Principal - Canada

Who We Are

ghSMART is a leadership advisory firm dedicated to creating value for CEOs, boards, and investors. We partner with our clients to solve their most critical business decisions, becoming their trusted advisor on their most important people and talent priorities. As the first call for some of the world's most influential executives, we offer a data driven perspective on their leadership and talent strategy. Our team is made up of over 175 extraordinary individuals who become trusted advisors to these leaders, helping amplify their positive impact on the world. We advise on the art and science of building winning leadership teams, doing meaningful work every day. We hire the very best talent, and our team has the freedom to work where they choose.

What You’ll Do

As a Principal you will take on a significant leadership role from day one. You will learn our proven approach to assessing and developing executive talent, begin to cultivate and own client relationships, and contribute to the firm's strategic decisions. In addition to assessing leaders, your work can span various disciplines, including talent and organizational strategy, CEO succession, leadership coaching and development, and board and team effectiveness. 

Hear from our clients directly regarding the impact of our work.  

• Deliver exceptional assessment work and counsel to CEOs, C-suite executives, and investors on their most critical leadership problems  
• Help clients hire and develop high-performing executive teams and Boards  
• Develop and sustain long-term executive level client relationships beyond the scope of individual engagements, with an ability to influence through data, empathy, and a deep understanding of their motivations  
• Take ownership of project outcomes and demonstrate a reliable, proactive approach to client engagements, managing projects effectively under tight timeframes  
• Be a valued and generous team member and colleague  
• Contribute to the growth of the firm through activities like mentoring, practice leadership, and talent recruitment  

• MBA from a top program or a PhD (preferably in psychology or organizational behavior)  
• 7 years post-graduate work preferred   
• Consistent top quartile performance across roles  
• Strong analytical capability and the ability to generate powerful insights by interpreting large sets of qualitative data  
• A track record of building meaningful relationships with senior level clients and the demonstrated ability to be a trusted advisor  
• Excellent commercial acumen and the mental agility to quickly get up to speed on new clients and industries  
• Passion and curiosity for the topic of how leadership can elevate the performance of organizations  
• Strong project management capabilities  
• Superior written and verbal communication skills  
• Experience at a top-tier management consulting firm preferred
• An entrepreneurial spirit balanced with the discipline to set the framework for your career  
• A learning and growth mindset, continuously seeking to develop, and a proven track record of being comfortable with giving and receiving feedback  
• Must be able to deliver extensive, high-speed, and precise keyboarding  

Why join ghSMART?

Opportunity to become the best. Our clients are the best of the best, so we have to be to. You’ll learn and grow as part of a team of exceptional people, working in an environment of generosity and gratitude.

Experience meaningful impact. Every day. Experience the challenge and privilege of becoming a trusted advisor—even a confidant—to influential leaders who run large, values driven organizations. You’ll help our clients hire and develop talented, diverse teams that deliver valuable results.

Freedom to choose. Our firm is different, you’ll have the freedom and flexibility to chart your own career path within a firm full of opportunities—to choose what to work on, where, when, and with whom—while earning top compensation.

Have your voice and talents recognized. We are a “flat” organization that values proactivity and ability over bureaucracy and tenure. All our decisions and actions are guided by our Values and Credo: “We exist to help leaders amplify their positive impact on the world”.

Become an owner. ghSMART is 100% employee owned, all team members have the opportunity to buy our stock.

We are ranked #1 in 14 Consulting categories by Vault. See what others think about working at ghSMART on Glassdoor.

ghSMART is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace across all of our global locations. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and ensure equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Our global policies and practices are designed to support an environment of respect and equity for all.