Join us in shaping Canada’s sustainable energy future

The Pembina Institute is seeking a strategic leader to join our team, ideally based in Toronto, who thrives at the intersection of government, industry, and the non-profit sectors. With a deep understanding of Canada’s energy landscape—including the role of oil and gas—you bring a track record of influencing policy and engaging grassroots movements. If you’re a relationship-builder who can coach others, navigate tough conversations, and drive change in a complex environment, we’d like to hear from you.

Who we are

At the Pembina Institute, it’s all hands on deck and it has been for the last 40 years. 

Our 55+ person team, distributed across the country, are passionate and dedicated, but we don't sweat the small stuff. We’re too busy tackling one of the most important issues of our time: Canada’s clean energy transition.

In that transition, we don’t leave anyone behind and believe each member of our team plays a critical role in achieving our goals. We ensure equity and promote individuality. We lead with curiosity — challenging our own ideas and limiting beliefs, being open to diversity of thought and opinion. We use evidence-based thinking to inform our recommendations to decision-makers and understand that to make long-lasting changes, we need to take a practical approach when collaborating with others. 

Our commitment to responsible development, and our “tough, but fair” approach, using research, consulting and convening, gives us credibility with decision makers whose actions today are setting the direction for the planet.

Are you ready to join us?

Meet the team

The Industrial Decarbonization group is currently focused on clean growth and rapid decarbonization of Canada’s heavy industries with a focus on electricity generation, oil and gas production, and carbon dioxide removal. The team also supports remote Indigenous communities that are seeking to transition from diesel dependence to clean, reliable, locally controlled energy systems.

Four program areas comprise the Industrial Decarbonization group: Electricity; the Business Renewables Centre-Canada; Oil and Gas; and the Renewables in Remote Communities program.

The opportunity

As part of the Pembina Institute’s Senior Leadership Team and reporting to the Executive Director, the Senior Director, Industrial Decarbonization is focused on achieving the Pembina Institute’s organizational objectives – to influence Canadian policymakers to put legislation in place that results in the decarbonization of a rapidly expanding energy sectors, in line with Canada’s 2030 and 2050 emissions reduction targets.

The incumbent will directly represent the organization by building key relationships with partners and funders, and support leaders across the organization in crafting compelling stories of opportunity that funders will want to invest in.

Your key responsibilities

Strategic leadership and planning

• Lead group strategic planning and implementation, ensuring alignment with the organization's mission, vision, and objectives.
• Apply the Pembina Institute’s theory of change to focus resources on group priorities, refine impact statements with priority leads, and ensure key performance indicators and milestones are met.
• Strategically coordinate group priorities and initiatives while ensuring alignment with broader organizational efforts.
• Build and maintain the group’s capacity as an effective agent of change, managing dedicated staff, including associate directors, program directors, analysts, and communications staff.

Operations and financial management

• Manage the group's annual program and budget, including contributions to core organizational costs, in collaboration with the Strategic Partnerships and Finance teams.
• Develop and execute customized revenue generation strategies in collaboration with the Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships, Program Directors, and Executive Director.

Policy, advocacy, and external relations

• Develop and implement government relations and key influencer strategies tailored to each program area.
• Serve as a media spokesperson and government relations lead or delegate as appropriate.
• Ensure research and advocacy messaging align with funding opportunities and resource allocation in coordination with the Senior Director of Communities and Decarbonization.
• Oversee quality control and final approval of all Industrial Decarbonization group external-facing publications and deliverables.
• Support priority leads in developing and executing media, government relations, and external influencer strategies.
• Ensure regional staff are effectively engaged in relevant networks.

Senior leadership representation

• Lead human resources and leadership functions, including staff recruitment, development, mentorship, performance evaluation, and succession planning, ensuring alignment with the organization’s strategic goals.
• Represent the group on strategic and operational management committees.
• Work with the Executive Director and Senior Leadership Team to manage internal operations, policy compliance and organizational change initiatives.

What we’re looking for

You are a highly organized and efficient leader with a passion for the clean energy transition. You have exceptional people-management skills and are adept at fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment. With outstanding communication abilities—both written and oral—you excel at synthesizing complex information and presenting it clearly and persuasively.

A proactive and high-energy self-starter, you are driven to achieve results and navigate challenges with confidence. Your strong financial acumen enables you to effectively manage budgets, oversee resource allocation, and provide strategic direction on business planning, goal setting, and performance reporting. Deeply committed to the Pembina Institute’s mission and values, you bring both dedication and strategic insight to advancing its objectives.

You have direct experience working in, or very closely with, policy advocacy organizations. You understand the role that strategic communications play in influencing policy change and know how government decision-making works at both the political and bureaucratic levels, at all levels of government.

What you bring

Education and experience

• Post-secondary education in business, economics, public policy, communications, or a related field; a combination of education and relevant work experience may be considered.
• At least 10 years of professional experience in environmental, climate, or energy policy, including direct program or management roles in a research and policy context.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience, including mentoring and managing both direct and indirect reports.

Sector and policy knowledge

• Proven experience in the non-profit sector or government, especially in policy advocacy and stakeholder engagement with non-profit organizations.
• Familiarity with Canadian provincial and federal policy landscapes, particularly related to energy and environmental issues.
• Strong familiarity with the Alberta energy landscape or a solid foundational understanding of the Canadian energy sector, with the ability to quickly learn Alberta’s unique context.

Strategic leadership and change management

• Demonstrated success in strategic communications, policy advocacy, and government relations planning and implementation, with established local and national networks in relevant sectors.
• Direct experience leading internal change management initiatives.

Stakeholder engagement and fundraising

• Experience in developing and executing fundraising strategies, and engaging diverse stakeholders such as funders, boards, political figures, and Indigenous representatives.

Assets

• French language proficiency.
• Demonstrated commitment to environmental sustainability.

Compensation and benefits

The hiring range for the position is $110,376 to $132,451 annually based on a 37.5-hour work week, with a range maximum of $154,527. Within this range, individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, related experience, education and/or training, and internal equity.

We know that to meet these ambitious goals, our people are the core. We also know that one size does not fit all, therefore we offer employees a flexible office and home schedule that allows individuals to find an optimal balance. Our employees receive a generous paid time-off package starting with four weeks of vacation, time to cover health and wellness, professional development and offices closed annually from December 25 to January 1. In addition, we offer RRSP matching, parenthood top-ups, extended health and dental benefits, and yearly development funds. Note: the incentive programs have certain eligibility requirements and may be subject to employment type.

The Pembina Institute is committed to an inclusive, accessible and welcoming hiring process that provides reasonable accommodation to all applicants. Please advise if you require any accommodation to participate in these posting, recruitment, selection and/or assessment processes.