Senior Manager, Government and Regulatory Affairs

BC Maritime Employers Association; London; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The BC Maritime Employers Association is seeking a Senior Manager, Government and Regulatory Affairs to strategically engage with government bodies and stakeholders affecting the maritime industry. This role involves developing government relations strategies, monitoring legislative developments, and advocating for policies that support the supply chain and economic resilience in Canada. Candidates should possess strong communication skills, a deep understanding of government operations, and significant experience in public policy.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in government relations, public policy, regulatory affairs, or a related area.
• Experience in federal government highly desirable.
• Demonstrated knowledge of legislative and regulatory processes in Canada.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive government and regulatory affairs strategies.
• Monitor and report on legislative and regulatory developments.
• Build and maintain relationships with elected officials and regulators.

Skills

Strategic Thinking

Political Acumen

Relationship Management

Communication Excellence

Collaboration & Influence

Adaptability

Analytical Rigor

Organizational Mastery

Tech-Savvy Mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree in political science, public administration, law, communications, or a related field

Master's degree or equivalent experience

Job description

The Senior Manager, Government and Regulatory Affairs is a pivotal role within the BCMEA Government and Public Affairs team. This position is responsible for advancing the BCMEA’s influence and strategic engagement with provincial and federal government bodies, regulatory agencies, and key stakeholders affecting the longshore and maritime industry. The role ensures that the BCMEA has a proactive and agile posture on legislation, regulatory framework, and policy shifts that impact waterfront employers across British Columbia.

With a deep understanding of government operations and regulatory mechanics, the Senior Manager will s shape the BCMEA’s voice in Ottawa and Victoria — advocating for policies that support supply chain stability, labour harmony, and economic resilience.

Why Join the BCMEA?

The BCMEA plays a foundational role in Canada’s supply chain. As Senior Manager, Government and Regulatory Affairs, you’ll help shape the policies that keep our waterfront strong, stable, and forward-looking. This is your opportunity to work at the intersection of policy, industry, and public impact — in an organization where your voice matters, your expertise drives outcomes, and your leadership influences the future of Canadian trade.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive government and regulatory affairs strategies aligned with the BCMEA’s organizational objectives.
• Monitor, analyze, and report on legislative and regulatory developments at the federal and provincial levels with potential impacts on the maritime and waterfront sectors.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with elected officials, senior bureaucrats, regulators, and industry associations.
• Build a system to track all government relations activities, legislative and regulatory issues and engagements with provincial and federal officials.
• Prepare briefings, submissions, position papers, and testimony for legislative or regulatory consultations and committees.
• Coordinate the BCMEA’s responses to regulatory consultations, white papers, and stakeholder engagement processes.
• Support internal leadership by providing strategic advice on government relations matters, emerging policy issues, and advocacy approaches.
• Collaborate with internal departments (Labour Relations, Human Resources, Training, Legal, Data Analytics etc.) to ensure alignment between regulatory positions and operational realities.
• Represent the BCMEA in multi-stakeholder working groups, industry forums, and cross-sectoral coalitions.
• Contribute to Government and Public Affairs strategic planning, communications, and issues management strategies as required.
• Strategic Thinking : Ability to synthesize political, regulatory, and operational inputs into actionable advocacy strategies.
• Political Acumen : Deep understanding of how government works, with the ability to navigate complex decision-making environments.
• Relationship Management : Skilled in building rapport and trust across a diverse range of stakeholders, from senior officials to industry partners.
• Communication Excellence : Superior written and verbal communication skills, including experience in policy writing, briefing materials, and stakeholder engagement.
• Collaboration & Influence : Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives, influence without authority, and operate with discretion and diplomacy.
• Adaptability : Comfortable in a fast-moving environment where policy shifts and government timelines evolve rapidly.
• Analytical Rigor : Strong research and evaluation capabilities, with an eye for both big-picture trends and fine-grain legislative detail.
• Organizational Mastery : Highly organized, with an ability to manage multiple files, timelines, and stakeholder priorities without losing focus or follow-through.
• Tech-Savvy Mindset : Embraces emerging digital tools and platforms that enhance policy monitoring, stakeholder tracking, and personal productivity — from CRM systems to AI-enhanced research and communication tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, public Administration, law, communications, or a related field. A master’s degree or equivalent experience is a strong asset.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in government relations, public policy, regulatory affairs, or a related area.
• Experience working within or directly with the federal government is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated knowledge of legislative and regulatory processes in Canada, especially relating to transportation, labour, trade, or infrastructure sectors.
• Previous experience in a unionized or industrial operations environment is an asset.

Working Conditions

• Full-time, Monday to Friday, with occasional travel to Ottawa, Victoria, and port regions as required.
• In-office work environment based out of Vancouver, BC.
• Some extended hours may be required as organizational priorities dictate.
• Must be able to occasionally attend government meetings, briefings, or public hearings outside standard business hours.

BC Maritime Employers Association is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.