Senior Director, External Relations

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Canada.

📋 Description

• Define and guide Generate Canada’s strategy for external engagement and influence.

• Create and implement strategies to build and maintain relationships with funders and collaborators across various sectors including industry, government, academia, and NGOs.

• Develop and carry out a thought leadership strategy that positions Generate Canada, its Solution Spaces, and partners as trusted sources of expertise.

• Identify, support, and engage with leaders, policymakers, academics, and collaborators through events and communications.

• Assist in the commissioning, design, and promotion of research, reports, op-eds, and speaking opportunities.

• Collaborate with Solution Space leaders to highlight and enhance insights from ongoing gatherings.

• Plan, coordinate, and lead engagement with government officials, policy advisors, and civil servants.

• Keep track of policy and legislative changes and provide briefings to the CEO, Managing Directors, and Board.

• Represent Generate Canada in government and multi-stakeholder policy discussions.

• Aid in the preparation for government meetings, consultations, and submissions.

• Develop and sustain a structured overview of government relationships and a coordinated engagement calendar.

• Cultivate and manage partnerships with corporations, associations, and foundations to secure financial and in-kind contributions.

• Create recognition frameworks for contributors, partnership pipelines, and stewardship tools, policies, and systems.

• Develop compelling cases for support, funding proposals, and sponsorship packages.

• Enhance CRM/relationship management, briefing templates, government engagement protocols, and thought-leadership content pipelines.

• Identify opportunities to expand the outreach and networks of Solution Spaces.

• Contribute to Board and funder updates regarding the impact and progress of external affairs.

• Report to the President & CEO and collaborate with senior leaders in Solution Space and communications/government relations staff.

⛳️ Requirements

• Over 10 years of progressively senior experience in government relations, public policy, communications, and/or partnerships/development, or a comparable combination of education and experience.

• Bachelor’s Degree in economics, business, environmental studies, public policy, political science, communications, not-for-profit management or fundraising, or a related field.

• Proven ability to establish relationships with senior government officials and translate policy contexts into organizational strategies.

• Demonstrated success in securing and managing significant corporate, philanthropic, or blended-finance partnerships.

• Exceptional written, public speaking, and media/stakeholder communication abilities.

• Knowledge of or a strong affinity for systems change, multi-stakeholder coalitions, market-building, and relevant issues in economy, environment, climate change, and social wellbeing.

• Experience working in decentralized, multi-stakeholder, or federated organizations.

• Candidates must be authorized to work in Canada and currently reside in Canada.

• Bilingual proficiency in English and French is a significant asset.

🏝️ Benefits

• Remote work opportunities within Canada.

• Occasional travel up to 20%.

• Reasonable adjustments and accommodations available throughout the recruitment process.

• A workplace that values inclusivity and equity.

• A human-reviewed application process, free from AI screening.