Portfolio: Justice
Position title: Chief Administrator
Organization: Courts Administration Service
Headquarters location: Ottawa, Ontario
Workplace location: National Capital Region
Type: Full-time
Salary range: $259,100.00 – $304,800.00/Year
Closing date: May 25, 2026
Opportunity number: J0426-0719
The Government of Canada is seeking applicants for the position of Chief Administrator of the Courts Administration Service. An open, competency-based selection process is used to appoint the position.
The Chief Administrator is responsible for safeguarding and enhancing the judicial independence of the 4 national Courts (Federal Court of Appeal, the Federal Court, the Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada and the Tax Court of Canada) by leading the delivery, independently from the Government of Canada, of administrative services required by the Courts, and by respecting the constitutionally protected scope of the power of chief justices and judges in the management of the Courts.
The Government is seeking highly qualified and motivated individuals with extensive executive senior-level management experience and exceptional leadership skills.
Please note that if you are appointed to the position, you must reside in, or be willing to relocate to the National Capital Region, or to a location within a reasonable daily commuting distance.
Additional information
- The position of Chief Administrator was established in 2003 pursuant to the Courts Administration Service Act. The purpose of this Act was to facilitate the coordination and cooperation among the Federal Court of Appeal, the Federal Court, the Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada and the Tax Court of Canada for the purpose of ensuring the effective and efficient provision of administrative services to those courts.
- CAS provides services to the 4 national Courts. Working with the judiciary, CAS’s services facilitate access to justice by enabling the public to bring disputes and other matters before the Courts, and enables timely decisions in areas critical to the nation’s broader objectives, including national security, immigration, taxation, intellectual property, and Aboriginal law, thereby supporting economic growth and nation-building efforts.
Education and Experience
Please ensure that the information provided in your curriculum vitae and cover letter clearly demonstrates how you meet the following requirements:
- A university degree in a relevant field of study such as public administration, business, law or any other relevant field with experiences in the areas sought or a combination of equivalent education, job-related training and experience;
- A law degree, preferably from a Canadian university would be considered an asset;
- Significant management experience, at the senior executive level, in a public or private sector organization, including the management of operations, and dealing strategically and appropriately with multiple senior executives and stakeholders;
- Demonstrated experience in decision-making at a senior level with respect to sensitive administrative issues and providing strategic advice on complex and sensitive matters;
- Experience in negotiating and achieving consensus on complex issues among a variety of stakeholders with competing objectives;
- Experience in leading an organization whose mandate is service delivery would be considered an asset;
- Experience in leading an organization operating on a national basis would be considered an asset;
- Significant experience in the operations of government and in dealing strategically and appropriately within an arms length relationship with central agencies at the senior level would be considered an asset;
- Experience dealing with members of the judiciary, in court administration or in the litigation field would be considered an asset.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities
The following criteria will be assessed:
- Knowledge of the principles of judicial independence, and the constitutional role of the superior court judiciary and its relationship with Parliament and the government;
- Knowledge of the mandate, role and responsibilities of the Courts Administration Service and of the Chief Administrator, as set out in the Courts Administration Service Act;
- Knowledge of the operations of the federal government and Cabinet processes, including the role of central agencies in relation to arms-length organizations;
- Knowledge of the functions and responsibilities as Deputy Head of a Department for purposes of the Federal Accountability Act, the Public Service Employment Act and related statutes and regulations;
- Knowledge of the role of and the administration and operation of courts;
- Superior communication skills, both written and oral, and the ability to act as spokesperson in dealing with the media;
- Ability to engage and maintain appropriate co-operative relationships with other senior private sector executives or senior judicial managers;
- Ability to make sound decisions and to provide corporate leadership and vision, including building and maintaining a high level of motivation and morale in employees;
- Ability to analyze differing opinions and complex situations and respond strategically and reasonably, with a view to making recommendations that are fair and equitable.
Language Requirements
Proficiency in both official languages is required.
The Government of Canada will consider bilingual proficiency when assessing applicants. Your online profiles must indicate your proficiency in speaking and understanding your second official language. Bilingual proficiency will be assessed and may be validated through formal testing.
Personal Attributes
The following will be verified by references at a later date:
- Tact, diplomacy and discretion
- Integrity and high ethical standards
- Strong visionary leader with sound judgment who can inspire others
- Superior interpersonal skills
- Sensitivity to the legal and constitutional context of the judiciary and the courts
- Service orientation
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
The Government of Canada is committed to providing a healthy and accessible workplace, and to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the population it serves. Appointees will be expected to promote and maintain a healthy, respectful, inclusive and harassment-free work environment.
Candidates who belong to one or more of the designated employment equity groups are encouraged to self-identify when applying. Preference may be given to applicants who are members of one or more of the following groups: Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, and women.
Eligibility Factors and Conditions of Employment
- All appointees must comply with the Ethical and Political Activity Guidelines for Public Office Holders throughout the duration of their appointment.
- All appointees are subject to the Conflict of Interest Act. Public office holders appointed on a full-time basis must also submit to the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, within 60 days of their appointment, a confidential report in which they disclose all of their assets, liabilities and outside activities.
- All appointees are subject to the Terms and conditions applying to Governor in Council appointees. They must uphold the highest standards of probity and are expected to demonstrate behaviours in the workplace that afford respect, equality and dignity to everyone they interact with at work at all times. The Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector outlines the values, principles and expected behaviours for public servants, including valuing diversity and creating workplaces free from harassment and discrimination. Governor in Council appointees are expected to uphold and respect these values and principles throughout their time in public office.
- Appointees must also respect the principles of any code of conduct that applies to the organization to which they are appointed.
- The appointee must reside in or be willing to relocate to the National Capital Region, or to a location within a reasonable commuting distance.
A link to this notice will be placed in the Canada Gazette.
A list of qualified candidates may be established and may be considered for other appointment opportunities.
How to Apply
Candidates must submit their application package, including their curriculum vitae and a cover letter addressed to the Director of Selection Processes, Senior Personnel Secretariat, Privy Council Office, by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 25, 2026, via the Governor in Council Appointments website.
To learn more or if you require support or accommodation to submit your online application, please visit the How to apply page on the website. For alternatives to online applications, please visit the Application Assistance page.