Organization: Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI)
JobTitle: Director of Marketing
Reportsto: Vice President Business Development
Status: Full Time
Applyat: applications@defenceandsecurity.ca
Deadline: October 2 2026, Before midnight EST
YOUR MISSION
The Director of Marketing will lead CADSI's marketing strategy and execution across the organization's events, membership, programs, international activities, and commercial portfolio.
Reporting to the Vice President, Business Development, the Director is both a strategic leader and working marketing lead, with direct responsibility for CANSEC and CADSI's corporate and membership marketing, while providing strategic oversight, coaching, and support across other marketing portfolios, including CAF Outlooks, Cyber & Digital Outlooks, WiDS and CADSI's International Program.
The Director will lead CADSI's marketing and creative team, including the sponsorship function, and work closely with business development, revenue operations, membership care, and event operations to drive audience growth, member engagement, commercial performance, and successful program delivery. The Director will also work closely with the Director of Communications to ensure marketing initiatives align with CADSI's broader communications priorities, corporate messaging, and brand standards.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop and execute CADSI's overall marketing strategy and integrated annual marketing plan.
- Translate organizational, commercial, membership, and event priorities into effective marketing strategies and campaigns.
- Lead, coach, and develop CADSI's Marketing and Creative team and effectively allocate resources across the portfolio.
- Build capability, accountability, and decision-making within individual marketing portfolios through coaching, mentorship, and appropriate delegation.
- Lead annual marketing planning across CADSI's portfolio, working with team members to establish portfolio-level strategies, objectives, budgets, and performance measures.
- Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leadership on marketing trends, audience insights, brand performance, and growth opportunities.
Programs & Membership
- Lead the marketing strategy and execution for CANSEC and CADSI's corporate and membership activities.
- Provide marketing leadership for CAF Outlooks and oversight of Cyber & Digital Outlooks, WiDS and the International Program.
- Develop audience strategies and campaigns that drive participation, engagement, and growth.
- Work closely with Membership Care to strengthen CADSI's membership value proposition and support member acquisition, engagement, and retention.
Sponsorship & Commercial Marketing
- Provide leadership and oversight to CADSI’s sponsorship function through the Manager, Sponsorship, ensuring alignment between sponsorship strategy, commercial objectives, marketing, and program delivery.
- Ensure sponsorship opportunities are effectively developed, packaged, activated, and fulfilled in a manner that delivers value to sponsors and supports CADSI’s commercial objectives.
- Work closely with Business Development to develop compelling sponsorship, advertising, and other commercial products and sales materials.
- Develop marketing campaigns that support commercial revenue objectives, generate qualified leads, and strengthen demand for CADSI’s commercial offerings.
- Ensure sold sponsorship and advertising commitments are effectively transitioned from the commercial sales process into activation and delivery.
Brand, Creative & Digital
- Steward CADSI’s brand from a marketing perspective, working collaboratively with Communications to ensure consistent positioning, application, and expression across the organization and its programs.
- Provide leadership to CADSI's creative team and ensure high-quality, timely marketing and design support.
- Strengthen CADSI's digital marketing, audience segmentation, and campaign capabilities.
- Ensure marketing campaigns and creative assets align with approved organizational messaging, strategic priorities, and brand standards.
- Establish performance measures and use data and audience insights to continuously improve marketing effectiveness.
Other Duties
- Support the marketing and commercialization of new CADSI initiatives and programs as they are developed.
- Undertake other duties and responsibilities as required to support CADSI's strategic priorities and organizational objectives.
QUALIFICATIONS
- University degree or college diploma in marketing, communications, business, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum 8 years of progressive marketing experience, including experience leading marketing teams.
- Demonstrated experience developing and executing integrated marketing strategies and campaigns.
- Strong experience in event, conference, exhibition, association, or B2B marketing.
- Experience with sponsorship development, activation, and fulfillment.
- Strong understanding of digital marketing, audience development, brand management, and creative production.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple programs, priorities, and deadlines within a complex environment.
- Strong leadership, project management, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Knowledge of Canada's defence and security sector and bilingualism in English and French are considered assets.
KEY COMPETENCIES
Strategic Marketing: Develops integrated marketing strategies aligned with organizational objectives.
Marketing Leadership: Balances strategic direction with hands-on execution and effectively leads a multidisciplinary team.
Audience Development: Understands audiences and develops targeted campaigns that drive participation and engagement.
Commercial Awareness: Understands how marketing, sponsorship, and demand generation contribute to organizational revenue.
Brand & Creative Leadership: Maintains strong brands and ensures high-quality, consistent creative execution.
Collaboration: Workseffectively across Business Development, Membership Care, Revenue Operations, Event Operations, Communications, and other CADSI teams.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
This is a full-time, permanent position with a competitive compensation package that includes:
- Annual salary of $90,000–$125,000, commensurate with experience
- 9%–12% discretionary annual performance bonus
- Comprehensive health and dental benefits
- Health and wellness credit
- RRSP matching program
- Competitive vacation and paid time off
- Professional development opportunities
- Flexible hybrid work environment
- Seasonal remote-work opportunities
Additional details regarding CADSI's compensation and benefits program will be discussed during the interview process.
YOUR WORKING ENVIRONMENT
CADSI offers a flexible, collaborative working environment that combines in-office and remote work. Employees are provided with ergonomic workstations and the tools required to succeed in their roles.
Our culture values collaboration, accountability, professional growth, and the opportunity for employees to make a meaningful contribution to an organization experiencing significant growth and transformation.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
CADSI is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and accessible workplace. We welcome applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds and encourage applications from women, Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and others who contribute to the diversity of our organization.
CADSI is committed to providing an accessible recruitment process. Accommodation is available upon request for candidates participating in all stages of the selection process.
HOW TO APPLY
To be considered for this position, please submit your resume and a cover letter of no more than two pages addressing the following:
- Why you are interested in joining CADSI.
- How your experience, skills, and background prepare you to succeed in this position.
- Examples that demonstrate your results-oriented approach and ability to deliver meaningful outcomes.
- Your compensation expectations.
Applications should be submitted by email to applications@defenceandsecurity.ca no later than October 2, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
We thank all applicants for their interest. Only candidates selected to participate in the interview process will be contacted.
ABOUT CADSI
The Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) is the national voice of Canada's defence and security industries, representing more than 1,700 companies across Canada.
Canada’s defence and security industries employ more than 81,000 Canadians and generate approximately $17.3billion in annual revenues, with approximately half derived from exports.
Learn more at defenceandsecurity.ca or follow CADSI on LinkedIn.
USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCEIN RECRUITMENT
CADSI does not typically use artificial intelligence (AI) aspart of its recruitment process. In limited circumstances, AI-assisted toolsmay be used to support elements of the screening, assessment or selectionprocess.
