Keynote Search

Keynote Search Keynote answers one question organizations are asking - how do we attract, hire, retain and develop

Keynote answers one question organizations are asking - how do we attract, hire, retain and develop exceptional talent?

We are thrilled to announce our new opportunity with Raymond EMC in the search for their Vice President of Operations!Ra...
09/03/2026

We are thrilled to announce our new opportunity with Raymond EMC in the search for their Vice President of Operations!

Raymond EMC Enclosures Ltd. (Raymond EMC) is a Canadian-owned leader in secure infrastructure, specializing in custom-engineered electromagnetic compatibility testing solutions, RF shielded systems, and mission-critical facilities. With a reputation for technical quality and precision, the company serves a global client base across defense, government, medical, and aerospace sectors. By maintaining accountability across the full design, fabrication, and installation lifecycle, Raymond EMC has become a trusted partner for organizations operating in highly specialized and high-consequence environments.

As Vice President of Operations, you will serve as the senior executive responsible for bringing together Engineering, the Project Management Office, Procurement, Supply Chain, and Production into a more integrated business function. Your focus will be on creating the operational discipline required to consistently deliver client commitments safely, profitably, and predictably while reducing reliance on heroic effort.

Learn more about this opportunity and apply here: https://keynotesearch.com/opportunities/vice-president-of-operations-raymond-emc/

09/01/2026

We’re proud to be one of Canada’s leading search firms when it comes to defence recruitment.

In fact, defence recruitment makes up about one-third of the work we do as an organization.

But one thing that has us thinking is how many people are jumping on the bandwagon and viewing defence as a quick fix to some of their challenges.

The reality? It’s not.

Defence is a long-term commitment. Procurement and buying timelines can be measured in years, and in some cases, decades. Building the right capabilities, talent and infrastructure takes time.

There are some incredible people doing important work in this space, and Ottawa can’t afford to be filled with “defence tourists.”

We need to double down, commit and make sure we’re in this for the long haul, not just showing up today to address a long-term challenge.

Hiring the right senior talent is only the beginning. The real challenge? Keeping them engaged, motivated and invested i...
08/27/2026

Hiring the right senior talent is only the beginning. The real challenge? Keeping them engaged, motivated and invested in your organization for years to come.

Brenda Kirkwood shares that senior hires want more than a title and responsibilities, they want opportunities to grow, contribute, innovate and make a meaningful impact.

Here are five ways to keep your senior talent engaged well beyond their first year:
✅ Cultivate a Shared Vision
✅ Embrace Personalized Development
✅ Facilitate Reverse Mentoring
✅ Implement Real-Time Recognition
✅ Create a Culture of Innovation

Keeping senior talent engaged requires an ongoing investment, but when experienced leaders feel valued, challenged and empowered, they’re more likely to stay and continue making an impact.

Read our full blog to learn more: https://keynotesearch.com/blog/how-to-engage-senior-hires-in-year-2-3-and-beyond/

08/25/2026

A big part of James’ role at Search is building relationships, which means he spends a lot of time networking.

And he enjoys it, but there are plenty of other things he wants to make time for, too.

He wants to snowboard. Golf. Play soccer. Spend time doing things that energize him outside of work.

And that all comes down to one thing: energy.

We only have so much of it to give, so he’s become really intentional about where he chooses to spend his.

He lives by things like the 20-minute rule for networking events, and he’s conscious of how much energy he’s putting into each commitment so there’s room for balance.

One thing he’s noticed is that once he started paying attention to his energy, he started making much smarter decisions about what he says yes to, which events he attends, which meetings he participates in, and when he needs to step back and rest.

Because rest isn’t something you have to earn. Sometimes, you’ve simply earned the right to say no.

A shifting real estate market doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time to change direction. It means leaders need to know when...
08/20/2026

A shifting real estate market doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time to change direction. It means leaders need to know when the strategy needs to adapt, and when it needs to stay the course.

Effective real estate leadership requires more than reacting to market fluctuations. It’s about understanding the signals, assessing their impact, and translating them into clear priorities your team can act on.

From financing conditions and construction costs to asset performance, regional demand, and investment activity, today’s leaders need to balance responsiveness with consistency.

Because strong leadership isn’t about having all the answers when the market changes. It’s about knowing what to pay attention to, what to adjust, and what remains strategically important.

Learn more about what effective real estate leadership looks like in a shifting market: https://keynotesearch.com/blog/scaling-through-market-cycles-what-real-estate-leadership-looks-like-in-a-shifting-market/

08/18/2026

As a small business, we have incredible opportunities to create efficiency through technology and AI, automating processes that once took hours of manual work.

From a profitability perspective, that’s a huge advantage. We can create more efficiency, improve our margins, and ultimately build stronger businesses.

But there’s another side to the conversation.

There are real consequences when we look at this from a people perspective.

Think about the associates we hire in our business, often recent graduates who are looking for that first opportunity, a pathway into their careers, and a chance to build experience.

What happens when the entry-level jobs we once relied on to start our careers no longer exist?

And more importantly, how do we support our kids when they graduate 5 or 10 years from now if the jobs we once counted on to get started have disappeared?

Building a successful business matters. But as we embrace AI and automation, we also have to pause and consider the consequences that come with progress.

In Canada’s defence and aerospace sector, leadership hiring decisions carry significant consequences.A poor executive hi...
08/14/2026

In Canada’s defence and aerospace sector, leadership hiring decisions carry significant consequences.

A poor executive hire can impact everything from program delivery and customer relationships to employee engagement and strategic ex*****on.

Yet even experienced organizations can fall into common leadership hiring traps.

Here are 4 mistakes to avoid when hiring leadership in Canada’s defence and aerospace sector:
✅ Hiring for industry experience instead of leadership impact
✅ Treating hiring as a transaction instead of a strategic business decision
✅ Underestimating cultural and stakeholder fit
✅ Assuming the hiring process ends at offer acceptance

The strongest organizations recognize that executive hiring isn’t simply about filling a vacancy, it’s about selecting the leader who can help move the organization forward.

Read the full blog to learn more about these common mistakes: https://keynotesearch.com/blog/mistakes-hiring-canadas-defense-aerospace-sector/

08/12/2026

One thing that’s really been on James’ mind lately? What does “buy local” actually mean?

It’s something a lot of people preach, including us here at Keynote. We’re huge believers in supporting the local business community.

Whether he’s grabbing a coffee from Planet Coffee in the Market or working with Meerkat Marketing or seoplus+ on our marketing, we try to put our money where our values are.

Why? Because supporting local businesses means investing back into the economy, creating opportunities for other businesses, and strengthening the community we all operate in.

But here’s where we think we need to be more honest.

We hear businesses talk about the importance of “buying local” all the time, but sometimes their actions don’t quite match their words.

We recently heard a campaign encouraging local businesses to get behind a major redevelopment project. It sounded great, until I learned that when it came time to actually deliver the work, many of the providers involved were from outside the city.

And that got us thinking…

If we’re going to tell people to buy local, we have to actually buy local.

This is especially important for larger organizations. If we want small and local businesses to thrive, we need to give them opportunities to be part of the projects, contracts and decisions that shape our community.

Supporting local shouldn’t just be a slogan. It should be something we actually live by.

08/05/2026

James shares that he always ends his interviews with the same question: “What’s your biggest takeaway from our conversation today?”

It’s a simple question, but it tells you a lot.

It encourages candidates to reflect on the conversation and share what stood out most. More importantly, it gives you insight into how they interpreted the interview and whether your key messages landed the way you intended.

Sometimes they’ll highlight exactly what you hoped they would.

Other times, they’ll reveal a misunderstanding or a missed opportunity that you can address before moving forward.

A great interview isn’t just about asking thoughtful questions. It’s also about understanding what the other person is taking away from the conversation.

What’s one question you always make sure to ask in an interview?

We are happy to announce our new opportunity with Fleming Property Management in the search for their Finance Manager! F...
08/04/2026

We are happy to announce our new opportunity with Fleming Property Management in the search for their Finance Manager!

For over 25 years, Fleming Property Management has been a cornerstone of Ottawa’s urban rental market as a privately held, family-owned firm. They specialize in acquiring, renovating, and managing character-rich residential properties, blending historic charm with modernized interiors to deliver premium urban living experiences.

Reporting directly to the President and collaborating closely with the next generation of family leadership, the Finance Manager will serve as the central point of coordination for the financial and administrative side of the business. This role combines senior financial leadership with operational business management, requiring a candidate who can navigate both high-level strategy and day-to-day ex*****on.

Learn more about this opportunity and apply here: https://keynotesearch.com/opportunities/finance-manager-fleming-property-management/

Address

135 Rideau Street Suite 300
Ottawa, ON
K1N5X4

Opening Hours

Monday 7:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 7:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 7:30am - 5pm
Thursday 7:30am - 5pm
Friday 7:30am - 5pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Keynote Search posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Keynote Search:

Shortcuts

Share

Category