Vice President, Federal Government Relations

As The Voice of Retail in Canada since 1963, Retail Council of Canada (RCC) represents over 45,000 independent, regional, national mass and specialty retail businesses and online merchants in general merchandise, drug and grocery. They are proud to represent the country’s largest private sector employer – supporting over 2 million Canadians and contributing to the economic health and well-being of communities from coast to coast. RCC works proactively to advance the interests of the retail industry through effective advocacy, communications and education, and are unapologetic about their passion for small, mid- and large-sized retailers across Canada.

 

Reporting to the Senior Vice President, Public Affairs, the Vice President, Federal Government Relations is responsible for developing and maintaining positive and productive relationships with key officials with the Federal Government on behalf of RCC in Ottawa.  Acting as a strategic advisor to RCC leadership, while building its visibility with key influencers and stakeholders in Ottawa, the new VP will build trusted relationships within the retail member constituency of RCC, and with stakeholders in business, other industry associations and NGOs.  The VP will take a proactive approach to building visibility for RCC and its members while playing a growing role as the go-to source for policy insight and information with the goal of increasing the broader appreciation for the importance of the retail sector.

 

As an ideal candidate, you are a seasoned executive in the fields of government relations, advocacy, and policy development.  With excellent communication skills, you bring tact, credibility and gravitas to the role and are sought out for your perspectives and insight.  You have solid connections at both the political and bureaucratic levels in government, and understand how policy decisions are made.  You have the ability to plan and execute a strategy, but also possess the ability to credibly respond to urgent issues that arise. Ideally possessing media relations experience, you are comfortable working at all levels and can easily translate complex information for a variety of audiences. Bilingualism in English and French would be an asset.

 

To Apply

 

To fill this position, Retail Council of Canada has partnered with leadership advisory firm Odgers Berndtson. Applications are encouraged immediately and should be submitted online at

https://www.odgersberndtson.com/en/careers/18782. For more information, please contact Shannon Cooper or Eric Slankis.

 

We thank all those who express an interest, however only those chosen for further development will be contacted.

 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

 

Retail Council of Canada is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with the Accessible Canada Act, 2019 and all applicable provincial accessibility standards, upon request, accommodation will be provided by both Odgers Berndtson and Retail Council of Canada throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.

 

Odgers Berndtson is deeply committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in all the work that we do. As part of our efforts to better understand our ability to reach as broad a pool of candidates as possible for our searches, our DEI team would like to encourage you to take a moment and access our Self-Declaration Form.