Government Relations & Public Affairs Director, Financial Services and Technology

PAA Advisory | Conseils’ Financial Services and Technology team is hiring at the Director level to support its government relations and public policy work. The Financial Services and Technology team works with clients across the financial services and technology ecosystems including card networks, payment processors, fintechs, financial institutions, leading industry associations, telecommunications, and technology sectors to support their government relations and policy objectives in Canada.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with public policy experience to work closely with many of the leading financial services and technology companies in Canada on payments system modernization, open banking, consumer protection, privacy, competition, artificial intelligence (AI), digital innovation, among other areas.

Qualifications

Candidates wishing to be considered should have the following:

• at least 10 years of relevant experience on Parliament Hill, or at an industry association, think-tank, or consulting setting relevant to technology sector policy; or an equivalent combination of experience and relevant advanced studies at the graduate level;
• a very high degree of familiarity with the public policy and government decision-making processes, institutions, and governance frameworks, as well as the stakeholder ecosystem;
• strategic approach and demonstrated knowledge and experience providing written and/or verbal briefings to organizational leaders;
• completed an undergraduate degree in a relevant field such as political science, public policy, finance, business etc.; graduate studies not required but would be an asset;
• experience and capacity in communicating technical information and industry jargon in plain language for a broader political audience;
• bilingualism in both English and French would be a very strong asset.

As a member of our team, you will be primarily based in Ottawa and responsible for providing day-to-day support and advice clients and to other Advisors, Client Directors and Managing Directors supporting the firm’s clients in several ways, including:

• managing client files, priorities and deadlines;
• helping coordinate firm priorities and strategies;
• drafting presentation materials, advocacy documents and communications materials for internal and external audiences;
• drafting reports, public policy studies and political analysis (in conjunction with your colleagues) that can serve as a foundation for advising clients;
• providing ongoing, real-time advice and insight to leaders of client organizations and having day-to-day responsibility for managing the government and regulatory affairs needs of clients;
• engaging in advocacy activities – including but not limited to lobbying – focused on Designated Public Office Holders, other public officials, and relevant stakeholders;
• building and maintaining relationships with relevant stakeholders, think tanks and trade associations in relevant sectors;
• monitoring, gathering information and analyzing public policy relevant to a client’s issues;
• monitoring and reporting on the activities and proceedings of the House of Commons and Senate, including Question Period and Committees;
• monitoring and reporting on the activities and proceedings of certain Provincial Legislatures as required;
• undertaking research and providing analysis on stakeholder groups, media coverage, government decisionmakers, regulatory and legislative processes.

This is a full-time position primarily based in Ottawa. The selected candidate must have the ability to register to lobby at the federal level with the Commissioner of Lobbying.

PAA Advisory | Conseils offers its employees competitive overall compensation and a range of benefits, including:

• competitive salary and performance-based progression;
• group medical and dental benefits;
• access to an employee assistance program;
• paid vacation and hybrid work environment;
• work-life balance measures; and
• training and professional development opportunities.

The current annual salary range for this position is between $110k and $150k CAD, depending on experience.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At PAA Advisory | Conseils, we value and seek to actively involve the full range of what makes people unique in order to create a strong and innovative organization guided by the values of integrity, industriousness, empathy, humility, and initiative.

We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, people of colour, people with disabilities, people from all gender and sexually diverse communities, and people with intersectional identities.

PAA Advisory | Conseils is also committed to providing accommodations throughout the interview and employment process. If you require an accommodation, we will work with you to meet your needs.

Thank you for your interest in PAA Advisory | Conseils. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.