Senior Consultant, Public Affairs – British Columbia

Senior Consultant, Public Affairs – British Columbia

Hill & Knowlton is a strategic and creative partner to drive breakthrough opportunities for growth and value creation, advance corporate strategy, and build reputation capital and resiliency. We’re a proven partner for business and brand transformation. A full-service global firm, we provide strategic communication, marketing and corporate affairs solutions distinguished by intelligence and creativity. Hill & Knowlton is part of WPP (LSE/NYSE: WPP), the creative transformation company.

Hill & Knowlton, a Burson Group company, is Canada’s leading strategic communications and Public Affairs consultancy firm that partners with businesses to drive transformation, growth, and reputation management.

We are looking for a Senior Consultant to join our growing Western Canada Public Affairs team based in either Vancouver or Victoria. The ideal candidate will have a passion for client service, problem-solving, and will bring established networks with the provincial government as well as local governments, and BC’s political and business communities.

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’s 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.

Here’s what you’ll be doing:

• Creating and executing comprehensive government relations, advocacy, communications, and stakeholder engagement plans that support our client’s 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.
• 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 the success of H&K programs for clients against stated goals.

What you’ll need to get here:

• Minimum 4 to 5 years’ experience in public affairs, government or political role; agency experience is a considerable asset.
• Post-secondary degree in political science, public policy, communications, or similar program or commensurate combination of education and experience.
• Sector subject matter expert with strong working knowledge of the industry, trends, and relevant stakeholder networks is preferred.
• Demonstrated understanding of the British Columbia political environment and public policy process; established network of provincial political/government and stakeholder relationships. Similar network at the municipal level is an asset.
• 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’ objectives with government stakeholders.
• Experience in supporting multiple client programs and initiatives, working across account teams, and supporting both junior and more senior team members.
• Strong project and budget management skills, ability to delegate and prioritize.
• Entrepreneurial spirit motivated with an interest in identifying and securing new business opportunities.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communications skills.
• Collaborative approach to working with a high-performing team.