Strategic Director, Federal Programs & Nuclear Energy

AECL; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 170,000 - 212,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical & dental benefits

Public Service Pension Plan

Vacation & leave

Employee assistance program

Hybrid work model

Year-end holiday PTO

Performance-based incentives

Job summary

AECL is seeking a Director, Federal Programs and Nuclear Energy Strategy to align policy, partnerships, programs and strategy with Government of Canada priorities. You will lead integration efforts with CNL and oversee major federal initiatives across health, environment and energy security.

You will report to the VP of Science, Technology, Commercialization and Corporate Strategy and guide cross‑functional teams, ensuring risk management, stakeholder engagement, and policy compliance across

Qualifications

• Significant experience in public policy, government relations, or federal program management.
• Strong understanding of Canadian policy processes affecting nuclear, science or energy priorities.
• Experience leading complex government-facing programs, initiatives, or partnerships.
• Experience with federal departments, Crown corporations, labs, or regulated industries.
• Ability to develop strategic advice and solutions aligning with government objectives.
• Demonstrated stakeholder relationship building and cross-organizational collaboration.
• Experience navigating complex issues and assessing risk in dynamic environments.
• Nuclear science/tech program experience is an asset; advanced degree is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Shape and advance AECL’s federal programs and nuclear energy strategy.
• Provide strategic leadership for the Federal Programs portfolio and cross-organization initiatives.
• Translate government direction into actionable strategies and manage cross-entity projects.
• Build and maintain relationships with Indigenous communities, federal bodies, CNL, industry, and academia.

Skills

Public policy

Government relations

Stakeholder management

Strategic leadership

Policy analysis

Risk assessment

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering/science/public policy

Advanced degree (asset)

Job description

AECL is seeking a Director, Federal Programs and Nuclear Energy Strategy to align policy, partnerships, programs and strategy with Government of Canada priorities. You will lead integration efforts with CNL and oversee major federal initiatives across health, environment and energy security.

You will report to the VP of Science, Technology, Commercialization and Corporate Strategy and guide cross‑functional teams, ensuring risk management, stakeholder engagement, and policy compliance across