Director, Public Affairs

McGill University; Montreal; On-site; CAD 129,000 - 199,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Life Insurance

Defined contribution pension plan

RRSP and TFSA

Vacation and personal days

Summer Fridays

Remote work up to 2 days per week

Job summary

McGill University is seeking a Director of Public Affairs to provide strategic leadership for government relations, media engagement, and issues management. You will advise senior leadership, monitor policy developments, and ensure proactive engagement with government and external partners.

You will lead a team, build strong relationships with government officials and stakeholders, represent the University in meetings and public forums, and develop briefing materials and position papers to

Qualifications

• Significant experience engaging with senior government officials, elected representatives, and external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to develop and execute advocacy and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Experience advising senior executives on complex strategic and public policy matters.
• Proven leadership of teams in a large, decentralized environment.
• Strong understanding of government decision-making and legislative processes.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement public affairs strategies aligned with the university's priorities.
• Advise senior leadership on public policy, government relations, and stakeholder engagement matters.
• Build and maintain relationships with municipal, provincial, federal, and international government representatives.
• Lead advocacy efforts related to funding, research, innovation, education, and infrastructure.
• Represent the university in meetings, consultations, and sector associations.
• Oversee the Issues Management team and manage reputational risk.
• Lead a team of public affairs and government relations professionals; manage budgets and resources.

Skills

Strategic Thinking

Political Acumen

Relationship Building

Influencing and Negotiation

Organizational Awareness

Sound Judgment and Decision-Making

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

Please refer to the How to Apply for a Job (for External Candidates) job aid for instructions on how to apply.If you are an active McGill employee (ie: currently in an active contract or position at McGill University), do not apply through this Career Site. Login to your McGill Workday account and apply to this posting using the Find Jobs report (type Find Jobs in the search bar).Position Summary:Reporting to the Vice-President Communications and Institutional Relations (CIR), the Director, Public Affairs provides strategic leadership and oversight of the university’s government relations, media relation s and issues management functions. The Director also serves as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on issues related to government relations, institutional advocacy, policy developments, external stakeholder engagement and media relations. The Director advances the University's priorities by building and maintaining strong relationships with government officials, public sector partners, external stakeholders and media.Primary Responsibilities:Strategic LeadershipDevelop and implement a comprehensive public affairs strategies aligned with the University's strategic priorities.Advise the Vice-President and senior leadership on public policy, government relations, and stakeholder engagement matters.Monitor emerging political, legislative, regulatory, and policy developments and assess potential impacts on the University.Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the Issues Management team including emerging issues and reputational risk mitigation.Identify opportunities to advance institutional priorities through proactive engagement with government and external partners.Lead the development of briefing materials, strategic analyses, position papers, and recommendations for senior leadership.Government RelationsBuild and maintain productive relationships with municipal, provincial/state, federal, and international government representatives.Lead institutional advocacy efforts related to funding, research, innovation, education, infrastructure, and public policy.Represent the University in meetings, consultations, working groups, and sector associations.Provide strategic advice and guidance to senior leaders in government meetings, public policy discussions, and stakeholder engagements.Develop engagement strategies to strengthen the University's visibility and influence with key decision-makers.Stakeholder EngagementEstablish and maintain partnerships with community organizations, industry leaders, research partners, professional associations, and public sector stakeholders.Develop stakeholder engagement plans to advance institutional priorities and strategic initiatives.Foster collaborative relationships that support research, innovation, talent development, and community impact.Oversee institutional participation in major external events, forums, and public affairs initiatives.Issues Management and AdvocacyProvide strategic counsel on complex public issues that may affect the University's reputation, operations, or strategic objectives.Develop and implement advocacy strategies and positioning for key institutional priorities.Provide strategic oversight of crisis and issues management responses in collaboration with communications, legal, and executive leadership.Ensure consistent institutional messaging in interactions with government and external stakeholders.Leadership and ManagementLead and develop a team of public affairs and government relations professionals.Establish priorities, performance expectations, and professional development plans for staff.Manage budgets, contracts, and resources within the Office of Public Affairs.Promote a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture.Work closely with communications, advancement, research, academic, and administrative leaders across the University.Other Qualifying Skills and/or AbilitiesSignificant experience engaging with senior government officials, elected representatives, and external stakeholders.Demonstrated success developing and executing advocacy and stakeholder engagement strategies.Experience advising senior executives on complex strategic and public policy matters.Experience leading teams and managing organizational priorities in a complex environment.Strong understanding of government decision-making processes, public policy development, and legislative environments.Exceptional relationship-building, negotiation, and influencing skills.Outstanding communication, presentation, and writing abilities.Solid experience in issues and crisis management.Political acuity and sound judgment in managing sensitive and confidential issues.Ability to analyze complex issues and develop strategic recommendations.Strong project management and organizational skills.Ability to work effectively in a large, decentralized, and multi-stakeholder environment.Strategic ThinkingPolitical AcumenRelationship BuildingInfluencing and NegotiationOrganizational AwarenessSound Judgment and Decision-MakingAs one of Montreal's Top Employers, here is what we offer:Competitive benefits package (Health, Dental, Life Insurance) (if eligible)Defined contribution pension plan (with employer contribution up to 10%) (if eligible)Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA)Competitive vacation policyTwo (2) personal daysTwo (2) floating holidaysNine (9) \"Summer Fridays\" - paid days off between the St-Jean Baptiste holiday and Labour DayPaid time off over the December holiday periodTuition waiver for regular employees and their dependentsUp to two (2) days of remote work per week where the position permitsBefore applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.Knowledge of English: McGill University is an English-language university where day to day duties may require English communication both verbally and in writing. The level of English required for this position has been assessed at a level 4 (qualifier) on a scale of 0-4 .For a definition of our language proficiency levels, please click here .Minimum Education and Experience:Bachelor's Degree 8 Years Related Experience /Annual Salary:(MPEX Grade 10) $129,460.00 - $161,820.00 - $199,290.00Job Profile:MPEX-COM4F - Government Relations - Director or equivalentHours per Week:33.75 (Full time)Supervisor:Vice-President (Communications & Institutional Relations)Position End Date (If applicable):Deadline to Apply:2026-11-22McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [e-mail] .