Manager, Advocacy & Government Relations

Engaged HR; Ottawa; Remote; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A national non-profit organization is seeking a Manager for Advocacy and Government Relations to lead advocacy efforts and policy development. The candidate will manage a team, work with government officials, and build campaigns to address food insecurity in Canada. Ideal candidates have a degree in political science, experience in advocacy, and strong understanding of Canadian politics. This full-time role is home-based near Ottawa.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years’ relevant experience.
• Experience working in federal politics is an asset.
• Bilingualism (English/French) is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team through performance management and mentorship.
• Lead government relations and advocacy work.
• Build relationships with government and stakeholders.

Skills

Team collaboration

Advocacy campaign organization

Understanding of poverty and hunger

Education

Completion of an undergraduate degree or equivalent

Job description

Overview

About Food Banks Canada

At Food Banks Canada, our commitment stretches across the nation, tirelessly supporting and enhancing the work of over 5,500 food banks and community organizations. We invest in, advocate for, and bolster their critical efforts. Through diligent research, we delve into the root causes of food insecurity, devising actionable solutions informed by our findings as we work to create a Canada where no one goes hungry.

In 2024, Waterstone Human Capital recognized our workplace for embodying one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures of the year. This distinction highlights best-in-class Canadian organizations with cultures that have helped them enhance performance. For us, performance means advancing our mission and achieving organizational goals collaboratively with a team that is happy, healthy and engaged.

Our efforts and impact are expanding, and we\'re opening doors for passionate, teamwork-driven professionals in search of a career that\'s both meaningful and captivating. Bilingualism (English/French) is an asset for all our roles at Food Banks Canada as we support Canadians across the country.

About the Role

Reporting to the Vice President, Advocacy and Research, the Manager, Advocacy and Government Relations will help successfully execute Food Bank Canada’s strategic plan where it concerns government relations, advocacy, and policy development. This includes working directly with government officials, building relationships with network members and government relations practitioners, and building advocacy and outreach campaigns. This role is responsible for supporting Food Bank Canada’s advocacy, government relations and public policy initiatives in collaboration with the food bank network. This role is the subject-matter expert relating to government files within Food Banks Canada. The Manager, Advocacy and Government Relations supports Food Banks Canada advocacy work and is a resource for provincial associations and some local food banks in their provincial and local policy development and government relations activities.

What You Will Be Doing

• Manage a team through performance management, coaching and mentorship, oversight of day-to-day operations, and implementation of annual workplan
• Lead the planning and execution of Food Banks Canada’s government relations and advocacy work
• Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, political staff, and public servants across all levels of government, acting as a liaison on behalf of Food Banks Canada
• Lead the planning and execution of advocacy campaigns that raise awareness and understanding about food insecurity and poverty, and that seek to influence policy change
• Lead a strategy to build advocacy and public policy skills and competencies for the food bank network, to enhance national, provincial, and local advocacy
• Draft briefing material, reports, policy recommendations, and consultation submissions to support Food Banks Canada’s advocacy and government relations work, in collaboration with the Research Department
• Support the development and implementation of tools to measure the impact and effectiveness of advocacy campaigns and government relations activities, and use insights to inform continuous improvement
• Oversee the development of policy positions, and analyzing legislation, regulations, and social trends that affect food insecurity and the food bank network
• Maintain regular contact with provincial associations and provide advice and assistance on advocacy, policy, and government relations
• Partner and lead conversations with other non-profit organizations in the food security, anti-poverty, and social development fields, particularly in relation to the advancement of common public policy recommendations and advocacy collaboration
• Ensure the Advocacy team maintains an in-depth understanding of current issues, trends, and opportunities in Canada and understands their impact on Food Banks Canada’s mission, vision, and strategy
• Effectively communicate Food Banks Canada’s key messages to external audiences through presentations, briefing materials, and other communication materials, as required
• Ensure compliance with Food Banks Canada’s policies and statutory obligations, including but not limited to the Lobbying Act
• Other duties as assigned

What You Will Need

• Completion of an undergraduate degree or equivalent, preferably in political science
• Minimum 4 years’ relevant experience
• Experience working in a team environment across multiple stakeholder groups both internal and external, preferably in a political setting
• Eligible to be a registered federal and provincial lobbyist
• Advanced knowledge and experience organizing effective advocacy campaigns, strategies, and tactics
• Experience working in federal politics is an asset
• Deep knowledge of Canada’s political systems and an understanding of how public policy is implemented
• Nuanced, strategic understanding of government processes and policy development
• Experience as a people manager, is considered an asset
• Strong understanding of poverty and hunger in Canada
• Bilingualism (English/French) is an asset

Working Conditions

• Full-time, Monday-Friday, with occasional evening and weekend work
• This position is home-based and must be located within 100km of Ottawa, Ontario.
• Occasional travel within Canada may be required.

Application Information

If this opportunity to work with an exciting, growing, national non-profit appeals to you, please apply with your cover letter and resume. Additional information on this role can be found in the full job description.

This posting will remain open until Wednesday, Oct 15, 2025.

We look forward to hearing from and connecting with you!

Food Banks Canada believes that diversity is the cornerstone of excellence within our team and mirrors the community we serve. We warmly invite candidates of all genders, ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, and abilities to apply. Committed to an accessible recruitment journey, Food Banks Canada ensures a barrier-free experience. Should you be approached for a job opportunity, please reach out to [e-mail] if you require accommodations.

We thank all those who apply but only those applicants who are selected for an interview will be contacted.