Director, Government and Stakeholder Affairs

CLHIA; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading industry association in Ottawa is seeking a Director of Government and Stakeholder Affairs for a 12-14 month maternity leave contract. This role involves advocacy efforts at federal levels, relationship management, and requires strong communication and organizational skills. Ideal candidates have 7-10 years in government relations, a related university degree, and preferably are bilingual.

Qualifications

• 7-10 years’ experience in government relations or advocacy.
• Experience in lobbying at federal and provincial levels.
• Experience organizing Advocacy Days.

Responsibilities

• Lead advocacy efforts with elected officials and public servants.
• Support outreach initiatives aligned with strategic priorities.
• Cultivate relationships with key influencers.

Skills

Excellent Communication

Time Management

Analytical Skills

Creative Thinking

Bilingual (English and French)

Education

University degree in political science, economics, or related field

Job description

Director, Government and Stakeholder Affairs

Director, Government and Stakeholder Affairs – 12-14 Months Maternity Leave Contract (Ottawa)

Imagine a position where YOU can utilize your exceptional interpersonal skills to build meaningful connections, foster strategic partnerships, and influence key decisions that shape the future of our organization.

Add a great collaborative team, a challenging variety of work, excellent work-life balance, and you have imagined a job at the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA).

About the CLHIA:

The CLHIA is the respected voice of Canada's Life and Health insurers. Our work touches the lives of all Canadians. In partnership with our members, we advance public policy solutions that strengthen Canada’s life and health insurance industry. This enables Canadians to enjoy greater financial security and better access to supplementary health benefits. Every day at the CLHIA, we bring:

• our authentic selves to the job
• our best ideas to every challenge
• our open minds to other perspectives
• our commitment to exemplify respect, accountability, teamwork, and excellence in how we work together
• our genuine enthusiasm for a job well done – whether it’s your own achievement or someone else’s.

We are a stable and secure association that has been busier than ever. We are a small, close-knit team that works together to ensure the association runs smoothly. This position is currently hybrid, requiring attendance at the Ottawa office at least 2 days a week.

The Right Fit

We believe the kind of person you are matters. We foster a culture of respect and caring, and we want employees who will thrive in our environment. When we hire, we consider your potential and how you may fit with our team.

You will succeed here if you are:

• An Excellent Communicator – you’ll collaborate closely with our internal team and external stakeholders, including member companies. Your ability to communicate clearly, confidently, and effectively across diverse audiences is key.
• Independent – self-motivated with good time management, able to organize your day to meet conflicting priorities and deadlines.
• Flexible – able to view issues from multiple perspectives and adapt your approach. Strong analytical skills and creative thinking are essential for effective solutions.

The Position :

Reporting to the Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs, the Director of Government and Stakeholder Affairs is responsible for planning, developing, implementing, and sustaining advocacy programs, primarily focusing on federal engagement. Responsibilities include work on key files related to health benefits, pensions, retirement savings, and the Insurance Companies Act (ICA).

This is a 12-14 month contract to cover maternity leave.

What you will be working on :

• Propose, plan, develop, and lead advocacy efforts with elected officials and public servants at federal and provincial levels, including advocacy days, issue management, awareness campaigns, and information dissemination.
• Support outreach initiatives and participate in parliamentary hearings or consultations as needed, aligned with strategic priorities.

Relationship Management :

• Organize industry advocacy days, including scheduling and meeting setup, developing messaging, etc.
• Develop and maintain relationships with member companies, focusing on the Government Relations Committee and its working groups.
• Build consensus and provide leadership within relevant groups, including those focused on healthcare and pensions.
• Coordinate with subject matter experts to identify and respond to emerging issues.
• Engage with industry allies and interest groups (e.g., Chamber of Commerce, pharmacy associations).
• Cultivate relationships with key influencers, including officials, legislators, and regulators.
• Oversee the Ottawa office, including people leadership responsibilities.

The Skills and Experience You’ll Bring :

• 7-10 years’ experience in government relations or advocacy, including leadership roles.
• University degree in political science, economics, or related field.
• Experience in lobbying at federal and provincial levels, ideally within financial services or member organizations.
• Experience organizing Advocacy Days.
• Strong communication skills (verbal, written, digital) and relationship-building ability.
• Research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Organizational and project management skills to handle multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to work well in a team environment.
• Bilingual in English and French is an asset.

How to apply :

The CLHIA is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage all qualified individuals, especially those from equity-seeking groups, to apply. We are committed to an inclusive, accessible recruitment process.

Please submit your resume to Katherine Taylor at [e-mail].

We provide accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. If you need accommodations, please let us know. We thank all applicants; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.