Head of Government Relations

CSMC; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

CSMC in Ottawa seeks a Head of Government Relations to lead the company’s engagement with the Government of Canada across defence, security, nuclear, and strategic technology portfolios. This senior role requires sound judgment and discretion and serves as the primary interface with federal departments and agencies, shaping our federal engagement strategy.

You will coordinate with PMO, DND, and central offices to align priorities and advocate for national security and space initiatives with

Qualifications

• Experience engaging with Government of Canada in senior or consequential contexts.
• Direct experience working with DND/defense-related organizations or closely adjacent national security environments.
• Strong familiarity with PMO and central agency processes, decision-making structures.
• Experience operating in nuclear, defense, or other highly regulated sectors.
• Highly motivated self-starter capable of solving complex issues and persevering through setbacks.
• Ability to represent an organization credibly with senior public servants, political staff, and institutional stakeholders.
• Excellent judgment, discretion, and written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Own and execute federal government engagement strategy across defence, nuclear, and strategic technology domains.
• Serve as the primary senior point of contact with Government of Canada stakeholders, including departments, agencies, and central offices.
• Lead engagement with DND and defence-related organizations, supporting alignment with national defence priorities and procurement pathways.
• Manage relationships and engagement strategies involving PMO and central agencies, with understanding of decision-making processes and timing.
• Support government funding, partnership, and program engagement across nuclear, defence, space, and strategic infrastructure initiatives.
• Coordinate internally with executive leadership, legal, engineering, and program teams to ensure consistent and accurate government messaging.
• Monitor and assess policy, legislative, and strategic developments relevant to CSMC’s programs and advise leadership accordingly.
• Represent CSMC in formal and informal government forums, briefings, and consultations as appropriate.
• Ensure all government engagement is conducted with professionalism, transparency, and adherence to applicable laws and ethical standards.

Skills

Government relations

DND/Defense experience

PMO familiarity

Nuclear/Defense sectors

Public sector experience

Communication

Job description

Head of Government Relations

Work Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Department: Corporate / Government Affairs

About Canadian Strategic Missions Corp. (CSMC)
Canadian Strategic Missions Corporation is building the capabilities that will shape Canada's future in space, defence, and energy. We focus on developing dual use systems that address critical challenges here on Earth while enabling sustained human activity beyond it.

In a short time, CSMC has established real momentum. WE have secured significant government investment to advance next generation micro nuclear reactors in partnership with leading institutions, alongside expanding a portfolio of technologies designed for remote environments, national defence, and future space missions. These efforts reflect a broader ambition to deliver reliable power and critical infrastructure where it matters most.
Our work is grounded in close collaboration with government and guided by a clear sense of purpose: to build sovereign capability at a time when it has never been more important. We care deeply about execution, long term impact and earning the trust required to deliver systems that will service Canada and its allies for decades.

CSMC is a company for builders. We are a group of people drawn to hard problems, meaningful impact and the opportunity to shape systems that matter at a national and global scale. We are building a team that thrives in ambiguity, values execution, and is motivated by mission and impact.

Role Overview

CSMC is seeking a Head of Government Relations to lead and own the company’s engagement with the Government of Canada. This role is responsible for shaping and executing our federal government engagement strategy across defence, security, nuclear, and strategic technology portfolios.

The Head of Government Relations will serve as CSMC’s senior interface with departments and agencies including DND/CAF, PMO, central agencies, and nuclear and security stakeholders, ensuring alignment between government priorities and CSMC’s long-term programs. This is a senior role requiring judgment, discretion, and the ability to operate effectively within Ottawa’s institutional environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and execute CSMC’s federal government engagement strategy across defence, nuclear, and strategic technology domains.
• Serve as the primary senior point of contact with Government of Canada stakeholders, including departments, agencies, and central offices.
• Lead engagement with DND and defence-related organizations, supporting alignment with national defence priorities and procurement pathways.
• Manage relationships and engagement strategies involving PMO and central agencies, with an understanding of decision-making processes and timing.
• Support government funding, partnership, and program engagement across nuclear, defence, space, and strategic infrastructure initiatives.
• Coordinate internally with executive leadership, legal, engineering, and program teams to ensure consistent and accurate government messaging.
• Monitor and assess policy, legislative, and strategic developments relevant to CSMC’s programs and advise leadership accordingly.
• Represent CSMC in formal and informal government forums, briefings, and consultations as appropriate.
• Ensure all government engagement is conducted with professionalism, transparency, and adherence to applicable laws and ethical standards.

Qualifications

Required

• Demonstrated experience engaging with the Government of Canada in senior or consequential contexts.
• Direct experience working with or within DND / defence-related organizations, or in closely adjacent national security environments.
• Strong familiarity with PMO and central agency processes, decision-making structures, and stakeholder dynamics.
• Experience operating in nuclear, defence, or other highly regulated sectors.
• The candidate must be a highly motivated self starter, capable of working through complex issues to solve problems that are not off the shelf. They should be capable of moving through setbacks and finding ways to persevere.
• Ability to represent an organization credibly with senior public servants, political staff, and institutional stakeholders.
• Excellent judgment, discretion, and written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred

• Experience spanning both public-sector and private-sector roles.
• Familiarity with federal procurement, contribution agreements, or strategic partnership models.
• International experience is plus, including with NATO, NORAD, ESA, and other relevant organizations.
• Exposure to space, energy, or critical infrastructure programs.
• Existing professional relationships within relevant federal departments or agencies.

Why Join CSMC

CSMC is building technologies that will shape Canada’s future in energy, space, and national security.You’lljoin a team of engineers, scientists, and mission-driven builders who care deeply about solving hard problems that matter. We move quickly, support each other, and take pride in doing work that hasrealimpact. Along the way,you’llhave access to competitive compensation, benefits, and equity, and the chance to grow with a company that values ownership, curiosity, and technical excellence.

Employment Eligibility

CSMC works with highly sensitivenuclear, defence, and aerospace technologies, and all roles require eligibility for federal security screening and compliance with controlled goods and export regulations. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in Canada, able to obtain and maintain Government of Canada security clearance, and eligible to meet foreign affiliation and export control requirements. These conditions are mandatory Bona Fide Occupational Requirements and reflect the need to securely develop and protect nationally significant capabilities.