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Summary of Duties:

Reporting to the Director, Strategy and Innovation, the Manager, Government Relations is responsible for working collaboratively with internal and external public sector and community partners in identifying and cultivating opportunities for cross-sector and cross-governmental partnerships, support, and funding opportunities. This position monitors government policy, legislative changes and advises the City Manager and members of the leadership team of any changes that may influence City of London programs and funding.

Work Performed:

• Contribute to the development and implementation of strategic initiatives for government relations to meet the Council’s Strategic Plan.  Accountable for the effective delivery and the business responsibilities for government relations. 
• Provide leadership for the planning, management, and administration for the Government Relations and recommend, develop implement, and maintain comprehensive policies, programs, procedures, and protocols that inform and support City services. 
• Develop and foster strong communication and business relations on public and confidential matters with senior political and administrative officials of the provincial and federal governments.
• Collaborate effectively with the Mayor, Mayor's office, and Councillors to achieve Council's strategic advocacy objectives.
• Work collaboratively with internal and external community partners in the delivery of projects to include funding opportunities and economic development projects.
• Maintain detailed awareness and extensive understanding of provincial and federal funding programs to maximize the potential of these programs to the benefit of the City of London, its Boards and Commissions, public sector partners and various community groups.

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• Maintain detailed awareness and extensive understanding of provincial and federal legislation and policy implications. Conduct research on policies to identify changes that would be advantageous and to identify trends and governmental policies that could impact the City of London, its Boards and Commissions, public sector partners and various community groups.
• Monitor and advise the City Manager and Senior Leadership Team on government policy and legislative considerations as they relate to funding proposals, grant applications and when policy or legislative change is under review that will impact the City and its services. 
• Prepare detailed reports, presentations, position papers, briefing notes and legislative proposals for the City Manager and Council as appropriate.
• Provide professional opinion strategic advice, government relations support and immediate analysis, and information to the City Manager, the Mayor and Senior Leadership Team that may involve discussion with the offices of the Premier and Prime Minister. 
• Build the Corporation’s capacity to access relevant provincial and federal funding programs. Assist in the development and co-ordination of funding proposals and support the application of funding proposals though research and analysis as required.
• Contribute to the identification and development of internal controls in the form of policies, procedures, practices in relation to the general and specific risks of the Corporation; ensure internal controls are implemented, monitored, and reported on within government relations. 
• Participate in and support a culture of enterprise-wide collaboration. Promote opportunities to work across Divisions and Service Areas in support of strategic initiatives. 
• Demonstrate commitment to anti-racism, anti-oppression, and human rights through interactions with community partners, employees and individuals and ensure that policies, programs, and protocols reflect this commitment. 
• Demonstrate commitment and adherence to Health and Safety legislation and programs; and actively promote a culture of safety with direct reports. 
• Identify, adapt and implement innovative, effective and efficient work practices and procedures to improve service delivery and the business responsibilities.

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• Adhere to the Procurement of Goods and Services Policy; includes the responsibility of delegation of procurement initiation approval authority and delegation of approval authority for professional consulting services as per policy amounts. 
• Provide input to the development of the annual operating budget for Government Relations.
• Manage the budget for Government Relations, prepare associated documents (i.e., business plans, business cases and presentation documents) as required. Manage and promote stewardship of financial and organizational resources. 
• Represent the Service Area at Standing Committees and Council meetings as required.
• Represent the City of London and Service Area in legal proceedings as required.
• Prepare a response to inquiries from elected officials, media and the public as requested by the Director, Strategy and Innovation. 
• Act as a municipal delegate at summits, conferences, seminars, as directed by the City Manager.
• Performs related duties as assigned. 

Qualifications:

• University Degree in Political Science, Public Administration or related degree is required along with seven to ten years of progressive related experience including successful management experience in government relations and project management leading complex projects involving a range of community partners or equivalent combination of education and related professional and lived community experience.
• Valid Class G Driver’s License. 
   

Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in government relations, project management and building partnerships with an in-depth understanding of the goals and objectives of Municipal organizations and understand of current issues of concern to Ontario’s big cities and the City of London. 
• Highly developed analytical and business planning skills with a proven track record for effectively implementing and monitoring complex, collaborative projects across multiple levels of government. 
• Demonstrated successful experience in a people leadership role; positive and proactive leadership capabilities, adept at leading a group of employees, contracted services and consultants; demonstrated commitment to developing high performance teams. 
• Ability to be a trusted advisor and/or advocate in sensitive and/or emotionally charged situations. 
• Demonstrated understanding of advocacy strategies, tactics, tools, and resources.
• Demonstrated perseverance and resilience in addressing challenges and emergent issues. 
• Proven commitment to the safety of employees with knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and applicable regulations as it relates to the position. 
• Ability to provide a high level of attention to detail, make sense of data and solve problems. 
• Ability to understand the importance of service delivery; develop and implement initiatives that support the area’s customers in a timely and effective way.
• Ability to skillfully communicate to a wide and varied audience and effectively influence outcomes; political acumen to identify and manage issues. 
• Proven ability to establish purposeful relationships and work effectively within all levels of the corporation, with the business community and the public. 
• Focused analytical and strategic thinking and issue resolution skills, combined with a commitment to innovation and collaboration.  
• Computer literacy in Microsoft Office, and related software and database applications. 

Compensation & Other Information:

$112,978 - $148,226

This posting is for 1 permanent full-time position.

Current hours of Work: Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Work Arrangement: Hybrid. Subject to change in accordance with business requirements.

These hours of work and work arrangement are subject to change in accordance to business requirements.

Police Record Check

The successful candidate will be required to complete a Criminal Record Check.