For a description of key terms used on CRA job notices, go to Definitions for job seekers.
About The Job
The CRA is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment with a diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. It starts with the hiring process. To find out more about the CRA's actions in support of Employment Equity (EE), diversity and inclusion (DI), and read testimonials from our employees and executives, please visit the following CRA web sites: Employment equity, diversity and inclusion and Our workforce testimonials - Canada.ca.
We encourage you to complete the EEDI Staffing questionnaire as part of your application if you wish to be considered for appointments using the EE and/or DI staffing requirement in this process. Also, ensure that you have provided consent in the EEDI staffing questionnaire for your EEDI information to be used for screening or selection. If you do not complete the questionnaire, you will not be considered for any appointments using the EE and/or DI staffing requirement in this process. If you decide to modify your response or fill out this questionnaire at a later date, please notify the contact listed at the bottom of this notice of job opportunity.
Have you ever wanted to make a difference to the lives of millions of people and influence how government interacts with Canadians? Are you inspired by the possibility of delivering results in a people-centric environment and in an organization that encourages innovation? Do you want to be part of a team that is engaged, collaborative and respectful?
If you answered yes to the above, THIS is the job for you and CRA is THE organization for you.
At the CRA, we recognize the importance of creating a healthy and respectful workplace, where our employees are empowered to be themselves and realize their full potential. We value integrity, respect, professionalism and collaboration. At the core of our values is our deep commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Through experience we know that diversity and inclusion foster innovation and leads to greater engagement, richer discussions, and better results for the people and communities we serve. Learn more about the CRA from an executive's perspective.
We are looking for dynamic, collaborative and strategic leaders with a proven track record to contribute to the People First vision and take the delivery of services to Canadians to the next level while demonstrating character leadership. The CRA is elevating character leadership alongside competencies, as "leading from who you are" is recognized as an important part of the CRA leadership practice.
Intent of the process
The Intent Of This Staffing Process Is To Create a Pre-Qualified Pool (PQP) Of EX-02 Qualified Individuals With Specialized Expertise To Fill Current And Future Technical Director Positions Within The Following Headquarters Branches:
- Compliance Programs Branch
- Legislative Policy and Regulatory Affairs Branch
- Appeals Branch
Who Can Apply
Persons who occupy a substantive position within the Federal Public Service, including Crown corporations and agencies at the EX-01 (or equivalent) or above (e.g. AU-06). If you are an eligible veteran or a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) member, you may also apply.
Individuals occupying a position in the federal government at the EX-02 substantive group and level and individuals currently in the CRA's EX-02 Pre-qualified pool (PQP) must submit an application if they are interested in being considered.
Essential Requirements
- Have a degree (see note 1) from a recognized post-secondary institution.
- Have recent and significant experience (see note 2) at the EX-01 group and level or equivalent and above (e.g. AU-06) in the following:
EXP1:
Essential experiences
Managing human resources (Please be specific: indicate the number of direct reports and subordinates you directly managed for each position).
AND
EXP2:
Providing strategic advice, recommendations and preparing and delivering briefings to senior officials (see note 3) on complex (see note 4) legislative, tax programs or policy issues of a national scale.
AND
EXP3:
Establishing and maintaining relationships with multiple internal or external stakeholders, which could include other government departments and agencies in order to deliver on government priorities.
AND
EXP4: (choose one of the following)
(4.1) Representing and contributing on behalf of Canada in international forums on tax related matters.
OR
(4.2): Operational management or delivery of a national tax or benefit program administered by the CRA.
OR
(4.3): Interpreting and applying law administered by the CRA.
OR
(4.4): Leading and convening interdepartmental or Federal-Provincial/Territorial committees/working groups or active participation in stakeholder forums on regulatory or tax related matters.
OR
(4.5): Providing strategic leadership and direction in the development and implementation of complex (see note 4) initiatives, program, strategies or operational service delivery.
Notes:
- Degree: A baccalaureate or higher-level degree.
- Recent and significant experience at the executive level is defined as the depth and breadth of the experience normally associated with having performed a broad range of related activities at the EX-01 group and level or equivalent and above (e.g. AU-06), for a period of two (2) consecutive years in the past five (5) years OR at higher level for a period of at least one (1) year within the last three (3) years.
- Senior officials are defined as Director General, Assistant Commissioner (Assistant Deputy Minister) or equivalent and above.
- Complex is defined as multi-dimensional, involving many stakeholders with competing requirements with inherent and emerging risks, sensitivities and impacts requiring a holistic approach to decision-making.
- Some positions require candidates to possess or be eligible for a recognized professional accounting designation (CPA, including CA, CMA or CGA).
- Preference may be given to candidates who self-identify as Indigenous Peoples and/or visible minority.
- Preference may be given to candidates who possess more depth, breadth and relevance of experience.
Assets
The Following Is Considered An Asset:
- A degree in law, economics, tax administration.
- Providing advice and guidance to the Department of Finance on legislative or policy matters.
Conditions of employment
These Conditions Are Required At The Time Of Appointment:
- Secret security clearance level.
- Depending on the position, Top Secret security clearance level.
- Willingness to travel.
- Willingness to relocate to the National Capital Region (NCR). Candidates not currently located in the NCR or within commuting distance must indicate in their application their willingness to relocate. Failure to do so at the time of application may result in being screened out of the staffing process.
- All appointments (except acting appointments) to and within the Executive (EX) Group at the CRA are subject to the Agreement to be laterally moved provision as a mandatory condition of employment. This provision is included in the CRA's Directive on Terms and Conditions of Employment for the EX Group.
Languages Requirements
- Bilingual – CBC levels
- Candidates MUST have valid Second Language Evaluation (SLE) test results* at the CBC level at the time of application to be considered further in the staffing process. If you are not an employee from the CRA, your results must be transferable to the CRA to be considered in this staffing process.
To apply
Please submit your curriculum vitae via the CRA's career portal. Please note that it is your responsibility to attach all required documents to your online application.
A Curriculum Vitae that Includes:
- group and level of your substantive position;
- current security clearance level;
- education;
- for each position occupied/listed:
- position titles with the group and level ;
- name of organization;
- duration (years and months); and
- the number of direct and indirect reports, and the dollar figures of the budgets you directly managed and were accountable for.
In addition, please complete the following questionnaires, which are part of the application process:
- Generic Questionnaire:
- Mobility: You must indicate your willingness to relocate to the National Capital Region (NCR), if you do not reside within commuting distance.
- Substantive group and level: you will be asked to indicate your substantive group and level.
- Second Language Evaluation (SLE): You will be asked to indicate your SLE results with the expiration dates.
- Security clearance: You will be asked to indicate your current security clearance.
- Education: You will be asked to indicate your degree from a recognized post-secondary institution (if applicable).
- Job performance and talent management: You will be asked to indicate your performance rating and talent placement for the last two years.
- Essential Requirements:
- Essential experiences: You will be asked to demonstrate how you meet the four (4) essential experience criteria.
- Asset experiences: You will be asked to demonstrate how you meet each asset experience factor.
- Education: You will be asked to identify if you have a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution.
- References:
You will be required to provide the names and coordinates of six references (two most recent supervisors, two colleagues and two subordinates).
- Employment Equity (EE) staffing questionnaire:
Candidates must complete this questionnaire upon application. The information collected is kept under the confidentiality provisions of the Privacy Act and the Employment Equity Act and its Regulations.
Notes:
- Failure to provide the requested information according to the above-noted instructions will result in your application being screened out of this staffing process.
- It is the candidate's responsibility to attach all the required documents to their online application.
Assessment
If you have a limitation that may impact your performance during an assessment, such as a test or interview, you may require an accommodation, and we encourage you to ask for it. Assessment accommodations are designed to remove the obstacles without altering the criteria being assessed so candidates with limitations can fully demonstrate their abilities. If we invite you to be assessed, we will send you more information on how to request accommodation measures throughout this staffing process.
Each request will be individually reviewed. You will be asked to provide information regarding your limitations to be reviewed by a trained assessment accommodation advisor. If needed, professional documentation may be requested to determine the appropriate accommodation measures. All information will be kept confidential.
For examples of assessment accommodations, please visit: Accommodation during an assessment as a candidate.
Should you have a limitation that may affect your performance during the application phase, please send an email to EXStaffing@cra-arc.gc.ca prior to the closing date and time. Unless otherwise indicated, please note that you will still be required to submit your application before the closing date and time in order to be considered in this staffing process.
This staffing process will be conducted under tight deadlines shortly after the closing date of the job notice. As such, applicants are required to provide requested information promptly and make themselves available for assessment. Failure to respond in a timely manner could lead to your candidacy not being further considered. Rescheduling will be on an exceptional basis only.
Depending on the volume of applicants and on upcoming vacancies to staff from this process, volume management strategies such as top-down approach may be used for the purpose of managing applications and determining who will be retained for the next stage of the staffing process. Note that although you may attain the established pass mark on any of the assessments used in this staffing process, the Staffing Board may determine the need to apply a higher pass mark.
We Plan To Assess Candidates As Follows:
- Screening: Your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet the screening requirements. For all experience factors, essential and asset, you must clearly demonstrate in the experience questionnaire how you meet them. For experience 4, you must select and demonstrate only one (1) of the five (5) options based on your experience. The curriculum vitae will only be used to validate information provided in the experience questionnaire. Candidates are expected to succinctly respond and ensure that instructions under the "To Apply" section are respected. Candidates are also encouraged to review the notes listed under the essential requirements.
- Key Leadership Competencies (KLCs): Candidates may be assessed on the following KLCs: Create Vision and Strategy; Mobilize People; Uphold Integrity and Respect; Collaborate with Partners and Stakeholders; Promote Innovation and Guide Change; and Achieve Results.
- References: References will assess the effective demonstration of the KLCs and readiness to assume a leadership role at the EX-02 group and level. The Staffing Board reserves the right to contact references other than those provided by the applicants, if found necessary, to adequately assess the applicants. The Staffing Board may also consider using reference checks completed from a previous staffing process at the EX level.
- Performance and talent management: Have a record of satisfactory performance and evidence of readiness to assume responsibilities at the sought executive level is a requirement of the positions. You may be asked to submit a copy of your last two performance ratings and evaluation reports, as well as a confirmation of your talent map placements (if applicable).
- Character Leadership (CL) Interview: Candidates who meet the previous assessment phases will be invited to an interview where Character Leadership will be assessed. The CRA is looking to attract candidates who demonstrate strong character leadership. Dimensions of character are courage, drive, accountability, transcendence, humanity, humility, collaboration, temperance, integrity, justice, and judgment.
To help you prepare for this interview, we highly recommend that you review the information on Character Leadership interviews at the Canada Revenue Agency.
Interviews are tentatively scheduled for November 2026.
Notes:
- Additional assessments may be completed throughout the process.
- All communications for this process will be conducted via the email address provided in your candidate profile. Any change to your email address must be updated in your candidate profile.
- The CRA is committed to providing a barrier-free work environment. If you are invited to the assessment stage of this staffing process, we will send you more information on how to request special accommodation measures.
Want to know more?
We encourage you to read Important information on staffing at the CRA to find out more about staffing processes and how to apply.
CRA employees support the economic and social well-being of Canadians, and build public trust. We have high expectations, and our employees are held to the standards of conduct outlined in our Code of integrity and professional conduct and Directive on conflict of interest, gifts and hospitality, and post-employment.
