Director, Government Relations

Job Responsibility:

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is Canada's largest and most activated business network — representing over 400 chambers of commerce and boards of trade and more than 200,000 businesses of all sizes, from all sectors of the economy, and from every part of the country — to create the conditions for our collective success. Our vision is to build a Canada of thriving business opportunity, a strong economy, and a better life for all. Our mission is to drive change, partner broadly and be the undisputed champion and catalyst for the future of business success. We do this through policy and advocacy, our Canadian Chamber Network and our suite of essential business services.

Through our Chamber 2025 Strategic Plan, we give each of our members more of what they need to succeed: insight into markets, competitors, and trends; influence over the decisions and policies that drive business success; and impact on business and economic performance.

The Canadian Chamber recruits top talent that understands today's business realities, is equipped with an entrepreneurial mindset that supports our business building objectives and can identify emerging business needs and opportunities.

What we offer

• Advancement opportunities
• Annual Salary: $85,000 - $90,000
• Comprehensive Benefit Package covered by the Chamber at no cost to employees
• Competitive vacation
• A defined pension plan starting after one (1) year of service
• Compressed work week during the summer
• Hybrid work environment

Term and Location

This role is based in Ottawa and is a full-time position. The Chamber offers hybrid work arrangements in our offices, with a requirement of three days in-office presence per week.

Summary of the Role and Opportunity

Reporting to the Vice President, Strategic Policy & Supply Chains, this position is well suited to a strong policy generalist who can play an important role on an evolving range of files handled by the Canadian Chamber's Policy Team. Our members depend on a policy environment that allows them to build value and trade, all while growing their businesses and customer base. As jurisdictions around the world prioritize industrial policy against a backdrop of shifting geopolitical circumstances and uncertain supply chains the Canadian Chamber of Commerce needs to champion business priorities. We must also identify new and emerging sectors with unique advocacy needs, as their engagement will in turn help us evolve to reflect the future of business and members needs across sectors.

Superb writing and communication skills are vital. The successful candidate must be adaptable to changing circumstances and be willing to undertake the full spectrum of activities including strategy design, execution, policy development, and backend support functions. The successful candidate must also demonstrate deep experience with government policymaking, know how to translate government policy to a business audience, as well as convey private sector views to government decision-makers. Teamwork is also critical for this position; this includes collaborating with our Communications team to tell compelling stories on businesses' needs, as well as working with our Business Data Labs team to take a data-driven approach that makes us a high profile, go-to source of perspectives for government, media, and our members.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• University degree in public administration, economics, political science, or a related discipline.
• 6+ years' experience working in policy development and/or government relations.
• Understanding of decision-making and legislative processes, ideally at, but not limited to, the federal level.
• Familiarity with important issues facing the Canadian business community from a public policy perspective as it relates to transportation and trade infrastructure.
• Experience in researching and analyzing the impact of policy, regulatory, and legislative proposals, as well as working with others to draw input from a wide range of sources.
• Familiarity with project management, including delivering on a range of products, campaigns and services.
• Prior experience and transferable skills in government relations and sector-specific advocacy. A network of existing relationships with federal Parliamentarians, political staff, and senior government officials in the public service is a strong asset.
• Ability to operate independently in representing the Canadian Chamber and its members to government officials and a range of external stakeholders.
• Familiarity in engaging with members or clients to understand their concerns on policy issues.
• No lobbying limitations at the federal level.
• Ability to work in both official languages is an asset.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the VP, Strategic Policy & Supply Chains, in delivering a coherent and sophisticated advocacy agenda in support of our members across a wide range of dynamic files and competing priorities.
• Convene Canadian Chamber members to develop policy positions and advocate for their implementation by the federal government.
• Respond to policy issues as they arise and engage in the development, analysis and advocacy of policy recommendations through submissions, letters, and public statements.
• Excel at establishing strong relationships with key political staff and public servants to advance policy objectives and gain insights on policy, legislative and regulatory developments.
• Identify and leverage opportunities for senior Canadian Chamber staff to support delivery of advocacy work.
• Manage and support member policy committees and councils. Ensure that member contact lists are maintained and up to date.
• Work closely with the policy team to ensure the Canadian Chamber maintains consistency on the positions taken with respect to international and domestic issues.
• Provide necessary support for meetings with government officials or other events, such as speeches, briefing notes, etc.
• Provide content and policy support to the member relations and services team for membership growth and retention, events, and other activities as required.
• Represent the Canadian Chamber at meetings and events with business and government and/or member representatives.
• Leverage our government relations activities, research, position papers, personnel, and events to reach government and policymaker audiences, as well as the broader business community.
• Collaborate with the Communications team to develop key messages and take media interviews as required.
• Collaborate with the Business Data Lab to ensure we lead with data-driven advocacy making the Canadian Chamber a must-have partner for policymakers.
• Some overnight travel may be required for this position.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is committed to providing a barrier-free work environment in concert with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code. As such, we will make accommodations available to applicants with disabilities upon request during the recruitment process.

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of all segments of society. We are dedicated to encouraging a supportive and inclusive culture amongst the whole workforce and we are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills, where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire will be based on merit, competence, performance and business needs.