Senior Consultant, External Relations

If you are committed to public service, enjoy collaborating with others, share our values and have a desire to learn and grow, join The City of Calgary. City employees deliver the services, run the programs and operate the facilities which make a difference in our community. We support work-life balance, promote physical and psychological safety, and offer competitive wages, pensions, and benefits. Together we make Calgary a great place to make a living, a great place to make a life.

The City is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and equitable workplace which is representative of the community we serve. We welcome those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism and reconciliation. Applications are encouraged from members of groups that are historically disadvantaged and underrepresented. Accommodations are available during the hiring process, upon request.

As a Senior Consultant, you will develop and execute advocacy and engagement strategies with senior government officials and strategic partners to advance Calgary's transformational capital projects. You will provide strategic advice on positioning, alignment with interested parties, and external messaging to ensure Calgary's priorities are advanced and funding secured in a competitive environment. Primary duties include:

• Develop and implement advocacy and funding strategies that align with the Infrastructure Services Advocacy Framework and specific project priorities.
• Provide strategic advice to Infrastructure Services senior leadership and senior executives on advocacy opportunities, risks, and positioning.
• Build and maintain high-trust relationships with provincial and federal officials, industry leaders, and civic partners to influence decision-making.
• Represent the City in oversight committees, working groups, and funding partner discussions, advancing Calgary's interests.
• Advise executives and project directors on emerging issues, risks, and key messages, while also playing a key role in project reporting requirements.
• Monitor and analyze political, policy, and funding developments across jurisdictions; advise on implications for the City's capital program.
• Collaborate with project teams to ensure external messaging and engagement activities demonstrate readiness, alignment, and strong business cases.

Qualifications

• A degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Communications, Business, or related field and at least 5 years of progressive experience in government relations, advocacy, or public affairs, ideally within a public sector or infrastructure context.
• Experience engaging with senior government officials, elected representatives, and executives on sensitive or high-impact issues is essential.
• Strong understanding of provincial and federal funding frameworks, policy development processes, and Council decision-making, along with working knowledge of large organizations and their advocacy requirements.
• A graduate degree will be considered an asset.
• The successful candidate will demonstrate political acumen, strong relationship building and communication skills, and proven engagement experience.

Pre-employment Requirements

• Successful applicants must provide proof of qualifications.

Workstyle

• This position may be eligible to work from home for at least part of the time as one of several flexible work options available to City employees. These arrangements depend on the operational requirements of the role, employee suitability, and are subject to change based on operational needs and corporate direction.

Union: CUPE Local 38

Business Unit: Project Development

Position Type: 2 Permanent

Location: 800 Macleod Trail SE

Compensation: Pay Grade 12 $ per hour

Days of Work: This position typically works a 5 day

work week, with 1 day off in each 3 week cycle.

Hours of work: Standard 35 hour work week

Audience: Internal/External

Apply By: February 6, 2026

Job ID #: 313364