Director, Policy and Advocacy - Governance

DIRECTOR, POLICY AND ADVOCACY - GOVERNANCE  

Reporting to the Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer, the Director is part of a small but dynamic team responsible for leading the development and implementation of integrated economic, social, environmental, and governance policies and advocacy strategies to advance the sustainability and vibrancy of Alberta Municipalities’ members.  

The Director provides strategic advice, manages sensitive policy issues, and leads complex projects and events that engage the Board, its committees and members in identifying issues and opportunities and developing and advocating for solutions. Key activities relate to creating policy development plans and advocacy strategies and preparing related correspondence, briefings, presentations, speaking points, and other materials.  

Representing Alberta Municipalities (ABmunis) on external committees provides an opportunity for the incumbent to influence policy. The Director will also be part of the team’s increasing focus on strengthening relationships with key decision makers in all levels of government as well as non-governmental organizations. Therefore, the successful candidate should be skilled in building trust and credibility with key decision makers.    

The Director‘s main focus will be on policy and legislation related to municipal governance.  This includes, analysis, advocacy and capacity building work related to the Municipal Government Act (MGA), the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA), related policies and regulations, as well as process and procedures related to well-functioning councils and council-administrative relationships.  

Note that this is a new position created to respond to the increasing challenges and opportunities related to the governance of municipalities. Currently, the position has no direct reports, but this may evolve over time. The seniority of the position reflects the political sensitivity of the work and the autonomy the incumbent will have over the initiatives for which they are responsible. The incumbents will also have the opportunity to contribute to the evolution of the Policy and Advocacy team as we adjust our focus on processes to meet the evolving needs of the municipal sector.  

Know-How 

Practical/Technical Knowledge 

• A post-secondary degree or diploma
• At least 10 years of progressively senior experience in policy and advocacy or related field.
• Extensive knowledge of municipal/provincial/federal legislation, policies, and processes.
• Particularly with the MGA and LAEA 
• Extensive knowledge of governance trends and appreciation for how they intersect with broader economic, social, and environmental trends facing municipalities.
• Extensive knowledge of inter-governmental relationships between the province, municipalities, for profit, and not-for profit industry associations. 

Planning, Organizing, and Integrating 

• Working knowledge of research and survey methods.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communications skills.
• Effective project management skills and ability to be self-directed to manage multiple priorities, organize workload for self and meet deliverables with quality responses.
• Ability to support the Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer and provide cover when required.
• Ability to incorporate solutions, themes, and concepts into strategically focused policy proposals, presentations, correspondence, and other communications.  

Communicating and Influencing Skills 

• Ability to establish/maintain strong work relationships and cultivate networks.
• Experience working with boards and committees. 
• Excellent leadership skills with a strong ability to motivate, coach with a positive “get it done” attitude.
• Ability to lead in a consultative environment that employs a consensus model of decision making.
• Ability to manage staff and provide support leadership, guidance, and support.
• Ability to mentor and lead through influence in a tightly knit team environment. 

Responsibilities 

Policy Development 

• Identify, research, and evaluate complex and sensitive policies. 
• Develop creative and innovative options and solutions that meet the diverse needs and interests of our members.
• Advance implementation plans and evaluation frameworks. 

Issues and Project Management 

• Identify and manage sensitive issues in a strategic and coordinated manner.
• Carry out all stages of project management to advance initiatives. 
• Liaise with key stakeholders, including representing the organization on work teams and external committees.  

Communication & Advocacy 

• Ability to build strong working relationships with diverse groups including members, provincial decision makers and other organizations in the municipal sphere. 
• Develop and lead implementation of advocacy strategies for priority topics.
• This includes liaising with the Marketing and Communications team to integrate communications and government relations strategies. 
• Work with the Marketing and Communications team to prepare briefings and speaking points for President and Board in support of their board meetings, media interviews, community engagement activities, meetings with provincial and federal elected officials, etc.
• Prepare documents and articles to communicate policy matters to municipal elected officials and administrators.
• Assist with correspondence, presentations, and speaking notes pertaining to interaction with members, committees, federal and provincial governments, and other organizations.
• Support the development of provincial and federal budget submissions and the annual analysis of provincial and federal budgets.
• Develop content for newsletters  

Committee Coordination 

• Support the development of annual committee mandates and prepare annual committee work plans. 
• Work with the Committee Chair(s) to manage and prioritize the issues that come before the committee.
• Identify matters requiring committee or board approval and submit requests for decision.
• Research and prepare briefing materials and other information items.
• Prepare meeting agendas and associated materials.
• Monitor and communicate the status of action items, work plans, and convention resolutions and recommend further actions to advance their progress.
• Work with the team to assess the effectiveness of the current committee structure and opportunities for improvements.  

Event Planning 

• Oversee the registration and coordinate promotion of the events within scope.
• Arrange speakers for events and prepare presentations and speaking notes. 

Other Responsibilities 

• Play a key role in various significant corporate initiatives (i.e., annual board strategic planning processes, business plan and KPI development, quarterly initiative reporting, risk assessment and mitigation plan).
• Coordinate member inquiry responses.
• Other duties as required. 

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