Employment Category
Regular Full-Time
Founded in 2002, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is a not-for-profit organization tasked with the safe, long-term management of Canada’s intermediate- and high-level radioactive waste, in a manner that protects people and the environment for generations to come.
The NWMO has been guided for more than 20 years by a dedicated team of world-class scientists, engineers and Indigenous Knowledge Holders who are developing innovative and collaborative solutions for nuclear waste management. In 2024, the NWMO selected Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and the Township of Ignace as the potential hosts for the site for a deep geological repository for used nuclear fuel.
This decision means our office and staff will, in the future, be relocating to Ignace, Ont., and the deep geological repository will be situated in the area of Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and the Township of Ignace. Infrastructure planning and development are underway to support this transition and ensure that both the community and our employees are well served and supported, now and in the future.
Vice President, Regulatory Approvals
Fulltime – One (1) Position Available
Position Location: Ignace, Ontario – 304 Main Street
Temporary location: Toronto Head Office – 30 Adelaide Street East
Internal Posting Close Date: Monday, April 27, 2026
Job Summary:
The Vice President, Regulatory Approvals is a direct report of the President and a member of the Executive Team. This role is accountable for providing enterprise leadership to secure and sustain all required federal, provincial and indigenous permissions and approvals for the APM project, including impact and environmental assessment and Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) licensing outcomes. This position leads the regulatory approvals portfolio, integrating regulatory affairs, impact assessment, and cross-functional inputs to enable timely, defensible decisions, maintain compliance, and protect NWMO’s reputation and long-term plans.
- Provide accountable oversight of the regulatory approvals portfolio to secure and maintain all required permissions and approvals for the APM project, including impact assessment/environmental assessment requirements and CNSC licensing.
- Lead and align cross-functional teams to deliver the regulatory approvals strategy, including licensing bases, submissions, and regulator engagement plans, ensuring integration across technical, safety, engagement, communications, legal, and project delivery functions.
- Provide advice to the President and Executive Team on regulatory, legislative, and compliance matters; anticipate emerging requirements and enable risk-informed, decision-quality recommendations.
- Champion a strong safety culture and ensure health, safety, security, and environmental expectations are embedded in regulatory submissions, work plans, and day-to-day execution.
- Serve as an Officer of the NWMO, exercising sound judgment and stewardship; support Board and committee governance through briefings, decision material, and follow-through, as required.
- Model expected leadership culture behaviours and reinforce NWMO’s management system. Establish clear accountabilities for regulatory deliverables, ensure governing documents remain current and fit for purpose, and enable assurance, compliance, and continuous improvement across the portfolio.
- Contribute to enterprise planning and prioritization, working with the Leadership Team to set objectives and targets that deliver approved business plans.
- Establish and manage departmental business plans, resource plans, and budgets to deliver regulatory outcomes, monitor performance and address variances through timely corrective action.
- Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing team: set clear accountabilities, build capability and succession, and provide coaching and performance feedback aligned with NWMO values and expectations.
- Maintain active relationships with national and international organizations to benchmark and adopt leading practices in nuclear regulation and long-term waste management.
- Represent the NWMO with regulators, Indigenous communities, governments, industry associations, environmental organizations, and other stakeholders; build trust, enable alignment, and support transparent, respectful engagement.
- Strengthen regulatory governance, policies, and processes to improve quality, consistency, and readiness across all approvals activities.
- Oversee the regulatory interface with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, including executive-level engagement, issue resolution, and timely submission of decision-quality materials.
- Lead special assignments and priority workstreams, including sensitive matters requiring discretion, sound governance, and timely execution.
- 15 years’ progressive experience, including at least five years in a senior leadership role in regulatory affairs/approvals.
- Experience working with Boards and Committees.
- Demonstrated experience leading an impact assessment and/or environmental assessment within a regulated environment.
- Experience engaging with the CNSC and delivering licensing outcomes, including oversight of submissions, commitments, and regulatory interfaces.
- A thorough understanding of the Canadian nuclear regulatory regime, the Nuclear Safety and Control Act and the associated Regulations.
- University degree in a relevant discipline.
Other:
- Able to set enterprise direction and drives disciplined execution.
- Dynamic leader: a team player who inspires confidence, credibility, and trust.
- Proven track record in the achievement of business goals.
- Possesses good judgment and sound business acumen.
- Exceptional mentoring, coaching, and people management skills
- Self-directed and motivated; performance and results driven.
- Strong communication and presentation skills.
- Strong relationship building and executive influencing skills; able to assert positions and shape decisions.
- Accepts ownership and accountability and possesses a high level of integrity.
- Able to translate vision into priorities, plans, and measurable outcomes.
- Strong managerial courage to raise difficult issues, make decisions, provide feedback, and do what is in the best interest of the company.
- Bilingualism (French and English, both spoken and written) is an asset.
If you are interested in being considered for this exciting and impactful opportunity, please submit your cover letter and current resume by email to Chris Sawyer, Senior Consultant, at
[email protected].
Should you have any questions regarding this opportunity, please contact:
Lisa Knight, Managing Partner Chris Sawyer, Senior Consultant
[email protected] [email protected]
Must be eligible to work in Canada and must be able to meet security clearance requirements.
NWMO currently operates in a hybrid work model of 3 days in the office (Tuesdays being universal) and 2 days working from home.
Candidates residing in the Greater Toronto Area: Office Location – 22 St. Clair Avenue East until their role is required to relocate.
Current employees may continue working from their existing work location/arrangements until their role is required at site.
We offer a competitive base salary, health care benefits and a defined benefit pension plan.
The NWMO is committed to contributing to Reconciliation in all its work by co-creating a shared future built on rights, equity and well-being. As an employment equity employer, NWMO actively seeks Indigenous Peoples, members of visible minorities, women, people with disabilities, and additional diverse identities for our workforce. The NWMO will provide accommodation to applicants with disabilities.
The NWMO is committed to a fair, transparent, and efficient recruitment process. While we sincerely appreciate every expression of interest, only those candidates selected to continue in the recruitment process will be contacted directly.
