Director, Government Relations – Alberta

Our story

Insurance Bureau of Canada is the national industry association representing Canada’s private home, auto and business insurers. Its member companies make up the vast majority of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. For more than 50 years, IBC has worked with governments across the country to help make affordable home, auto and business insurance available for all Canadians. IBC champions key issues and helps educate consumers on how best to protect their homes, cars, businesses and properties.

Our vision is for consumers and governments to trust, value and support our industry and the products it sells. Our team is on the front line in creating and maintaining relationships with governments and regulators, contributing to public policy objectives on key files relevant to our country and industry.

A well-informed and well-served consumer is also central to our vision. Our team works to advance our credibility and educate consumers on road safety, injury prevention, emergency preparedness, climate adaptation, insurance literacy and insurance innovations. Simply put, we strive to keep Canadians safe on the road, at home, at work, and at play.

Summary

The position is located in Alberta and reports to IBC’s Vice-President, Western Canada.  We seek a confident, experienced and dynamic individual who can represent the interests of IBC and its member companies through advocacy, media relations, government relations, and stakeholder engagement.

An excellent communicator and public speaker, you understand government at provincial and national levels. You will monitor and stay involved in the public affairs environment to represent the interests of IBCs members. In addition, you will keep IBCs members informed of key developments resulting from the strategies and communication that you formulate. You see what needs to be done, know how to develop proposals and understand the core principles of working toward consensus in a member-led trade association. You thrive in maintaining complex stakeholder relationships while keeping a focus on the end user of our efforts: insurance customers.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain strong and effective relationships with government officials (elected and non-elected).

• Enhance awareness and understanding, through effective advocacy, of the property and casualty insurance industry.

• Develop and implement communication and government relations strategies.

• Monitor the activities of the government within the region, and prepare reports and presentations on items of interest/concern to IBCs members. 

• Represent association and the P&C insurance industry in government and industry consultations/initiatives/committees and working groups.

• Internal Relationship Management – collaborate with other IBC departments.

• Ensure IBC members are well served by maintaining open communication within the industry at all times. 

• Identify risks, opportunities and issues relevant to the business goals and objectives of our member companies and to the customers they serve. 

Qualifications

• Post-Secondary degree in political science, public administration, economics, or in a related field.

• Minimum 5-8 years in stakeholder or government relations or in a government/political office 

• Clear understanding of P&C insurance in the Canadian economy and financial services.

• Clear understanding of government at all levels including an understanding of how government policy is developed and how decisions are made; including the important role the civil service and public consultations play in developing government policy.

• Experience working with senior level politicians to provide counsel and support.

• Demonstrated ability to influence, collaborate and negotiate cross functionally in a trade association environment, as well as with external stakeholders and government to achieve results.

• Demonstrated ability in building strategy and to think strategically about complex and multi-faceted issues

• Knowledge of all aspects of public relations, with an emphasis in writing for various audiences.

• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.

• Able to take an industry position, research it, develop it, and craft an accurately thorough briefing note within tight timeframes.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary and a benefits package including an employer pension-matching program.

• Hybrid work environment (Pilot policy requiring two in-office days per month to be reviewed later in the year.)

• Variety of job tasks to help accelerate your professional skills development.

• Working with a top-tier team, full of all-stars and industry leaders.

• Strong and supportive leadership with a focus on your development and growth.

IBC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Alongside a commitment to excellence, IBC is also committed to building a diverse working environment with hiring practices that encourage diversity in all its forms, including race, gender, sexual orientation, religion and ethnicity, among others.

IBC welcomes and encourages applications from candidates with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in the selection process. If you require disability-related accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Medina Kadija at MKadija@ibc.ca. IBC will consult with all applicants who request disability-related accommodation during the recruitment process to ensure that the accommodation provided takes into account the applicant's individual accessibility needs.