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Government Relations Lead

CQCC

Job Location:

Ottawa - Canada

Monthly Salary: $ 73500 - 90000

Posted: 10 August 2026 (10 hours ago)

Application Deadline: 7 November 2026

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Role: Government Relations Lead

Position: Permanent Full-Time

Location:Ottawa ON preferred; Toronto ON or remote within Canada may be considered.

Join the Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce (CQCC) in championing the economic empowerment of 2SLGBTQI businesses across Canada.

Established in 2003 the Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce is a trusted partner linking 2SLGBTQI businesses in Canada to the wider business community. The CQCC fosters economic growth by supporting and nurturing 2SLGBTQI businesses entrepreneurs students and allies and by helping Canadas corporate bodies connect with the 2SLGBTQI business community. A leader in inclusive procurement the CQCC is also the certifying body in Canada for 2SLGBTQI businesses.

Government Relations Lead

The Government Relations Lead is responsible for supporting CQCCs government relations public policy and advocacy activities in alignment with the organizations strategic priorities. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and working closely with the Chief Operating Officer this role supports CQCCs relationships with government officials public servants and sector partners to advance inclusive economic growth for 2SLGBTQI entrepreneurs and businesses across Canada. The role is strategic relationship-driven and highly responsive with a focus on monitoring government priorities identifying policy and funding opportunities preparing briefing materials and submissions coordinating government engagement activities and ensuring CQCC is well-positioned in relevant public policy and economic development conversations.

The roles purpose is to:

Support the CEO and COO in advancing CQCCs government relations strategy and public policy priorities;
Monitor federal provincial and municipal government developments relevant to 2SLGBTQI entrepreneurship supplier diversity small business interprovincial and global trade procurement workforce development and inclusive economic growth;
Build and maintain effective working relationships with government officials public servants political staff ecosystem partners and advocacy stakeholders;
Prepare briefing notes policy summaries submissions letters speaking points presentations and government-facing materials;
Identify opportunities for CQCC to participate in consultations committees roundtables funding programs and policy discussions;
Coordinate government meetings follow-ups stakeholder mapping and engagement tracking; and
Contribute to CQCCs role as a national voice for 2SLGBTQI economic empowerment and inclusive business development.

CORE ACCOUNTABILITIES

Government Relations and Stakeholder Engagement

The Government Relations Lead supports the development and execution of CQCCs government relations activities with a focus on strengthening relationships and advancing CQCCs strategic priorities with government stakeholders:

Support the CEO and COO in developing and implementing government relations plans aligned with CQCCs mission strategic plan and organizational priorities;
Build maintain and coordinate relationships with elected officials public servants political staff government agencies Crown corporations and relevant public institutions;
Support government outreach at the federal provincial territorial and municipal levels with particular emphasis on economic development small business procurement trade entrepreneurship and equity-focused policy areas;
Coordinate government meetings including preparing agendas briefing materials speaking notes follow-up correspondence and internal summaries;
Maintain a government stakeholder map and track engagement activity commitments opportunities and follow-up items;
Identify opportunities for CQCC to participate in government consultations advisory tables roundtables committees announcements and public engagement processes; and
Represent CQCC in selected government and stakeholder meetings events and consultations as required.

Policy Monitoring Research and Analysis

The Government Relations Lead monitors public policy developments and provides timely analysis to support CQCCs positioning advocacy and decision-making.

Monitor legislative regulatory budgetary and program developments relevant to CQCCs mandate and members;
Track government priorities related to 2SLGBTQI inclusion small business supplier diversity entrepreneurship procurement trade workforce development tourism innovation and inclusive economic growth;
Prepare concise policy summaries environmental scans jurisdictional comparisons and issue briefs for the CEO COO and internal teams;
Identify emerging risks opportunities and policy trends that may impact 2SLGBTQI businesses and entrepreneurs;
Support the development of evidence-informed policy positions recommendations and advocacy messages;
Gather insights from CQCC members partners and internal teams to inform policy and government relations work; and
Maintain awareness of relevant government programs funding streams consultations and partnership opportunities.

Advocacy Materials Briefings and Government Submissions

The Government Relations Lead prepares high-quality written materials that support CQCCs government engagement advocacy and public policy work.

Draft briefing notes speaking points letters backgrounders policy briefs consultation submissions reports and presentations;
Support the CEO and COO with preparation for meetings with Ministers Members of Parliament provincial and municipal officials senior public servants and external stakeholders;
Translate complex policy and government information into clear practical and actionable materials;
Coordinate internal input from program engagement supplier diversity communications and operations teams to support government-facing materials;
Support the development of advocacy messages that align with CQCCs mission values and strategic priorities;
Prepare summaries of government meetings stakeholder conversations and policy consultations; and
Ensure materials are accurate timely professional and appropriate for senior-level government and stakeholder audiences.

Funding Partnerships and Strategic Opportunities

The Government Relations Lead supports the identification and coordination of government funding partnership and program opportunities that advance CQCCs organizational priorities.

Monitor government funding programs grants and partnership opportunities relevant to CQCCs work;
Support the CEO COO and internal teams in assessing whether opportunities align with CQCCs strategic priorities capacity and sustainability;
Coordinate information gathering for funding proposals concept notes partnership discussions and government program applications as required;
Support relationship-building with government departments agencies and public institutions connected to economic development and entrepreneurship funding;
Track timelines deliverables reporting obligations and strategic considerations related to government opportunities;
Collaborate with internal teams to ensure government opportunities are connected to CQCC programming member needs and organizational capacity; and
Provide recommendations on emerging opportunities that may strengthen CQCCs financial sustainability program reach and national impact.

Internal Coordination and Strategic Alignment

The Government Relations Lead works cross-functionally to ensure CQCCs government relations activities are aligned with operations programming communications engagement & growth and finance.

Work closely with the CEO and COO to ensure government relations activities support organizational strategy and operational priorities;
Collaborate with internal teams to gather information data member stories program outcomes and regional insights that support advocacy and government engagement;
Provide internal updates on government developments advocacy priorities and stakeholder engagement activities;
Maintain organized records trackers briefing files contact lists and documentation related to government relations work;
Support preparation for Board updates committee discussions and senior leadership reporting as required; and
Contribute to strong internal coordination information-sharing and accountability across CQCCs government-facing activities.

Events Public Affairs and External Representation

The Government Relations Lead supports CQCCs presence at government sector business and community events that advance the organizations visibility and influence.

Support CQCCs participation in government announcements receptions conferences roundtables Hill Days chamber events and policy forums;
Coordinate logistics briefing materials stakeholder lists and follow-up for government-facing events and meetings;
Identify strategic events and convening opportunities where CQCC should be represented;
Support the CEO COO and other representatives with remarks speaking notes panel preparation and stakeholder briefings;
Represent CQCC professionally in selected external meetings and events;
Work with communications staff to ensure public affairs opportunities are aligned with CQCCs messaging and brand; and
Support the development of strong consistent and mission-aligned external positioning.

CQCC and Personal Advocacy

The Government Relations Lead demonstrates personal leadership by supporting CQCCs mission values and commitment to inclusive economic growth for 2SLGBTQI entrepreneurs and communities.

Ensure government relations activities align with CQCCs strategic direction mission and values;
Act as an ambassador for CQCC and its role in advancing 2SLGBTQI economic empowerment;
Stay informed about CQCC programming supplier diversity work member needs and national priorities;
Demonstrate cultural competency professionalism discretion and sound judgment when representing CQCC externally;
Contribute insights and recommendations that strengthen CQCCs advocacy visibility and impact;
Seek performance input from the CEO COO and internal team members to support ongoing development; and
Support an inclusive respectful and values-led approach to government relations and public affairs.

DESIRED COMPETENCIES & EXPERIENCE

Experience:

5 years of progressive experience in government relations public affairs policy advocacy stakeholder relations political staff work public administration economic development or a related field;
Demonstrated experience supporting government engagement public policy advocacy or stakeholder relations activities;
Experience preparing briefing notes policy summaries submissions presentations government correspondence and senior-level materials;
Experience working with elected officials public servants political staff government departments agencies or public institutions;
Experience monitoring government priorities budgets legislation regulations consultations and funding opportunities;
Experience working in a not-for-profit chamber of commerce business association economic development supplier diversity entrepreneurship or equity-focused organization is a strong asset;
Experience supporting senior executives Boards or leadership teams with strategic briefings and external engagement is highly valued;
Experience working with 2SLGBTQI communities entrepreneurs equity-deserving communities or inclusive economic development initiatives is considered an asset; and
Familiarity with federal government processes Ottawa-based government relations and national advocacy environments is a strong asset.

Competencies:

Strong understanding of government relations public policy advocacy and stakeholder engagement practices;
Excellent written communication skills with the ability to prepare concise polished and strategic materials for senior audiences;
Strong verbal communication and presentation skills including comfort participating in meetings with government and external stakeholders;
Political acuity and sound judgment with the ability to understand stakeholder dynamics government processes and reputational considerations;
Strong research and analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into practical recommendations;
Excellent relationship-building skills with the ability to cultivate trust-based relationships across government business community and sector stakeholders;
Ability to manage multiple priorities deadlines meetings and deliverables in a fast-paced environment;
Strong organizational skills including comfort maintaining trackers stakeholder maps briefing files and CRM records;
Proficiency with Microsoft Office / Microsoft 365 CRM systems stakeholder tracking tools and standard business software;
High degree of professionalism discretion confidentiality and accountability;
Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative values-led team environment;
Willingness and ability to travel within Canada as required including occasional evenings and weekends; and
Fluency in French and English is required.

Collaboration & Ways of Working

Ability to work directly with the CEO and COO while also collaborating cross-functionally with programming engagement communications operations and supplier diversity teams;
Comfort operating in a responsive executive-support environment where priorities may shift based on government timelines stakeholder needs and organizational priorities;
Ability to translate organizational priorities into practical government relations activities briefing materials and follow-up actions;
Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain high-quality work under time-sensitive conditions;
Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on coordination and execution; and
Demonstrated ability to work respectfully and effectively with diverse stakeholders including government business community and member audiences.

Equity Inclusion & Values Alignment

Demonstrated commitment to equity inclusion and community-centered approaches to economicdevelopment;
Lived experience as a 2SLGBTQI person or a strongtrack recordof working in solidarity with diverse and equity-deserving communities is considered anasset;
Cultural competency and emotional intelligence with the ability to navigate complex stakeholder relationships thoughtfully and respectfully.

Terms

This is a full-time position supporting government relations and public affairs activities across Canada. The successful candidate may work remotely within Canada with preference for candidates located in Ottawa Toronto or another major centre with access to government and stakeholder networks. Regular travel to Ottawa and occasional travel across Canada may be required to support government meetings events conferences consultations and organizational commitments. This role works closely with the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer and may support Board committee and senior leadership reporting as required.

Compensation

Salary will be based on skills and experience within the annual earnings range of $73500-$90000. Additional benefits round out the compensation package including group benefit plan coverage annual vacation and a generous public holiday schedule including paid time off between Christmas Day and New Years Day.

Applications

Applicationswill be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The CQCC strives to foster an inclusive workforce and is committed to applying principles of equity throughout the recruitment and hiring process. Members from equity-deserving groups are especially encouraged to apply and to self-identify. All qualified applicants will be considered. If you require accommodations for any part of the recruitment and hiring process please contact Human Resources at

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