Government Relations Lead

Federation of Canadian Municipalities; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 101,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work model

Travel opportunities

Modern office in Ottawa

Employee benefits

Job summary

Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is seeking a Government Relations Lead for the Green Municipal Fund (GMF) to advance advocacy objectives with federal decision makers. The role requires translating political dynamics into actionable insights, coordinating cross-departmental efforts, and guiding GMF priorities in climate resilience.

The successful candidate will manage senior-level relationships, monitor political environments, and provide strategic advice to leadership within a hybrid

Qualifications

• Experience designing and leading advocacy or public relations activities on a national scale.
• Strong policy analysis and strategic foresight abilities.
• Proven network in government, lobbying, and interest groups.

Responsibilities

• Act as Government Relations lead for GMF and liaison between GMF and PPA.
• Synthesize political intelligence to support executive decision-making and program objectives.
• Develop and execute issue-specific advocacy plans focused on climate resilience for municipalities.
• Monitor federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal environments to identify risks and opportunities.
• Build relationships with elected officials, government representatives and municipal leaders to advance strategic objectives.
• Translate priorities and developments into actionable insights for GMF strategy and planning.
• Provide strategic advice to senior leadership on political issues affecting municipal governments.
• Lead and coordinate federal/provincial/territorial engagement and program advocacy.

Skills

Bilingual (English & French)

Policy analysis

Stakeholder relations

Strategic foresight

Project management

Public affairs

Education

Public policy / politics degree

Urban planning or related field

Job description

At the Green Municipal Fund (GMF), we create change where it matters most—in Canada’s municipalities.

As the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ flagship program and backed by a $2.4 billion endowment from the Government of Canada, GMF helps Canadian municipalities, big and small, invest in their future by supporting homegrown sustainability and resilience projects that work for Canadians by creating jobs, lowering costs, and strengthening local economies.

Through our unique mix of funding, resources and training, GMF is enhancing the quality of life for people in Canada by accelerating a transformation to sustainable and resilient communities.

Since 2000, GMF has invested over $1.6 billion in local projects helping communities avoid 2.9 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, while also contributing $1.24 billion to the national GDP and creating more than 13,000 person-years of national employment.

About This Role

The Government Relations Lead works within an integrated unit of experts in government relations, communications, and public policy to advance FCM’s advocacy objectives and strengthen the organization’s influence with federal decision makers. This role leads the development and execution of strategic government relations and advocacy initiatives, provides political intelligence and strategic foresight, and builds and maintains relationships with elected officials, government representatives, municipal leaders, and external stakeholders across Canada.

Reporting to the Director, Advocacy, the Government Relations Lead serves as a strategic connector across the organization, translating political, policy, and stakeholder developments into actionable insights that support advocacy, program, and organizational priorities.

Specific to this role, the Lead is responsible for providing strategic insight and political intelligence to support GMF priorities, fostering alignment between advocacy and program objectives and identifying emerging risks, opportunities, and partnerships that advance FCM's strategic goals, particularly as they relate to GMF activities and the climate resilience file.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Act as the Government Relations lead for the Green Municipal Fund and as a strategic cross-departmental liaison between GMF and PPA, facilitating information flow, aligning priorities, clarifying roles and accountabilities, coordinating execution, and ensuring policy, government relations, and program considerations are integrated into organizational decision-making.
• Lead the synthesis of political intelligence, policy developments, stakeholder perspectives, and organizational priorities to provide strategic insight, support executive decision-making, and strengthen alignment between government relations and program objectives.
• Develop and execute issue-specific and member-focused advocacy plans within FCM’s overall advocacy strategy, focusing particularly on the climate resilience related municipal priorities.
• Continually monitor, assess and provide strategic foresight on federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal political environments, identifying key risks, opportunities and trends that may affect FCM, municipal governments, and the GMF priorities.
• Build and leverage a network of relationships with the elected officials, government representatives, external stakeholders, sector partners, and FCM member municipalities to advance strategic objectives and strengthen FCM’s influence.
• Support alignment with key stakeholders, including ensuring appropriate engagement with FCM members and the Board where needed.
• Translate government priorities, policy developments, and political dynamics into actionable insights and recommendations that inform GMF strategy, advocacy priorities, organizational planning, and decision-making.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, providing analysis, political intelligence, options, and recommendations on merging issues, stakeholder dynamics, government priorities, and opportunities affecting municipal governments.
• Provide timely, well-supported and expert advice and recommendations to the Director, Executive Director, CEO, the National Board of Directors, and GMF leadership on emerging political issues or opportunities for municipal governments.
• Lead and coordinate federal/provincial/territorial (FPT) engagement, as well as program-based advocacy supporting FCM.
• Lead the development of key deliverables such as briefing notes, government relations plans, memos, advocacy updates, member briefings, key messages on specific files, presentations, and other communications products.
• Support other key projects as identified by the Director.

Knowledge And Experience

• A combination of professional and lived experience and/or post-secondary education in politics, public administration, economics, political science, urban planning, communications or a related discipline; equivalent advanced education or training may also be considered;
• 5 to 7 years of relevant experience, including 3 to 5 years designing and leading extensive advocacy and/or public relations activities on a national scale, and/or professional work experience in a political environment,
• Demonstrated expertise in policy analysis, strategic foresight, and research synthesis, with the ability to assess emerging issues, identify risks and opportunities, and develop evidence-based strategies in a complex political environment.
• Proven understanding of federal politics, the functions of government, interest groups and public decision-making in Canada, as well as an understanding of the interests of municipal governments and intergovernmental issues.
• Requires a well-developed network of contacts in government, lobbying, and interest groups.
• Excellent writing, oral presentation, and organizational ability;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and judgment, with a high degree of initiative and versatility; and the ability to exercise tact, discretion and judgment at all times.
• Strong ability to think critically and strategize within a political environment;
• Capacity to work in a self-directed manner and demonstrated ability to work well within a team setting.
• Proven project management skills, including the ability to effectively organize, process, and communicate information in a fast-moving work environment.
• Excellent knowledge of FCM and current national priorities including infrastructure, housing, transit, etc.
• Demonstrated cultural competency in working with a diversity of communities.
• Able to manage multiple priorities and adapt in a quickly changing, fast paced environment.
• Bilingualism (English and French) is required.

This posting is for a new position

Salary Range

$101,459.00 - $113,883.00

What We Offer

We offer a flexible work model grounded in accountability, collaboration, and delivering results. It is designed to support both performance and well‑being. While work is primarily virtual, occasional travel to our Head Office in Ottawa is expected. The majority of the team is based in the National Capital Region.

Where applicable, you may also have opportunities to travel across Canada to engage with the communities we support and better understand the impact of our work.

Employee Experience And Supports

We are committed to creating an environment where people can do their best work while maintaining a healthy balance including:

• Flexible work arrangements that support productivity and collaboration
• Summer schedule (July 1 to Labour Day):
• Fridays off, aligned with team and operational needs
• Ongoing commitment to employee development
• Comprehensive range of employee benefits and services designed to support employee wellbeing and development. Please note: details and eligibility may vary depending on the role
• Modern office space in Ottawa’s ByWard Market and downtown core

We’re committed to fostering an organizational culture that embraces equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging, where individuals from diverse racial and ethnic identities, ages, nationalities, social economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression and physical and mental abilities can thrive and be fully engaged at their best level.

We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process.

The future of work at FCM includes a hybrid work model; therefore, this role will be a combination of virtual and on-site work. The successful candidate is required live within 80kms of downtown Ottawa, unless otherwise specified, and be authorized to work in Canada.

As part of our recruitment process, we use automated artificial intelligence tools to screen applicants. All AI-generated assessments are reviewed and validated by our People and Culture team.

In closing....

We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process will be contacted by a member of our People and Culture Team.