Ottawa - National Director - Permanent, Full-Time

The New Democratic Party of Canada is a mass membership, movement-oriented political party committed to working people, social justice, and democratic accountability. We are in a period of active organizational renewal, building a party that is financially stable, deeply rooted in our membership, and ready to contest and win elections. We are seeking an experienced, principled, and operationally sharp leader to serve as our permanent National Director.

The National Director is the senior operational officer of the federal NDP. Reporting to the Party President and accountable to the Table Officers and Federal Council, the National Director is responsible for the day to-day management, administration, and organizational health of the party. Our current organizational chart does not include a Deputy National Director. The National Director works in close collaboration with the Party Leader, the Chief of Staff, and senior staff to ensure the party operates with discipline, integrity, and strategic focus.

This is a demanding, high-stakes leadership role. The party is navigating a period of financial recovery and organizational rebuilding, with active byelection obligations and a staff team that is deeply invested in getting this transition right.

We need an executive leader with sound political judgment, genuine labour relations credibility, a track record of building grassroots organizing capacity, and the administrative discipline to stabilize the organization while keeping a clear eye on what it exists to do: elect New Democrats and build a movement for working people.

Location

Ottawa, ON

Key Responsibilities

Organizational Operations

• Oversee day-to-day operations, including staff management, workflow coordination, and performance management
• Define and maintain an updated organizational chart with key roles identified, posted, and hired
• Lead the 2026 Collective Bargaining process with the COPE bargaining unit
• Maintain and improve internal operational systems and decision-making processes
• Oversee hiring and onboarding of a Director-level position for financial and operational management

Financial Oversight and Resource Management

• Work with finance staff and the Party Treasurer to produce and maintain an updated annual budget, cash flow forecast, and multi-year financial plan
• Oversee financial systems, controls, and reconciliation processes
• Manage relationships with lenders and oversee debt repayment obligations
• Support the implementation of an updated fundraising strategy in partnership with the Senior Director of Development and Engagement
• Establish cash flow systems aligned with operations and accounting best practices
• Manage finances related to the Jack Layton Building

Organizing and Campaign Readiness

• Lead the development and implementation of a permanent organizing model that builds durable capacity between elections
• Support byelection readiness and campaign infrastructure development ahead of the next general election
• Build and maintain productive relationships with our Federal NDP electoral district associations and provincial and territorial NDP wings, Section Quebec, our Equity Commissions and CYND Youth wing.
• Support candidate nomination processes and ensure vetting processes are current and compliant
• Ensure the party's membership engagement and donor programs are active, growing, and integrated with organizing work

Party Governance and Administration

• Support the effective functioning of the Federal Executive and Federal Council
• Support the Table Officers in the development of updated mandates following the 2026 Federal NDP Convention
• Prepare governance materials, agendas, orientations, and operational briefings for party governing bodies
• Advise governing bodies on the operational and constitutional implications of decisions
• Coordinate post-meeting reporting, minute dissemination, and implementation of council decisions
• Oversee the mapping and updating of resolutions to ensure the Policy Book reflects convention changes

Legislative and Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal legislative and regulatory requirements including Elections Canada, the Canada Elections Act, CRTC regulations, labour and employment obligations, and privacy and data management obligations
• Ensure compliant financial reporting for the party, electoral district associations, and campaign operations
• Coordinate responses to regulatory inquiries and compliance-related matters
• Work with legal counsel on risk management and governance matters

Crisis Management and Political Operations

• Respond to emerging organizational, operational, legal, financial, and reputational issues
• Coordinate internal response processes for sensitive operational matters, including complaints, staffing disputes, and investigations
• Support and oversee human rights complaints, harassment policy investigations, and grievances
• Ensure operational continuity during transition and leadership changes

Executive and Stakeholder Relations

• Report to the Party Officers and maintain working relationships with the Federal Executive and Council
• Establish and maintain relationships with Committees, Commissions, the labour movement, Provincial and Territorial partners, and the Party's Youth Section
• Serve as a public spokesperson on party affairs as requested by the Table Officers
• Work collaboratively with the Leader, Chief of Staff, and senior staff on strategic and operational priorities

What We're Looking For

Required

• Demonstrated senior management experience in a political party, union, labour organization, or comparable mission-driven institution
• Track record of building or sustaining grassroots organizing capacity, including experience working with volunteers, electoral district associations, or comparable membership-based structures
• Proven fundraising experience, including developing strategy and growing donor or membership programs in a resource-constrained environment
• Financial oversight experience including budget development, cash flow management, and working with finance staff and auditors
• Track record of managing and developing staff teams through change, uncertainty, and organizational transition
• Sound political judgment and the demonstrated ability to assess risk and manage competing interests under pressure
• Experience supporting or working directly with governing boards, executives, or elected bodies
• Direct experience with collective bargaining and labour relations, including working with or managing under a certified bargaining unit
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Strongly Preferred

• Bilingualism in English and French
• Experience with federal or provincial electoral campaign operations
• Experience managing HR processes, including complaints, investigations, and grievance management
• Familiarity with NDP structures, culture, and the broader Canadian labour-progressive movement
• Experience working with or within Indigenous, racialized, or equity-seeking communities
• Experience with Elections Canada compliance, the Canada Elections Act, and federal electoral law (this can be developed on the job by a candidate who otherwise brings strong regulatory instincts and a capable support team)

Compensation and Conditions

This is a new permanent, full-time position based in Ottawa, Ontario, with the expectation of flex hours, with a base of 40 hours per week.

Salary: $150 000 annually

The NDP is committed to employment equity and strongly encourages applications from women, Indigenous peoples, racialized communities, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals.

Our Commitment to a Human-Led Search

The NDP will not use artificial intelligence or automated tools to screen, assess, or select applicants at any stage of this search. Every application will be read by a person. Every hiring decision will be made by people.

We make this commitment because we believe the qualities that matter most for this role, sound judgment, integrity, and the ability to build trust across a movement,cannot be assessed by machine learning and a large language model. We are looking for a leader, and we will read for one.

Closing date

5 pm EST Wednesday, July 22nd 2026

How to Apply

Applications and inquiries should be directed to: nationaldirector@ndp.ca

Please submit a cover letter and current resume. Your cover letter should speak directly to your experience with the priorities and qualifications outlined in this posting. Applications that do not include a cover letter will not be considered.

A note on generative AI

Because we are reading every application ourselves, we ask that you write your cover letter in your own words. We are not looking for a flawlessly structured document. We are looking for your voice, your thinking, and your genuine sense of why this role and this moment matter to you.

By submitting your application, you affirm that your cover letter and any written responses are your own work and have not been substantially drafted or generated by artificial intelligence tools. Applications that appear to have been AI-generated may be set aside without further consideration.

All applications made before July 22nd will be considered and remain open until the position is filled. We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

The NDP is committed to building a party that reflects Canada's diversity. Accommodation is available throughout the recruitment process. Please advise us of any accessibility needs.