About Us

TheCanadian Wood Council (CWC) is the national association representing Canada's wood products industry in the construction sector. As a leading voice for technical innovation and sustainability, CWC works to advance the use of wood as a safe, efficient, and climate-resilient material in the built environment.

Established in 1959, CWC supports a network of manufacturers, engineers, architects, and policymakers across the country. Through research, advocacy, and expert guidance, the organization helps shape building codes and design standards while expanding opportunities for wood use in residential, commercial, and institutional construction.CWC plays a critical role in connecting industry expertise with decision-makers and design professionals. Its team of engineers and technical specialists contributes directly to the development of national building codes and product standards. The organization also leads Canadas CSA O86 wood design standard and plays an active role in advancing wood-based solutions for fire safety, seismic performance, and low-carbon construction.

WoodWorks

WoodWorks is the market development program of the Canadian Wood Council that seeks to increase the use of wood in non-residential and multi-family building markets across Canada. CWC delivers its programs by leveraging its provincially based teams in Ontario and British Columbia, as well as established delivery partners in Alberta, the Maritimes, and Quebec. Through advocacy, education, and technical support, WoodWorks BC plays a pivotal role in advancing sustainability and innovation in the construction sector. The program is guided by the local BC Steering committee, that further informs national strategy through the National Market Development Committee of CWC Board.

The program aims to be the go-to resource for practical wood development, design, and construction expertise providing education and project support to industry professionals and local governments. The program seeks to identify barriers to adopting wood construction and develop the means to reduce them.

Position Overview

CWC is seeking a dynamic and visionary Executive Director to lead its WoodWorks BC operations. This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for driving strategic growth, fostering stakeholder relationships, and championing the use of wood in construction. The Executive Director will serve as the principal representative of the program in BC and play a national role in mentoring and supporting Market development staff across Canada.

Primary Focus

• Developing and implementing, in collaboration with key stakeholders, annual business plans and budgets to meet key programming, operational and strategic objectives.
  
• Helping to secure annual federal and provincial government and private sector funding for the WoodWorks BC program and related market development activities
• Overseeing the effective delivery of program targets and goals while ensuring relevant metrics are used to evaluate program impacts, effectiveness, and market share growth and retention in British Columbia and Canadian construction.
• Developing partnerships with key stakeholder organizations and governments to expand the use of wood in British Columbia's construction sector.
• Networking with stakeholders to support education and training goals, funding requests, wood product procurement policies, and new legislation.
• Leading market development strategies, public profiling, and strategic relations to increase awareness of the WoodWorks BC program across various sectors.
• Providing leadership in education and skills development by working with decision-makers and project teams responsible for material selection, design decisions, and project execution.
• Lead the WoodWorks BC Network in program activities and membership recruitment.

Specific Accountabilities

• Draw on market data and align with the strategic plan to monitor and report on market trends in British Columbia. Identify adoption barriers, key insights, and recommended next steps to inform the programs future direction.
• Share best practices and insights with other regional programs to support alignment and continuous improvement.
• Act as the liaison and primary contact for the BC Governance Committee, understanding and delivering on the various industry goals represented by its members, as well as scheduling and leading meetings.
• Support funding proposal development and reporting for the funding agreement and oversee its implementation as it relates to British Columbia.
  
• In collaboration with the CWC Director of Program Operations, prepare and deliver update reports to the CWC Board, government, and industry stakeholders that track progress on key goals and summarize program activities.
• Ensure deep knowledge and operational compliance with various funding agreement and CWC policies, including eligibly of activities, procurement, and travel guidelines.
• Strategic Planning
  • As a member of CWCs senior leadership team, contribute to the development and ongoing refinement of the CWC Strategic Plan and annual operational plans.
  • Leverage CWC resources and the strategic plan to develop strategies and operational plans that support wood product market growth in British Columbia.
  • Work with CWC Senior Leadership to develop strategic initiatives
• Enhance the impact and value of existing programs by increasing private sector funding and strengthening industry engagement.
• Facilitate the transfer of technical information to stakeholders to support informed decision-making and adoption of wood solutions.
• Conduct presentations at internal and external events (conferences, forums, webinars, etc.)
• Author, manage, and provide support in the development of technical documents.
• Strengthen the reputation of WoodWorks, CWC, and yourself as an industry thought leader by pursuing and supporting speaking and media opportunities.
• Collaborate with, oversee, and mentor technical team members to ensure effective delivery of project activities.
• Work with regional counterparts to ensure efforts are coordinated and best practices shared.
• Network with the AECD+ community and product manufacturers to understand barriers faced by wood on their projects and provide expert level support including referrals, best practices, and innovative solutions
  

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate for the Executive Director position will possess strong leadership skills, industry expertise, business development and a passion for wood construction and development. They will bring a unique combination of strategic vision, operational management, and stakeholder engagement to this role. The ideal candidate will also reside in the greater Vancouver area, ensuring proximity to key stakeholders and operational activities.

Required Qualifications

• A degree in Architecture, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field; advanced degrees or professional certifications are an asset.
• At least 5 years of experience in leadership roles within the wood construction in the BC market, design, development, or sustainability sectors.
• A proven history of managing multi-stakeholder initiatives and complex projects.
  

Key Competencies

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and implement long-term plans.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
• Technical Expertise: Deep understanding of wood construction, including developers, public procurement, and innovation.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Team management and professional development.
• Communication: Skilled in public speaking, technical writing, and media engagement.
• Collaboration: Works effectively across regional and national teams.