Job Posting
Economist
Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA)
“The Voice of Canada’s Residential Construction Industry Since 1943”
Position Type: Full-Time
Salary: Commensurate with Education & Experience
Job Location: National Office - 141 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
CHBA’s national office is seeking a dynamic Economist to anticipate and explore key or broad emerging issues that directly impact policy for the housing industry and CHBA’s members. A key member of the CHBA management team and national policy team led by CEO, Kevin Lee, CHBA's Economist will conduct results-oriented research projects, develop and/or economic and costing models, and provide expert advice to internal and external stakeholders. Come join our dynamic team in this exciting position to support our industry in meeting the housing aspirations of Canadians!
ABOUT THE JOB
Key Responsibilities
Performs Policy, Economic Research and Modelling Activities by undertaking the following:
Policy Development and Communication
- As part of the CHBA Policy Team, anticipating and exploring key or broad emerging issues that directly impact the housing industry, consumers, and CHBA’s members to develop/evolve/update key policy positions for the Association
- Producing clear and effective evidence-based written documents that appeal to and influence intended audience (e.g. politicians, government officials, the general public, financial institutions, etc.)
- Establishing strategic partnerships internally and externally for the purpose of keeping abreast of current and emerging economic conditions, and sharing intelligence, including with other industry associations, and with key government officials in Statistics Canada, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and the Department of Finance.
- Making down-to-earth housing economics presentations to members and key stakeholders
Analytical or Research Projects
- As part of the CHBA Policy Team, developing and executing the economic and financial analysis and research agenda for the CHBA
- Working with collaborators and utilizing data from a variety of sources, developing and/or refining CHBA’s national residential construction sector model, and related tools (e.g., CHBA’s transit-oriented development analysis tool)
- Developing and refining CHBA’s national home construction and renovation costing tool
- Proposing, leading and conducting empirical or theoretical research, modelling and analysis for projects, and assessing the implications for the housing industry (at both the micro and macro level)
- Producing and/or managing research and policy analysis to be disseminated internally and externally
- Applying appropriate methods, tools, processes and software to execute research activities
- Providing authoritative policy advice, recommendations and interpretations to colleagues, management and external contacts
- Being internally and externally recognized for broad and deep specialized expertise as it relates to the residential construction industry
- Responding to requests for information, data or analysis from a variety of stakeholders
Contributes to the Overall Success of CHBA’s National Policy Team
- Providing economic analysis and support for government advocacy overall and for liaising with MP and Ministerial offices
- Providing research and policy briefings on Federal political, policy, regulatory and other activities related to housing and residential construction
- Preforming the function of Lead on a selection of those CHBA policy files
ABOUT YOU, THE CANDIDATE
Essential Requirements
Education:
Graduate Degree in Economics, ideally with exposure to land/real-estate economics and/or development economics, and to applied economics
Experience:
- A minimum of five (5) years’ recent practical work experience in a related field
- Experience in policy assessment and development
- Experience in liaison with political offices, industry associations, the research community, and stakeholders
- Experience in economic modelling
Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
Knowledge:
- Knowledge of emerging economic trends and policy related to the residential construction industry
- Knowledge of Canada’s fiscal, monetary and macroprudential policies, particularly as they relate to housing and residential construction
- Knowledge of key government policies that affect the economics and financial aspects of housing and residential construction
- Knowledge of key sources of data for economic modelling and analysis related to the residential construction industry
- Knowledge of the key federal departments and agencies and their role in policy affecting housing and the residential construction sector
- Asset: Knowledge of government relations and advocacy
- Asset: Knowledge of association/not-for-profit management and governance best practices
Skills and Abilities:
- Ability to develop economic models for planning or monitoring purposes
- Ability to develop costing tools for residential construction
- Ability to apply appropriate methods, tools, processes and software to execute research activities
- Ability to assess policy environment, organizational priorities and other externalities to formulate strong policy positions
- Ability to develop strong working relationships that encourage cooperation.
- Ability to multi-task, advancing multiple projects and activities simultaneously
- Writing skills: ability to produce effective written documents in a style and form likely to appeal to and influence the intended audience
- Oral communication and presentation skills: the ability to make effective, well-structured presentations adapted to the intended audience, and the ability to communicate effectively with others by demonstrating active listening skills and conveying information clearly
- Diplomacy: ability to conduct respectful and persuasive dialogue with stakeholders that may hold opposing views, while also considering their viewpoints
- Innovation: the ability to create new insights, devise new approaches and make innovative decisions through research
- Analytical and technical skills: strong problem-solving skills, including the ability to analyze complex economic and financial information using empirical and/or modelling skills
- Asset: ability to communicate in both English and French
Team Fit:
- Outstanding interpersonal skills
- Strong organizational skills
- Detail-oriented
- Time management skills
- The ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks and competing deadlines
- Enthusiastic desire to contribute to the overall success of the CHBA and its members
- Self-starter who thrives in an environment where he/she can be equally successful working independently as well as collaboratively in a team environment.
- Emotional intelligence: effective understanding of oneself and others and ability to relate well to other people.
ABOUT CHBA
How we deliver our services
CHBA is the national level of one association working at three levels – nationally, provincially and locally. Our members join a Local Home Builders’ Association (HBA), and in so doing also become members of the provincial and national levels of the Association. There are over 60 constituents (local and provincial) HBAs in the Association.
Our membership is made up of over 8,500 leading companies from coast to coast – including home builders, renovators, land developers, trade contractors, product and material manufacturers, building product suppliers, lending institutions, insurance providers, and service professionals. Our industry currently represents over $150B of economic activity and over 1 million on- and off-site jobs.
The members engaged with the National Association are leaders in the industry and within the local and provincial levels of the Association – they are successful business people who volunteer their time for years to give back to the industry and support its overall success.
Each level of the Association works to support the members and works with the government at its level (federal, provincial or municipal) to advance the interests of the industry and Canadians with respect to housing. The three levels of the Association collaborate to ensure a consistent approach towards real solutions that will benefit members and consumers alike.
CHBA is a federal not-for-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors elected by the membership, supported by our professional staff.
At the national level, our system of Committees and Councils brings together industry experts from across the country to share information and ideas, collaborate on common issues, and to formulate recommendations to governments to improve the quality, affordability and choice of homes for Canadians.
Our Team
The national office staff is a high-performance team of cross-disciplinary professionals working in a dynamic and welcoming work environment. There is a great deal of comradery in our day-to-day dealings with each other, our constituent associations, our Board leadership and its Executive Committee, and our members. We juggle a variety of work activities that allow us to take on new challenges and develop new skills and make use of the multi-disciplinary team we have on staff. We value a positive and collaborative work environment above all, striving for continuous improvement, and at all times treat each other with respect.
- We are naturally entrepreneurial and innovative and enjoy collaborating on new ways of approaching a task or challenge.
- We work both autonomously and together in teams, knowing that we each bring our own expert contribution to the organization.
- We are not shy about asking for help and we celebrate each other’s strengths.
We are constantly and solely focused on delivering the best services and support to our membership, in the most efficient and effective manner possible, always bearing in mind that per our strategic plan: “CHBA exists to serve the interests of our industry and to help our members succeed and prosper as they strive to fulfill the housing aspirations of Canadians”.
Our Location
Located on Laurier Avenue just beside the Lord Elgin Hotel on Elgin Street, CHBA’s new offices are a stone’s throw from Parliament Hill and key government agencies, where CHBA staff have meetings on a regular basis. The newly completed space offers our staff a wonderful work environment, with new office furniture, high-tech boardrooms, a spacious kitchen, casual meeting and group work spaces, a dedicated video room and more. Connected to the Marriott and Metcalfe hotels next door, there is easy access to various amenities, including CHBA discounted rates for membership at the hotels’ fitness centre, pool, sauna and whirlpool facilities (which all CHBA staff make use of). Parking for vehicles and dedicated secure storage for bikes is available, and the location offers easy access to public transit and outdoor activity areas along the canal. Close to many restaurants and stores, the location provides quick access to Sparks Street, Elgin Street, the Rideau Centre and the Byward Market.
Hours of work
The hours of work are from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, though some flexibility is available. There may be a requirement to travel within Canada to attend meetings. The incumbent may be asked to work overtime from time to time.
Please send resume and cover letter to careers@chba.ca. CHBA is looking to fill this position ASAP, and will assess applications as they are received. Accordingly, there is no closing date for this posting. The application process for this posting will close when we have received a sufficient number of qualified applicants.
Accommodations will be provided at all stages of the hiring process. We ask applicants to make their needs known in advance.
We thank all applicants for their interest in this opportunity. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.