FleishmanHillard HighRoad (FHR) is a leading, full-service communications
agency. We are a dedicated and entrepreneurial team, with a passion for
building powerful connections between ideas, people and actions.
Specializing in Public Affairs, Government Relations, Corporate Reputation,
Brand Marketing, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Communications, and Social and
Digital Innovation, we are widely known for creating compelling and award-wining
campaigns for our clients, time and time again.
About the Role:
FHR’s Ottawa location has an opening for a Vice President or Senior Vice
President to join our Public Affairs team. This is an exciting career
opportunity for a seasoned Public and Government Affairs professional who holds
an expert understanding of public policy and the federal government. As a
trusted advisor, you will develop and execute a federal public affairs strategy,
collaborate with teams in Ottawa and across the country, providing senior
counsel on public affairs, crisis situations, corporate positioning, high-level
media relations, executive communications, and issues management.
Having an in-depth understanding of government and politics, together with an
established network of senior political and government relationships would be
viewed as evidence of the ability to lead our federal public affairs practice
and serve the needs of our public affairs client mandates. Candidates must be
based in Ottawa and must bilingual in English and French at a conversational
level.
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in Canada indefinitely. While
this role is predominately remote, the successful candidate will be expected to
attend in-person meetings with clients and political contacts/associates on a
weekly basis. Anticipated start date is July 2025.
“Must Have” Qualifications:
- A seasoned professional with 12 years of experience in a public
affairs/government relations role, with a deep background developing and
executing public affairs and corporate reputation programs, including
advocacy, corporate positioning, media relations and executive communications
- Experience working directly for the Canadian federal government and/or a
public affairs agency, in which you provided senior counsel on federal
government relations files
- Bilingual in English and French at a conversational level
- Agency experience and a strong understanding of agency financials including
overseeing client budget development, finalizing contracts, invoicing,
billing, and forecasting
- Demonstrated experience managing a team, offering mentorship, coaching, and
effectively delegating work while providing frequent and constructive
feedback
- Experience building relationships and working effectively with diverse
stakeholders
- Superior writing skills, with the ability to develop and edit high-quality
materials such as briefing notes, position papers, fact sheets, overviews of
government initiatives and presentations to government
- Demonstrated ability to analyze complex political and policy issues across a
broad range of public policy areas, such as agriculture and food, environment
& sustainability, finance, technology, and health
- Extensive knowledge of political, legislative and regulatory processes, as
well as government policies, procedures, and in using targeted media for
advocacy and outreach purposes
- Entrepreneurial attitude with a knack for building trusted relationships with
clients and prospects that lead to additional, incremental new business
opportunities
- Ability to engage with and counsel senior level decision-makers across the
client’s business, and deliver connective insights to assist clients in
driving alignment and execution of cross-company initiatives
- High degree of judgment, discretion, tact, and insight
Responsibilities:
- Provide senior level counsel to clients, including top level executives, on a
wide range of public affairs needs, including direct advocacy, stakeholder
engagement, strategy development, issues and reputation management,
traditional media and social media
- Develop and implement comprehensive public affairs programs and tactics that
integrate earned media, grassroots advocacy, third party stakeholders,
advertising and digital recommendations
- Lead the development and implementation of integrated public affairs programs
for clients while building strong relationships serving as the day-to-day
client contact and account team manager on multiple client accounts
- Develop, analyze, interpret and provide strategic advice on significant
developments and/or trends in public policy and legislation that affect
clients
- Develop and prepare client messaging, executive positioning, presentations to
government and other communications materials that resonate with government
audiences
- Develop and drive thought leadership platforms on relevant policy issues
- Staff projects effectively and manage client expectations
- Identify, respond to and lead new business initiatives
- Manage billing, contract, invoices, worksheets, and client reporting
- Coach and mentor team members by effectively delegating work and providing
frequent and constructive feedback
What We Offer:
FHR is proud to offer our employees a competitive Total Rewards package
including:
- Generous PTO
- Employer Paid Health Benefits + 1k Health/Personal Spending Account
- RRSP with Company Matching Component (Applies to Full Time Permanent
Employees)
- Flexible Hybrid Work Environment
- Professional Development Funding
- Optional Corporate Mobile Phone Plan (Applies to Full Time Permanent
Employees)
- Data Reimbursement
- Recruitment Referral Award
- And more!
To apply for this opportunity, please submit your resume and salary expectations
to: careers@fhhighroad.com [careers@fhhighroad.com]
FHR is an equal opportunity employer and is working to become the most inclusive
global agency. We are passionate about building and sustaining a working
environment that is focused on diversity and wellbeing. We encourage
applications from equity-deserving groups. Self-identifying as Indigenous or
having first-hand knowledge or experience working with an Indigenous community
will be considered an asset.
We support persons with disabilities with accommodation during our recruitment
and selection process. Individual accommodation will be provided to candidates
who are selected for assessment.
We thank all applicants for their interest however, only those selected for an
interview will be contacted.
