Senior Strategist, Government Relations

MacEwan University; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 76,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

MacEwan University in Edmonton is seeking a Senior Strategist, Government Relations to lead strategic engagement with government, analyze policy developments, and advise leadership on political and funding priorities. You will manage assigned files, develop engagement approaches, coordinate across units, and build trusted government relationships to advance institutional priorities.

Reporting to the Director of Government Relations, the role requires a proactive, discreet professional with

Qualifications

• An undergraduate degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Public Administration, Communications, Law, Business or related field.
• Minimum 6 years of progressively responsible experience in government relations or public policy.
• Experience across government jurisdictions and independent judgment in sensitive environments.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary day-to-day contact for government departments and stakeholders.
• Manage assigned government relations files, including policy and funding proposals.
• Develop and recommend engagement approaches within institutional positions.
• Coordinate input from units; identify issues and risks; prepare briefings.
• Maintain relationships with officials, sector organizations, and stakeholders.
• Prepare budget submissions, funding proposals, and advocacy materials.
• Monitor issues and reporting; escalate directions to Director.

Skills

Government relations experience

Policy analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Budget submissions

Written communication

Education

Undergraduate degree in Public Policy or related field

Job description

Government and Community Relations, University Relations

Competition No. 26.11.283

Category

Closing Date

Full-Time Continuing (35 hours per week) MSU Band G (Steps 1-8): $41.674 - $60.619 per hour. $75,846 - $110,326 per annum (Based on 35 hours per week). November 22, 2026

About Us

MacEwan University is where caring faculty help people connect their passions to their future paths. Located in the heart of Edmonton's diverse and dynamic downtown community, and on the traditional lands of Treaty 6 First Nations and homelands of the Métis people, MacEwan is known for exceptional undergraduate learning. With its dedication to teaching excellence, informed by scholarly research, innovation, and creative activity, MacEwan provides an exceptional collaborative and supportive learning environment with a commitment to human rights, environmental sustainability, and opportunities for community engagement. We are committed to creating an equitable, diverse, inclusive, and welcoming community for all peoples, cultures, and identities.
Our comprehensive undergraduate university offers 55 programs to more than 21,000 full- and part-time students in business, communications, community and human services, design, fine and performing arts, health, humanities, natural science, nursing, public safety, and social science. Through a wide array of experiential learning opportunities, and strategic relationships in the community, we partner with others to produce graduates of stature. Along with a robust grounding in their chosen disciplines, MacEwan students are given durable life skills that prepare them to take on the world.

Good government relations work happens when someone understands how government works, anticipates where policy and political priorities are heading, and recognizes where government interests and institutional ambitions might intersect.

At MacEwan University, we're looking for a Senior Strategist, Government Relations who can do just that. Someone who brings curiosity and sound judgment to complex political and policy environments, builds trusted relationships, connects developments across jurisdictions, and has the initiative to turn emerging opportunities into meaningful outcomes.

This is a role about helping MacEwan engage more strategically with government, contribute meaningfully to policy conversations, and identify opportunities to advance shared priorities.

This full-time continuing position reports to the Director, Government Relations. You will independently manage assigned government relations and advocacy files, provide policy analysis and strategic advice, and develop and implement engagement approaches within approved institutional positions and delegated authority.

Working across academic and administrative units, you will coordinate institutional input, assess emerging developments and risks, prepare recommendations and executive decision-support materials, and maintain relationships with government officials, sector organizations and other stakeholders. You will also identify matters requiring higher-level direction or approval and bring them forward to the Director.

Key responsibilities include:

• Serving as the primary day-to-day staff contact for assigned government departments, agencies and stakeholder groups, building strong working relationships, understanding their priorities and identifying opportunities to advance shared interests;
• Independently managing assigned government relations and advocacy files, including policy, legislation, operational funding, grants, capital priorities and government partnerships, from planning through implementation and follow-up;
• Developing and recommending government engagement approaches and responses while implementing approved approaches within institutional positions and delegated authority;
• Coordinating input from academic and administrative units, identifying emerging issues and risks, recommending responses, and bringing forward matters requiring direction or decisions from the Director or senior leadership;
• Preparing initial drafts of provincial and federal budget submissions, capital and operational funding proposals, consultation responses, and related advocacy materials for senior leadership review and approval;
• Leading environmental scanning and intelligence gathering on assigned government, public policy, legislative, regulatory, funding, and stakeholder matters including mapping relevant departments, branches, officials, decision-makers, and influencing pathways for institutional priorities;
• Providing confidential analysis and advice, as appropriate, to the Director and AVP on assigned files, emerging issues, engagement opportunities, and political, policy, relationship, and reputational risks;
• Preparing briefings, options papers, risk assessments, recommendations, and executive decision-support materials;
• Supporting the development of institutional positions on government initiatives, consultations, and policy matters; and
• Maintaining systems to track government engagement, issues and stakeholder intelligence, monitoring progress against assigned file objectives and identifying improvements to reporting and operating practices.

Skills

You will have:

• The ability to analyze complex government policies, legislation, funding initiatives, and political developments, assess institutional implications, and develop practical recommendations;
• A strong understanding of government decision-making processes, political environments, and stakeholder interests, with the ability to navigate sensitive issues and exercise sound judgment and discretion;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare briefing notes, policy analysis, funding proposals, advocacy materials, and recommendations for senior leadership and government audiences;
• The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with government officials, institutional leaders, sector organizations, and external stakeholders;
• The ability to work across academic and administrative units, reconcile differing perspectives, build consensus, and advance institutional priorities without direct supervisory authority; and
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to independently manage multiple priorities, coordinate complex initiatives, and meet competing deadlines.

Qualifications

• A minimum of an undergraduate degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Public Administration, Communications, Law, Business, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 6 years of progressively responsible experience in government relations, public policy, political affairs, public administration, stakeholder relations, advocacy, or a closely related field.
• Experience working across government jurisdictions, development of policy or funding proposals, preparation of executive-level materials, management of complex stakeholder files, cross-functional leadership without direct supervisory authority, and independent judgment in politically sensitive environments.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Position Requirement

• This position is on campus only.

When you become part of the MacEwan University team, you will enjoy a competitive salary. Our total compensation package includes:

This position is included under the MacEwan Staff Union Collective Agreement.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however,Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

MacEwan University is committed to fostering the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion within our community, and we are dedicated to removing barriers that have been historically encountered and are currently experienced by some members of our society. We welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, visible minorities, women, persons with disabilities, sexual and gender minorities, and members of all equity-deserving groups. We believe that the diversity of our students, staff, and faculty serves as a strength of our institution and benefit to society. We are committed to ensuring full and inclusive participation for all in our community.

Accessibility Statement

We strive to provide an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, beginning with the hiring process. If you require accommodation, we want to ensure you have the support you need to showcase your abilities. Please contact [e-mail] and we will support you to the best of our ability.

Personal Information Collection Notification
The personal information collected through MacEwan University’s application for employment and is used to determine your qualifications for employment. If your application progresses to the next stage of the hiring process, this information may be shared with non-HR members of the hiring committee and interview panel. This collection is authorized by section 4(c) of the Protection of Privacy Act. For questions about the collection of personal information, contact Human Resources at [e-mail] or phone [phone].