Lead Research Associate, Sustainability (Remote)

The Conference Board of Canada; United States; Remote; CAD 96,000 - 132,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an accomplished researcher with a passion for sustainability and zero-emissions technologies. This role involves leading research projects, developing innovative methodologies, and contributing to business development efforts. As a remote worker, you'll thrive in a supportive environment that values collaboration and excellence. With a focus on impactful research, you'll engage with decision-makers in both public and private sectors, driving forward initiatives that shape the energy economy. If you're a proactive communicator with strong analytical skills, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

Work from home setup budget

Healthcare benefits from Day One

20 days annual vacation

Defined benefit pension plan

Employee Family Assistance Program

Maternity and parental leave top-up

Qualifications

• PhD or Masters’ degree focusing on sustainability or energy.
• Expertise in analyzing environmental, economic, and social policies.

Responsibilities

• Lead research projects using quantitative and qualitative methodologies.
• Develop pitches and proposals to identify new business opportunities.

Skills

Quantitative Analysis

Qualitative Research

Project Management

Data Management

Business Development

Advanced Writing Skills

Communication Skills

Team Collaboration

Education

PhD in Sustainability or Energy

Masters’ degree in related fields

Tools

MS Excel

Job description

The Conference Board of Canada (CBoC) is the nation’s largest independent applied research organization offering unbiased, evidence-based information and analysis to both industry, NGOs and federal/provincial governments. We have one of the country’s largest private economic analysis and forecasting teams and are widely recognized for expert economic forecasting, modeling, and leading analysis. CBoC undertakes research to address the most pressing issues in Innovation and Technology, Human Capital, Sustainability, Immigration, Indigenous and Northern Communities, Education and Skills, and Health. Our social science research provides actionable pathways to solutions. Simply put, we deliver insights that help Canada’s leaders cut through the noise and make informed decisions.

Our Ideal Candidate… is an accomplished researcher and intellectual, with a demonstrated interest in sustainability and zero-emissions technologies on the supply-side and demand-side of the energy economy. You have deep knowledge of innovations, public policies, and regulatory shifts that will influence the development and market penetration of zero-emissions technologies in the energy economy. If you are an exceptional writer with quantitative analysis skills, intellectual curiosity and a passion and commitment to a culture that values thought leadership-please apply! The successful candidate will be part of a professional research team and will undertake integrated, non-partisan, applied research for public and private sector decision-makers. The candidate will also make significant contributions to our business development endeavors.

We are a virtual organization and as a remote worker you must be comfortable and able to work 100 per cent of the time from a home office in Canada. To be successful as a remote worker you need to have a self-starter attitude, possess strong organizational and time management skills and be a proactive communicator. Having a home office environment that provides for a productive, professional, and safe work environment during regular working/business hours is a requirement of this role. This includes internet service and a reliable connection.

About the Role

• Lead research projects utilizing quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
• Lead new business by identifying opportunities, developing pitches and proposals, and contributing to and finalizing stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Lead the execution and finalization of project deliverables.
• Provide leadership in conceptualizing new research ideas, methodologies and strategies to maximize research impact.
• Provide leadership and contribute subject matter expertise during client engagement and business development activities.
• Lead content development, stakeholder relations, speaker identification, sponsorship outreach, and event delivery for sustainability-related leadership roundtables and convenings.
• Support membership growth and retention strategies for the Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Council.
• Demonstrate values of collaboration, ownership, excellence, evidence, passion and integrity in all aspects of work and interactions with colleagues and clients.

About You
Required Skills and Qualifications

• PhD or Masters’ degree with a strong sustainability or energy focus in areas such as nuclear energy, renewables, energy storage, hydrogen and engineering-related disciplines.
• Deep knowledge and understanding of the innovations and techno-economics across nuclear energy, renewables, energy storage, or hydrogen technologies.
• Demonstrated expertise in analyzing the intersection of environmental, economic and social policies and their impact on zero-emissions energy technologies.
• Understanding of sustainable finance and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) frameworks in the context of the energy economy, is an asset.
• Demonstrated expertise in developing data-intensive models to replicate energy, material or environmental systems is an asset.
• Demonstrated expertise with analyzing and visually communicating trends in large datasets using advanced capabilities in data management and visualization tools e.g., MS Excel.
• Demonstrated expertise in business development, as well as building and sustaining relationships with senior leadership in the private and public sector.
• Demonstrated experience in leading research project teams, as well as the mentoring and support of early-career research professionals.
• Leadership in project management; including priority setting, time management, working under pressure, and delivering high quality outputs.
• Advanced writing skills with the ability to write clearly, concisely, and quickly.
• Advanced presentation and communication skills – including the ability to condense complex and technical subject matter into clear and cogent insights for decision-makers in the public and private sector.
• Expertise with organizing and chairing convenings, including the moderation of panel discussions involving senior leaders.
• Demonstrated success in handling multiple responsibilities, deadlines and deliverables.
• Strong sense of teamwork, professionalism and responsiveness to client needs.
• A passion for collaboration across disciplines, and an ability to navigate uncertainty and bottlenecks in the research process.
• A drive for impact through research and a commitment to research excellence, integrity and evidence.
• Ability to travel within Canada for client and team meetings when needed.
• Bilingualism is an asset.
• Having a home office environment that provides for a productive, professional, and safe work environment during regular working hours is a requirement of this role. This includes internet service and a reliable connection.

Benefits

At CBoC, we believe that putting People First is key to our success and attracting the best people. We are committed to providing a supportive and inclusive work environment where everyone can thrive and we are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Virtual First – work from home anywhere across Canada with a budget to set up your home office.
• A workplace where your hard work is not just valued, but actively celebrated. We take pride in our commitment to recognizing and rewarding the exceptional talent that drives our success through our Recognition programs.
• Healthcare benefits from Day One to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including a $2,500 benefit for Psychologist, Social Worker or Psychotherapist services
• Work/Life Balance: In addition to 20 days annual vacation, we close between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, observe 13 holidays per year and offer Friday afternoon closures.
• A modern, defined benefit (DB) pension plan: We care about your future and offer a pension plan with a 5% match from Day One
• Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP): We understand that life can be unpredictable and challenging and EFAP supports you and your family during difficult times.
• Maternity and parental leave top-up plan

The salary for this position ranges from $96,900 - $131,100 annually for candidates from any Canadian province or territory. Salaries are based upon candidate experience, qualifications, specific skillsets, as well as market and business considerations. The recruiter can share more information about the salary range for the position during the hiring process.

This job posting is for an existing vacancy within CBoC. We are actively seeking to fill this role with a qualified candidate.

We value the unique skills, experiences, and insights that each employee brings to The Conference Board of Canada. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported and welcome members of all backgrounds and perspectives to apply. If you require an accommodation at any point during the recruitment process, please email [e-mail] and we will work with you to meet your needs.

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest in The Conference Board of Canada. Please note that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.