National Executive Assistant and Governance Coordinator

POSITION TYPE: Full-time, permanent staff
LOCATION: CPAWS National Office – Ottawa, Ontario (hybrid work model)
LANGUAGE: English/French bilingual
SALARY: $65,000 - $75,000 annually – based on experience
POSTING DATE: June 26, 2026
START DATE: As soon as possible

About the Organization

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is a national charitable organization with 13 chapters across Canada, almost 100 staff, and hundreds of volunteers who have helped protect over half a million square kilometres of Canada’s public land and water since 1963. 
Our conservation vision is to protect at least half of Canada’s public land and water in a framework of reconciliation—for the benefit of both wildlife and humans. 
CPAWS is based on the unceded and unsurrendered lands of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation and works in both unceded and treaty lands of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit throughout the country.
We are committed to operating in a way that upholds justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI), and to ensuring our workplace is inclusive and accessible. 

About the Role

CPAWS National Office is seeking a National Executive Assistant and Governance Coordinator to support the National Executive Director (NED), the National Board of Trustees and organizational leadership. This is a key role within the organization, ensuring the NED's effectiveness by providing high-level administrative, governance, and coordination support.
The National Executive Assistant and Governance Coordinator plays a central role in coordinating national governance processes, including working closely with the National Board of Trustees and supporting collaboration with Chapter Executive Directors across the country. This role also leads logistics for national meetings and events (virtual and in-person) and acts as a key point of contact for senior stakeholders.
This position is ideal for a highly organized, proactive professional who thrives in a dynamic, national environment and is comfortable managing competing priorities with discretion and professionalism.

Responsibilities

1) Executive Support to the National Executive Director (25%)
•    Manage the NED’s calendar, including scheduling, prioritizing requests, and resolving conflicts
•    Monitor and triage incoming communications to identify priorities and ensure timely follow-up
•    Prepare and edit correspondence, briefing notes, reports, and presentations
•    Coordinate travel arrangements, itineraries, and expense tracking
•    Maintain organized filing systems (digital and physical)
•    Support preparation for meetings with the National Office leadership team, senior stakeholders, funders, and partners
•    Manage the NED’s budget

2) Governance & Board Coordination (35%)
•    Coordinate meetings of the National Board of Trustees and its committees, including: 
o    Annual meeting calendar
o    Agenda development
o    Preparation and distribution of materials
o    Minute-taking and tracking action items
•    Support Annual General Meeting (AGM) planning and execution
•    Maintain Board governance records and ensure proper documentation and organization
•    Support onboarding and engagement of Board members
•    Act as a liaison between the NED, Board members, and senior leadership

3) National Meetings & Event Coordination (20%)
•    Lead logistics for national meetings and events (virtual and in-person), including: 
o    Board meetings and retreats
o    Chapter Executive Directors and network meetings
o    Leadership and all-staff gatherings
•    Coordinate venues, travel, accommodations, catering, and technical requirements
•    Prepare agendas, materials, run-of-show documents
•    Record and distribute meeting minutes
•    Serve as primary logistics contact for participants
•    Manage events budgets

4) National Coordination & Communications (20%)

•    Manage the general phone line and email address and ensure all inquiries are handled in an efficient and accessible manner, and communications are prioritized and directed to appropriate personnel

•    Act as a central point of contact between the National Office, the Board of Trustees, and Chapter Executive Directors
•    Ensure smooth flow of information across a decentralized national network partnering with the National Office and Operations Manager
•    Support the coordination of cross-chapter meetings and working groups as necessary
•    Support National Office operations as necessary

Accountability and Authority
The National Executive Assistant and Governance Coordinator reports directly to the National Executive Director and works closely with the National Senior Leadership team, the National Office staff and the National Board of Trustees.
All staff are accountable through the staff structure to the National Executive Director for the planning and delivery of programs and services. The National Executive Director is responsible for staff management and the effectiveness of programs within priorities and budgets approved by the Board. 
The National Executive Assistant and Governance Coordinator is expected to exercise sound judgement, maintain a high level of confidentiality, and operate with a high degree of autonomy in managing competing priorities.

Qualifications & Expectations

Essential Assets
•    5+ years of experience supporting a senior executive or leadership team
•    Bilingual (English/French)
•    Demonstrated experience supporting Boards of Directors and governance processes
•    Experience coordinating meetings, events, and logistics with multiple stakeholders
•    Exceptional organizational skills with strong attention to detail and accuracy
•    Strong written and verbal communication skills
•    High level of discretion and professionalism in handling confidential information
•    Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams) and virtual meeting platforms
•    Ability to manage competing priorities and adapt to changing deadlines and conditions
•    Collaborative, proactive, and service-oriented approach
•    Interest in or commitment to environmental conservation

Nice to Have
•    Experience in the non-profit or charitable sector
•    Experience supporting a national or multi-stakeholder organization
•    Education in administration, business, communications, or a related field

Working Conditions
•    Hybrid work environment based in Ottawa
•    Occasional travel will be required
•    Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends (e.g., Board meetings, events)

Application Submission and Hiring Process

CPAWS is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the populations we serve. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including applicants from all cultures, racialized communities, abilities, diverse sexual and gender identities, and others who may contribute to equitable representation and diversity of perspectives and ideas. We are committed to a selection process and work environment that is inclusive and barrier-free. 

Please contact us at if you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process.

Please apply through this link: https://cpws.bamboohr.com/careers/46. Please ensure to send your letter and resume saved into a single PDF with the file name: “LAST NAME_NationalExecutiveAssistant” by July 24, 2026

We thank all candidates for their interest in the position. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, as we are looking to fill this position quickly. We expect to have two rounds of interviews and that interviews will last up to one hour. They may take place in person, or over Zoom, dependent on the needs of the candidate. We commit to contacting all candidates who we interview within two weeks of the interview date.