Manager, Government Relations And Public Affairs - Rmhc

Position title: Manager, Government Relations and Public Affairs

Department: Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada

Position band: Management / Advisory (Global Grade 4)

Reports to: Director, Integrated Brand Engagement

Type of position: Full time, permanent

Role Overview

The Manager, Government Relations and Public Affairs role is a new and exciting full-time opportunity at RMHC Canada, reporting to the Director, Integrated Brand Engagement. The Manager, Government Relations and Public Affairs is a subject matter expert and will be accountable for the planning and implementation of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Canada’s government relations and public affairs strategies and activities. The role has a focus on telling our story to increase awareness and understanding of RMHC’s mission with government decision makers, in addition to identifying and enabling funding opportunities both Federally & Provincially. This position is based in Toronto.

Principal Accountabilities

In addition to following McDonald’s policies and procedures, principal accountabilities include, but are not limited to:

• Ability to determine and assess forming new industry stakeholder partnerships, or coalition groups, as needed to reach core government audience
• Support with suggested meetings and lobbying efforts and provide briefings
• Advise on compelling messaging, political navigation, etc.
• Partner with Director of Integrated Brand Strategy to build and execute RMHC Canada’s public affairs strategy
• Manage agency relationships to identify and execute opportunities for earned, paid and owned media targeting a government audience through tactics such as op-eds, targeted social ads, etc. “PR for GR”
• Identify and plan key opportunities to amplify RMHC’s voice as an essential partner to pediatric healthcare (and related sectors) at key moments throughout the year, and across key ministries and decision-makers, both Federally and Provincially
• Build and execute an always-on public affairs strategy for RMHC Canada including development of ideas such as: Caucus Groups, Hill Days, etc. in collaboration, partnership and alignment with RMHC Regional Chapters, McDonald’s Canada and pediatric healthcare partners (e.g. Children’s Healthcare Canada)
• Partner with McDonald’s Canada Government and Public Affairs team to integrate RMHC brand messaging into franchisee training opportunities, and support with key community initiatives such as McHappy Day
• Identifying and pursuing government capital funding opportunities to support with RMHC House expansion plans
• Partner with RMHC brand team on various initiatives to determine government engagement plans against key moments throughout the year
• Monitor and leverage emerging political trends, points of discussion, and government themes to create and advance strategies to insert RMHC into relevant conversations and raise our awareness and mission understanding across government stakeholders
• Build strong relationships with RMHC Regional Chapters and key hospital partner leadership to raise profile amongst government officials
• Act as the day-to-day strategic partner and subject matter expert to RMHC Regional Chapters across Canada on:
• Oversee key RMHC government stakeholder relationships and national partnerships such as, Children's Healthcare Canada, and find new opportunities to lend our brand voice from a leadership perspective when communicating with government
• Identify trends and potential issues and develop plans to mitigate risk accordingly from a public affairs lens
• Identify and secure key leadership meeting opportunities for Director, Integrated Brand Strategy and RMHC Canada CEO to tell our story with government officials throughout the year

Qualifications

• Knowledge: Knowledge of how to build government relationships to raise awareness and strengthen brand reputation with key policy makers and decision-makers. Additionally, strong understanding of how government funding streams work, and how to identify both federal and provincial funding program eligibility
• Project management: Well organized, resourceful, with excellent multi-tasking and prioritizing skills and the ability to work within tight deadlines while still maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Communication skills: Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, and thorough understanding of how to communicate to multiple stakeholder audiences.
• Interpersonal skills: Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills and proven ability to work with multi-disciplined teams with a strategic and tactical perspective.
• Experience: Demonstrated Government and Public Affairs experience in a relevant role; agency, health care, and/or in-house government experience is an asset.
• Flexibility: Proven ability to adapt quickly to a fast-paced environment and lead/support multiple high-priority projects with senior stakeholders, including agency partners.

Additional Information

McDonald’s Canada and Owner/Operators are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace for all. Our workplaces have a long-standing policy of providing fair, equitable, and accessible opportunities for all employees and prospective employees. Accommodations during the application process are available upon request.