Senior Manager, Government Relations and Public Engagement

The Heart and Stroke Foundation

That’s why Heart & Stroke leads the fight against heart disease and stroke. Powered by donors and volunteers, we fund life-saving research and help Canadians lead healthier lives.

Heart & Stroke is a health charity active in communities across the country. We are sustained by the commitment and generosity of more than 100,000 volunteers and more than 1.4 million donors.

The opportunity

As the Senior Manager, Government Relations and Public Engagement you will lead the development and implementation of government relations campaigns. You will design and lead our federal advocacy efforts, opening doors for the Foundation to communicate its Mission-related priorities with Members of Parliament and their staff on Parliament Hill, with government officials in a variety of federal government departments and agencies and with senior leadership in national non-governmental organizations.

As the successful Senior Manager, you will also play a key role in shaping the Foundation’s federal advocacy planning process, executing advocacy priorities, and overseeing the development of advocacy briefs, papers and related documents.

This position also provides strategic advice and leadership on provincial government relations strategies.

In carrying out these duties, the Senior Manager also mobilizes people living in Canada, including Patients with Lived Experience (PWLE) to identify and support the Foundation’s advocacy objectives. The use of digital technology will be instrumental in this effort.

 Key responsibilities

Leads our government relations strategies and serves as the primary liaison to federal elected officials and bureaucrats in their execution

• Opens doors for the Foundation to communicate its Mission-related priorities with Members of Parliament and their staff on Parliament Hill, with government officials in a variety of federal government departments and agencies and with senior leadership in national non-governmental organizations.
• Establishes and maintains a network of contacts, relationships and linkages with federal government (including parliamentarians, Ministerial staff and key government officials), national health charities, external stakeholders and coalitions to support H&S government relations activities.
• Cooperates with and influences partner organizations. Works with partner organizations to develop common advocacy positions and strategies that further the Foundations’ strategic objectives.

Proposes and manages the execution of government relations priorities, activities and products.

Develops, integrates and manages public engagement efforts.

Serves as a content expert on key policy issues.

Mentoring and developing the direct reporting position Specialist, GR and Public Engagement.

Qualifications

Education

Post-secondary degree, preferably a graduate degree, in political science or related discipline with a broad, in-depth understanding of government relations and health/public policy.

Experience and Skills

• 5-8 years of work experience in a combination of government relations and advocacy, health policy roles
• Work experience within a federal or provincial government or not-for-profit organization is preferred.
• Experience as an assistant to a parliamentarian or departmental staff, or as a government relations specialist is a definite asset.
• 1-2 years of people management experience
• Experience working on health policy issues is an asset
• Proficiency in monitoring and analyzing government policy, in understanding and ability to respond to legislative and regulatory initiatives, and in identifying and executing government relationships strategies.
• Leadership skills and the ability to influence others by articulating sound, rational arguments.
• Ability to establish, lead and maintain positive working relationships with key stakeholders
• Excellent presentation, verbal and written communication skills including comfort working with the media
• Superior writing skills are critical.
• Strong computer skills and ability to use technological tools to organize and advance the work of the team (i.e., MS Office Suite, SharePoint, CRM and other workflow tools, digital engagement platforms).
• An ability to work in both official languages is preferred.

Applying

If you have the qualifications and share our passion for our mission, we invite you to forward your resume, cover letter and salary expectations to hr-rh@heartandstroke.ca . Please include the exact job title, including location, in the subject line of your email.

We offer comprehensive benefits including pension, dental and medical coverage.

This posting will remain open until October 19, 2018.

Candidates from diverse groups are encouraged to apply. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, barrier-free and accessible environment. If you have been contacted for an interview and require an accommodation due to disability to participate in the recruitment and selection process, please advise and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Learn more and get involved with Heart and Stroke at www.heartandstroke.ca