A full-time role based in Ottawa
Overview
This is an opportunity to work at the heart of one of the greatest challenges, and opportunities, facing not only Canada but the world — addressing climate change. As our Director of Federal Government Relations, you will be the primary point person in our organization advocating for smart and ambitious climate policy at the federal level, while also supporting work at the provincial level.
At Clean Prosperity, our mission is to help Canada transition to a net-zero emissions economy in a way that is affordable for Canadians and generates economic growth all across the country. We pride ourselves on effective and practical solutions to the decarbonization challenge. We believe in market-based policies such as carbon pricing, investment tax credits for carbon dioxide removal technologies, and more. A full set of our latest policy recommendations to government can be found here.
We are passionate about what we do and we are looking for a smart, ambitious person to join our team to lead our work in Ottawa.
The role
The Director of Federal Government Relations oversees government relations, contributes to policy development, and helps manage relationships with external stakeholders.
Your main objective will be to encourage the federal government and federal opposition parties to adopt more ambitious cost-effective climate policy, with carbon pricing ideally playing a leading role. You may also have the opportunity to work on provincial policy depending on interest and capacity.
Key responsibilities
Below is a list of key responsibilities currently envisioned for this role. We are a fast-paced organization with evolving priorities, so these responsibilities may change. Over time, we expect the Director to set their own priorities.
Government relations (primary focus):
- Working with our Executive Director, develop an overall government relations strategy.
- Hold regular conversations (many per week) with relevant government officials — including elected leaders, political staff, and departmental staff.
- Draft formal communications to government including submitting feedback on government discussion papers.
- Represent Clean Prosperity at government briefings, hearings, and related events.
- Track political happenings to ensure our advocacy strategy has maximum impact.
- Undertake similar activities to the above with relevant staff from political parties.
Stakeholder relations:
- Identify and engage other stakeholders who will be influential on topics related to our policy agenda, such as industry associations, nonprofits, and community organizations.
- Attend and present at relevant events, such as conferences, forums, and conventions.
- Build relationships with journalists who cover federal politics.
Policy development:
- In partnership with our Executive Director and the rest of our team, develop Clean Prosperity’s policy positions, on topics like the carbon management industry, the new federal greenhouse gas offset system, a potential future border carbon adjustment, etc.
- Conduct desk research to support our mission and organizational objectives and commission primary research from academics or consultants.
- Draft briefing notes and other policy-related assets to support our advocacy work.
Skills and experience needed
You must love working with busy people and enjoy the challenge of getting their attention. Every day, you will be calling, emailing, and holding multiple meetings with external stakeholders.
All candidates must be/have:
- Significant experience either in a policy role within government and/or conducting government relations, preferably at the federal level.
- Outstanding people skills — you must be able to build relationships quickly, work with people across the political spectrum, and find common ground with those who disagree with you. It is particularly important that you are able to make credible arguments to elected officials who may be uncertain about the need for more stringent climate policy.
- A highly effective communicator who can make compelling presentations to small and large groups, even when the topic is fairly technical.
- Baseline understanding of climate policy, at minimum, and a belief in carbon pricing as a key solution to the climate change challenge.
- Basic comfort in reviewing reports produced by economists (since they conduct a lot of cost-effectiveness analysis on climate policy).
- Ability to work independently and effectively — you’ll be the sole staff member based in Ottawa (though our ED will likely travel to Ottawa regularly), and will need to be a self-starter who knows how to get things done and how to adapt in a fast-paced and quickly changing environment.
- Willingness to travel 1-2 times per quarter, mostly to Toronto.
- Ability to work in French considered an asset (but not mandatory).
Clean Prosperity is committed to diversity in its hiring processes. As such, we welcome applications from members of visible minorities, First Nations, Métis, Inuit, persons with disabilities, persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to help provide a diverse range of perspectives.
The team
We are a relatively small organization that includes our Executive Director, Director of Communications, Director of Research, Director for Western Canada, Research Associate, Communications Manager, and Operations Manager.
You will report to the Executive Director but will work closely with our whole team, especially our Director for Western Canada who is also focused on government relations and public affairs.
Location and hours
This role is Ottawa-based, given that much of your government and stakeholder relations work will be at the federal level. We will arrange for you to have a workspace at a co-working facility, or you can work from home if that is your preference.
Our full team works remotely. We typically work standard work hours (9 am to 5 pm ET), but are much more concerned about results and getting things done effectively than when you work.
Compensation
We’re seeking a star candidate who can fill a senior role leading our federal government relations work. While we are a nonprofit, most of our staff come from the private sector and we intend to pay a competitive salary. In addition to your salary, you will also be entitled to an attractive benefits package. Just as importantly, you’ll be working on something you truly believe in with other passionate people.
How to apply
If interested, please send an email to careers@cleanprosperity.ca with the title “Application for Director of Federal Government Relations” that includes:
- Your resume
- A cover letter explaining why you want to work with us, and why you’d be a good fit.
We are hoping to have the successful applicant in place in the fall of 2022, ideally before the end of October.
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