Senior Director, Commercial Policy

Note: Internal applications will be given priority

At Alto, we are actively contributing to the transformation of Canada's future with our high-speed train project connecting Quebec City and Toronto. With the support of the Government of Canada, this innovative project aims to improve the quality of life of our citizens, strengthen ties between communities and stimulate economic growth.

Would you like to take on a stimulating, high-impact challenge? We are looking for a Senior Director, Commercial Policy. Please note that the candidate may be based in either our Montreal or Ottawa office.

The role
Reporting to the Chief Strategic Policy & Partnerships Officer, the Senior Director, Commercial Policy plays a key role in guiding Alto's public policy mandate including the development and oversight of business cases and economic studies in support of the High-speed rail project. The role shapes Alto's commercial vision and priorities, integrates policy development with rigorous economic analysis, and builds strong partnerships with executives, government, industry, academia, and not-for-profit stakeholders.

The Responsibilities

• Provides strategic leadership to a small team on transportation policy, ensuring alignment with national priorities and stakeholder needs.
• Leads creation of strategic plans and analyses to guide organizational decisions.
• Promotes evidence-based policy by leveraging business case analysis and economic research.
• Oversees integration of economic studies to inform and justify projects.
• Manages policy assessments and communications to influence government and partners.
• Monitors trends and legislation to anticipate impacts on transportation strategy.
• Offers thought leadership on socio-economic issues, recommending solutions for organizational goals.
• Directs Alto's Policy Innovation Lab to foster academic collaboration and actionable insights for the Alto network.
• Represents Alto at senior meetings, negotiating agreements and partnerships.
• Liaises with international rail providers to align Alto's project with global best practices and position Canada as a leader in high-speed rail.

The Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business, economics, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 15 years of leadership experience in policy development and strategic planning, primarily in transportation or similar sectors, managing complex, multi-jurisdictional challenges and stakeholder engagement.
• Proven ability to lead collaborative teams and drive organizational objectives.
• Advanced understanding of government policy, strategic planning, and economics, with additional strengths in sociology, statistics, law, political science, and finance.
• Ability to evaluate and synthesize complex qualitative and quantitative data.
• Strong leadership, communication, and presentation skills.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong strategic partnerships nationally and internationally.
• Strong capacity to engage with diverse areas of expertise and synthesize their inputs to maintain a cohesive, organization-wide perspective.
• Self-starter with the ability to independently drive initiatives from start to finish.

Why join our innovative team?

• Basic paid group insurance for you and your family: medical, dental, life, disability, etc.
• Access to wellness and health accounts to support your lifestyle.
• Flex-Alto account of $500 to encourage a healthier approach and a more sustainable mode of transportation.
• A retirement plan and savings options (RRSP and TFSA).
• Vacations based on experience, available upon hiring.
• An incentive compensation program.
• Flexible hybrid work mode.
• A work environment that encourages initiative, innovation, and forward-thinking solutions.
• A unique opportunity to shape the future of transportation in Canada.

We work to create high-performance, diversified teams
At Alto, we believe in the power of diverse teams. We aspire to provide an inclusive and equitable work environment where everyone can develop and flourish. Alto offers equal employment opportunities to all and invites qualified individuals, regardless of their identity, origin or situation, to apply.

Please let us know if you need any adjustments during the recruitment process. We will do our utmost to provide you with a fair and pleasant experience, while keeping any adjustments confidential.

Please note that we will communicate only with those candidates whose applications are selected for further consideration. To find out more about the entire project, visit Alto - Home.