Director of Port Industry, Regulatory, and Government Affairs

Company Description

The Association of Canadian Port Authorities (ACPA) is the national voice for Canada's Port Authorities, advocating on key issues related to government policy, trade, competitiveness, and public awareness. The organization works to strengthen the role of ports within a sustainable, clean, efficient, and reliable intermodal supply chain and transportation system.

Reporting to the President and CEO, the Director, Port Industry, Regulatory and Government Affairs plays a leading role in ACPA's government relations, public policy and industry engagement, with a focus on federal transportation and marine policy.

The director serves as ACPA's primary federal government relations contact, supporting advocacy efforts, developing policy positions and legislative submissions, and building relationships with member ports, government officials and industry stakeholders to advance the interests of Canada's port authorities and the National Port System.

Must not be encumbered by Lobbying Act restrictions on lobbying.

• Regulatory Affairs and Public Policy

• Play a leading role in ACPA's regulatory affairs and public policy agenda supporting Canada's National Port System and the Canada Marine Act.
• Monitor legislative, regulatory and policy developments, providing strategic advice to the President and CEO and Board.
• Prepare government submissions, consultation responses, position papers, briefing notes and technical analyses.
• Advance policy initiatives related to ports, including trade, infrastructure, environmental protection, supply chains, and marine safety and security.
• Coordinate policy research, legislative interpretation and external legal research, as required.
• Support policy programming and speaker management for the annual Ports Canada Conference and other government-focused events.

• Member Engagement

• Serve as a primary liaison to ACPA technical committees, coordinating member expertise to develop policy and regulatory positions.
• Work with member port authorities to identify priorities and build consensus on advocacy, particularly on technical and regulatory issues.
• Coordinate committee meetings and calls.
• Represent ACPA in meetings with government and industry stakeholders.

• Government Relations and Advocacy

• Serve as ACPA's lead staff resource for government relations and advocacy.
• Develop and implement federal government relations strategies aligned with ACPA priorities.
• Build relationships with Parliament, Ministers' Offices, federal departments and key industry stakeholders.
• Manage external government relations and public affairs advisors.
• Prepare briefing materials and strategic advice for meetings with government and industry leaders.

• Minimum seven years' experience in federal government relations, regulatory affairs, public policy or a related field, preferably in marine transportation.
• Experience with federal transportation policy or government relations; marine, port or shipping experience is an asset.
• Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Economics, Commerce, Law or a related field.
• Experience developing advocacy strategies, interpreting legislation, preparing government submissions, and managing complex policy files.
• Strong stakeholder management, organizational, analytical, research and communication skills, with sound judgment and political acuity.
• Strong English communication skills required; bilingualism (English/French) is an asset.
• Based in Ottawa with occasional travel within Canada.