Specialist, Strategic Research

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Société canadienne d'hypothèques et de logement(SCHL); Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 86,816 - 108,520; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual paid vacation

Defined benefit pension plan

Comprehensive group insurance

Job summary

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is seeking a Specialist, Strategic Research to lead high‑impact housing research, provide expert analysis, and communicate evidence‑based insights to government and industry. You will work with multidisciplinary teams using quantitative and qualitative methods to translate findings into policy and business decisions.

This hybrid role involves collaborating with internal and external clients, guiding external consultants, and shaping the future of

Qualifications

• A postgraduate degree in economics, finance, urban planning, public administration or related discipline.
• A minimum of five (5) years conducting applied research related to housing, housing policy, housing finance, urban planning, or closely related fields.
• A demonstrated experience designing, managing, and executing research projects, including defining objectives, selecting methodologies, managing timelines, and delivering high‑quality results.
• Advanced knowledge of research and analytical methods, including experience working with primary and secondary data using quantitative, qualitative and/or mixed method approaches.

Responsibilities

• Conduct rigorous, high‑quality quantitative, qualitative, and/or mixed‑method research on housing economics, housing finance, urban and regional planning, and other issues affecting Canada’s housing system.
• Monitor emerging trends, risks, and opportunities across the Canadian and international housing landscape through literature reviews, environmental scans, intelligence gathering, stakeholder engagement, and participation in government and industry forums and events.
• Engage internal and external clients to develop relevant, high‑impact research agendas and projects that address priority policy, business, and housing sector questions.
• Identify and recommend strategic research opportunities that align with corporate priorities, Government of Canada objectives, and emerging housing challenges and opportunities.
• Generate actionable, evidence‑based insights through the development of research reports, briefing materials, presentations, and other knowledge products to support decision‑making.
• Translate complex research findings into clear, compelling messages tailored to senior leaders, government decision‑makers, industry stakeholders, and other audiences.
• Manage and oversee the work of external research consultants, ensuring the timely delivery of high‑quality outputs that meet contractual requirements and methodological standards.
• Apply sound analytical and quality assurance practices to assess research design, methodology, and findings, ensuring the credibility, rigour, and practical relevance of research outputs.

Skills

Housing economics

Quantitative analysis

Policy analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Postgraduate degree in economics or related field

Tools

R

Python

GIS

Job description

Job Requisition ID: 12292

Position Status: Permanent Full Time

Position Type: Hybrid

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

Travel Requirement: Limited

Language Designation: English Essential

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

Security Requirement: Secret

Salary: Our salaries generally range from $ 86816.59 to $ 108520.74 and 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.

Benefits

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 permanent employee:

• Annual Paid vacation.
• Annual individual performance incentive.
• Defined benefit pension plan.
• Comprehensive group insurance plan 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 Strategic Research team, in the Specialist, Strategic Research position. In this role, you will lead the execution of high‑impact housing research, provide expert analysis and strategic advice, and communicate evidence‑based insights to government, industry stakeholders, and other decision‑makers. Leveraging quantitative, qualitative, and mixed‑method approaches, you will generate evidence, identify emerging housing challenges and opportunities, and translate findings into actionable insights that support corporate objectives and Government of Canada priorities. Working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, you will contribute to research that helps shape the future of housing in Canada.

We are currently hiring for multiple vacancies in this role.

What You’ll Do

• Conduct rigorous, high‑quality quantitative, qualitative, and/or mixed‑method research on housing economics, housing finance, urban and regional planning, and other issues affecting Canada’s housing system.
• Monitor emerging trends, risks, and opportunities across the Canadian and international housing landscape through literature reviews, environmental scans, intelligence gathering, stakeholder engagement, and participation in government and industry forums and events.
• Engage internal and external clients to develop relevant, high‑impact research agendas and projects that address priority policy, business, and housing sector questions.
• Identify and recommend strategic research opportunities that align with corporate priorities, Government of Canada objectives, and emerging housing challenges and opportunities.
• Generate actionable, evidence‑based insights through the development of research reports, briefing materials, presentations, and other knowledge products to support decision‑making.
• Translate complex research findings into clear, compelling messages tailored to senior leaders, government decision‑makers, industry stakeholders, and other audiences.
• Manage and oversee the work of external research consultants, ensuring the timely delivery of high‑quality outputs that meet contractual requirements and methodological standards.
• Apply sound analytical and quality assurance practices to assess research design, methodology, and findings, ensuring the credibility, rigour, and practical relevance of research outputs.

What You Should Have

• A postgraduate degree in economics, finance, urban planning, public administration or related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• A minimum of five (5) years conducting applied research related to housing, housing policy, housing finance, urban planning, or closely related fields.
• A demonstrated experience designing, managing, and executing research projects, including defining objectives, selecting methodologies, managing timelines, and delivering high‑quality results.
• Advanced knowledge of research and analytical methods, including experience working with primary and secondary data using quantitative, qualitative and/or mixed method approaches.
• A demonstrated ability to generate evidence‑based insights that inform strategic planning, policy development, or business decision‑making.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex research findings clearly and effectively to technical and non‑technical audiences.
• A sound understanding of Canada’s housing system, including the economic, financial, social, demographic, and policy factors influencing housing outcomes.
• A demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and build productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

It Would Be Great If You Also Had

• A Doctoral degree (PhD) in economics, finance, urban planning, public administration, or a related discipline, combined with experience conducting applied research in areas relevant to Canada’s housing system.
• Experience working with large datasets and applying advanced quantitative research methods, including statistical analysis, econometric modelling, forecasting, and the use of analytical tools such as R, and Python.
• Specialized knowledge in one or more of the following areas: housing finance systems, mortgage markets, financial vulnerabilities and housing market risks; urban planning, land‑use regulation, housing development processes and GIS applications; or residential construction and emerging trends in building science.
• Experience working in leading‑edge applied research organizations, such as think tanks, research institutes, consulting firms, or research centres; experience working within federal, provincial, territorial, or municipal governments; and bilingualism (English and French).

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.