Senior Advisor, Defence Trade Promotion

Status: Permanent, Full-Time (new position)

Apply at: applications@defenceandsecurity.ca

Deadline: Before midnight EST on Sunday, September 13th, 2026

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Your Mission

The Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) is seeking an experienced, motivated and energetic program manager to join a dynamic team within CADSI at a time of increased global demand for Canadian defence and security capabilities. This is an exciting opportunity to build on your 10 or more years’ experience working for a trade association, the private sector, or government.

The role exists to (1) develop and manage inbound defence trade promotion program in cooperation with the Government of Canada; (2) lead the inbound foreign delegations at CANSEC in coordination with relevant Canadian government departments and agencies and CADSI suppliers; and (3) collaborate with CADSI colleagues on outbound activities.

The successful candidate will serve as CADSI’s primary interface with foreign embassies and defence attachés, work closely with the Government of Canada to promote market access and industrial collaboration opportunities, and ensure that CANSEC delivers measurable value to international partners and Canadian industry alike.

The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented relationship builder with strong diplomatic instincts, organizational acumen, project management, and experience working within complex, multi-stakeholder environments. You will work closely with other cross-functional CADSI teams to ensure consistent, professional member value delivery. This will reflect your desire to continually improve and build a better team, association and industry. You will need to be able to engage with Public Offices Holders pursuant to the Lobbying Act.

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Core Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the position are to:

Trade Promotion Leadership

• Serve as CADSI’s primary contact for foreign embassies, defenceattachés, and international officials seekingto engage with Canada’s defenceand security industryand understand Canada’procurement environment and defence industrial ecosystem.
• Design and manage CADSI’s defencetrade promotion strategy,including tracking and responding to inbound requests.
• Lead on informing, facilitating and assisting the Canadiangovernment in creating industrial collaboration frameworks that increaseCanadian industrial participation (e.g. Canada-U.S., NATO,EU).
• Develop and maintaina centralized databaseof international contactsand delegations to supportrelationship management and strategic outreach.
• Collaborate with CADSI’sMarketing and Communications team to promoteinternational programopportunities to members and the broader defence and security community.

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CANSEC Delegation Management

Working closely with the Government of Canada (e.g. DND, GAC, CCC, and others), lead CADSI’s International Delegation Program to deliver a professional experience for visiting delegations and VIPs.

Oversee coordination of:

• Delegate vetting and logistical arrangements
• International Lounge operations, B2B meeting support, and special event access
• Delegation and VVIP arrivals, registration, check-in, and security coordination
•  Maintain international participation compliance with GAC’s sanctions and export controls.
• Collaborate with CADSI’s operations and events teams to ensure the highest level of hospitality, efficiency, and cultural awareness.
• Support post-event debriefs, feedback collection, and reporting to improve program delivery.

- Maintain international participation compliance with GAC’s sanctions and export controls.

- Collaborate with CADSI’soperations and eventsteams to ensurethe highest levelof hospitality, efficiency, andcultural awareness.

- Support post-event debriefs, feedbackcollection, and reportingto improve programdelivery.
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For your work, you will:

• Develop and manage the program’s budget and provide monthly progress reports to management.
• Prepare and maintain standard operating procedures (e.g. for managing delegations at CADSI events).
• Prepare briefing materials, meeting notes, and official correspondence for use by CADSI leadership.

Other duties as assigned, including foreign travel.

Above all, CADSI values a willingness to learn and adapt. You will have ample opportunity to drive your professional development by exploring new tools, learning marketing strategies, and working alongside a collaborative team committed to continuous growth.

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Qualifications and Experience

CADSI is looking for a motivated, flexible, self-starter who has:

• 10 or more years’ experience working in a trade association, the private sector, a consultancy, or government, in a role that required interaction with government and companies.
• Strong project planning and implementing, including budgeting and forecasting.
• Managed high-level relationships with tact, professionalism, and cultural sensitivity.
• Excellent communication, writing, and organizational skills.
• A post-secondary degree in a related discipline (e.g. public administration/policy, political science, economics, business administration). A graduate degree in a similar field would be an asset.
• Worked independently and in cross functional teams with effective internal communications.
• Effectively advocated or advanced policy positions with or within government.
• Ability to work under pressure managing multiple projects.
• Led or supported engagement/consultation processes that developed consensus on complex issues.

You can set yourself apart from other candidates if you have:

• Knowledge of the Canadian defence or security industries.
• Knowledge of federal export or domestic procurement policies, legislation and regulations.
• Experience coordinating with federal departments, embassies, or international organizations.
• An ability to communicate in both official languages and additional foreign languages.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and CRM tools for stakeholder tracking.

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Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time, permanent position with a competitive compensation package – including a competitive salary ($90,000 - $110,000), vacation, health and wellness benefits and credits, an RRSP matching program, and professional development opportunities – which will be discussed during the initial interview. CADSI offers a flexible, hybrid working arrangement with a mix of in-office and remote work, ergonomic workstations, and a supportive team culture that values teamwork and professional growth.

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Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

CADSI is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and accessible workplace. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including women, Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

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How to Apply

To be considered for this position, please submit one writing sample (e.g. research report, article, newsletters), along with your resume and a cover letter of no more than two pages that addresses the following points:

1. Why you want to work for CADSI.

2. How your background and skills ideally suit you to fulfil this position.

3. Ways in which your work experience demonstrate your results-oriented professional approach.

4. Compensation expectations.

Submissions should be sent by email to applications@defenceandsecurity.ca by no later than midnight EST on Sunday, September 13th, 2026. Only applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted.

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About CADSI

CADSI is the voice of Canada’s defence and security industries, representing more than 1,000 companies nationwide. These industries employ over 81,000 Canadians and generate $14.3 billion in annual revenues, with half coming from exports. Learn more at www.defenceandsecurity.ca or follow us on LinkedIn.

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