Senior Advisor, Public Affairs And Government Relations

Key Activities

Reporting to the Senior Director, Executive Office and Corporate Affairs, the Senior Advisor, Public Affairs and Government Relations serves as a senior strategic advisor supporting the President and CEO in advancing the National Arts Centre’s institutional positioning, government relations, parliamentary affairs and corporate public affairs priorities.

The incumbent provides strategic advice, policy analysis, research and executive support to strengthen the National Arts Centre’s relationships with federal partners and enhance understanding of its national mandate and impact as Canada’s National Arts Centre and a federal Crown corporation.

Working collaboratively across the organization—and in close partnership with the Corporate Secretary, Strategic Planning, Strategic Initiatives, and National Events functions—the Senior Advisor develops strategic briefings, policy analyses, executive correspondence, key messages and public affairs strategies that support executive decision-making and position the NAC effectively with government, Parliament, stakeholders and national partners.

The position is responsible for coordinating responses to Parliamentary Questions and Requests for Information, monitoring government and parliamentary developments, identifying strategic opportunities and risks, and supporting the Executive Office in advancing the organization’s priorities with government and key stakeholders.

Operating with a high degree of autonomy, judgment and political acuity, the incumbent contributes to strengthening the NAC’s visibility, credibility and reputation as Canada’s national performing arts centre and a leading federal cultural institution.

Strategic Public Affairs and Government Relations

• Support the President and CEO and Senior Director in advancing the National Arts Centre’s institutional positioning with federal partners;

• Monitor government, parliamentary, legislative and public policy developments affecting the National Arts Centre;

• Conduct policy research, environmental scanning and strategic analysis to identify emerging opportunities and risks;

• Prepare strategic advice regarding government priorities, public policy, funding opportunities and federal initiatives relevant to the NAC;

• Support the development and maintenance of productive relationships with Canadian Heritage, Parliament, central agencies and other federal institutions;

• Prepare strategic briefing materials, background documents and analysis for meetings with Ministers, Deputy Ministers, parliamentarians, senior public servants and other government stakeholders.

Institutional Positioning

• Support the development of a coherent corporate narrative that demonstrates the National Arts Centre’s national mandate, public value and impact;

• Translate complex organizational initiatives into compelling, evidence-based narratives for government and institutional audiences;

• Identify opportunities to strengthen the NAC’s visibility, reputation and credibility among government decision-makers and national stakeholders;

• Work collaboratively with Communications to ensure alignment between institutional positioning, corporate communications and public affairs priorities.

Executive Advisory and Corporate Support

• Prepare briefing notes, executive correspondence, backgrounders, key messages and strategic analyses for the President and CEO, Senior Director and Executive Leadership Team;

• Provide strategic advice regarding the public affairs and government relations implications of organizational initiatives and executive decisions;

• Work closely with the Corporate Secretary to support matters relating to Crown corporation governance, parliamentary accountability, ministerial correspondence, Board reporting, corporate reporting and other statutory or governance obligations;

• Collaborate closely with the Senior Manager, Strategic Planning, Senior Advisor, Strategic Initiatives, Corporate Secretary, Communications, Finance, Artistic Programming and other departments to ensure coordinated planning, consistent institutional positioning and effective execution of corporate priorities;

• Support cross-functional…