touches nearly every sector of the economy at a moment when expectations, technology, and the nature of work are all being rewritten.

About This Opportunity:

Reporting to the EVP, Chief Communications & Sustainability Officer, the Director, Research & Thought Leadership will lead the development and evolution of CPA Ontario's thought leadership strategy, with a focus on issues that are shaping the future of the accounting profession.

This role brings together research, storytelling, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communications. The Director will work collaboratively with internal teams, external partners, and senior stakeholders to develop insightful research, compelling content, and meaningful opportunities for dialogue. Through thoughtful analysis and strong relationship-building, you will be responsible for the strategy that positions CPA Ontario as a trusted voice on topics that matter to our members, stakeholders, and the broader business community. Aligned to the CPA Ontario brand, the Thought Leadership program will engage membership and strategic partners to encourage dialogue on issues relevant to the future of the accounting profession.

What You’ll Be Doing:

Research & Thought Leadership Strategy

• Lead the development and ongoing evolution of our Research and Thought Leadership Strategy, ensuring alignment with our Communications and Policy initiatives
• Create, oversee, and drive all our research and thought leadership platforms and activities, including the writing of our high profile thought leadership content and delivery of our Insight Speaker Series
• Foster strong partnerships across Marketing, Communications, Sponsorship, Events, Membership, and other teams to amplify the reach and impact of thought leadership initiatives.
• Bring stakeholders together around a shared vision and ensure thought leadership efforts support broader organizational goals.

Thought Leadership production

• Create and direct qualitative and quantitative research and analysis using a variety of methodologies and data sources
• Oversee thought leadership messaging, presence, and sponsorship activations
• Support the development of points of view for the CEO and other Executive Team members, developing key messages and positioning statements for media interviews and executive speaking engagements
• Create and manage a thought leadership calendar, providing updates and insights to senior leadership.
• Ensure all thought leadership activities align with CPA Ontario's regulatory responsibilities, strategic priorities, and brand standards.
• Establish meaningful measures of success and evaluate the impact and effectiveness of thought leadership initiatives.

Strategic Insight & Future-Focused Thinking

• Monitor global trends and emerging issues, assessing their implications for the accounting profession and broader business community.
• Stay informed of developments across government, public policy, the economy, technology, and the media landscape to identify opportunities for research and dialogue.
• Explore innovative approaches for growing the visibility, reach, and influence of thought leadership initiatives.
• Provide senior leaders with timely perspectives and insights that support informed decision-making and future planning.

Team Leadership:

• Recruit, coach and develop a thought leadership specialist.
• Manage through collaboration and influence, encourage a team culture of collaboration, learning and excellence.

To Be Successful You Need:

• Undergraduate degree required, advanced degree or research masters preferred.
• 10+ year’s developing, researching, writing, managing, and implementing thought leadership around complex issues.
• Experience leading research teams and undertaking complex research projects.
• A strong understanding of the Ontario business and political landscape.
• To be highly organized and able to synthesize information and present it concisely.
• A strong aptitude for technical subject matter such as big data, artificial intelligence, intangibles, cryptocurrency, and cyber-security.
• To be a passionate storyteller, problem solver and big picture thinker.
• Exceptional multi-tasking skills with demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects.
• Ability to influence cross functional and executive teams and drive decisions to closure.
• Ability to assess needs, influence, collaborate, and partner at all levels, internally and externally
• Critical and strategic thinking skills, as well as an innate curiosity

Salary Range

• The starting annual salary range for this position is between $130,000 – $162,000 per annum, based on your qualifications, experience, and internal parity. Exceptions may be considered with further review.

Why Join CPA Ontario?

• We support your well-being through industry-leading benefits, mental health resources, savings programs, and a sustainable approach to how work gets done.
• We are committed to inclusion as a core part of how we operate, not as an afterthought.
• We have a hybrid working environment, with three days a week on-site - Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday - complemented by 2 days of remote work. We are intentional about that: the work we do benefits from being together. We want those days you work from home to be comfortable and offer a one-time bonus towards a home office when you start.
• We invest in your growth through learning and professional development opportunities, stretch projects, secondments, and genuine paths for career progression.
• We move quickly. The pace reflects the profession we serve; it can be demanding, but the work matters, and the team around you is invested in the same outcomes you have.

Weappreciateyour interest in CPA Ontario and this position

At CPA Ontario, we are committed to building high-performance teams. Our selection process is thorough, fair and run by humans. All suitable applications are reviewed by someone on our Recruitment team, and if your qualifications and experience meet the requirements of this role, we’ll be in touch. We encourage you to set up CPA Ontario job alerts for positions that align to your experience and career goals.

CPA Ontario is an inclusive employer. Accommodation is available under the Ontario Human Rights Code. If you require a disability-related accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please email [e-mail] with “Accommodation Required” in the subject line to provide your contact information. A member of the Recruitment team will contact you within 48 hours.