Job Details

Mandate:
University Relations connects the university with the broader world by building strategic relationships, resources, and partnerships to enhance the institution’s reputation and impact. The Government Relations Office facilitates and stewards’ institutional partnerships with provincial and federal governments, ensuring alignment with the university’s strategic priorities. The office provides advice, expertise, and advocacy to strengthen the institution’s profile, secure resources, and influence policy in support of research, teaching, and service goals.

Deputy to Associate Vice President, University Relations, the Director of Government Relations provides leadership, strategic direction, and management of the university’s government relations activities. The Director is responsible for advancing the university’s priorities through purposeful engagement with elected and non-elected officials, government staff, and key influencers at the provincial and federal levels. Decisions impact the university’s ability to secure funding, influence policy, and maintain a strong reputation with government partners.

Objectives:
This role ensures alignment of institutional initiatives with government priorities, identifies opportunities for collaboration and funding, and provides counsel to internal stakeholders on government policy, protocols, and engagement strategies. The Director exercises full managerial authority over the Government Relations unit and serves as a core member of the University Relations senior leadership team, advising on politically sensitive issues, external risks, and opportunities with implications for institutional planning, reputation, and strategy.

Working Conditions:
The Director must possess flexibility to work longer hours in evening or on weekends to accommodate community and government events or major initiatives. May be required to register with federal governmental as lobbyist and to submit reports on lobbying activities when interacting with designated federal public office holders.

• Graduate degree (or equivalent combination of education and experience) in political science, public administration, law, public policy, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in government relations, public policy, or a related area, ideally in a post-secondary, government, or public sector environment.
• Proven ability to exercise significant independence and judgment in developing and executing strategic government relations initiatives.
• Deep understanding of municipal, provincial and federal government organizational structures, priorities and protocols, and/or understanding of community based cultural, economic or social associations, organizations and NGO's.
• Understanding of provincial and Canada's political system(s), including the legislative, executive and judicial branches.
• Ability to monitor, interpret, and anticipate legislative and regulatory changes that may affect the institution.
• Experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating advocacy strategies aligned with institutional goals.
• Knowledge of federal lobbying regulations and requirements to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills, with the ability to build trust and credibility across diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management experience.
• Strong skills in policy research, data analysis, and synthesizing complex information into clear recommendations, and strategic thinking abilities.
• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances, consider various courses of action, understand implications of alternatives and recommend next steps.