Job Description

Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Canada\xe2\x80\x99s leading strategic communications consultancy, is seeking an Account Director to join our growing Ottawa Public Affairs team. The position will be responsible for providing strategic government relations and advocacy counsel for a diverse portfolio of client accounts, ensuring that client satisfaction is maintained at the highest level. You will apply strategic thinking and oversight to client programs, deploy the firm\xe2\x80\x99s resources to achieve client objectives, monitor client projects on a day-to-day basis and work as part of a team, mentoring and networking with your peer group. This role will also help ensure our group meets its financial objectives, including ensuring profitability, maintaining market profile and cultivating new business opportunities to grow the practice. The ideal candidate will also have established networks with local government, political and business communities. We are looking for not only incredible talent, but also great attitude, energy and passion for H+K and our clients.
Here\xe2\x80\x99s what you\xe2\x80\x99d be doing:

• Creating and executing comprehensive government relations, advocacy, communications, and stakeholder engagement plans that support our clients\xe2\x80\x99 business objectives
• Exercising creativity and problem-solving to devise innovative strategies to address potentially complex client issues or public affairs challenges
• Counselling clients on government relations responses and messaging related to crises and issue developments
• Crafting compelling, engaging and well-informed messages and advocacy materials including briefing notes, backgrounders, fact sheets, position papers, submissions, presentations, and responses to requests for proposals)
• Leveraging existing relationships with an established network of political/governmental officials and developing additional contacts where needed to allow for expert analysis and insights into current political issues and policy priorities
• Working in an integrated way with Sector Leads, Specialty Experts and other leaders across the business to provide integrated support and service
• Participating in new business development strategies to cultivate new client opportunities, enjoy pitching and winning new clients
• Exploring digital advocacy and social media tools to benefit clients, potential clients and the agency
• Complying with all relevant lobbyist registration legislation and regulations
• Measuring and reviewing success of H+K programs for clients against stated goals
• Managing profitability of accounts and/or performance and utilization of account teams

What else is in it for you?

• Full health benefits package\xe2\x80\x94including healthy paid time off, schedule flexibility, fitness reimbursement, and more
• A career working with and influencing bold, creative teams and client accounts
• A passionate, smart, fun, and creative office culture
• Strong leadership with a focus on entrepreneurial thinking, training and mentoring to help you grow, expand your skills and become your professional best

What you\xe2\x80\x99ll need to get here:

• Minimum 6 to 8 years\xe2\x80\x99 experience in a communications, public affairs, government or political role; agency experience is a considerable asset
• Post secondary degree in political science, public policy, communications, or similar program
• Sector subject matter expert with strong working knowledge of the industry, trends and relevant stakeholder networks is preferred
• Demonstrated understanding of the federal political environment and public policy process; established network of federal political/government and stakeholder relationships
• Client service mindset with the ability to establish, grow and maintain strong relationships with client contacts; ability to function as a trusted resource and counselor
• Proven ability to provide thoughtful insights and strategic recommendations based on a broad understanding based on the political and policy landscapes to achieve clients\xe2\x80\x99 objectives with government stakeholders
• Experience in managing multiple client programs and budgets, leading account teams, and coaching and mentoring staff
• Strong project and budget management skills, ability to delegate and prioritize
• Entrepreneurial spirit motivated and able to identify and secure new business opportunities
• Excellent verbal, written and presentation communications skills; bilingualism is an asset
• Collaborative approaching to working with a high-performing team
• Passion, enthusiasm and tenacity for the H+K brand

About Us: Hill+Knowlton Strategies Canada (H+K) is a public relations and public affairs consultancy providing services to local, multinational and global clients from its eight offices across the country. We help clients in the public, private and not-for-profit sector engage meaningfully with citizens, stakeholders and communities on key issues and decisions related to the most significant projects and complex policy questions in Canada today. Globally, Hill+Knowlton Strategies Inc., has offices in more than 40 countries as well as an extensive associate network; and it is a member of WPP (NASDAQ: WPPGY), one of the world\xe2\x80\x99s largest communications services groups.

Hill+Knowlton Strategies is dedicated to employment equity, welcomes diversity in the workplace and encourages applications from all qualified applicants. If you require any accommodation needs during the recruitment process, please reach out to us. We thank all applicants for their interest; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
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