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 work directly with senior advisors, clients and decision-makers on high-profile files at the intersection of business, politics, media and public opinion
• Meaningful responsibility, mentorship and opportunities to accelerate your career in public affairs and government relations
• Exposure to a diverse portfolio of clients, industries and public policy issues across Canada
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits

Expected Compensation

• The expected salary for this role is $77,000-$87,500 CAD. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, skills, and internal equity.

How to apply

• Submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest and fit for the role. If you’re up for a new challenge to join Canada’s PR Firm, we’d love to hear from you.

• NATIONAL is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Should you require any accommodation during the selection process, please inform us.

  A vacancy currently exists for this position. Please note that only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted. We use artificial intelligence tools to assist in screening, assessing, and selecting applicants for this role. Thank you for considering a career with us.

NATIONAL Public Relations provides creative communications solutions that move people in thought and actions. We bring together a team of 300 seasoned professionals, who are committed to helping organizations of all sizes and in all sectors understand their challenges and opportunities and solve the issues they are facing. For 47 years, NATIONAL has been at the center of issues and industries that matter, leading change for today and tomorrow.

NATIONAL is Canada’s leading public relations firm, with offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Saint John, Halifax and St. John’s. Its network includes Time & Space, a leader in media strategy, data analysis, planning and execution.

NATIONAL Public Relations is an AVENIR GLOBAL company, the largest Canadian-owned global communications firm, ranked among the 25 largest in the world with offices in 23 locations across Canada, the U.S., Europe and the Middle East. For more information about NATIONAL, please visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn and X.

Click here to read our Privacy Policy.