Executive Director Opportunity at the Ontario Clean Technology Industry Association (OCTIA) – Leading the Charge in Clean Technology
Are you ready to be at the vanguard of environmental change? OCTIA, a leading champion in the Ontario clean technology sector, is on the lookout for an Executive Director who is not just seeking a job, but a calling. This is an extraordinary opportunity for a visionary leader to spearhead initiatives that truly make a difference in the cleantech sector in Canada. Canada is a leader in cleantech innovation in the world. Ontario is the heart of Canada’s cleantech sector. At OCTIA, you'll not only lead; you'll inspire, innovate, and ignite change in an industry at the heart of our planet's future.
Why OCTIA?
At OCTIA, we don't just talk about making a difference – we're on the frontline of doing it. As a pivotal figure in the clean technology arena, you will have the unique opportunity to lead a movement, shape policies, and help accelerate innovations that will echo through generations.
Here, your work transcends the boundaries of the office – it's about creating a sustainable future and empowering a community committed to change.
About OCTIA:
The Ontario Clean Technology Industry Association (OCTIA) is the unified voice and champion for Ontario’s clean technology sector. Formed by experienced cleantech leaders in 2019, OCTIA exists to strengthen, foster and promote Ontario’s cleantech community; to build partnerships and networks that generate business opportunities; and to encourage industry and government leaders to act in support of the sector.
OCTIA’s membership spans the full ecosystem: cleantech developers, large adopters, investors and accelerators, professional service firms, and students. The association is governed by a working board of senior industry leaders, is a member of the national Canada Cleantech Alliance..
Cleantech represents a very diverse group of companies with proprietary innovative technology on a path to profitability with meaningful environmental impact. Cleantech is an exciting and dynamic growing sector of the economy with 137,000 people employed in pure play cleantech companies the space in the province. The sector employs 20% more than each of the automotive and oil and gas sectors and is truly national, spread across right across Canada Coast to Coast vs being concentrated in one or two regions. Cleantech is a rapidly growing sector bringing great economic development opportunities and jobs, helping to make industry more efficient and competitive while contributing to making Canada and the world more sustainable. Ontario is at the forefront of cleantech in Canada representing the single biggest jurisdiction for cleantech in Canada with 37% of Canadian cleantech companies being located in the province.
Your Role in Our Journey:
The Executive Director is OCTIA’s sole staff member and the public face of the association. Operating as a true generalist, the ED leads on advocacy, member renewal/growth and engagement, events, communications, sponsorship and partnerships, while also handling the day-to-day operations and administration of a lean organization. The ED works closely with a volunteer board and its committees to deliver clear value to members and to advance the interests of Ontario’s cleantech sector with government and across the ecosystem.
This is a high-autonomy role for a self-directed connector who is energized by wearing many hats and who can move comfortably between a policy table, a member’s boardroom, an event stage, and a spreadsheet.
Key Responsibilities:
Advocacy & Government Relations
- Serve as OCTIA’s lead voice with government at both the provincial, and through the Canada Cleantech Alliance, with federal levels, building and maintaining relationships with elected officials and civil servants.
- Coordinate the Policy Committee and lead development of OCTIA’s policy positions, open letters, submissions, and consultation responses.
- Track Provincial and Federal budgets, program announcements, and regulatory changes, and translate them into clear, timely analysis for members.
- Represent member interests through the Canada Cleantech Alliance and alongside peer associations.
Membership Growth & Engagement
- Drive recruitment of new members across all membership types and lead retention and re-engagement efforts.
- Manage the member application and approval process in coordination with the Membership Committee organizing monthly meetings
- Ensure members receive and recognize the value of their membership (networking, matchmaking, policy representation, profile, insights, and leads).
Funding & Program Support
- Drive OCTIA’s funding efforts; identify, navigate, and access relevant funding: federal programs (e.g., NRC IRAP), provincial programs, and other grants, tax credits, and incentives.
- Maintain current knowledge of program eligibility, timelines, and changes, and alert members to new and time-sensitive opportunities.
- Build and steward relationships with funding bodies, and develop OCTIA programs and partnerships that channel funding or support to members (e.g., OCTIA-IRAP CTO program(s)).
Events & Programming
- Plan and execute OCTIA’s calendar of socials, panels, webinars, and educational and export-focused events working with the events committee through monthly meetings.
- Source speakers and partners, manage logistics and venues, and secure event sponsors.
- Capture and repurpose event content for ongoing member value.
Communications & Marketing
- Produce OCTIA’s monthly e-newsletter (the OCTIA Report).
- Maintain the website and manage the association’s social media presence (LinkedIn, X).
- Build the profile of OCTIA and its members through consistent, high-quality communication.
Sponsorship & Financial Sustainability
- Secure and steward sponsors (anchor and event-level) and develop non-dues revenue.
- Manage membership dues, invoicing, and HST.
- Handle bookkeeping and budgeting, and report on finances to the Treasurer and board.
Board & Governance Support
- Support the board and its committees: scheduling, agendas, minutes, materials, and follow-through.
- Make effective use of the time of senior, volunteer directors.
- Keep the board informed on membership, finances, advocacy, and operations.
- Organize periodic board meetings and the annual AGM (before Oct 31 each year) prepare and circulate an agenda in collaboration with Chair and record and share minutes from prior meetings.
Partnerships & Ecosystem
- Maintain and grow relationships with key partners: the Canada Cleantech Alliance, Export Development Canada, the Trade Commissioner Service, MaRS, and peer associations.
- Identify and develop partnership and program opportunities that benefit members (e.g., funding and export programs).
Operations & Administration
- Run the association’s day-to-day operations as the sole contractor: CRM / member database, email and newsletter tools, website administration, payments, and scheduling.
- Establish and maintain efficient systems and tooling appropriate to a lean organization.
- In collaboration with the Treasurer ensure proper record keeping and accounting for revenues and expenses and assist the Treasurer if/as needed with preparation of interim and year-end financial statements.
- WIth lots of interest in the sector it is expected that the Executive Director will recruit volunteers and oversee them to support some of the responsiblies of the role (ie events, ,membership etc...)
Sector Intelligence & Strategy
- Act as OCTIA’s intelligence hub on funding programs, policy shifts, capital activity, and sector developments.
- Surface relevant opportunities and risks to members and the board, and contribute to OCTIA’s strategic direction.
Qualifications:
Must-haves
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Confidence and comfort with public speaking.
- Strong organizational skills and demonstrated follow-through on commitments.
- Experience with government relations (provincial and/or federal).
- Familiarity with the cleantech funding landscape (e.g., IRAP, SDTC, provincial and federal grants and tax credits) and the ability to help members navigate it.
- Ability and drive to grow membership and keep members engaged.
- Comfort operating as a self-directed sole contractor across many functions: bookkeeping, software/tools, meeting organization, member relations, and more.
- Comfort producing a regular newsletter and managing communications channels.
- Comfort supporting and coordinating multiple volunteer board members and committees.
- Sound financial literacy: budgeting, basic bookkeeping, and clear financial reporting.
- A keen interest in clean technology and a genuine desire to keep learning about the sector.
Assets
- An existing network across Ontario’s and Canada’s cleantech ecosystem (companies, investors, accelerators, government, peer associations).
- Experience securing and managing sponsorships and partnerships.
- Event planning and execution experience.
- Policy literacy: the ability to read and synthesize budgets, programs, and regulation into clear positions.
- Prior experience running or supporting a membership or industry association.
- Digital/marketing capability: website management, social media, CRM, and email tools.
- Project management experience.
- Working knowledge of French (an asset for federal engagement).
Personal Attributes & Working Style
- Self-directed and entrepreneurial; thrives with autonomy and limited resources.
- Comfortable with ambiguity and able to prioritize across competing demands.
- A natural connector and relationship builder who can credibly be the public face of the association.
- Discreet and trustworthy in handling competitively sensitive member information.
- Reliable follow-through: does what they say they’ll do.
Location: Remote with periodic travel for events and meetings (primarily GTA)
Application Process:
Please submit a resume and a brief cover note outlining your interest and relevant experience to [email protected] by June 24th, 2026.
OCTIA is committed to building an inclusive sector and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.
Pay: $50.00-$65.00 per hour
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree (preferred)
Experience:
- management: 1 year (preferred)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Remote
