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 Canada’s 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 CQCC’s government relations, public policy, and advocacy activities in alignment with the organization’s strategic priorities. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and working closely with the Chief Operating Officer, this role supports CQCC’s 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 role’s purpose is to:

- Support the CEO and COO in advancing CQCC’s 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 CQCC’s 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 CQCC’s government relations activities, with a focus on strengthening relationships and advancing CQCC’s strategic priorities with government stakeholders:

- Support the CEO and COO in developing and implementing government relations plans aligned with CQCC’s 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 CQCC’s positioning, advocacy, and decision-making.

- Monitor legislative, regulatory, budgetary, and program developments relevant to CQCC’s 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 CQCC’s 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 CQCC’s mission, values, and strategic priorities;
- Prepare summaries of government meetings, stakeholder conversations, and policy consultations; and
- Ensure materials are accurate, timely, qualified, 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 CQCC’s organizational priorities.

- Monitor government funding programs, grants, and partnership opportunities relevant to CQCC’s work;
- Support the CEO, COO, and internal teams in assessing whether opportunities align with CQCC’s 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 CQCC’s financial sustainability, program reach, and national impact.

Internal Coordination and Strategic Alignment The Government Relations Lead works cross-functionally to ensure CQCC’s 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 CQCC’s government-facing activities.

Events, Public Affairs, and External Representation The Government Relations Lead supports CQCC’s presence at government, sector, business, and community events that advance the organization’s visibility and influence.

- Support CQCC’s 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 CQCC’s 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 CQCC’s mission, values, and commitment to inclusive economic growth for 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs and communities.

- Ensure government relations activities align with CQCC’s 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 CQCC’s 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 economic development;
- Lived experience as a 2SLGBTQI+ person, or a strong track record of working in solidarity with diverse and equity-deserving communities, is considered an asset;
- 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.

C****ompensation

Salary will be based on skills and experience, within the annual earnings range of $73,500-$90,000. 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 Year’s Day.

Applications

Applications will 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 [email protected]

📌 Government Relations Lead (Ottawa)
🏢 Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce (CQCC)
📍 Ottawa