Executive Director

Grain Growers of Canada is seeking an experienced and talented individual to lead the association in Ottawa as its next Executive Director. The individual will ideally have a background in association management, government relations, and agriculture policy and will have held a comparable role for a similar organization.
As the national voice for Canada’s grain farmers, Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) represents over 100,000 producers through our 15 national, provincial and regional grower groups. Our members steward 120 million acres of land to grow food for Canadians and for 160 countries around the world, creating $45 billion in export value annually. As the farmer-driven association for the grains sector, GGC champions federal policies that support the competitiveness and profitability of grain growers across Canada.
Responsibilities   Lead GGC through Board of Directors and Member management, government relations, policy development, communications, budgeting, finance, and administration
Work with the Board of Directors and Members to develop priorities and strategic direction
Oversee a proactive year-round advocacy calendar and issue specific advocacy strategies, including constant government relations engagement with parliamentarians and government officials
Provide expertise in idea generation and executive of the advocacy strategies, including senior level support on networking, consensus building, and lobbying
Build consensus among Members on GGC policy positions and advocacy strategies, both directly and in the management of staff
Ensure GGC policy is coordinated by leveraging member positions and expertise and to develop a plan to fill gaps in expertise where they may exist on priority topics
Ensure GGC conducts information gathering with officials and political staff, making the GGC the best source of information for Members on the government activity relayed to priority topics
Act as the lead national spokesperson for growers with government and media on a day-to-day basis
Collaborate extensively with other key grains sector organizations, especially on topics where GGC is playing a supporting role
Build and cultivate relationships with all external stakeholders including other agriculture sector colleagues and organizations, the media, and the farmer community at large
Manage timely communication of advocacy information to Members, as well as development of plans and materials in demonstrating the value of the organization to all growers
Provide executive advice to the Board of Directors on organizational priorities, structure, and governance
Oversee all financial and human resource matters of the organization.
Qualifications/Skills   Organized and able to take on multiple tasks at the same time
Possesses a strong financial acumen
Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and objectives
Able to work effectively in a team setting
Possesses strong collaborative and interpersonal skills
Reliable, punctual and efficient
Available to work occasionally outside normal working hours
A skilled writer
Ability to locate and reference relevant legislation and regulations
Willingness to travel
Eligible to be registered as a federal lobbyist
Bilingualism is an asset

Education and Experience   Holds a degree from a post-secondary institution
Experience in association management, government relations, or agriculture policy
Minimum of 7 to 10 years of experience required
Potential candidates should include their resume in their application. Applicants must reside or be willing to relocate to Ottawa to work from GGC's office. Interviews will commence in early February; applicants are encouraged to submit early.
Interested applicants should submit their application to Interim Executive Director, Tyler Bjornson, at
To learn more about GGC, please visit

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