Director, Government Relations
About The Position
The Canada West Regional Development Centre is an integral part of the service delivery system of YMCA Canada. The RDC focuses on overall health, governance, leadership, fiscal sustainability and growth of YMCAs within Western Canada. Government relations (GR) is a critical function of the RDC. Through GR, we support the YMCAs in Western Canada to build capacity, relationships and collective strength to influence public policy, government strategies, and investments in order to create healthier communities and achieve our mission. The Director of Government Relations works within a small regional team to support the development and implementation of provincial GR strategies for 11 independent YMCAs in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and BC. The Director brings a strong knowledge of how to influence provincial government policy decisions and has above average skills in critical analysis, written and verbal communications, project management and meeting facilitation. The Director values collaboration and has excellent skills in building internal and external relationships. The Director reports to the Sr VP and provides support and strategic leadership to the GR team.
Requirements
- University degree in public policy, public health, political science, communications, or relevant program.
- Minimum 5 years progressively responsible experience in a government or public policy environment.
- Strong understanding of the stages of public policy development, government decision-making, legislative processes, and effective ways to influence government policy in all levels of government.
- Exceptional communication and knowledge translation skills: good writer with the ability to consolidate information for a variety of audiences.
- Well-developed interpersonal and relationship building skills; ability to establish positive rapport with senior leadership, staff, volunteers, and other stakeholders.
- Exceptional meeting facilitator with strong skills in shared planning, collaborative decision-making, and achieving consensus; structured and well-organized in meeting preparation and recording.
- Ability to communicate professionally with senior leaders, including CEOs, government officials and other stakeholders.
- Strong initiative, planning, and organizational skills
- Experience leading others
- Enjoys working independently, and remotely, as part of a small team.
- Comfortable dealing with ambiguity and adapting to a wide range of tasks with demanding deadlines.
- Work from home office yet be able to travel in Western Canada as required.
- Successful candidate will be required to provide 3 satisfactory references
- Successful candidates will be required to provide or obtain, prior to starting, a current and satisfactory Criminal Record Check with a Vulnerable Sector Search.
Nice To Haves
- Experience working with the non-profit and charitable sector is an asset.
- Experience and sensitivity in working with members of different cultural and racial backgrounds, including visible and nonvisible dimensions of diversity.
Responsibilities
- Leads the development, coordination and implementation of provincial government relations strategies
- Works with YMCAs to identify opportunities for collective action on shared priorities; supports the development and implementation of GR strategies and tactics; provides coaching and advice for CEOs and senior staff teams regarding policy and advocacy approaches.
- Helps build internal capacity to actively steward relationships with provincial government stakeholders including politicians, civil servants, and political staff in priority ministries.
- Arranges, facilitates, and follow-up meetings with YMCA staff involved in GR, as needed.
- Implements strategies for long term success, while also responding to emerging needs.
- Directs the Policy Analyst in work to further the strategies.
- Collaborates with the YMCA Canada, GR staff within local YMCAs, and other RDCs to align national and provincial messaging.
- Produces regular communications, briefs, backgrounders, and analyses for CEOs about provincial government policies/legislation that may have an impact on the YMCA.
- Develops YMCA position papers and key messaging through consultation with YMCAs, outreach to stakeholders, and research to inform policy recommendations.
- Monitors related policy and legislative/regulatory matters at the provincial level, and provides strategic information and analysis for provincial advocacy (context, risks, and opportunities).
- Maintains a database of government meetings, key contacts, and outcomes.
- Supports/advises YMCAs in their municipal government stewardship, where requested.
- Demonstrates appropriate behaviours aligned with Mission, Vision and Values as reflected in our YMCA competencies; takes a member-focused approach to increase their understanding of programs offered across the YMCA. Represents the YMCA in a professional manner.
- Understands the importance of the volunteer staff partnership and integrates the value of philanthropy and volunteerism in dealings with staff, volunteers and members.
- Completes other related duties as assigned.
Benefits
- Competitive vacation and paid sick time
- Generous employer-matched pension plan
- Eligibility for Extended Medical and Dental Benefits
- Training and Professional Development Opportunities
- Extensive Employee assistance program
- Be part of a charitable organization that positively impacts the community
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
