Government Relations Lead

Who we are at GMF  At the Green Municipal Fund (GMF), we create change where it matters most—in Canada’s municipalities. As the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ flagship program and backed by a $2.4 billion endowment from the Government of Canada, GMF helps Canadian municipalities, big and small, invest in their future by supporting homegrown sustainability and resilience projects that work for Canadians by creating jobs, lowering costs, and strengthening local economies.

Through our unique mix of funding, resources and training, GMF is enhancing the quality of life for people in Canada by accelerating a transformation to sustainable and resilient communities. Since 2000, GMF has invested over $1.6 billion in local projects helping communities avoid 2.9 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, while also contributing $1.24 billion to the national GDP and creating more than 13,000 person-years of national employment.
About this role  The Government Relations Lead works within an integrated unit of experts in government relations, communications, and public policy to advance FCM’s advocacy objectives and strengthen the organization’s influence with federal decision makers. This role leads the development and execution of strategic government relations and advocacy initiatives, provides political intelligence and strategic foresight, and builds and maintains relationships with elected officials, government representatives, municipal leaders, and external stakeholders across Canada.

Reporting to the Director, Advocacy, the Government Relations Lead serves as a strategic connector across the organization, translating political, policy, and stakeholder developments into actionable insights that support advocacy, program, and organizational priorities. Specific to this role, the Lead is responsible for providing strategic insight and political intelligence to support GMF priorities, fostering alignment between advocacy and program objectives and identifying emerging risks, opportunities, and partnerships that advance FCM's strategic goals, particularly as they relate to GMF activities and the climate resilience file.

What you’ll be doing  Act as the Government Relations lead for the Green Municipal Fund and as a strategic cross‑departmental liaison between GMF and PPA, facilitating information flow, aligning priorities, clarifying roles and accountabilities, coordinating execution, and ensuring policy, government relations, and program considerations are integrated into organizational decision-making. Lead the synthesis of political intelligence, policy developments, stakeholder perspectives, and organizational priorities to provide strategic insight, support executive decision-making, and strengthen alignment between government relations and program objectives.

Develop and execute issue‑specific and member‑focused advocacy plans within FCM’s overall advocacy strategy, focusing particularly on the climate resilience related municipal priorities. Continually monitor, assess and provide strategic foresight on federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal political environments, identifying key risks, opportunities and trends that may affect FCM, municipal governments, and the GMF priorities. Build and leverage a network of relationships with the elected officials, government representatives, external stakeholders, sector partners, and FCM member municipalities to advance strategic objectives and strengthen FCM’s influence.

Support alignment with key stakeholders, including ensuring appropriate engagement with FCM members and the Board where needed. Translate government priorities, policy developments, and political dynamics into actionable insights and recommendations that inform GMF strategy, advocacy priorities, organizational planning, and decision-making. Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, providing analysis, political intelligence, options, and recommendations on merging issues, stakeholder dynamics, government priorities, and opportunities affecting municipal governments.

Provide timely, well‑supported and expert advice and recommendations to the Director, Executive…