Data & Research Lead (aka Curious Fox)

Lead the data. Shape the strategy. Drive the impact.

We're looking for a Data & Research Lead to turn Canopy's research and technical knowledge into a system that works - setting the standards, running the projects, and building the tools that help decision-makers act on evidence, not guesswork. You'll manage a team, coordinate outside experts, and translate complex research into clear, actionable insight for corporate partners.

If you love building rigour into research and putting it to work, this role is for you!

  • Location

    Remote (within a five-hour time zone of PST)

  • Position Type

    Full Time

  • Reports To

    Head of Impact

  • Start Date

    ASAP

  • Compensation

    CAD $134,000 - 155,000

Position Summary 

The Data & Research 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, establishes standards for data quality and governance, spearheads seminal research projects, and oversees the development of tools that support program strategy, partner engagement, and thought leadership. This role has the ability to translate academic research and modelling into easy-to-access findings for corporate decision makers.  This role will manage a team and coordinate external researchers and technical specialists. 

Key Responsibilities 

  • Drive Canopy’s research and knowledge systems program to reinforce 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 and policy research, and commissioned studies. 
  • Organize information from spreadsheets, PDFs, APIs, public datasets, field research and expert input into documented and reusable resources. 
  • Establish practical standards for source tracking, quality assurance, version control, access, confidentiality and responsible AI use. 
  • Develop and 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 accurately and convert into tools and assets that are easy-to-access by key decision makers. 
  • Support public reports and other external outputs by leading the underlying data, analysis, methods and citations. 
  • Introduce AI-enabled workflows where they improve research, analysis or knowledge management, with appropriate human review and data safeguards. 
  • Train colleagues on relevant systems and tools and maintain clear documentation. 
  • Manages a team and oversees external researchers, data specialists and consultants. 

This role includes occasional domestic and international travel. As Canopy works with partners globally, flexibility in working hours is important to support collaboration across time zones.

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 the capture and use of technical knowledge related to Next Generation materials and regional cohort development. 
  • Strengthen the data and research workflows supporting Canopy’s major reports and external outputs. 
  • Establish thought leadership content calendar in coordination with the Communications Director. 
  • Work closely with senior members of the Impact team on development and delivery of marquee thought leadership and campaign assets, including key campaign 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 working knowledge of data governance, including source tracking, 
  • quality assurance, documentation, permissions, version control and 
  • confidentiality. 
  • Ability to commission, manage and synthesize work from external 
  • researchers, data specialists and subject-matter experts. 
  • Working fluency with AI-enabled research and analysis tools, including 
  • sound judgment about validation, security and appropriate use. 
  • Ability to communicate complex data and evidence clearly to non- 
  • specialist audiences. 
  • Ability to assess where a new tool will improve a decision or workflow and 
  • where a simpler approach is sufficient. 
  • Experience managing staff, consultants or technical partners. 
  • A sense of humour 

Desirable 

  • Experience with geospatial data, supply-chain mapping, data visualization 
  • or decision-support tools. 
  • Knowledge of forest, fibre, paper, packaging, textile, agricultural residue 
  • or materials supply chains. 
  • Relevant scientific or technical experience in areas such as 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 working in a nonprofit, advocacy or market-transformation 
  • organization.

How to Apply: Please submit your CV, a cover letter, and a separate response to the prompt below. Applications missing either the cover letter or the prompt response will not be considered.

  • Cover Letter

    Please submit your CV, a short cover letter, which also includes a section answering the prompt below: 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, tell us: (1) what you would need to verify before this data goes public, (2) how you would present the comparison credibly given the inconsistencies, and (3) whether you would recommend a static chart, an interactive tool, or something simpler, and why.

  • On AI Use and Authenticity

    You may use AI tools to brainstorm, edit, or proofread, but please do not use AI to write your cover letter or prompt response for you. We want to hear your voice, experiences, and perspective, not a polished, generic version generated by a model. If you use AI for minor editing assistance, please add a short note at the end of your prompt response (e.g., "I used [tool name] to proofread this response"). Applications written in a genuine, original voice will be prioritized.

Apply

Why Join Canopy

At Canopy, you’ll be part of a passionate, solutions-focused team working at the intersection of climate, conservation, and supply chain innovation. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute your skills to global campaigns during a critical time to protect the world’s most important forests and ecosystems.

Canopy is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require accommodations at any stage of the hiring process, please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs. 

Canopy embraces equity and diversity and is committed to a workplace that is enriched by the people, needs, and desires of our diverse community. We thank all applicants; however, we will only contact candidates who successfully secure an interview. 

For applicants outside Canada, the salary will align with a benchmarked salary band based on location. Please reach out to Anna for more information. We believe in fostering a supportive work environment where employees can thrive. We also offer comprehensive benefits packages, professional development opportunities, and a supportive workplace culture dedicated to environmental conservation. At Canopy, we prioritize the well-being and growth of our team members, ensuring they have the resources and support needed to excel in their roles and contribute meaningfully to our mission. 

There are few environmental organizations that can match Canopy in its unflinching commitment to saving the world’s forests and the many species that depend on them, while having the pragmatic acumen necessary to help companies do better by those forests.

- Margaret Atwood

Novelist, Poet, and Literary Critic

About Canopy

Canopy is a solutions-driven not-for-profit environmental organization dedicated to protecting forests, species, and climate. For 25 years, Canopy has been a driving force in transforming wood-based supply chains — including publishing, packaging, and textiles — to eliminate fibre coming from the world's most critical forests and ensure a livable planet for all.  

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