Consultant (Government Relations)

The business

When businesses or organizations have a pressing challenge, McMillan Vantage has the senior expertise with a deep understanding of what clients need to know, when they need it most. Our vision is to become the firm of choice for clients requiring government relations, strategic communications, advocacy, and corporate purpose and sustainability advisory services. McMillan Vantage is unique in Canada thanks to our strategic partnership with one of Canada’s leading national business law firms—McMillan LLP.

The role

McMillan Vantage is hiring a full-time member of our Toronto-based Government Relations team to start at a mutually agreed upon date in April 2024. The successful candidate has an established career (5 years) in government relations, with expertise in provincial lobbying, campaigns, public policy development and legislative affairs. The successful candidate will also have a strong understanding of Queen’s Park, provincial politics, and how decisions are made within the provincial government.

Consultants lead much of their day-to-day work with their clients as part of a team. You must be a trusted strategist, excellent advocate, impactful writer, detail-oriented editor, and creative thinker. Using these skills, they jump into new projects enthusiastically, identifying opportunities to work with your colleagues to deliver results.

This individual is a highly-organized team player with a network of public affairs contacts commensurate with their stage of their career. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Advance policy and legislative priorities through direct lobbying (applicants must be able to lobby provincially)
• Advance client needs and work plans on a day-to-day basis with support from more senior and junior team members
• Develop a portfolio of provincial public affairs clients across industry verticals (sectoral expertise is recognized but not a necessity)
• Create and implement government relations strategies with input from your clients and colleagues
• Provide advice and provide recommendations to navigate legislative, political and regulatory risk on behalf of companies, organizations and non-profits
• Develop written content for clients such as government relations presentations, messaging, policy briefs, contact plans, backgrounders and Q&As
• Take direction on writing first drafts and edit written content from others, ensuring quality control across client work and business development proposals
• Contribute to the development of customized business development proposals
• Participate in internal and external firm projects including various firm marketing and CSR activities

The candidate possesses the following competencies:

• Strategic and creative problem-solver
• A track record of building and executing government relations strategies or advancing policy from within government
• Self-starter with proven ability to take initiative and someone who works well within a team environment
• Desire to work with junior and senior colleagues to advance projects and work towards growing our firm
• Experience in political campaigns
• Excellent writing and editing skills with strong attention to detail (ability to speak, read, and write in French is an asset but not required)
• Excellent communications and presentation skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects with proven project management skills
• Flexibility and eagerness to learn new things in a fast-paced environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint (familiarity with the Adobe Creative Suite a bonus)

The details

McMillan Vantage offers a full suite of health and pension benefits. Salary to commensurate with experience.

Team Vantage operates in a hybrid model with team members spending a couple days a week in the Toronto office with some travel required.

McMillan Vantage is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment for all firm members

Please apply by providing a combined cover letter and resume to Ultipro (UKG). We thank all applicants in advance. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.