Senior Advisor, International Relations

Priority may be given to the following designated employment equity groups: women, Indigenous Peoples* (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), persons with disabilities and racialized persons*.

• The Employment Equity Act , which is under review, uses the terminology Aboriginal peoples and visible minorities.

Candidates are asked to self-declare when applying to this hiring process.

City: Ottawa

Organizational Unit: Business and International Innovation

Classification: RCO

Tenure: Continuing

Language Requirements: English

Work arrangements: Due to the nature of the work and operational requirements, this position may be eligible for a limited hybrid work arrangement (combination of working onsite and telework).

At the NRC, we recognize that Indigenous candidates may have important connections to their communities and you may be eligible for an exception to this work arrangement. Alternative work arrangements may also be considered to accommodate candidates as required. To learn more about these options, please contact the NRC Hiring team using the contact information below.

Discover the possible

Anything is possible at the NRC, named in 2026 one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, Top Employer in the National Capital Region and Forbes Canada's Best Employers

As Canada’s largest research and innovation organization, our world-renowned research pushes the boundaries of science and engineering to make the impossible, possible. Every day we explore new ideas through innovative research and help companies discover possibilities that impact Canada’s future and the world.

At the NRC, you’ll also discover new possibilities. Our supportive workplace fosters a culture of creativity, welcoming fresh perspectives and innovation at all levels. We value teamwork. You’ll collaborate across multiple fields and with the brightest minds to find creative solutions. Most importantly, you’ll discover what’s possible within you as you grow, make valuable contributions and progress in your professional journey. From ground-breaking discoveries to a life-changing career, discover your possible at the NRC.

The role

We are looking for a Senior Advisor, International Relations to support our Business and International Innovation (BII). The Senior Advisor will play a key role in building and nurturing enabling relationships, catalyzing targeted research collaborations, facilitating co-innovation opportunities and connecting NRC business to key clients. The Senior Advisor, International Relations would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity.

Your duties will include:

• Support corporate programs in an international regional market. You will recognize, advise on and develop opportunities (especially at a government-to-government level) that have the greatest impact such as: research and development collaboration, acquiring technologies, stimulating select international consortia and using international networks to enable access to global value chains;
• Provide advice on international science and technology activities and networks, analyze and monitor international science, technology and innovation activities and policy trends, identify key issues and formulate recommendations for NRC senior management;
• Plan, develop, research, promulgate, analyze, and interpret policies, policy issues, programs, corporate and government-wide initiatives pertaining to the strategic and operational management of the NRC’s international innovation activities;
• Promote and represent NRC's interests to foreign organizations and other government departments; promote Canadian participation in international non-governmental and governmental organizations and mechanisms for international industrial R&D and innovation. You will represent NRC to stakeholders, including other government agencies and departments;
• Define the key parameters of, and draft corporate documents, including: strategic plans. You will analyze corporate strategy for proposing international S&T activities positioning future opportunities, anticipating challenges and responding to corporate needs;
• Research and develop documents and briefing material for NRC senior management (President, Vice-Presidents, Secretary General,), NRC Council, federal Cabinet and Central Agencies;
• Provide protocol expertise and staff support to NRC senior management for foreign visits, conferences, or reception of foreign dignitaries.

This role will appeal to someone who has a passion for innovation and international engagement.

Screening criteria

Applicants must demonstrate within the content of their application that they meet the following screening criteria in order to be given further consideration as