Specialist, Empirical Research

Job Requisition ID: 12333

Position Status: Permanent Full Time

Position Type: Hybrid

Office Location: Ottawa (ON); Calgary (AB); Halifax (NS); Montreal (QC); Toronto (ON); Vancouver (BC)

Travel Requirement: Limited

Language Designation: English Essential

Language Skill Levels (Read/Write/Speak): ZZZ

Security Requirement: Secret

Salary: Our salaries generally range from $ 86816.59 to $ 108520.74 and are based on qualifications and experience.

About CMHC

The work you do and the work we do together matters. We come to work every day with a common purpose: to contribute to a well-functioning housing system.

At CMHC, we hold ourselves accountable for our results and support our colleagues in their achievements. We thrive on collaboration, connecting across CMHC and involving the right people to get our work done. Our leadership style is guided by trust, where our leaders favour an adaptive approach based on the needs of their teams.

Join us and be part of a team that's committed to making a real difference and be part of something meaningful.

What’s in it for you

We’ve got the purpose, the people and the perks you need for a fulfilling career. Here’s the comprehensive and generous benefits you get when you’re a permanent employee:

• Annual Paid vacation.
• Annual individual performance incentive.
• Defined benefit pension plan.
• Comprehensive group insurance plan to support your well-being from day one.
• Support towards your personal and professional growth with training, mentorship and more.
• An inclusive workplace culture and environment.
• While positions at CMHC require some in-office presence, alternative work arrangements may be considered for Indigenous candidates.

About the role

Join the Empirical Research Team, in the Specialist, Empirical Research position. In this role, you will plan, design andz lead the execution of empirical research, deliver high-quality research products, provide expert advice, and communicate research findings in areas of housing economics, housing finance, and urban planning. You will use advanced quantitative and analytical techniques and mixed-method research approaches to generate evidence and translate findings into strategic insights that support decision-making. Working with multidisciplinary teams, you will identify emerging issues and opportunities, and contribute to impactful research that helps shape the future of housing in Canada.

We are currently hiring for multiple vacancies in this role.

What you’ll do:

• Research a wide range of housing economics, housing finance, housing conditions, and urban and regional planning issues and challenges, ensuring the quality, accuracy, timeliness, and relevance of research and products, and ensuring all research integrates robust empirical methods.
• Conduct rigorous, high quality quantitative research on housing economics, housing finance, and housing market issues, applying advanced statistical, econometric, and forecasting techniques, ensuring research integrates robust empirical methods, draws on relevant and reliable data, and is accurate, timely, and relevant.
• Manage and guide the work of external research consultants to ensure compliance with contracted deliverables and schedules, oversee and review the quality of the information and analysis contained therein, and apply structured frameworks to validate empirical rigor in contracted work.
• Monitor trends and issues in housing research, academic and business research literature, intelligence gathering, environmental scans, professional relationships, and participation in external workshops and events.
• Communicate research results clearly and concisely, demonstrating the ability to synthesize complex ideas and represent those ideas in research publications and at conferences, industry events, and high-level meetings, and translate empirical findings into strategic insights tailored to senior leadership and policy audiences.
• Recommend research topics that reflect current corporate and government priorities, as well as leading-edge ideas with the potential to advance the future of housing research in Canada.
• Consult with internal and external clients in the development of research ideas and projects to ensure priority, utility, and practical application of research, and facilitate joint planning sessions to translate evidence needs into actionable research questions.

What you should have:

• A postgraduate degree in economics, finance, urban planning, or related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• A minimum of five (5) years of conducting applied research directly related to housing economics, housing finance, urban and regional planning, or closely related fields.
• A demonstrated experience developing and executing research projects, including defining scope, objectives, methodologies, and project management requirements, while delivering high quality and relevant research results in a timely manner.
• Advanced knowledge of, and experience in, research and analysis of primary and secondary data using appropriate methodologies, quantitative and statistical analysis, and the provision of facts, evidence, and insights to support decision making.
• Experience using statistical software and empirical modelling techniques (e.g., R, Python, econometrics).
• A demonstrated ability to clearly and effectively communicate research insights tailored to the needs of policy, research, and industry audiences.
• Working knowledge of the Canadian housing landscape, both current and historical, including the economic, financial, social, and political trends driving housing policy.
• A demonstrated ability to distill and synthesize large volumes of complex information into clear, concise, and actionable insights.

It would be great if you also had:

• A Doctoral degree in economics, finance, mathematics, urban planning or related discipline.
• An in-depth knowledge of one or more of the following: the housing finance system, residential mortgage market and financial vulnerabilities, urban and regional planning, development processes, and Canadian residential construction landscape, including their implications for housing supply and productivity.
• A demonstrated ability to manage and analyze large, complex datasets using appropriate analytical tools and methodologies. Knowledge of machine learning models.
• Experience in leading edge applied research organizations, such as think tanks, applied research centers, research consultancies.

Posting closing date: Note, the competition will remain active until filled.

Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

We’re committed to employment equity and encourage women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, veterans and persons of all races, ethnicities, religions, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities and expressions to apply. We also welcome applications from non-Canadians who are eligible to work in Canada.

CMHC is an inclusive workplace where diversity of thought – and of people – are recognized, valued, and considered essential to achieving our mission.

Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion

What happens after you apply

We know that applying for a new job can be both exciting and daunting, and we appreciate your effort. Learn more about our hiring process. If you are selected for an interview or testing, please advise us if you require an accommodation.

If you applied before and you were not successful don’t worry – we're always posting new positions, so don’t hesitate to give it another shot. We’re excited to see what you bring to the table this time around!