​The Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) is looking for a highly organized and motivated Senior Advisor, Defence Trade Promotion to join our dynamic team in downtown Ottawa.​

Status: Permanent, Full-Time

Salary: $90,000 - $110,000 annually

Application Deadline – ​Before midnight EST on Thursday February 12th, 2026

Your Mission

The Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) is seeking an experienced, motivated and energetic public policy professional 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 a defence trade promotion program in cooperation with the Government of Canada, (2) work to resolve industry-wide trade policy and export compliance challenges, and (3) managing the inbound foreign delegations, including at CANSEC in coordination with relevant Canadian government departments and agencies.

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. The role will require engagement and consensus building among the association’s membership to develop and ultimately advance policy positions with Government of Canada officials at various levels.

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.

Core Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the position are to:

Trade Promotion Leadership

• Serve as CADSI’s primary contact for foreign embassies, defence attachés, and international officials seeking to engage with Canada’s defence and security industry and understand Canada’ procurement environment and defence industrial ecosystem.
• Design and manage CADSI’s defence trade promotion strategy, including tracking inbound requests.
• Lead on informing, facilitating and assisting the Canadian government in creating industrial collaboration frameworks that increase Canadian industrial participation (e.g. Canada-U.S., NATO, EU).
• Develop and maintain a centralized database of international contacts and delegations to support relationship management and strategic outreach.

Trade Policy Leadership

• Lead on addressing industry-wide international trade compliance policy issues (e.g. export control permits, U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations and Bureau of Industry and Security).
• Lead on informing or improving Canadian government policies and programs that support defence trade and exports (e.g. CANExport, EDC financing of the sector).
• These issues will be identified and prioritized by a member engagement process.

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.

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.

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.
• Managed high-level relationships with tact, professionalism, and cultural sensitivity.
• Strong project planning and implementing working in cross functional team with effective internal communications, including the ability to work under pressure managing multiple projects.
• 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 a small team environment.
• Effectively advocated or advanced policy positions with or within government.
• 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.

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.

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.

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 [email protected] by no later than midnight EST on Thursday February 12^th, 2026. Only applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted.

About CADSI

Advancing Canada’s Defence and Security future, CADSI represents over 1000 businesses and innovators who build Canada’s defence and security strength. From small manufacturers to global primes, from emerging tech firms to trusted partners in government, our community works toward one shared goal: protecting Canada’s sovereignty and advancing our national interests at home and abroad.

Learn more at www.defenceandsecurity.ca or follow us on LinkedIn.