VP, Business and Government Affairs

Location: Toronto, Ottawa preferred
Salary range: $200,000 – $220,000
Date Posted: June 10, 2025

SUMMARY

Reporting to New Economy Canada’s (NEC) President, the VP, Business and Government Affairs, will lead the development and deployment of NEC’s business and government relations strategies. As a key leader in the senior management team, the VP will contribute to strategy, communications and organizational development and planning.

ABOUT NEW ECONOMY CANADA

New Economy Canada is a non-partisan initiative that unites business, labour and Indigenous leaders committed to building Canada’s clean economy. Our partners represent diverse industrial sectors who are taking action to unlock the power of resilient and affordable clean energy and technology to grow investment, jobs and energy security. Our quickly growing alliance employs or represents over 410,000 workers and generates annual revenues of over $200 billion CAD.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

As a key leader in the senior management team, the VP will contribute to strategy, communications and organizational development and planning.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

• Lead the development and execution of NEC’s national government relations strategies and engagement plans with a focus on the federal and key provincial governments—to align with the organization’s objectives and priorities, working with the President and team.
• In collaboration with the President and Director of Government Relations, build influential relationships with elected officials, staff and the civil service to ensure that NEC is at the heart of the public policy and economic discussions.
• Develop government relations best practices guidelines to support a consistent approach across jurisdictions, including:
  • Monitoring and reporting systems for key political, policy and legislative developments.
  • Engaging partners proactively/reactively on key events/developments.
  • Building and maintaining a government contact database.
  • Achieving full lobbying compliance.
  • Lead the framing of key issues and solutions to help governments understand the value of the solutions that NEC develops and advances.
  • Integrate government relations into all aspects of NEC’s strategy and activities.

BUSINESS

• Provide strategic guidance and oversee development of partner engagement strategies.
• Work with Directors to identify, track and engage on partners’ government relations and communications priorities.
• Develop, lead and execute business engagement strategies that aim to grow New Economy Canada’s reputation as a “go-to” business voice.
• Build relationships and connectivity with Canada’s business community (e.g. Chambers of Commerce, Boards of Trade) and use new platforms to advance priorities.
• Identify and pursue partnership opportunities (e.g. events, media, policy) including leadership with the #GettingThingsBuilt cross Canada tour.

COMMUNICATIONS

• Support development and execution of NEC’s communications strategy and activities; including issues management, proactive and reactive media relations, social media, branding and marketing communications and external relations. 
• Ensure communications activities are aligned with government relations strategies and that both are leveraged to maximize value in advancing goals.
• Represent New Economy Canada at external events and in media; maintain active social media presence to raise profile of NEC.

ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS

• Manage and provide mentorship to the Director, Partnerships and Engagement and Director, GR and Economic Analysis.
• Participate as a member of the senior leadership team in strategic decision making and operations to ensure NEC’s success, impact and growth.
• Support the delivery of NEC programs and ensure brand reputation.
• Track and report on strategy execution. 

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE:

• 15+ years’ experience in a similar role.
• Well-developed network of government and business contacts and relationships. 
• Experience developing and implementing government relations strategies in a fast-paced environment and/or working within government.
• Experience with policy development, analysis and research.
• Track record of collaboration, facilitation and building consensus with industry, labour and Indigenous organizations.
• Experience developing internal systems to support effective and efficient delivery. 
• Ability to work independently and a self-starter.
• Strong oral, writing, editing, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.
• Knowledge of the clean growth and competitiveness landscape in Canada and abroad and Canada’s relative comparative advantages.
• Experience representing an organization and speaking on its behalf with partners, elected officials and policy makers and media. 

HOW TO APPLY:

Please send your resume, cover letter, and a brief explanation of why you are the ideal candidate for this position to: info@neweconomycanada.ca.

Click here to download the job description.