Director, Public Affairs And Regional Lead

About UsAt NATIONAL, we are driven by purpose, creativity, and connection. For 50 years, our teams across Canada have been delivering strategic communications expertise that helps organizations shape conversations that matter.
The roleSenior market‑building opportunity for someone who wants to be both strategic and practical, visible and grounded, independent and deeply connected to a national team. We are looking for an entrepreneurial leader who can help grow NATIONAL’s presence in Newfoundland and Labrador while contributing to client work across Atlantic Canada and the broader NATIONAL network.
What You Will DoAs a key member of the Atlantic and Canadian Advisory and Public Affairs practice team, you will provide senior counsel to clients navigating complex communications, public affairs, and reputational challenges. You will help lead and grow client relationships, identify new opportunities, and connect clients with the right expertise from across NATIONAL. You will represent NATIONAL in the Newfoundland and Labrador market, helping to strengthen our visibility, relationships, and reputation. You will be comfortable in boardroom, community event, government relations discussion, or marketing strategy conversation, acting as an integrated thinker across public affairs, communication, marketing, and reputation.
What You BringYou are excited about local and regional connectivity and are a trusted advisor with strong judgment, sound instincts, and the ability to build relationships across sectors. You are self‑motivated and credible with executives, comfortable with elected officials and senior public servants, and able to speak naturally with people from a wide range of backgrounds.
You Likely Bring
Senior experience in public affairs, government relations, strategic communications, crisis communications, public relations, or a related professional services environment
Strong knowledge of Newfoundland and Labrador’s political, business, community, and media landscape
Experience or familiarity with sectors such as energy, defense, infrastructure, natural resources, economic development, or other regulated or high‑profile industries
The ability to lead client relationships, provide wise counsel, and manage complex mandates with limited day‑to‑day oversight
A practical understanding of marketing and integrated communications, with the ability to contribute meaningfully to broader brand, reputation, and campaign conversations
Strong writing, presentation, facilitation, and relationship‑building skills
An entrepreneurial mindset and interest in helping grow NATIONAL’s presence in Newfoundland and Labrador
The ability to collaborate across offices, especially with Atlantic Canada, Ottawa, and other teams across the NATIONAL network
A degree or equivalent experience in communications, public relations, political science, business, public policy, journalism, marketing, or a related field
How You WorkYou are strategic, calm under pressure, and able to turn advice into action. You build trust easily, are good in a room, thoughtful in your approach, and can move between senior executives, community leaders, public officials, colleagues, and clients with confidence and respect. You are a good writer who adapts to different mediums and audiences, and you are collaborative yet highly self‑sufficient, drawing on the strength of a national network when needed.
What We Offer
The opportunity to help shape NATIONAL’s value as a consultancy in Newfoundland and Labrador
A senior, market‑facing role with room to grow based on experience, capability, and ambition
A connected national platform with strong Atlantic Canadian collaboration
Exposure to meaningful client work across public affairs, government relations, corporate communications, marketing, and reputation
A dynamic, entrepreneurial environment with the support of one of Canada’s most respected communications consultancies
Competitive compensation, commensurate with level and experience
Hybrid flexibility with an expectation of meaningful presence in the St. John’s market
A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that we do
How To ApplyQualified candidates are invited to apply by submitting a resume and a brief cover letter outlining their interest in the role, connection to Newfoundland and Labrador, and relevant experience.
NATIONAL is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Should you require accommodation during the selection process, please inform us.
#J-18808-Ljbffr