Director, Government Relations

SALARY: Payband 13, $112,225 to $149,633 annually

STATUS: AdminContract

EFFECTIVE DATE: Immediately to June 27, 2025

LandAcknowledgement

George Brown College is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work, and live in the community with each other.

Equity Statement

George Brown College is committed to creating and sustaining an equitable and inclusive learning and working environment.We encourage and actively seek applications from Indigenous, Black, racialized people, visible minorities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, all genders, and persons with disabilities.

GBC Vision

To be a college renowned for its inclusion, excellence, relevance, impact, and leadership.

Position Description:

The Director, GovernmentRelations (“Director”) is a senior administrator, strategic advisor, andorganizational lead who ensures leaders at George Brown College (“GBC”)effectively build and steward key relationships with officials at all threelevels of government and with related key sectoral partners. As an integralleader at the college and within the Division, the Director is focused onadvancing the College’s external relationships and strategic priorities. Theincumbent actively identifies opportunities and develops, implements, andoversees strategies to inform and influence government decisions and approvalof resources, in support of the College’s mission and strategic priorities.

The Director also provides expertadvice to GBC’s executive leaders on government-related issues that may impactthe College, including government funding programs that are available to allareas of the institution. The Directorensures strong, and mutually beneficial relationships are maintained at allgovernment levels (municipal, provincial, federal). The incumbent serves as aneasily accessible, highly visible and involved point-person and representativeof GBC with government officials.

Key responsibilities:

• Develops, executes, and measures a comprehensive government relations strategy, and related policies, priorities, and best practices.
  
  
• Seeks to strategically position GBC within the priorities of the federal, provincial, and municipal governments by building relationships, increasing institution awareness, identifying key research sectors within government priorities, creating new partnerships, and supporting nation-wide and provincial advocacy strategies.
  
  
• Monitors, identifies, and interprets trends, opportunities, developments, and proposed legislation on matters related to GBC.
  
  
• Recommends GBC’s position on legislative and policy issues to achieve desired result.
  
  
• Prepares and presents legislative summaries, policy options, briefing materials, proposals, reports, and other materials for the development of strong advocacy programs.
  
  
• Advocates to advance GBC’s institutional needs and objectives with government.
  
  
• Provides expertise, leadership, analysis and counsel to the Senior Vice President, External Relations, Communications, and Real Estate Development and other GBC leaders on matters of government affairs, and public policy.
  
  
• Assists Academic leaders with identifying and securing appropriate government funding opportunities - including proposal development and funding submissions.
  
  
• Coordinates strategic communications with government and strategic partners (i.e., Colleges Ontario, Polytechnics Canada, Colleges, and Institutes Canada).
  
  
• Develops, produces, and effectively distributes government relations communications.
  
  
• Discovers and supports potential opportunities with sectoral partners, and acts as an advocate to position the President and other senior leaders as key spokespeople for GBC’s strategic initiatives.
  
  
• In collaboration with Director External and Community Relations, creates and coordinates events designed to raise GBC’s visibility and profile and to generate engagement with, and support from, government and key influencers.
  
  
• Coordinates and organizes meetings for senior GBC leaders with elected officials and public service members at all levels of government.
  
  
• Direct management of Government Relations, Advisor Portfolio.
  
  
• Ensures effective and efficient allocation of fiscal and physical resources within the portfolio; Monitors, analyzes and optimizes financial performance; Oversees operating budgets.
  
  
• Works to promote divisional efforts through all channels of communication (including, web, social media etc.) and in partnership with other College resources (i.e., Marketing and Communications, Alumni Relations, etc.).
  
  
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Educational andExperience Requirements:

• Four-year degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in Political Science, Public Policy/Administration, Government Relations, or related field.
  
  
• Minimum of nine (9) years’ experience working in government and/or in a senior government relations role. With experience in senior level strategic policy and planning – specifically, demonstrated success in the development and delivery of strategic government relations plans. Experience in an academic environment an asset.
  
  
• Experience in complex (public and private), multi-stakeholder environments with sensitivity to issues of diversity and community interests.
  
  

Skillsand Attributes:

• Comprehensive understanding of the political landscape (federally, provincially, and municipally) and academic environment as it affects the priorities of post-secondary education, research, and infrastructure funding.
  
  
• Analytical skills and knowledge to assess and successfully predict emerging policy directions at all levels of government and across sectors.
  
  
• Ability to integrate large, complex communications and initiatives in a politically ambiguous and rapidly changing landscape.
  
  
• Capability and capacity to build relationships across multiple stakeholder groups, to collaborate with others and to gain buy-in and achieve consensus amid diverse opinions.
  
  
• Excellent verbal, written, presentation and electronic communication skills including expertise with office and presentation software and familiarity with a range of social media tools.
  
  
• Political acuity and diplomacy as well as excellent relationship building skills, interpersonal and collaboration skills.
  
  
• Organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills are needed.
  
  
• Negotiation and mediation skills, adept at negotiating complex proposals.
  
  
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and make recommendations on complex legislative, regulatory, community and government public policy issues.
  
  
• Broad leadership skills managing a diverse team of experienced individuals.
  
  
• Demonstrated commitment to uphold the College’s priorities on diversity and equity.

Interview process may consist of a practical skills component.

Notes:

• The College requires proof of degrees, credentials, or equivalencies from accredited regional or federal post-secondary institutions and/or their international equivalents. Credentials may require validation at the time of interviews or offer.

About Us:

George Brown College prides itself on educating students through real-world learning, in the heart of Toronto. Our faculty and employees make this vision a reality, and we support them by making George Brown a great place to work . See why we are consistently ranked as one of GTA’s top employers .

George Brown College offers hybrid work opportunities, a competitive pension plan, generous holiday and vacation time, a tuition assistance program, discounted rates for employees taking Continuing Education courses, and an equitable work environment where everyone matters.

George Brown College is committed to accommodating applicants with disabilities throughout the hiring process, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Candidates who require accommodation in the hiring process may contact TalentAcquisition@georgebrown.ca confidentially.