Director, Government Relations

Description:

Job Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive enterprise government relations strategy, aligned with the company’s strategic vision and corporate priorities.
• Represent Wawanesa in meetings and consultations with elected officials, civil servants, regulators and other external stakeholders as required.
• Forge collaborative, impactful relationships with internal partners to ensure ongoing alignment with the company’s Operations, Strategy, Compliance, Risk, Legal, Community Impact and other functions.
• Support other leaders in identifying and preparing for engagement opportunities with government, external partners and other stakeholders.
• Provide strategic guidance to the company’s executive leadership on government and key stakeholder relations and advocacy matters.
• Develop an evaluative framework to monitor and report on the efficacy of GR and advocacy activities, (including activities led by Wawanesa and those for which Wawanesa is a partner) and propose specific opportunities for ongoing improvement and enhancement.
• Manage the government relations budget and lead annual planning for the GR function.
• As the function matures, hire, develop and mentor direct reports within the GR portfolio.
• As a key member of the Office of the CEO, actively support the success of adjacent functions including Communications, Marketing and Community Impact, and directly contribute to a performance-based culture that prizes collaboration, teamwork, inclusion, continuous improvement and agility.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience and success in a senior government relations, external relations or advocacy role, ideally within a large, complex and diversified organization. Minimum 10+ years combined leadership experience in one or more areas related to GR, strategy, legal/compliance, media relations or public affairs.
• Exceptional strategic acumen, including proven ability to articulate and execute a strategic vision aligned with wider enterprise objectives and priorities.
• Demonstrated understanding of the Canadian political landscape, legislative processes and current affairs. Experience or understanding of the regulatory environment as it pertains to the insurance or finance sectors a strong asset.
• Exemplary written and verbal communication skills, including proven experience as a compelling, articulate and impactful presenter.
• Deep knowledge of best and emerging practices in government relations, advocacy and external partnership.
• Proven ability to build trustful, collaborative, mutually beneficial relationships, both with external partners and internal teams.
• Professional media relations, external relations or stakeholder relations experience an asset.
• Understanding of the mutual insurance sector an asset.
• English-French Bilingualism an asset.
• Some travel will be required.