Director of Government Relations & Community Engagement

Forbes includes U of G Among Canada’s Best Employers

Professional and Managerial Group

Director of Government Relations & Community Engagement

Government Relations & Community Engagement

Hiring #: 2024-0153

Please read the Application Instructions before applying

The Government Relations and Community Engagement team, part of the Office of the President and Vice-Chancellor, is a dedicated team of professionals who work across the organization to advance the University’s strategic priorities. 

Reporting to the Assistant Vice-President, the Director of Government Relations and Community Engagement will play a pivotal role in supporting U of G’s interest with government and community stakeholders. By leveraging your knowledge of federal, provincial, and municipal governments, the Director will be responsible for providing expert counsel, specialist advice and assistance to university leadership and executive team. You will play a key role in advancing government advocacy and community partnerships, drive success for the university, and build trusting and mutually beneficial relationships. 

This role is part of a small and dynamic team, and you will need strong interpersonal skills. In addition to fostering positive working relationships with external stakeholders, you will be expected to work with a diverse group of students, faculty and staff within the University to support an institutional approach to government and community engagement. The role requires occasional travel and may require work outside of regular hours of business. 

The role you will play:

• Supports the development of a comprehensive government relations and community engagement strategy. 
• Leads advocacy and engagement plans in support of strategic objectives, and monitors relevant KPI’s, progress and outcomes.
• Identifies new and innovative opportunities to advance the University’s image and reputation with targeted audiences.
• Establishes a network of positive and productive relationships with government stakeholders and community partners.
• Leads the coordination of campus-wide government relations strategies, activities, reporting and information sharing.
• Identifies funding, policy, and legislative opportunities that further the strategic direction of the University and coordinates a unified response with campus stakeholders.
• Informs the University’s public response to government and community initiatives and opportunities.
• Represents the University at government and stakeholder meetings, consultations, roundtables, and events.
• Provides supervision and mentorship to members of the GRCE team and leadership in government relations and community engagement a vast network of partners across campus.

Skills Required:

• Master’s degree in Communications, Business Administration, Public Policy, Political Science or equivalent.
• 7-10 years of experience in progressively senior roles, plus, additional skills gain through working in government relations and community engagement settings.
• Exceptional communicator with the ability to build a compelling and engaging narrative.
• Proven history of developing persuasive and successful advocacy campaigns and strategies.
• Excellent knowledge of the inner workings of government, including the decision-making processes, relevant programming and reporting requirements and the political process and environment.
• Experience in leading the development of public facing submissions for government and community stakeholders.
• Significant experience working in a complex, decentralized organization with proven ability to achieve objectives.
• Proven leadership, including the ability to gain trust, to guide internal partners on coordinated and effective communications and engagements with government and community stakeholders.
• Eligibility to act as a registered lobbyist.

Position Number 024-056

Classification P11*

Professional/Managerial Salary Bands

• Tentative evaluation; subject to committee review.

At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.

Posting Date: 2024 03 13

Closing Date: 2024 03 27

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