Signal49 Research is the nation’s largest independent applied research organization offering unbiased, evidence-based information and analysis to both industry, NGOs and federal/provincial governments. We have one of the country’s largest private economic analysis and forecasting teams and are widely recognized for expert economic forecasting, modeling, and leading analysis. Signal49 Research undertakes research to address the most pressing issues in Economics, Innovation and Technology, Human Capital, Sustainability, Immigration, Indigenous and Northern Communities, Education and Skills, and Health. Our social science research provides actionable pathways to solutions. Simply put, we deliver insights that help Canada’s leaders cut through the noise and make informed decisions. To learn more about Signal49 Research and our history, check out our website: https://www.signal49.ca/

We are seeking a Lead Research Associate to join the Sustainability team.

Our Ideal Candidate is…is a skilled researcher and intellectual, with demonstrated expertise in disaster finance and insurance, disaster recovery, emergency management or climate adaptation. You have deep knowledge of the public policies, socio-economic impacts, and insurance innovations that will build the resilience Canada needs to weather increasingly frequent and extreme disaster events. If you are an exceptional writer with quantitative and qualitative analysis skills, intellectual curiosity and a passion and commitment to a culture that values thought leadership, please apply! The successful candidate will be part of a professional research team and will undertake integrated, non-partisan, applied research for public and private sector decision-makers.

We are a virtual organization and as a remote worker you must be comfortable and able to work 100 per cent of the time from a home office in Canada. To be successful as a remote worker you need to have a self-starter attitude, possess strong organizational and time management skills and be a proactive communicator. Having a home office environment that provides for a productive, professional, and safe work environment during regular working/business hours is a requirement of this role. This includes internet service and a reliable connection.

About the Role

Lead research projects utilizing quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
Lead new business by identifying opportunities, developing pitches and proposals, and contributing to and finalizing stakeholder engagement strategies.
Lead the execution and finalization of project deliverables.
Provide leadership in the management of direct reports, including research associates.
Provide leadership in conceptualizing new research ideas, methodologies and strategies to maximize research impact.
Provide leadership and contribute subject matter expertise during client engagement and business development activities.
Lead content development, stakeholder relations, speaker identification, sponsorship outreach, and event delivery for sustainability-related leadership roundtables and convenings.
Support membership growth and retention strategies for the Strategic Resilience and Emergency Management Council.
Demonstrate values of collaboration, ownership, excellence, evidence, passion and integrity in all aspects of work and interactions with colleagues and clients.
Commitment to producing high quality work and demonstrating professional values in all aspects of work and interactions with colleagues and customers.

About You

Required Skills and Qualifications:

PhD or Masters’ degree in disaster science, actuarial science, geoinformatics, emergency management, climate adaptation or related areas.
Deep knowledge and understanding of disaster insurance models, reinsurance, disaster financial instruments, and emerging innovations in disaster finance.
Demonstrated understanding of the role and interdependencies between social, institutional, and infrastructure capacity in building resilience in disaster contexts.
Demonstrated understanding of pragmatic and place-based disaster resilience and climate adaptation measures, at the community and household levels.
Competency in analyzing the intersection of environmental, economic, and social policies and their impact on disaster resilience and climate adaptation in Canada.
Competency with climate hazard modelling for flooding, wildfire, and other climate-related disaster events is an asset.
Competency and understanding of disaster governance and regulatory frameworks is an asset.
Competency with geographic information systems (GIS) tools e.g. QGIS, is an asset.
Competency with qualitative and textual analysis tools e.g. NVivo, is an asset.
High proficiency with analyzing and visually communicating trends in large datasets using advanced capabilities in MS Excel.
Advanced writing skills with the ability to write clearly, concisely, and quickly.
Advanced presentation and communication skills – including the ability to condense complex and technical subject matter into clear and cogent insights for decision-makers in the public and private sector.
Leadership in project management, including priority setting, time management, working under pressure, and delivering high quality outcomes.
Experience with organizing and chairing convenings, including the moderation of panel discussions involving senior leaders is an asset.
Demonstrated success in handling multiple responsibilities, deadlines and deliverables.
Strong sense of teamwork, professionalism and responsiveness to client needs.
A passion for collaboration across disciplines, and an ability to navigate uncertainty and bottlenecks in the research process.
A drive for impact through research and a commitment to research excellence, integrity and evidence.
Ability to travel within Canada for client and team meetings when needed.
Bilingualism is an asset.
Having a home office environment that provides for a productive, professional, and safe work environment during regular working hours is a requirement of this role. This includes internet service and a reliable connection.

Benefits

At Signal49 Research, we believe that putting People First is key to our success and attracting the best people. We are committed to providing a supportive and inclusive work environment where everyone can thrive and we are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes: 

Virtual First – work from home anywhere across Canada with a budget to set up your home office. 
A workplace where your hard work is not just valued, but actively celebrated. We take pride in our commitment to recognizing and rewarding the exceptional talent that drives our success through our Recognition programs.
Healthcare benefits from Day One to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including a $2,500 benefit for Psychologist, Social Worker or Psychotherapist services   
Work/Life Balance: In addition to 20 days annual vacation, we close between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, observe 13 holidays per year and offer Friday afternoon closures.
A modern, defined benefit (DB) pension plan: We care about your future and offer a pension plan with a 5% match from Day One 
Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP): We understand that life can be unpredictable and challenging and EFAP supports you and your family during difficult times. 
Maternity and parental leave top-up plan

The hiring zone for this position is $96,900 - $114,000 annually for candidates from any Canadian province or territory. Salaries are based upon candidate experience, qualifications, specific skillsets, as well as market and business considerations. The full compensation band for this position ranges from $96,900 - $131,100. The recruiter can share more information about compensation for the position during the hiring process. This job posting is for an existing vacancy within Signal49 Research. We are actively seeking to fill this role with a qualified candidate.

At Signal49 Research, we value the unique skills, experiences, and perspectives that each individual brings to our team. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible, and supportive work environment where people of all backgrounds feel respected and empowered to do their best work. We encourage candidates to apply even if they do not meet every listed qualification. If this role aligns with your experience and interests, we would love to hear from you.

As a virtual first organization, interviews are conducted via video or phone. To support all candidates, we build accessibility into our hiring process by default. This includes sharing interview questions in advance, offering live captions or transcription, and providing flexibility in interview formats, timing, and assessments wherever possible.

We recognize that everyone engages best in different ways. If there’s anything that would make the process work better for you, you’re welcome to let us know at any stage, no explanation required. You can contact us at recruitment@signal49.ca and we’ll work with you to support your participation.

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest in Signal49 Research. Please note that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Signal49 Research

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Lead Research Associate, Sustainability (Remote)