Executive Assistant - Parental Leave Coverage

Term: Part-Time, Temporary, 0.5 FTE – up to 1 year Parental Leave Coverage

• One-year contract to cover a parental leave, with a planned start of March 16th, 2026
  

Work Schedule

• Part-time (approximately 15–20 hours per week)
• Flexible schedule, to be agreed upon
• Remote 
  

Reports to: Managing Director, CANZA
Salary Range: $35-$40 per hour

Generate Canada is a charitable organization that fosters deep collaboration across sectors, supply-chains, and stakeholder groups to generate innovative and systemic solutions to complex problems at the nexus of the environment, economy and society.

Through our Solution Spaces we drive innovation and progress to eliminate plastic waste, grow Canada’s circular economy, advance climate-smart agriculture, increase investment in nature, and accelerate our energy transition.

Join the Net-Zero Revolution

At the Canadian Alliance for Net-Zero Agrifood (CANZA), a Solution Space of Generate Canada, we are driven by purpose: to create Canada’s first net-zero food system by 2050. As Canada’s leading multi-stakeholder agri-food alliance, we are tackling one of the most critical challenges of our time—decarbonizing the agri-food sector.

Our mission is bold but achievable: reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 150 MtCO₂e and establish a circular, sustainable food system. We bring together farmers, businesses, policymakers, and researchers to create groundbreaking solutions, leveraging innovation and collaboration at every level.

Why Work with CANZA?

• Purpose-Driven Mission: Be part of a high-impact initiative making tangible environmental and social change.
• Collaborative Culture: Work with a team that values innovation, inclusion, and shared success.
• Growth Opportunities: Develop your skills while contributing to meaningful projects that influence the future of the agri-food system.
• Flexible Environment: Enjoy the autonomy of a remote-first workplace built on trust and balance.
• Inclusive Workplace: Thrive in a culture that prioritizes justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

What You'll Do

As the part-time, temporary Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, you will play a critical role in ensuring the Executive Director can effectively lead CANZA in its mission. You’ll provide organizational, administrative, and strategic support to a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Our team works at the intersection of corporate outreach, communications, and relationship management, offering exposure to a wide range of interesting projects and external partners. This role is well suited to a candidate who enjoys anticipating needs, managing details, and supporting senior staff in a collaborative and engaging work environment.

Strategic Partnerships Coordination

• Act as a key liaison between the Executive Director and senior leaders across CANZA’s agri-food, sustainability, and policy sectors.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration with high-level internal and external stakeholders, ensuring the Executive Director is well-prepared for mission-critical engagements.
• Coordinate CANZA’s communications, follow-ups, and stakeholder correspondence to advance strategic priorities.
• Monitor strategic initiatives, track deadlines, and ensure timely follow-through to keep priorities on track.
  
  

Operations & Team Excellence

• Provide high-level administrative and executive support to senior leadership.
• Oversee the Executive Director’s calendar, schedule meetings, and coordinate complex logistics in alignment with CANZA’s priorities.
• Manage travel arrangements, expense reporting, documentation, and shared inboxes to support efficient daily operations.
• Maintain organized digital files, contact lists, records, and tracking systems for deliverables and deadlines. 
• Support team coordination and contribute to a positive, purpose-driven culture through virtual and in-person engagement activities.
  
  

Events & Engagement Support

• Coordinate high-priority meetings, events, workshops, and stakeholder engagements aligned with CANZA’s strategic objectives.
• Prepare, draft, format, and proofread presentations, reports, correspondence, and briefing materials.
• Represent the Executive Director’s office with professionalism, discretion, and diplomacy in all interactions.
  
  

Problem-Solving & Initiative

• Proactively identify opportunities to enhance operational efficiency and improve workflows. 
• Take initiative to solve complex challenges and adapt to evolving priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Provide critical support on high-stakes and ad hoc projects, ensuring high-quality outcomes aligned with the CANZA’s mission.
  
  

Who You Are

You’re a purpose-driven professional with exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills, ready to take on challenges in a dynamic, collaborative, and fast-paced environment. 

• Relationship Builder: Skilled at cultivating strong relationships with colleagues, senior leaders, and external stakeholders.
• Problem-Solver: Resourceful and proactive, able to anticipate needs and resolve challenges effectively.
• Organized Multitasker: Naturally efficient and detail-oriented, excelling at managing competing priorities in fast-paced environments.
• Exceptional Communicator: Clearly conveys information and ideas, with a talent for preparing compelling presentations and correspondence.
• Adaptable and Independent: Thrives in ambiguity, self-motivated, and successful in fully remote roles.
  
  

Qualifications

• Experience: 7-10 years in an Executive Assistant, Senior Administrative Professional, or similar role, preferably in nonprofit or mission-driven organizations.
• Technical Skills: Proficient with Zoom, Miro, Monday.com, and Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Gmail) or other common productivity software.
• Organizational Expertise: Demonstrated ability to manage complex schedules and high-pressure deadlines with precision.
• Remote Work Competence: Proven track record of productivity and engagement in fully remote work environments.
• Communications: Strong written and verbal skills.
• Extensive experience applying independent judgment and maintaining discretion with sensitive and confidential information.
• Confidential Information: extensive experience exercising independent judgment and discretion in managing sensitive information.
  
  

To Apply

Applicants must be authorized to work in Canada and currently reside in Canada. This role does not offer visa sponsorship. 

Please submit your resume and cover letter outlining your relevant experience (details not found in resume) to be considered for this opportunity.

Please Note: We would rather receive a short cover letter from YOU than a formal letter from ChatGPT.

What To Expect From The Hiring Process

We respect your time and value transparency. Here’s what to expect:

• Introductory call with HR (10 minutes)
• Request for work samples
• Interview with Hiring Manager (30-60 minutes)
• Candidate Exercise/ Assessment Task
• Interview with the Senior Management (45-60 minutes)
• Offer & Onboarding
  
  

Please Note: this is subject to change at any point in the recruitment process based on the needs of the business. All interviewed applicants will be notified of the outcome within 45 days of their final interview.

The job posting will remain open on Generate Canada's career site: https://generatecanada.ca/join-us/join-our-team/ until the position is filled.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Generate Canada values equitable opportunities, sustainable solutions, and collaborative and inclusive processes. Generate Canada recognizes and accepts differences in cultural, religious, and political processes and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.

At Generate Canada we’re committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and will do our best to support you. If you require any adjustments or accommodations during the interview process, please let us know when we reach out to schedule your interview.

AI Disclosure Statement

At Generate Canada, we are committed to a transparent and human-centered recruitment process. We want to assure all candidates that we do not utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools for candidate screening or selection, at this time. All applications are reviewed and assessed by a human.