Director of Advocacy

Director of Advocacy National Association of Career Colleges (NACC) Location: Ottawa or Toronto (hybrid); other locations in Canada considered Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent About NACC The National Association of Career Colleges (NACC) is the national voice of regulated career colleges across Canada. We champion high-quality, student-focused career education through advocacy, leadership, and collaboration with governments, members, and stakeholders. As we expand our impact and strengthen our national profile, we are seeking a dynamic and strategic Director of Advocacy to join our leadership team. Position Overview The Director of Advocacy is responsible for shaping, elevating, and protecting the profile and public perception of NACC. This role leads all advocacy, communications, stakeholder engagement, and public relations strategies, ensuring that NACC's messaging is clear, compelling, coordinated, and aligned with organizational objectives. Reporting to the CEO, the Director of Advocacy manages government relations activities, oversees communications across all media platforms, and strengthens relationships with members, partners, and stakeholders. The ideal candidate brings a mix of strategic insight, political acuity, and hands-on execution, with the ability to drive impactful advocacy initiatives and engagement programs across Canada. Key Responsibilities Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Management Lead NACC's stakeholder relations strategy, fostering strong, collaborative relationships across the post-secondary and workforce development sectors. Manage and participate in advocacy efforts involving government officials, policymakers, and other key partners to advance NACC's policy priorities. Manage external consultants and support provincial associations' advocacy efforts. Support and participate in regional and provincial committees to strengthen partnerships and collaborative initiatives. Develop recommendations to enhance stakeholder engagement approaches, policies, and communications. Establish stakeholder engagement goals and objectives to strengthen public confidence and sector awareness. Demonstrate expertise in consultations, dispute resolution, and public involvement processes. Communications & Public Relations Plan, coordinate, and manage media events, press engagements, and communications initiatives. Lead the development and implementation of integrated communications strategies across digital and traditional platforms, including social media, website content, newsletters, campaigns, and media outreach. Develop timely, compelling, and audience-appropriate content for various communication channels. Apply strategic timing to maximize messaging impact and visibility. Project & Team Leadership Lead and deliver advocacy and communications initiatives from concept through execution. Manage multiple concurrent projects with competing deadlines and priorities. Provide leadership and supervision to the Manager of Events and Engagement. Coordinate and participate in committee meetings, preparing agendas, minutes, and action items as required. Additional Responsibilities Monitor communications and advocacy trends, emerging tools, and best practices to enhance organizational visibility and impact. Contribute to the continuous improvement of advocacy and communications policies, resources, and guidelines. Manage external vendors, agencies, and consulting firms supporting advocacy and communications projects. Perform additional duties as assigned by the CEO. Qualifications Education & Experience Degree or diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution, including regulated career colleges. 7+ years of experience in communications, government relations, advocacy, public affairs, or stakeholder engagement—preferably in an association, education, non-profit, or public-sector environment. Demonstrated experience building productive relationships with government, stakeholders, and sector partners. Proven ability to develop and execute integrated advocacy and communications strategies. Skills & Competencies Strong understanding of government processes, policy development, and political environments at federal and provincial levels. Exceptional writing, editing, and messaging skills with the ability to translate complex issues into clear, compelling content. Strategic thinker with the ability to anticipate issues, identify opportunities, and recommend solutions. Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and relationship-building abilities. Highly organized with strong project management skills and the ability to balance multiple priorities. Experienced communicator comfortable with public speaking, media engagement, and stakeholder presentations. Assets Experience working in the post-secondary education or workforce development sector. Bilingualism (English/French). Experience engaging with national-level advocacy initiatives. What We Offer A national leadership role influencing education and workforce policy across Canada. A collaborative, mission-driven environment committed to continuous improvement. Competitive compensation and benefits package. Flexible, hybrid work arrangements. How to Apply To apply, please send your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest and relevant experience to: careers@nacc.ca Subject line: "Director of Advocacy – Application" Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. NACC's Commitment to Equity & Inclusion NACC is committed to building and maintaining a diverse, inclusive, and barrier-free workplace. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment process upon request.