The Associate Vice-President, Ontario Government Relations (GR) is accountable for supporting our existing client base and growing our Ontario GR and broader public affairs business. The successful candidate is expected to apply strategic thinking to develop and execute GR and integrated communications strategies for a diverse client portfolio, including private, public, and non-profit sector organizations.

Effective writing skills are essential. Other responsibilities include, developing and directing effective advocacy plans for clients; developing key relationships with Ontario government decision-makers (political and civil service); providing expert analysis and insight; and building and maintaining effective working relationships with various stakeholders.

The Ontario AVP will support the Ontario Practice lead in achieving results for our clients. Counsel prides itself on high ethical and compliance standards. To succeed and thrive at Counsel, the candidate must demonstrate an ability to work within a team and adhere to our high ethical and compliance culture.

Government Relations and Lobbying

• Leading client GR files including day to day contact with clients and lobbying officials;
• Ongoing research, policy development, and writing as part of developing and executing government relations plans;
• Stakeholder outreach and management;
• Monitoring Ontario political and policy changes;
• Updating the Ontario Practice on key areas affecting existing clients and identifying opportunities for new clients;
• Intelligence gathering and monitoring events at Queen’s Park;
• Coordinating and executing grassroots advocacy campaigns;
• Supporting the research and preparation of proposals, briefs, letters, presentations and responses to RFPs;
• Supporting and directing the preparation of bulletin to clients to update them on current issues or new developments in government, including major staff changes, Cabinet shuffles, summaries of Throne Speeches and Budgets, etc.;
• Business development focused on Ontario clients and other jurisdictions (Ottawa, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and BC);
• Continuing to build on an existing network at Queen’s Park;
• Continuing to build your knowledge and understanding of the Ontario government, Ontario Legislature activities, and other relevant political and media monitoring;
• Build and support Counsel’s brand among political and business networks in Ontario; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Broader Public Affairs Support

• Supporting the planning, development and delivery of broadly based communications and PR for GR campaigns;
• Strategic advice and support to Communication clients as required;
• Direct contact with, and providing strategic advice to, senior executives, clients and stakeholder groups;
• Drafting communication materials as required, including press releases, fact sheets/backgrounders, letters to the editor, and client testimonials;
• Proven project management and budget management skills;
• Success managing workflow of complex files, projects; and
• Delivering projects on time and on budget.

Key Skills & Experience:

• Strong research and writing skills are a fundamental requirement of this role. 
• Experience in policy development and execution. 
• Proven experience in building a network of relationships in multiple sectors and across partisan lines. 
• Advocacy skills. 

Compensation will be commensurate with experience. 

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How to Apply:

If you are interested in applying, please submit a cover letter and resume to: careers@counselpa.com.
Applications will be accepted until the deadline of Wednesday, November 1st.

We thank you for your interest in Counsel Public Affairs. Only candidates considered for an interview will be contacted.

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About Counsel Public Affairs

Established in 2004, Counsel is a national firm with a team of over 30 team members representing Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto, and Ottawa. Counsel provides a full suite of services in national and provincial government relations and public affairs, including lobbying, crisis communications, strategic communications, media training, “PR4GR” campaigns, public opinion research, Indigenous facilitation, and justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion consulting.

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

As one of Canada’s leading public affairs agencies, we know that government and public relations is a field that often lacks diverse voices, and we are committed to changing that through internal education and changing our practices. We strongly encourage applications from historically, persistently, and/or systematically marginalized groups.

 

Based in Ottawa, the Senior Consultant, Federal Advocacy, will be a critical member of Counsel Public Affairs’ growing federal government relations practice.

At Counsel, our team of government and public relations strategists offer a tailored approach to each client’s unique public affairs needs. As a Senior Consultant, you will work closely with our leadership team to solve problems and deliver results for clients, with a focus on the federal government.

We’re looking for a strategic thinker and relationship builder with a passion for public affairs. Applicants should be skilled in government relations, policy and strategic communications. Past experience may include working in government, politics, agency, corporate or association settings.

As a member of our team, your work will range from monitoring and research to client engagement, to strategic plan development, to direct government advocacy.

Applicants must be eligible to lobby the federal public office holders in accordance with the federal Lobbying Act.

Knowledge of the federal legislative process is important. Familiarity with federal issues in a wide range of sectors is a definite asset.

Excellent communications skills are a must, and fluency in both official languages is strongly desired. Candidates must have a proven ability to work independently, with regular touchpoints to meet key deliverables.

Members of our team bring diverse skills to their work. We encourage the pursuit of new lines of business. Counsel places its immediate focus on quality client work but business development is also encouraged, as are opportunities to influence the policy environment more broadly through thought leadership, expert analysis and insight.

Compensation will be commensurate with experience.

Key accountabilities include:

Government Relations and Public Affairs

• Monitoring the federal political and policy environment and updating Counsel’s clients and leadership team on key developments
• Research and policy development in support of client goals
• Developing analysis for clients on breaking issues in government including new policies, cabinet shuffles, budgets and elections
• Developing and implementing effective strategic government relations campaigns
• Arranging meetings with parliamentarians and government officials on behalf of clients
• Providing strategic advice to clients
• Stakeholder outreach and management
• Working closely with Counsel’s integrated public relations practice on campaigns geared towards achieving government relations objectives
• Participation in key public affairs and policy events
• Business development focused on potential clients
• Drafting proposals, pitches, briefs, letters, messaging, presentations and responses to RFPs
• Basic administration including tracking of tasks and expenses as well as registering federal lobbying communications.

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How to Apply:

If you are interested in applying, please submit a cover letter and resume to: careers@counselpa.com.
Applications will be accepted until the deadline of Friday, December 15, 2023.

We thank you for your interest in Counsel Public Affairs. Only candidates considered for an interview will be contacted.

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About Counsel Public Affairs

Established in 2004, Counsel is a national firm with a team of over 35 consultants in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto, and Ottawa. Counsel provides a full suite of services in national and provincial government relations and public affairs, including lobbying, crisis communications, strategic communications, media training, “PR4GR” campaigns, public opinion research, Indigenous facilitation, and justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion consulting.

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

As one of Canada’s leading public affairs agencies, we know that government and public relations is a field that often lacks diverse voices, and we are committed to changing that through internal education and changing our practices. We strongly encourage applications from historically, persistently, and/or systematically marginalized groups.