Director of Policy

ApplyBoard; Ottawa; Remote; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in international education seeks a Director of Policy and Government Affairs to lead government relations and advocacy efforts. This role requires extensive experience in lobbying and policy influence, ensuring alignment with business objectives. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills and a strategic mindset to navigate complex regulatory environments. Join a diverse team committed to breaking down barriers to education.

Benefits

Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package

Flexible work arrangements

Personal Spending Account (PSA) Program

Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP)

Exclusive discounts and special pricing for memberships

Milestone celebrations and recognition

Collaborative and inclusive work environment

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• 8 to 10 years of experience in government relations or lobbying.
• In-depth knowledge of legislative and regulatory landscape.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a government affairs strategy.
• Build relationships with government officials and policymakers.
• Advocate for favorable legislation and regulatory outcomes.

Skills

Communication

Negotiation

Advocacy

Education

Bachelor's degree in political science

Advanced degree

Job description

ApplyBoard simplifies the study abroad search, application, and acceptance process by connecting international students, recruitment partners, and educational institutions on one intuitive and personalized platform. ApplyBoard is a mission-driven, hyper-growth organization. It has been attracting dedicated individuals for more than eight years who are inspired every day to break down barriers to international education and take their careers to new heights at a company that will invest in their career growth. Our are our compass in our mission to Educate the World and the foundation of our unique company culture. As an organization built on a foundation of diversity, it’s important that our team members are representative of the students from more than 150 countries that we support.

The Opportunity :

Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer, the Director of Policy and Government Affairs will lead the development and execution of our government relations strategy, ensuring alignment with our business objectives and regulatory requirements. This role involves proactive engagement with Global government officials, legislative bodies, and key government stakeholders, influence policy decisions and advocate for sector innovations that benefit the company.

What you will do :

• Develop and implement a targeted government affairs and lobbying strategy that advances the company’s business interests and positions it as a key stakeholder within the international education sector.
• Build and nurture relationships with elected officials, policymakers, regulatory agencies, and other key decision-makers at the municipal, state, provincial, and federal levels.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory activities, providing the executive team with strategic counsel on emerging government initiatives and their potential impacts.
• Advocate on behalf of the company by influencing policy and leading efforts to shape favorable legislation and regulatory outcomes.
• Act as the company’s representative in high-level discussions with government entities, industry forums, and public policy debates.
• Coordinate lobbying efforts in collaboration with internal departments (office of CEO, legal, compliance, and business units) to ensure a unified approach to government relations.
• Prepare and deliver detailed briefs, reports, and presentations to senior leadership on advocacy activities, legislative developments, and their implications for the business.
• Manage Global external lobbyists and consultants, ensuring effective alignment with the company’s lobbying goals.

What you will bring :

• 8 to 10 years of experience in government relations, lobbying, or public policy advocacy, with a proven track record of influencing legislative outcomes.
• Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, law, business, or a related field; an advanced degree is preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of the legislative and regulatory landscape, including key processes and players at all levels of government.
• Strong lobbying experience, with demonstrated success in building relationships with government officials and influencing policy in a corporate or association setting.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and advocacy skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex regulatory positions.
• A strategic mindset with the ability to anticipate regulatory shifts and proactively manage risks and opportunities.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, culturally diverse environment and collaborate across internal and external teams.
• High ethical standards and a commitment to integrity in all advocacy efforts.
• Bonus points if you are fluent in French.

Why you’ll want to work here :

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Flexible work arrangements and the ability to work from anywhere.
• Personal Spending Account (PSA) Program.
• Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP) for mental health and wellness support.
• Company perks, including exclusive discounts and special pricing for memberships.
• Milestone celebrations and recognition of achievements.
• Collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• Professional development and growth opportunities.

About ApplyBoard

ApplyBoard empowers students around the world to access the best education. With more than 1,000,000 students from over 150 countries helped with their journey in less than a decade, we are just getting started.

ApplyBoard’s 1,200 global team members in 30 countries assist students and our 1,500 partner institutions by empowering the international student sector with innovative technology and insights. As a five-time consecutive Deloitte Fast 50 and Fast 500 ranked company, ApplyBoard is growing and scaling like few other companies. On top of our strong growth, our people are growing personally and professionally. ApplyBoard India was Great Place to Work Institute (India) certified for outstanding employee experience and workplace culture.

Thank you for your interest in joining the ApplyBoard Team and being part of our mission to Educate the World. While we are lucky to attract a high level of interest in each of our roles, only qualified applicants will be contacted and selected for an interview.

ApplyBoard welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates in all aspects of the hiring and selection process.