Principal Clerk (Anticipatory)
Top Benefits
About the role
HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTORATE
DIRECTION DES RESSOURCES HUMAINES
Principal Clerk (Anticipatory)
Directorate: Legislative Services
Classification: SEG 1: $137,524 - $161,773 (eligible for performance bonus)
Job Type: Anticipatory
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Closing Date: Monday, September 1, 2025
About the Senate
The Senate plays a unique role in shaping our country’s democracy. As members of the upper house of Parliament, senators examine legislation, study public policy, champion causes and conduct interparliamentary diplomacy.
As a workplace, the Senate is composed of dynamic people representing our nation’s diverse talents, backgrounds and perspectives. We are committed to building and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is provided full and equal opportunity and access to employment, development and advancement. Build and advance your career by joining a team of dedicated professionals who are committed to excellence in support of senators and the institution.
How will you contribute?
Are you an experienced leader with a passion for parliamentary procedure and public service? The Senate of Canada is looking for a Principal Clerk, a senior management position within the Senate Administration. This role plays a key part in supporting senators and ensuring the Senate functions effectively, particularly when it comes to legislative processes and parliamentary diplomacy.
Over the course of your career, you’ll have the opportunity to rotate through different services within the Procedural Sector, gaining broad expertise and helping shape the strategic direction of Senate operations.
As a Principal Clerk, you will:
- Lead and manage teams within one or more key directorates: Chamber Operations and Procedure, Committees, or International and Interparliamentary Affairs;
- Provide trusted, non-partisan advice on Senate rules, parliamentary procedure, privilege, and diplomacy to senior leaders—including the Speaker, senators, other parliamentarians, and executives;
- Support and guide colleagues and contribute to cross-functional projects that strengthen Senate operations;
- Advise on policies and processes, helping team members navigate various administrative and procedural situations;
- Mentor and support staff, ensuring high-quality service and fostering professional growth;
- Oversee major initiatives and events, offering procedural expertise and ensuring their smooth planning and execution;
- Lead procedural research projects, including the development and maintenance of key reference materials;
- Act as a Table Officer, providing procedural guidance during Senate sittings and ensuring the orderly conduct of parliamentary business;
- Coordinate business and logistics for Senate sittings, committee meetings, and diplomatic or interparliamentary events;
- Review and approve official documents, ensuring accuracy and transparency, including content shared on the Senate website;
- Manage resources—including people, budgets, and materials—effectively and responsibly;
- Represent the Senate at public events, presentations, and conferences, helping to build understanding of Canada’s parliamentary system.
This is a unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the work of Canada’s upper chamber and support the democratic process at the highest level.
Open to
Open to the general public to establish a list of qualified candidates to fill future determinate or indeterminate positions at the same level with similar requirements.
This selection process may be used to staff determinate or indeterminate positions at the same level with similar requirements
The Senate of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve, starting with an inclusive and barrier-free hiring process. You are entitled to apply in the official language of your choice (English or French) and you can request to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.
Prerequisites
The specialized role of Principal Clerk is unique to Parliament and successful candidates come from a range of backgrounds.
Please use your cover letter (maximum three pages) to share how your experience and background meet the following prerequisites and demonstrate how they would contribute to making you a successful Principal Clerk:
- Successful completion of a university degree;
- Significant experience, usually developed over a period of several years, providing expert non partisan advice on the legislative process, chamber proceedings and committee business to senior stakeholders in a political context;
- Experience in research and analysis of complex issues;
- Demonstrated leadership skills with significant experience managing, developing and motivating a diverse group of employees;
- Experience with applying and ensuring respect of administrative policies and processes;
- Experience in financial management including the management of a budget;
- Knowledge of the Senate and its constitutional role, of the Acts and Regulations under which it operates, its internal policies, and its practices and procedures, including the Rules of the Senate and parliamentary authorities;
- Capacity to oversee and direct complex operations and initiatives to support high-profile and politically sensitive international/interparliamentary activities and events;
- Proven ability to deliver on commitments and prioritize the highest standards of client service;
- Superior communication and writing skills are essential, as well as the capacity to present complex ideas and issues in a succinct and effective manner.
Linguistic Requirements
English Reading Comprehension: C
English Written Expression: C
English Oral Interaction: C
French Reading Comprehension: C
French Written Expression: C
French Oral Interaction: C
Competencies
Integrity
Respect
Service
Ethical Leader
Strategic Thinker
Engaging Team Builder
Effective Communicator
Sound Decision Maker
People Management
Financial Management
Action Management
Organizational Needs
The Senate of Canada is committed to building and maintaining an inclusive workplace where all employees are provided full and equal access to employment, development and advancement opportunities.
Conditions of Employment
This is a high-profile job which involves participating in proceeding that may be broadcast to the public. You will need to consent to appearing in live and on-demand streams of proceedings of the Senate.
Candidates must consent to supply personal information and obtain a security accreditation to be eligible for appointment.
The successful candidate will be required to work irregular and/or extended hours.
Applicants must be legally eligible to work in Canada.
Please save a copy of the job poster as once the application deadline closes, the poster will no longer be available for reference.
About Senate of Canada
The Senate is the Upper House in Canada’s bicameral parliamentary democracy. It unites a diverse group of accomplished Canadians in service of their country. Parliament’s 105 senators shape Canada’s future. Senators scrutinize legislation, suggest improvements and fix mistakes. When the Senate speaks, the House of Commons listens — a bill must pass the Senate before it can become law. Senators also propose their own bills and generate debate about issues of national importance in the collegial environment of the Senate Chamber, where ideas are debated on their merit.
Principal Clerk (Anticipatory)
Top Benefits
About the role
HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTORATE
DIRECTION DES RESSOURCES HUMAINES
Principal Clerk (Anticipatory)
Directorate: Legislative Services
Classification: SEG 1: $137,524 - $161,773 (eligible for performance bonus)
Job Type: Anticipatory
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Closing Date: Monday, September 1, 2025
About the Senate
The Senate plays a unique role in shaping our country’s democracy. As members of the upper house of Parliament, senators examine legislation, study public policy, champion causes and conduct interparliamentary diplomacy.
As a workplace, the Senate is composed of dynamic people representing our nation’s diverse talents, backgrounds and perspectives. We are committed to building and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is provided full and equal opportunity and access to employment, development and advancement. Build and advance your career by joining a team of dedicated professionals who are committed to excellence in support of senators and the institution.
How will you contribute?
Are you an experienced leader with a passion for parliamentary procedure and public service? The Senate of Canada is looking for a Principal Clerk, a senior management position within the Senate Administration. This role plays a key part in supporting senators and ensuring the Senate functions effectively, particularly when it comes to legislative processes and parliamentary diplomacy.
Over the course of your career, you’ll have the opportunity to rotate through different services within the Procedural Sector, gaining broad expertise and helping shape the strategic direction of Senate operations.
As a Principal Clerk, you will:
- Lead and manage teams within one or more key directorates: Chamber Operations and Procedure, Committees, or International and Interparliamentary Affairs;
- Provide trusted, non-partisan advice on Senate rules, parliamentary procedure, privilege, and diplomacy to senior leaders—including the Speaker, senators, other parliamentarians, and executives;
- Support and guide colleagues and contribute to cross-functional projects that strengthen Senate operations;
- Advise on policies and processes, helping team members navigate various administrative and procedural situations;
- Mentor and support staff, ensuring high-quality service and fostering professional growth;
- Oversee major initiatives and events, offering procedural expertise and ensuring their smooth planning and execution;
- Lead procedural research projects, including the development and maintenance of key reference materials;
- Act as a Table Officer, providing procedural guidance during Senate sittings and ensuring the orderly conduct of parliamentary business;
- Coordinate business and logistics for Senate sittings, committee meetings, and diplomatic or interparliamentary events;
- Review and approve official documents, ensuring accuracy and transparency, including content shared on the Senate website;
- Manage resources—including people, budgets, and materials—effectively and responsibly;
- Represent the Senate at public events, presentations, and conferences, helping to build understanding of Canada’s parliamentary system.
This is a unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the work of Canada’s upper chamber and support the democratic process at the highest level.
Open to
Open to the general public to establish a list of qualified candidates to fill future determinate or indeterminate positions at the same level with similar requirements.
This selection process may be used to staff determinate or indeterminate positions at the same level with similar requirements
The Senate of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve, starting with an inclusive and barrier-free hiring process. You are entitled to apply in the official language of your choice (English or French) and you can request to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.
Prerequisites
The specialized role of Principal Clerk is unique to Parliament and successful candidates come from a range of backgrounds.
Please use your cover letter (maximum three pages) to share how your experience and background meet the following prerequisites and demonstrate how they would contribute to making you a successful Principal Clerk:
- Successful completion of a university degree;
- Significant experience, usually developed over a period of several years, providing expert non partisan advice on the legislative process, chamber proceedings and committee business to senior stakeholders in a political context;
- Experience in research and analysis of complex issues;
- Demonstrated leadership skills with significant experience managing, developing and motivating a diverse group of employees;
- Experience with applying and ensuring respect of administrative policies and processes;
- Experience in financial management including the management of a budget;
- Knowledge of the Senate and its constitutional role, of the Acts and Regulations under which it operates, its internal policies, and its practices and procedures, including the Rules of the Senate and parliamentary authorities;
- Capacity to oversee and direct complex operations and initiatives to support high-profile and politically sensitive international/interparliamentary activities and events;
- Proven ability to deliver on commitments and prioritize the highest standards of client service;
- Superior communication and writing skills are essential, as well as the capacity to present complex ideas and issues in a succinct and effective manner.
Linguistic Requirements
English Reading Comprehension: C
English Written Expression: C
English Oral Interaction: C
French Reading Comprehension: C
French Written Expression: C
French Oral Interaction: C
Competencies
Integrity
Respect
Service
Ethical Leader
Strategic Thinker
Engaging Team Builder
Effective Communicator
Sound Decision Maker
People Management
Financial Management
Action Management
Organizational Needs
The Senate of Canada is committed to building and maintaining an inclusive workplace where all employees are provided full and equal access to employment, development and advancement opportunities.
Conditions of Employment
This is a high-profile job which involves participating in proceeding that may be broadcast to the public. You will need to consent to appearing in live and on-demand streams of proceedings of the Senate.
Candidates must consent to supply personal information and obtain a security accreditation to be eligible for appointment.
The successful candidate will be required to work irregular and/or extended hours.
Applicants must be legally eligible to work in Canada.
Please save a copy of the job poster as once the application deadline closes, the poster will no longer be available for reference.
About Senate of Canada
The Senate is the Upper House in Canada’s bicameral parliamentary democracy. It unites a diverse group of accomplished Canadians in service of their country. Parliament’s 105 senators shape Canada’s future. Senators scrutinize legislation, suggest improvements and fix mistakes. When the Senate speaks, the House of Commons listens — a bill must pass the Senate before it can become law. Senators also propose their own bills and generate debate about issues of national importance in the collegial environment of the Senate Chamber, where ideas are debated on their merit.