Chief of Staff

Reports to: Board of Directors (through the Co-Presidents)

Engagement: Full-time employee (40 hours per week)

Start date: Flexible — first half of 2027

Direct reports: 3–5 staff

Location: Remote (Canada), with periodic travel for the Annual General Meeting, CILA Annual Conference, and stakeholder engagement

Languages: English required; French an asset

About CILA

The Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association (CILA) is a national, not-for-profit organization representing immigration lawyers across Canada. CILA advances the practice of immigration law, advocates for sound and principled immigration policy, and provides its members with continuing legal education, professional development, and a collegial professional community. CILA delivers an Annual General Meeting, the CILA Annual Conference, continuing legal education programming, policy and research publications, mentorship initiatives, and the Access to Counsel program.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Chief of Staff (CS) carries out the day-to-day operations of CILA and is accountable for translating the Board's strategic direction into measurable results. The CS leads a small administrative team, manages the organization's budget, drives major initiatives such as the Annual General Meeting and the CILA Annual Conference, and serves as a key external voice for CILA with governments, regulators, members, partners, and the public. The CS is expected to be a self-directed leader who can grow membership, strengthen revenue, support each of CILA's pillars (advocacy, education, research, member services, and community), and partner effectively with the Co-Presidents, the Board, and the standing sub-committees, while owning the operating plan and reporting clearly and regularly to the Board.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Organizational Leadership

• Support the Board in preparing Board agendas, materials, and follow-ups, and coordinate monthly Board meetings.
• Translate the Board's vision and annual priorities into an operating plan with clear OKRs, milestones, and accountability.
• Lead execution of the Board's mission across CILA's pillars: advocacy, continuing legal education, research, member services, and community-building.
• Provide regular written and verbal updates to the Board and Co-Presidents on progress, risks, and resource needs.
• Oversee support staff and contractors who may support the Board, setting clear expectations and fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration.

Advocacy & Government Relations

• Serve as a principal external representative and advocate for CILA, advancing the interests of the immigration bar and the Canadian immigration system.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Members of Parliament and Senators, the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM), and other governmental stakeholders.
• Coordinate with the Policy Co-President and committees to produce timely policy statements, submissions, and media engagement.
• Cultivate relationships with bar associations, regulators, settlement organizations, academic partners, and civil society groups.

Membership Growth & Engagement

• Drive membership growth, retention, and engagement, including targeted outreach to law students, francophone members in Quebec, and other priority segments.
• Oversee the member value proposition, including the Member Library, third-party partner benefits, and member communications.
• Support sub-committees in delivering value to members and in reporting their progress to the Board.

Major Initiatives & Programs

• Lead the planning and delivery of the CILA Annual Conference, including program development, sponsorship, ticket revenue, budget management, and CPD accreditation.
• Oversee delivery of monthly continuing legal education sessions and special programming, including the mentorship program and refugee-focused CLEs.
• Support the publication of CILA research reports and member-focused content.
• Advance the Access to Counsel initiative and support the establishment and growth of the CILA Foundation.

Financial Management & Governance

• Manage CILA's operating budget, monitor revenue and expenses, and report financial performance to the Board on a regular cadence.
• Lead sponsorship acquisition, fundraising diversification, and conference revenue generation to achieve the Board's profitability targets.
• Support sound governance practices, including the Annual General Meeting, Board recruitment and succession, board engagement surveys, and sub-committee accountability.
• Ensure CILA's compliance with applicable laws and the policies of the Board, and escalate matters requiring Board direction promptly and clearly.

Qualifications & Experience

Required

• At least 5 years of progressive leadership experience in a not-for-profit, association, government, legal, or comparable professional services environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing small teams, including direct reports and external contractors.
• Strong financial acumen, with experience managing operating budgets, sponsorship, and revenue-generating programs.
• Proven track record of stakeholder engagement and advocacy with senior government, regulatory, or institutional counterparts.
• Experience planning and delivering major events, conferences, or large-scale programs.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., Linear) and a results-oriented operating cadence such as OKRs.

Preferred

• Prior experience working with or within the federal government, particularly with IRCC, CBSA, or related immigration portfolios.
• Working knowledge of Canadian immigration law, policy, and the immigration legal community.
• French language ability (oral and written) is welcomed and is an asset given CILA's bilingual membership and Quebec engagement priorities.
• Experience with charitable status applications and foundation governance.
• Prior experience as an Executive Director, Chief of Staff, Director of Government Relations, or comparable senior role.

Engagement Terms

The Executive Director role is a full-time employee position with the Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association. Salary will range between $90,000 and $100,000 annually. Other terms of employment will be discussed with shortlisted candidates and will reflect the seniority of the role and the candidate's experience. CILA is a national organization, and the role is remote, with periodic in-person travel required for the Annual General Meeting, the CILA Annual Conference, Board meetings, and government and stakeholder engagement.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit a cover letter and résumé to the Board of Directors of CILA (info@cila.co). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. CILA is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including bilingual candidates and candidates with lived experience of immigration to Canada.