Senior Consultant, Public Affairs and Government Relations

NATIONAL Public Relations Inc.; Toronto; On-site; CAD 77,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Collaborative culture

Senior advisor exposure

Mentorship and career growth

Diverse portfolio of clients

Job summary

National Public Relations Inc. in Toronto is seeking a Senior Consultant for its Public Affairs and Government Relations team. You will help clients navigate political, regulatory and reputational environments while shaping practical strategies to advance goals.

This role suits someone with strong political instincts, client-service excellence, and the ability to manage multiple moving pieces in a fast-paced agency setting.

Qualifications

• Three to six years of experience in public affairs, government relations, strategic communications, political offices, consulting, government or a related environment.
• Strong understanding of Ontario politics, municipal government and/or public policy.
• Post-secondary degree in public relations, political science, business administration, public administration, or a related field.
• Agency experience, political staff experience or experience supporting senior decision-makers considered a strong asset.
• Excellent writing, research and presentation skills.
• Strong client service instincts, including responsiveness, organization, judgment and attention to detail.
• Ability to monitor political, media and stakeholder developments and translate them into client-relevant insights.
• Comfortable managing multiple files, deadlines and relationships at once.
• Entrepreneurial, curious and motivated to help grow the practice.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the day-to-day, client-facing manager for accounts across multiple industry sectors.
• Collaborate with senior communications and public affairs leaders to deliver expert counsel and exceptional service.
• Design, manage, and execute impactful municipal and provincial government relations programs as well as stakeholder engagement and advocacy campaigns.
• Lead and support reputation management programs, issues and crisis management, and communications campaigns (earned, owned, and paid media strategies).
• Monitor and analyze evolving political, economic, and social issues; proactively propose strategies to advance client goals.
• Oversee account management, including project work plans and budgets.
• Contribute to practice and Firm-wide business development initiatives, with a focus on issues/crisis management, reputation management, campaign strategy and activation, public engagement, and stakeholder relations.
• Work with colleagues across National practices and offices to deliver integrated communications services.

Skills

Public affairs

Strategic communications

Client service

Writing

Research

Presentation skills

Project management

Education

Public relations / political science / business administration or related field

Job description

At National , we are proud to be Canada’s leading public relations firm, bringing together a coast-to-coast network of public affairs experts. In Toronto, our Public Affairs and Government Relations team partners with clients across a wide range of sectors to design, activate, and manage strategies that resonate with audiences and deliver measurable impact. As our team continues to grow, we are seeking a consultant with a passion for strategic communications, public affairs, government relations and, above and beyond, exceptional client service.

The role

As a Senior Consultant on National ’s Public Affairs and Government Relations team in Toronto, you will help clients understand and navigate complex political, regulatory and reputational environments. You will support high-profile mandates across sectors, helping to turn current events, policy developments and stakeholder dynamics into practical strategies that advance client goals.

This role is ideal for someone with strong political instincts, excellent client service skills and the ability to manage multiple moving pieces in a fast-paced agency environment. You may come from a public affairs agency, a political office, government, corporate communications or another client-facing advisory role.

Key responsibilities

• Serve as the day-to-day, client-facing manager for accounts across multiple industry sectors
• Collaborate with senior communications and public affairs leaders to deliver expert counsel and exceptional service
• Design, manage, and execute impactful municipal and provincial government relations programs as well as stakeholder engagement and advocacy campaigns
• Lead and support reputation management programs, issues and crisis management, and communications campaigns (earned, owned, and paid media strategies)
• Monitor and analyze evolving political, economic, and social issues; proactively propose strategies to advance client goals
• Oversee account management, including project work plans and budgets
• Contribute to practice and Firm-wide business development initiatives, with a focus on issues/crisis management, reputation management, campaign strategy and activation, public engagement, and stakeholder relations
• Work with colleagues across National practices and offices to deliver integrated communications services

Qualifications

• Three to six years of experience in public affairs, government relations, strategic communications, political offices, consulting, government or a related environment
• Strong understanding of Ontario politics, municipal government and/or public policy
• Post-secondary degree in public relations, political science, business administration, public administration, or a related field
• Agency experience, political staff experience or experience supporting senior decision-makers considered a strong asset
• Excellent writing, research and presentation skills
• Strong client service instincts, including responsiveness, organization, judgment and attention to detail
• Ability to monitor political, media and stakeholder developments and translate them into client-relevant insights
• Comfortable managing multiple files, deadlines and relationships at once
• Entrepreneurial, curious and motivated to help grow the practice

Abilities

• Sound judgment and critical thinking, with the ability to assess complex situations and recommend practical courses of action
• Ability to anticipate needs, identify emerging opportunities and challenges, and proactively bring forward solutions
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities, with the ability to work effectively with clients, colleagues and external stakeholders
• Ability to collaborate effectively as part of a team while taking ownership of work and driving assignments forward independently
• Adaptability and comfort working in a fast-paced environment where priorities and circumstances can change quickly
• Commitment to continuous learning and staying current on political, policy, communications and industry developments

What we offer

• A collaborative, entrepreneurial workplace culture that values curiosity, innovation and teamwork
• The opportunity to work directly with senior advisors, clients and decision-makers on high-profile files at the intersection of business, politics, media and public opinion
• Meaningful responsibility, mentorship and opportunities to accelerate your career in public affairs and government relations
• Exposure to a diverse portfolio of clients, industries and public policy issues across Canada
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits

Expected Compensation

• The expected salary for this role is $77,000-$87,500 CAD. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, skills, and internal equity.

National Public Relations provides creative communications solutions that move people in thought and actions. We bring together a team of 300 seasoned professionals, who are committed to helping organizations of all sizes and in all sectors understand their challenges and opportunities and solve the issues they are facing. For 47 years, NATIONAL has been at the center of issues and industries that matter, leading change for today and tomorrow.

National is Canada’s leading public relations firm, with offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Saint John, Halifax and St. John’s. Its network includes Time & Space, a leader in media strategy, data analysis, planning and execution.

National Public Relations is an AVENIR GLOBAL company, the largest Canadian-owned global communications firm, ranked among the 25 largest in the world with offices in 23 locations across Canada, the U.S., Europe and the Middle East. For more information about NATIONAL, please visit ourwebsite or follow us on LinkedIn and X .

National is committed to employment equity and we encourage applications from all qualified candidates. We value diversity and creating an inclusive culture where everyone can bring their true selves to work. We are committed as a company to equitable practices and policies that encourage a diverse workforce and work environment.

If you require a special accommodation, please advise the Human Resources Manager or Hiring Manager during the hiring process.