Position Summary
The Data Research Strategic Lead will lead the systems and processes used to manage Canopy's data, research, and technical knowledge.
The role coordinates research across the Impact team, sets standards for data quality and governance, spearheads seminal research projects, and oversees development of tools that support program strategy, partner engagement, and thought leadership. This role translates academic research and modelling into accessible findings for corporate decision-makers, and manages a team plus external researchers and technical specialists.
Key Responsibilities
- Drive Canopy's research and knowledge systems program, reinforcing Canopy as a trusted solutions partner and leader in low-carbon and Next Gen materials
- Develop and maintain a shared architecture connecting Canopy's core datasets, research, technical knowledge, source documentation, and decision tools
- Coordinate research needs across the Impact team, including surveys, audits, market/policy research, and commissioned studies
- Organize information from spreadsheets, PDFs, APIs, public datasets, field research, and expert input into documented, reusable resources
- Establish standards for source tracking, quality assurance, version control, access, confidentiality, and responsible AI use
- Manage a roadmap for dashboards, maps, calculators, and other decision-support tools based on campaign needs and user feedback
- Work with subject-matter experts to capture scientific, technical, and market knowledge and convert it into accessible tools/assets
- Lead the underlying data, analysis, methods, and citations behind public reports and external outputs
- Introduce AI-enabled workflows where they improve research, analysis, or knowledge management, with appropriate human review and safeguards
- Train colleagues on relevant systems and tools; maintain clear documentation
- Manage a team and oversee external researchers, data specialists, and consultants
First-Year Priorities
- Document and organize Canopy's priority datasets, including ownership, sources, and update cycles
- Establish shared standards for data quality, provenance, confidentiality, and AI-supported analysis
- Introduce a coordinated process for commissioning and managing research across the Impact team
- Develop and begin implementing a prioritized roadmap for internal data and decision-support tools
- Improve capture and use of technical knowledge related to Next Generation materials and regional cohort development
- Strengthen data and research workflows supporting Canopy's major reports and external outputs
- Establish a thought leadership content calendar with the Communications Director
- Partner with senior Impact team members on marquee thought leadership and campaign assets, including tools, reports, and op-eds
Qualifications — Essential
- Experience leading complex data, research, or knowledge-management systems across multiple teams
- Experience developing or managing data products, dashboards, research platforms, or decision-support tools
- Strong knowledge of data governance: source tracking, QA, documentation, permissions, version control, confidentiality
- Ability to commission, manage, and synthesize work from external researchers, data specialists, and subject-matter experts
- Working fluency with AI-enabled research/analysis tools, with sound judgment on validation, security, and appropriate use
- Ability to communicate complex data and evidence clearly to non-specialist audiences
- Ability to judge when a new tool improves a decision/workflow versus when a simpler approach suffices
- Experience managing staff, consultants, or technical partners
- A sense of humour
Qualifications — Desirable
- Experience with geospatial data, supply-chain mapping, data visualization, or decision-support tools
- Knowledge of forest, fibre, paper, packaging, textile, or agricultural residue/materials supply chains
- Scientific or technical experience in environmental science, carbon, biodiversity, materials, circular economy, or industrial decarbonization
- Experience supporting public research and major reports
- Familiarity with survey, audit, market-research, life-cycle assessment, or policy-analysis methods
- Experience in a nonprofit, advocacy, or market-transformation organization
This role includes occasional domestic and international travel. Flexibility in working hours is important to support collaboration across time zones with Canopy's global partners.
How to Apply
Submit a CV, cover letter, and a separate response to the prompt below. Applications missing either the cover letter or the prompt response will not be considered.
On AI use: AI tools may be used to brainstorm, edit, or proofread, but not to write the cover letter or prompt response itself — we want your voice and perspective. If AI was used for minor editing, add a short note at the end of your response (e.g., "I used [tool name] to proofread this response").
Cover Letter: A standard cover letter expressing interest in Canopy and this role.
Prompt Response (include as a clearly labelled section in your cover letter document):
Canopy holds a carbon-footprint dataset covering 14 fibre feedstocks across 8 regions, compiled from multiple LCA studies with different system boundaries, reference years, and time horizons (20 and 100 years). A campaign director wants to publish a public-facing comparison chart showing "Next Gen fibres vs virgin wood pulp" within three weeks. In no more than 500 words, address:
- What you would need to verify before this data goes public
- How you would present the comparison credibly given the inconsistencies
- Whether you would recommend a static chart, an interactive tool, or something simpler — and why
Canopy is committed to an inclusive, accessible recruitment process. Let us know if you require accommodations at any stage.
Canopy embraces equity and diversity and is committed to a workplace enriched by the people, needs, and desires of our diverse community. We thank all applicants; only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
