Join Our Team

Are you interested in furthering your career, building your network of professionals, strengthening your leadership skills, and implementing new ideas within the defence and security industries?

We are now accepting volunteer applications to join our Executive Team.
The Executive Team comprises leaders at all stages of their careers from across defence and security who volunteer their time to drive opportunities for our members to meet, learn, and grow. Their collective contributions aim to meet WiDS’s three strategic pillars: Creating Connections, Recognizing Excellence, and Developing Talent.

These positions are held for three-year terms and are open to anyone – men and women – across Canada working within the defence and security industries at all career stages.

Interested? Simply send an email to president@wids.ca with a few paragraphs answering the following questions. We kindly ask that no attachments are included in the emails.

What professional experience and personal attributes make you well suited for this role?
What are you looking to gain from this opportunity?
Do you have previous experience attending our events or volunteering with WiDS? Tell us about it.

We can't wait to hear from you!

Vice President, Sponsorship and Affiliations

The VP, Sponsorship and Affiliations manages the WiDS corporate sponsorship program. The incumbent will be well connected in the defence and/or security sector and have demonstrated skill in relationship building.

As the Vice President, Sponsorship, your duties/responsibilities include:

Create an annual sponsorship plan, in collaboration with the WiDS Executive and Executive Champions Network
Craft the annual sponsorship prospectus for all programming, ensuring the maximum value for our sponsors and partners
Develop and maintain relationships with previous, existing, and potential sponsors
Develop and maintain a sponsorship list and ensure all contracts are executed to a high standard (together with Events Planner)
Create opportunities for our affiliations to partner with us, offering in-kind contributions
Attend and participate in all WiDS Executive meetings via virtual or in-person meetings

To be selected, we ask that you demonstrate:

Exceptional contacts within the defence and security industries, public and/or private sector
Familiarity with basic fundraising and sponsorship strategies and tactics
Organizational and interpersonal skills; along with a willingness to learn
Outreach and business development skills
Prior engagement with WiDS will be considered an asset

Vice President, Events

The Vice President, Events leads the strategy and programming for all WiDS Creating Connections events and the Annual Scholarship Breakfast. This role collaborates closely with our on-staff Event Planner.

As the Vice President, Events, your duties/responsibilities include:

In collaboration with the WiDS Executive Committee and WiDS Event Planner, leads the strategy for, and development of, the annual calendar of events
Lead the WiDS Annual Awards Breakfast subcommittee through the project plan, including hosting regular meetings, providing guidance, and issuing regular updates throughout the planning and execution phases
Create an overall project plan for our Creating Connections quarterly events and our annual Developing Talent workshop
Works with all event stakeholders to ensure seamless delivery of high quality, high impact events, including sponsors and speakers
Hosts dry runs with key participants, ensuring all speakers have the right information at the right time
Attend and participate in all WiDS Executive meetings via virtual or in-person meetings

To be selected, we ask that you demonstrate:

Familiarity with the WiDS events
Event management knowledge and experience
Excellent time management skills
Ability to host and manage events in a “live” environment (both virtual and in-person events)
Organizational and interpersonal skills; along with a willingness to learn
Prior engagement with WiDS will be considered an asset

Co-Vice President, Government Relations

The Co-Vice President, Government Relations promotes effective two-way engagement between WiDS and relevant government departments (including those in cyber, security, and first responders) and maintains the WiDS Executive Champions Network.

As the Co-VP, Government Relations, your duties/responsibilities include:

Promote Government of Canada attendance at all WiDS events
Nuture WiDS’s relationship with current members of the Executive Champions Network
Identify and onboard new Executive Champions (in consultation with WiDS Executive)
Identify colleagues within relevant departments/organizations to function as Liaison Officers and ensure they have the necessary tools and information to spread awareness of, participate in, and/or sponsor WiDS events
Provides timely communications on a quarterly basis to the netwtork
Attend and participate in all WiDS Executive meetings via virtual or in-person meetings

To be selected, we ask that you demonstrate:

Knowledge of key players within the relevant government organizations
Outreach and business development skills
Prior engagement with WiDS will be considered an asset

Vice President, Strategy

*A preferred candidate is identified for this role
Are you confident in articulating the big picture? Do you crave innovation and want to be part of the solution for change in defence and security? We’re looking for a Vice President, Strategy, who can think strategically and act tactically.

As the Vice President, Strategy, your duties/responsibilities include:

Assist the President in developing, maintaining, and bringing to life the strategic 3-year plan along with developing key metrics to measure success
Seek opportunities to provide cross-functional strategic advice to the WiDS executive committee in support of all events
Lead a team to develop and maintain operating models and governance structures
Source and co-chair special projects as we surge up to support key events
Liaise monthly with the President of WiDS to leverage the strategic 3-year plan to develop tactical short- and long-term goals to support them
Attend and participate in all WiDS Executive meetings via virtual or in-person meetings

To be selected, we ask that you demonstrate:

Knowledge of the key players in the defence and security industries
Prior engagement with WiDS will be considered an asset

Vice President, Administration

*A preferred candidate is identified for this role

The VP, Administration coordinates and administers activities related to WiDS and works closely with its associated committees to achieve organizational goals.

As the VP, Administration, your duties/responsibilities include:

Lead the planning and organization of WiDS Executive Committee Meetings including preparation of meeting minutes and recording of action items
Create, update, distribute and file Committee communications and documentation, including all information related to Committee administration and governance
Provide excellent customer service, both internally and externally, and assist with outreach activities and events
Support our members with timely inbound and outbound communications
Assist with special projects throughout the year
Attend and participate in all WiDS Executive meetings via virtual or in-person meetings

To be selected, we ask that you demonstrate:

Excellent customer service, organization and communication skills
Self-motivated with proven ability to proactively organize and prioritize work and meet deadlines
Positive attitude, enthusiasm and commitment to WiDS values
Prior engagement with WiDS will be considered an asset