Senior Consultant, Public Affairs and Government Relations

Senior Consultant, Public Affairs and Government Relations

About us

At NATIONAL, we are proud to be Canada’s leading public relations firm, bringing together a coast-to-coast network of public affairs experts. In Toronto, our Public Affairs and Government Relations team partners with clients across a wide range of sectors to design, activate, and manage strategies that resonate with audiences and deliver measurable impact. As our team continues to grow, we are seeking a consultant with a passion for strategic communications, public affairs, government relations and, above and beyond, exceptional client service.

The role

As a Senior Consultant on NATIONAL’s Public Affairs and Government Relations team in Toronto, you will help clients understand and navigate complex political, regulatory and reputational environments. You will support high-profile mandates across sectors, helping to turn current events, policy developments and stakeholder dynamics into practical strategies that advance client goals.

This role is ideal for someone with strong political instincts, excellent client service skills and the ability to manage multiple moving pieces in a fast-paced agency environment. You may come from a public affairs agency, a political office, government, corporate communications or another client-facing advisory role.

Key responsibilities

Serve as the day-to-day, client-facing manager for accounts across multiple industry sectors

Collaborate with senior communications and public affairs leaders to deliver expert counsel and exceptional service

Design, manage, and execute impactful municipal and provincial government relations programs as well as stakeholder engagement and advocacy campaigns

Lead and support reputation management programs, issues and crisis management, and communications campaigns (earned, owned, and paid media strategies)

Monitor and analyze evolving political, economic, and social issues; proactively propose strategies to advance client goals

Oversee account management, including project work plans and budgets

Contribute to practice and Firm-wide business development initiatives, with a focus on issues/crisis management, reputation management, campaign strategy and activation, public engagement, and stakeholder relations

Work with colleagues across NATIONAL practices and offices to deliver integrated communications services

Qualifications

Three to six years of experience in public affairs, government relations, strategic communications, political offices, consulting, government or a related environment

Strong understanding of Ontario politics, municipal government and/or public policy

Post-secondary degree in public relations, political science, business administration, public administration, or a related field

Agency experience, political staff experience or experience supporting senior decision-makers considered a strong asset

Excellent writing, research and presentation skills

Strong client service instincts, including responsiveness, organization, judgment and attention to detail

Ability to monitor political, media and stakeholder developments and translate them into client-relevant insights

Comfortable managing multiple files, deadlines and relationships at once

Entrepreneurial, curious and motivated to help grow the practice

Abilities

Sound judgment and critical thinking, with the ability to assess complex situations and recommend practical courses of action

Ability to anticipate needs, identify emerging opportunities and challenges, and proactively bring forward solutions

Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities, with the ability to work effectively with clients, colleagues and external stakeholders

Ability to collaborate effectively as part of a team while taking ownership of work and driving assignments forward independently

Adaptability and comfort working in a fast-paced environment where priorities and circumstances can change quickly

Commitment to continuous learning and staying current on political, policy, communications and industry developments

What we offer

A collaborative, entrepreneurial workplace culture that values curiosity, innovation and teamwork

The opportunity to…