Responsable des affaires gouvernementales | Head of Government Affairs

Estruxture Data Centers•Montreal, QC

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the SVP, Sales & Marketing, the Head of Government Affairs will play a key role in shaping the external environment in which eStruxture operates. This role is pivotal in accelerating eStruxture’s growth by orchestrating engagement with provincial governments, utilities, and communities to enable data center growth, energy access, and policy alignment across multiple provinces. This individual will manage the company’s government relations firm, coordinate cross-functional policy engagement, and ensure eStruxture’s voice is represented in shaping Canada’s digital infrastructure landscape.

Requirements

10 years minimum of progressive experience in government affairs, public relations, Indigenous relations, or regulatory affairs.
Experience must ideally be within the energy, natural resources, or infrastructure sectors (e.g., data centers, utilities, renewables).
University degree in Political Science, Public Administration, Law, International Relations, Communications, or a closely related field.
Ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced high-growth, entrepreneurial environment, where quality, innovation, speed of decision-making and execution are critical to the success of the organization.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Strong communications skills – oral and written.
Attention to detail and organizational skills.
Hardworking, able to build strong long lasting customer relationships, highly motivated to achieve sales targets and be a strong team player.
Demonstrated solid knowledge of the renewable energy industry and a strong understanding of best practices for achieving social acceptability in large-scale infrastructure projects.
In-depth knowledge of Canadian political, regulatory, and economic framework, including specific expertise in Indigenous and municipal realities and land-use planning processes.
Possess a strategic mindset, high political acumen, and diplomacy, with the proven ability to navigate complex political landscapes and handle sensitive matters with discretion.
Strong grasp of Canadian legislative and regulatory processes across federal and provincial levels, particularly as they relate to infrastructure, energy, and corporate compliance.
Demonstrated commitment to ensuring all corporate activities are conducted in strict compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in both French and English, with a proven ability to interpret complex information and simplify policy matters for diverse audiences (from local communities to executive leadership).
Proven ability to build and maintain trusting relationships with high-level government officials, decision-makers, and community stakeholders, and demonstrated capacity to influence public policy.
Expert ability to manage conflicts, resolve problems diplomatically, and lead public consultation and community mobilization initiatives effectively.

Responsibilities

Monitor, track, and assess proposed legislation, regulations, and political developments across federal, provincial and municipal levels.
Draft detailed policy briefings, strategic assessments, and comment letters. Provide clear guidance to internal teams and senior leadership on emerging regulatory trends, risks, and opportunities relevant to the data center sector.
Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key legislators, regulators, and government officials across Canada. Represent the company in government interactions, trade associations, and industry working groups.
Actively contribute strategic input to all authorization, permitting, and land-use planning processes to facilitate project approval.
Ensure meticulous maintenance of all lobbying registrations and required regulatory reporting. Oversee external government affairs consultants for efficiency and alignment.
Identify and prioritize emerging policy risks and areas for advocacy, supporting senior leadership decisions related to business risk, compliance, and strategic planning.
Manage the relationship with eStruxture’s external government relations firm, ensuring alignment with company strategy, consistency of messaging, and measurable outcomes.
Serve as the central facilitator for internal communication on high-risk political or community issues, collaborating with Legal, Compliance, Risk, and other critical teams.
Monitor relevant trends in the renewable energy and technology sectors in Canada, sharing strategic insights with the management team.
Produce regular performance and intelligence reports for management, including data-driven recommendations and strategies to address emerging political or community issues.
Contribute to the overall budget planning for the department and efficiently manage the financial resources allocated to government and community affairs activities.
Ensure all activities are conducted in full compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and internal company policies.
Support the senior leadership team in prioritizing key cross-functional initiatives and promoting overall strategic alignment across the organization.
Develop and execute a comprehensive community relations strategy, to ensure the social acceptance and support of all company projects throughout the development and construction phases.
Negotiate and finalize partnership agreements with local stakeholders and community groups to facilitate harmonious cooperation and shared success.
Establish and maintain robust, positive relationships with local communities, Indigenous groups, and key opinion leaders to proactively manage expectations and prevent potential conflicts.
Organize and lead public meetings, community events, and consultation sessions to inform, engage, and solicit feedback from stakeholders on company initiatives.
Assess and provide timely, effective responses to community concerns, complaints, and citizen participation inquiries.
Collaborate closely with the Development, Operations, Communications, and Sustainability teams to ensure that project planning and execution reflect the interests and needs of local communities.
Partner with the Communications team to develop and implement targeted awareness and communication initiatives for local communities.