Executive Director, Agriculture

Overview

Lead a national organization at the centre of Canada’s seed system during a period of ongoing change and development

Help shape what comes next for Canada’s seed certification system while building on a strong and established foundation

Enjoy an excellent and competitive compensation program, including an annual salary of $180,000 to $210,000 within a flexible remote and national work environment

About The Canadian Seed Growers’ Association (CSGA) CSGA is a long-standing, science-based organization at the centre of Canada’s seed system. Since 1904, it has worked in partnership with the Government of Canada as the national authority for seed crop certification, delivering a trusted program grounded in the Seeds Act and Seed Regulations. The organization sets standards for varietal purity and oversees the certification of seed crops that support Canadian agriculture.

Each year, CSGA works with more than 2,900 seed growers and 2,500 businesses, covering over 1.25 million acres across more than 60 crop kinds and 2,000 varieties from coast to coast. This system helps maintain the identity, quality, and traceability of seed, supporting Canada’s reputation as a dependable source of high-quality seed. With more than a century of experience, a stable and long-standing team, and strong ties to the agricultural community, CSGA continues to play an active role in how seed is produced, verified, and trusted across Canada and internationally.

For more information, please visit our website: seedgrowers.ca

About the Opportunity CSGA is looking for

a full-time Executive Director

based anywhere in

Canada . This is a

remote

position, with regular travel across the country, including periodic time in Ottawa to support engagement with federal stakeholders.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, you will provide overall leadership of the organization, guiding its direction as both a regulatory authority and member-based association. You will support its continued development during a period of regulatory modernization and ongoing organizational change.

In this position, you will be primarily responsible for leading the organization’s strategic direction, overseeing policy and certification activities, and maintaining strong relationships with government, industry, and member stakeholders across Canada. You will build on a strong foundation while helping shape what comes next for the organization.

More specifically, your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Leading the organization’s strategic direction in partnership with the Board

Overseeing the delivery and ongoing development of the national seed crop certification program

Guiding policy development, interpretation, and implementation in line with regulatory requirements

Supporting and advancing ongoing regulatory modernization efforts within the seed sector

Acting as a spokesperson and representative on national and international matters affecting the industry

Building and maintaining relationships with government bodies, industry partners, and provincial associations

Ensuring clear and consistent communication with members and stakeholders across the country

Providing financial oversight, including budgeting, forecasting, and resource management

Leading, supporting, and developing a long-standing, fully remote team of experienced and committed staff while maintaining a strong and collaborative culture

Establishing effective operational processes and ensuring consistent application of standards and protocols

Overseeing risk management practices and ensuring appropriate controls are in place

Supporting the Board with timely information, governance processes, and decision-making requirements

About You To qualify, you will bring

10+ years of executive leadership experience

within the

agriculture, agri-food , or a regulated environment, supported by

post-secondary education in agriculture, business , or a related field.

The following are required:

Willingness and ability to

travel nationally

(approximately 25–30% of the time)

Ability to

work remotely

while maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders across Canada

Additionally, the following skills and background will be highly valued:

Strong executive leadership experience within a national or multi-stakeholder environment

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of audiences

Experience working with government, industry partners, provincial associations, and growers

Ability to operate within regulatory or policy-driven environments, with an understanding of public policy and government processes

Experience acting as a spokesperson or representative on industry matters at a national level

Solid understanding of governance, financial management, and risk oversight

Experience leading and supporting distributed or remote teams

Experience working within member-based or not-for-profit organizations

Knowledge of the Canadian agriculture sector, with familiarity in the seed industry (asset)

Bilingualism in English and French (asset)

As our ideal candidate, you bring a forward-looking mindset, with the ability to anticipate what’s ahead and guide the organization through ongoing change, while keeping day-to-day operations running smoothly. You are comfortable working across a wide range of stakeholders, able to build trust with both technical and non-technical audiences, and confident operating in a national environment where priorities can shift. You value collaboration, respect established ways of working, and know how to introduce change without disrupting a strong and established culture.

This is an opportunity to step into a national leadership position at a time when the organization is continuing to evolve, with the chance to build on recent progress and help shape what comes next for Canada’s seed certification system.

About the Benefits Compensation includes a competitive annual salary of

$180,000 - $210,000 , based on skills and experience, along with benefits including:

Full health and dental coverage

Health spending account

Four weeks of vacation

Defined contribution pension plan with up to 7% employer matching

Performance-based incentives

Flexible, fully remote work model based anywhere in Canada

National travel opportunities, with exposure to stakeholders across the agricultural sector

Opportunity to engage directly with government, industry leaders, and national organizations

A leadership position with broad scope and influence across Canada’s seed system

Support for professional development, including conferences and industry events

Collaborative, stable team environment with long-standing and committed staff

Annual in-person gatherings to support team connection and organizational alignment

Ready to take on a national leadership position and contribute to the continued development of Canada’s seed system? Apply today!

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

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