PAA Advisory | Conseils

Compensation

Full Description

PAA Advisory | Conseils is seeking a Client Director to join its Arts & Culture team in Ottawa and lead client files focused on federal government relations and lobbying. Our Arts & Culture team works with clients across the arts, culture, cultural industries, not-for-profit, and charitable ecosystem, including theatre, orchestral music, opera, ballet, music recording, book publishing, film and television, festivals, museums, and virtual arts, as well as media literacy, social development, and education. This role is an excellent opportunity for candidates who: • are passionate about Canadian politics, cultural policy, and public affairs; • want to work on high-profile, real-time issues in Ottawa; • enjoy leading client relationships in a fast-paced, service-oriented environment; and • want to contribute to the management, mentorship, and growth of a values-driven firm. Key Responsibilities As Client Director, Arts & Culture, you will be based in Ottawa and will: • Lead client files in the arts and culture sector, acting as the primary point of contact and providing day-to-day strategic advice on federal public policy, funding, regulatory, communications, and reputation issues. • Develop and implement advocacy strategies focused on the Government of Canada, including Parliament, central agencies, and key departments (e.g., Canadian Heritage, Finance, ISED, ESDC), with a particular emphasis on lobbying Designated Public Office Holders and other federal decision-makers. • Provide strategic counsel to CEOs, Executive Directors, board members, and senior leaders of client organisations, including real-time political insight and scenario analysis. • Oversee high-quality written work, including briefing notes, presentation materials, advocacy documents, position papers, submissions, studies, reports, and policy or political analyses for internal and external audiences. • Monitor, analyze, and interpret federal political developments, including: • activities and proceedings of the House of Commons and Senate (Question Period, Committees, reports, studies); • federal budget and fiscal frameworks; and • relevant legislative, regulatory, and program changes affecting arts, culture, cultural industries, and the not-for-profit sector. • Engage directly in lobbying activities at the federal level, including meetings with Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, MPs, Senators, staff in Ministers’ offices, senior public servants, and other stakeholders. • Build and maintain relationships with Arts Service Organisations, industry associations, coalitions, and community partners in relevant sectors, adding value and substance to their deliberations while maintaining a reputation for personal integrity and trustworthy conduct. • Lead or support advocacy events, such as Hill Days, receptions, roundtables, consultations, and training sessions, including planning, logistics, and follow-up. • Support business development by identifying emerging opportunities, contributing to proposals, participating in pitches, and helping to grow the Arts & Culture practice. • Provide leadership within the firm, including mentoring Advisors and Senior Advisors, contributing to team planning, and participating in firm-wide management and culture-building activities. Qualifications – What You Bring Below is a list of “great-to-haves” for this position; we welcome candidates who bring most, but not necessarily all, of the following: • Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in government, a Minister’s or Parliamentarians office, the federal public service, an arts or cultural organization, an industry association, a not-for-profit, consulting, or another setting relevant to public policy and the cultural ecosystem. • Demonstrated experience with federal politics and policy, including a high degree of familiarity with Government of Canada decision-making processes, institutions, and governance frameworks, as well as the federal stakeholder ecosystem. • Significant experience leading files in at least one of the following: arts administration, cultural policy, arts funding or grant programs, regulatory and legislative processes (e.g., broadcasting, copyright, tax or labour measures), or broader not-for-profit policy. • Proven experience in federal government relations and lobbying, including preparing for and participating in meetings with elected officials and senior public servants. • Strong policy and analytical skills, including the ability to read, interpret, and synthesize complex policy, budgetary, and regulatory information into clear, practical advice for clients. • Demonstrated leadership in project and/or event management, including the ability to design, plan, and deliver advocacy campaigns, events, and multi-stakeholder initiatives. • Excellent writing and communications skills, with a track record of preparing clear, persuasive, and strategic documents for senior decision-makers. • An undergraduate degree in a relevant field such as political science, public policy, public administration, arts administration, Canadian studies, or a related field; graduate studies are not required but would be an asset. • Ability to work effectively in English is required; ability to operate in French and English is a strong asset. Personal Qualities We are looking for someone who: • is rigorous, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities under pressure; • demonstrates sound judgment, discretion, and political acuity; • works collaboratively and respectfully with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders; • takes initiative and shows resourcefulness in solving problems and advancing files; • brings a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and a commitment to service excellence; and • is genuinely passionate about arts and culture in Canada. Requirements • This is a permanent, full-time position based in Ottawa. • You must have the ability to register to lobby at the federal level with the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada. • You must be legally entitled to work in Canada. Employment, Salary and Benefits PAA Advisory | Conseils offers its employees competitive overall compensation and a range of benefits, including: • competitive salary and performance-based progression; • group medical and dental benefits; • access to an employee assistance program; • paid vacation and hybrid work environment; • work-life balance measures; and • training and professional development opportunities. The current annual salary range for this position is between $90k and $110k CAD. How to Apply To express your interest in this position, please submit your CV and cover letter to careers@PAAinc.ca. In your cover letter, we invite you to include a brief comment on your interest in the arts and culture ecosystem in Canada—for example, a favourite performance, show, movie, song, exhibition, or other artistic expression that inspires you. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion At PAA Advisory | Conseils, we value and seek to actively involve the full range of what makes people unique in order to create a strong and innovative organization guided by the values of integrity, industriousness, empathy, humility, and initiative. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, people of colour, people with disabilities, people from all gender and sexually diverse communities, and people with intersectional identities. PAA Advisory | Conseils is also committed to providing accommodations throughout the interview and employment process. If you require an accommodation, we will work with you to meet your needs. Click the link to apply: https://secure.collage.co/jobs/paainc-careers/58728 Thank you for your interest in PAA Advisory | Conseils. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.