Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer, techNL 
St. John’s, NL 

Lead at the intersection of innovation and opportunity where Newfoundland and Labrador’s burgeoning tech landscape thrives.  

The Organization 

With a vision to become the most sought-after tech ecosystem in Canada, techNL is globally recognized for fostering a diverse, collaborative community on behalf of its members and partners. Newfoundland and Labrador’s tech sector already contributes more than $1.8 billion annually to the provincial economy and has grown by 24% between 2016 and 2023. We are home to the first AI unicorn in Canada and one of the largest acquisitions of a tech company in Canadian history: Verafin was acquired by NASDAQ for $3.6 billion in 2020. Globally competitive businesses are built here, including Kraken Robotics (public and valued at $1.4 billion). In 2025, nearly 80% of all equity funding raised in Atlantic Canada was secured by Newfoundland and Labrador-based companies, totaling $295.5 million. techNL accelerates the growth of the tech sector in Newfoundland and Labrador through business growth services, a collective voice, and an active network of tech and tech-enabled companies.  techNL's programs support talent development including upskilling, employment services, digital transformation, and overall ecosystem development. In collaboration with its partners, techNL is developing the technology sector as a leading contributor to the Newfoundland and Labrador economy, positioned to generate $2.5 billion of economic value annually by 2030. 

The Role 

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the driving force behind techNL’s vision, strategy, and impact. This is a rare opportunity to lead a dynamic, member‑driven organization at the heart of one of Canada’s leading technology ecosystems. With emerging priorities in artificial intelligence, cyber, and defence, techNL is seeking a collaborative leader to build trusted relationships with members, industry partners, government, post-secondary and other stakeholders to advance a thriving economy. Supported by a talented senior management team, the CEO will champion the interests of membership, strengthen advocacy efforts, and build on the success of techNL’s programs and services. With a focus on long‑term sustainability, the CEO keeps their thumb on the pulse of the technology ecosystem, ensuring techNL remains strategically relevant, and positioned for continued impact. 

Key Areas of Leadership and Oversight: 

• A strong systems leader, the CEO develops and advances a clear vision to guide the organization’s long‑term direction and promotes the success of member companies. 
• Builds trust and credibility while actively advocating for techNL with members, partners, and the broader technology ecosystem. 
• Serve as a spokesperson for the organization and ambassador for the sector, championing initiatives that enhance Newfoundland and Labrador’s competitiveness in national and global markets. 
• Implements data-driven performance metrics to measure growth, program effectiveness, and overall sector impact.  
• Adapts techNL’s model to meet the evolving needs of early-stage, scaling, and established companies through differentiated services and measurable member value.  
• Oversees human resource management, including policies, and organizational structure, fostering a culture of open communication, engagement, and high performance. 
• Embeds the principles of EDIA-AR and reconciliation in their work to reflect techNL’s commitment to inclusive sector growth and Indigenous engagement. 

The Ideal Candidate 

The ideal candidate brings demonstrated senior leadership experience underlined by a passion and vision for Newfoundland and Labrador’s technology sector. This vision is underpinned by the provincial scope of techNL, recognizing the need to enable the participation of entrepreneurs from rural and remote regions. You anticipate relevant emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities, and translate that insight into action. With an ability to inspire, this leader excels at building strong, trusted relationships across diverse stakeholder groups. Their advanced stakeholder engagement and advocacy skills will be instrumental in advancing techNL’s vision, strategy, and organizational objectives. Growth‑minded and strategic, the ideal candidate has experience working closely with Boards of Directors and demonstrates strong organizational governance knowledge and application. They are adept at managing multiple complex initiatives simultaneously and communicating expertly. The successful candidate presents with confidence and credibility in public and professional settings and is comfortable representing the organization with media outlets and partners. 

Qualifications and Experience: 

While the Search Committee recognizes that no one candidate is likely to meet all qualifications in equal measure, those listed below are desirable and will be used to compare candidates. 

• 5-7 years of senior leadership experience guiding strategy, growth, and organizational sustainability. 
• Strong knowledge of the technology sector and its role in economic development. 
• Experience working within innovation ecosystems alongside industry, government, post-secondary institutions, and investors. 
• Proven ability to build partnerships, influence stakeholders, and secure complex funding or strategic collaborations. 
• Experience supporting or working with technology companies and founders. 
• Strong organizational leadership, financial oversight, and governance experience. 
• Ability to anticipate emerging trends and position organizations for success in national and global technology markets. 

Skills and Attributes: 

• Visionary and Strategic
• Thinker High-Impact
• Relationship Builder  
• Strong Financial and Governance Acumen  
• Inspirational People Leader 

To Apply 

If you are interested in this opportunity, submit your full application package by clicking apply now.

techNL is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences. We will provide support and accommodations to applicants with disabilities, upon request. If you need accommodation in order to participate as a candidate in the recruitment process, please contact accommodate@kbrs.ca or communicate your needs to the recruitment professional named in the job description.