Principal, Residential Markets

Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC); Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Group benefits

Flexible working hours

Hybrid work arrangements

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Canada Green Building Council is seeking a Principal, Residential Markets to advance housing priorities through applied research, market intelligence, and strategic engagement. You will influence strategy, partnerships, and the uptake of green building programs across Canada’s residential sectors.

You will lead research initiatives, engage stakeholders across government, industry, and finance, and shape how LEED and other standards respond to housing market needs.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years in sustainable housing, market development, applied research, or policy.
• Experience linking market strategy with program development and partnerships.
• Strong understanding of Canadian housing and multi-unit market dynamics.
• Experience engaging external stakeholders including government and industry.

Responsibilities

• Provide market insights to shape organizational strategy and planning.
• Forge partnerships and secure funded opportunities for housing research and programs.
• Translate insights into actionable recommendations for policy, practice, and market engagement.
• Represent CAGBC in consultations, rounds tables, and external forums relevant to housing and sustainability.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Synthesis

Presentation skills

Stakeholder engagement

Policy & housing market knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic thinking

Education

Post-secondary degree

Tools

French language (asset)

Job description

Location

Work in a state-of-the-art, LEED-certified Gold office building in downtown Ottawa, Toronto or Vancouver.

ABOUT CAGBC

For over 20 years, CAGBC has led the movement for high-performing, green buildings. We believe that by transforming the built environment, we can create a more sustainable future and communities where people can thrive in resilient, healthy buildings and homes.

JOB PURPOSE

Under the direction of the Director, Project Development and Research, the Principal, Residential Markets serves as an enterprise-wide strategic resource to advance CAGBC’s housing-related priorities. The role supports CAGBC’s efforts to strengthen its relevance, insight, and market impact in priority residential sectors through applied research, market intelligence, technical knowledge, strategic engagement, and practical pathways for adoption of innovative solutions.

With a primary focus on the multi-unit residential buildings (MURB) housing market, the role will inform strategy, technical solutions, and external engagement.The individual will identify opportunities for research and partnership development and help strengthen the value proposition of CAGBC programs and standards.

You are well-suited to this position if you:

• Are motivated by the mission to accelerate green building and understand the systems-level challenges facing sustainable housing in Canada;
• Bring strong knowledge of market-based, rental and affordable housing sectors, including relevant mechanisms such as CMHC financing tools;
• Understand green building standards and certifications and their influence on design, construction, investment, and policy decisions;
• Have a track record of delivering sustainability programs; and
• Are effective in communicating sustainable housing innovation to policymakers, developers, asset managers, investors, and/or affordable housing providers.

This position is anew role on the Project Development and Research team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1) Strategic Market Insight and Organizational Support

• Monitor and assess market, policy, funding, technical and industry developments on housing programs and residential building construction/retrofits.
• Identify emerging challenges, opportunities, and strategic entry points where CAGBC can have meaningful impact on housing market growth and influence.
• Provide strategic insight and practical recommendations to support strategic planning, market positioning, and decision-making.
• Work across the organization to align housing-related research, market development, advocacy, standard setting/certification, and communications.

2) Research, Partnerships, and External Engagement

• Shape housing-related research priorities and support the development of research scopes, proposals, partnership concepts, and funded project opportunities.
• Engage stakeholders across industry, government, non-profit housing, finance, and related sectors, such as developers, investors, and affordable housing providers, to understand market needs, test ideas, and identify areas for collaboration.
• Represent or support CAGBC in consultations, roundtables, working groups, and external forums relevant to housing and sustainable building.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and related materials that communicate market insights and the value of CAGBC’s housing-related work and offerings to key audiences.

3) Program and Market Relevance

• Identify how LEED, Zero Carbon Building, and other CAGBC programs, standards, tools, and market offerings can better respond to residential sector needs and support the development of sustainable housing.
• Advance and assess opportunities to strengthen the relevance and uptake of CAGBC offerings in priority housing segments.

Other Responsibilities

• Perform related responsibilities and duties as assigned byyoursupervisor.

Direct Reports

None

NOTE: This job description highlights the general nature and level of the assignments required by this position. This is not a completely exhaustive list of responsibilities; additional duties will be assigned.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Strong knowledge of the residential market, including policy, financing, technical, delivery and market drivers.
• Strong analytical, synthesis, and presentation skills, with the ability to turn complex information into actionable insights.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to tailor messages for senior leaders, policymakers, industry stakeholders, and partners.
• Ability to connect market signals, research findings, and organizational priorities into practical recommendations.
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including through sensitive or contentious issues.
• Ability to work collaboratively across functions while also operating independently and with accountability.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Comfort working in virtual, hybrid, and in-person settings.
• Ability to travel within Canada and attend in-person meetings and events.

EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS

• Approximately 5–8 years of relevant experience in sustainable housing, market development, applied research, policy, or a related field.
• Experience working on initiatives that intersect market strategy, policy, research partnerships, or program development.
• Strong understanding of Canadian housing and residential development dynamics, particularly in multi-unit, purpose-built rental, affordable housing, and related larger-scale residential segments.
• Familiarity with regulatory, code, technical or market characteristics affecting different multi-unit housing types, including Part 3 and Part 9 contexts
• Experience developing briefs, research inputs, presentations, proposals, or strategic recommendations.
• Experience engaging external stakeholders, including government, industry, non-profit, or professional partners.
• Post-secondary degree in a relevant field.
• French language proficiency is an asset.

OTHER

Personal Attributes

• Collaborative and effective in multi-disciplinary, team-oriented environments.
• Curious, pragmatic, and comfortable working through ambiguity.
• Strong sense of personal responsibility and accountability for high-quality work.
• Sound judgment and diplomacy.
• Committed to learning, growth, improvement, and delivering practical outcomes.
• Passion for sustainability and CAGBC’s mission.

Why Work at CAGBC?

• Competitive salary.
• Group Benefits membership.
• Flexible working hours (7:00 am - 5:30 pm).
• Generous paid time off.
• Hybrid working arrangements, with up to two work from home days per week.
• Be part of an industry that makes a meaningful, positive impact on our environment.

Thank you for your interest in joining the Canada Green Building Council. We appreciate all applications; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.