Director, Public Affairs

Release Date: 12/01/2023
Staff Reference: clhia careers

Location: Ottawa, Ontario

Imagine a job where YOU can utilize your exceptional interpersonal skills to liaise effectively with both internal and external teams.

Add a great collaborative team, a challenging variety of work, excellent work life balance, and you have imagined a job at the CLHIA.

About the CLHIA

CLHIA is the respected voice of Canada's Life and Health insurers. Our work concerns the lives of all Canadians. We work alongside our members to advance public policy solutions that ensure a sound and vibrant life and health insurance industry that allows Canadians to enjoy greater financial security and access to valuable supplementary health benefits. Every day at the CLHIA, we bring:

• our authentic selves to the job
• our best ideas to every challenge
• our open minds to other perspectives
• our full trust in one another’s abilities
• our commitment to exemplify respect, accountability, teamwork, and excellence in how we work together; and
• our genuine enthusiasm for a job well done – whether it’s your own achievement or someone else’s.

We are a stable and secure association that has been busier than ever. We are a small close-knit team that works together to make sure the association runs smoothly. This position is currently a hybrid position where you are expected to attend the Ottawa office at least 2 days a week.

The Right Fit

We believe the kind of person you are matters. We have a culture of respect and caring, and we want employees who will thrive in our environment. When we hire, we consider your potential and how you may fit with our team.

You will succeed here if you are:

An excellent communicator – you will be collaborating with not only our internal team but with stakeholders and member companies. Your ability to communicate clearly and with several different parties will support your success.

Independent – you are self-motivated and manage your time well. You are able to organize your day to meet often conflicting priorities and deadlines.

Flexible – this is a position where you will have to approach an issue through different angles and the ability to analyze a situation or problem.

The Position:

Reporting to the Vice President, Government Relations and Policy, the Director, Public Affairs is responsible for planning, developing, delivering, and maintaining advocacy programs, primarily at the federal level. The Director’s focus will be on key files related to the products and services provided by life and health insurers; including health benefits, pensions, and retirement savings as well as issues related to the Insurance Companies Act (ICA).

The position package includes:

• Prescription, dental and paramedical benefits, with employer paid premiums
• A defined contribution pension plan with employer matching
• We also offer a competitive compensation package
• 4 weeks paid vacation
• 10 sick days
• 2 floater days
• Hybrid work model based out of our Ottawa office

What you will be working on:

• Proactively propose/plan, develop and deliver the CLHIA advocacy action plans including general specific interests with legislators at the federal and provincial levels (i.e. advocacy days, issue management, information dissemination on industry initiatives, advocacy campaigns) aligned with the strategy; includes on-going outreach initiatives, participation in Parliamentary committee hearings or consultations as required.
• Develop and maintain a thorough knowledge of the political/electoral landscape and issues relevant to the life and health insurance industry.
• Relationship Management:
  • Coordinate with CLHIA’s subject matter experts to identify and respond to industry issues that may emerge in legislatures across the country.
  • Work closely with CLHIA’s Communication staff to develop sufficient knowledge and understanding of the issues to respond to media inquiries or coordinate responses with subject matter experts as required.
  • Lead the federal advocacy program on key files. Activities may include the annual advocacy day and issue management as required.
  • Develop and maintain effective working relationships with member companies through participation in the Government Relations Committee. Lead various working groups on key files including health care and pensions as required.
  • Engage with other industry-related allies or interest groups (i.e. Chamber of Commerce, pharmacy associations or advisor groups).
  • Cultivate relationships with key influencers including officials, legislators, and regulators.
• Assisting with special projects as required and/or assigned.

What you will bring:

• Five to ten years’ experience working in a government relations or advocacy capacity.
• University degree in a relevant field (e.g. political science, economics, or related field).
• Proven ability to lobby both federally and provincially.
• Previous financial services experience, knowledge of the life and health insurance industry, and/or experience with member-based organizations.
• Strong communication skills (verbal, written, digital), and the ability to effectively build relationships and work collaboratively with individuals within and outside the Association.
• Research, analytical, and problem-solving skills to understand issues affecting the life and health insurance industry.
• Organizational, project management and time management skills to manage multiple projects, including those with tight deadlines and changing priorities.
• Must be able to register as a federal lobbyist.
• Demonstrated ability to work well as part of a team.
• Bilingual English/French is an asset.

How to apply:

Please submit your resume to clhiacareers@clhia.ca

The CLHIA is committed to ensuring fair and inclusive employment practices. On request, we provide accommodation for applicants with disabilities in accordance with the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. If you require accommodation, please advise us. We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.