Senior Director, International Policy & Global Partnerships – Canadian Chamber of Commerce

Position Senior Director, International Policy & Global Partnerships

Description The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is Canada’s largest and most influential business association. Our work sits at the cutting edge of public policy and economic advocacy, and our team plays a direct role in shaping national conversations that affect businesses across the country and around the world. Representing over 400 chambers of commerce and boards of trade and more than 200,000 businesses of all sizes, from all sectors of the economy and from every part of the country — to create the conditions for our collective success. Our vision is to build a Canada of thriving business opportunity, a strong economy and a better life for all. Our mission is to drive change, partner broadly and be the undisputed champion and catalyst for the future of business success.

The Canadian Chamber recruit’s top talent who understands today’s business realities and have an entrepreneurial mindset that can support our business building goals as well as emerging business needs and opportunities. Accelerate your career, by working alongside senior leaders and decision-makers, and contribute to policy solutions that help to address the challenges of our time.

What We Offer

Annual Salary Range: $125,000 – $130,000

Comprehensive Benefit Package and Wellness Program covered by the Chamber at no cost to employees

Competitive vacation

A defined pension plan starting after one (1) year of service

Compressed-work week during the summer

Hybrid work environment

Term and Location This role is based in Ottawa and is a full-time position. The Chamber offers hybrid work arrangements, with a requirement of three days in-office presence per week.

Summary of the Role and Opportunity Reporting to the Senior Vice President, International Policy and Global Partnerships, the Senior Director of International Policy and Global Partnerships plays a key role as part of the Canadian Chamber’s Gateway to World (GTW) team. This position is well suited to a strong foreign relations policy specialist who can monitor and manage a range of internationally related files in support of the broader goals of the Canadian Chamber’s policy and government relations team.

As Canadian businesses increasingly grapple with shifting geopolitical circumstances, uncertain supply chains, and new national security considerations, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce is adapting to better champion the opportunities and needs of our members.

Superb writing and communication skills are vital for this position, as is a keen interest in international affairs and a strong understanding of its impact on the Canadian political landscape.

The successful candidate must be adaptable to changing circumstances and be willing to undertake the full spectrum of activities including strategy design, execution, policy development and backend support functions. The successful candidate must also demonstrate deep experience with government policymaking, know how to translate government policy to a business audience, as well as convey private sector views to government decision-makers.

Effective collaboration is critical for this position. This includes collaborating with the rest of the GTW team in parallel with Policy Team colleagues. It’s also imperative that the Senior Director works effectively with the Communications team to tell compelling stories on businesses’ needs, as well as with our Business Data Lab (BDL) team to take a data-driven approach that makes us a high profile, go-to source of perspectives for government, media, and our wide range of members.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

Support the development and execution of the GTW strategy, particularly related to policy components, by working closely with other GTW team members.

Monitor and analyze federal legislation and geopolitical happenings which could have an impact on Canadian businesses that have international operations and/or interests.

Convene Canadian Chamber members to develop policy positions and advocate for their implementation by the federal government as it relates to the Canadian economy.

Respond to policy issues as they arise and engage in the development, analysis and advocacy of policy recommendations through submissions, letters, public statements and earned media.

Collaborate with GTW team colleagues to execute on initiatives related to the B7, B20, Business at OECD, WTO, and International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) to advance member priorities.

Excel at establishing strong relationships with key political staff and public servants to advance policy objectives and gain insights on policy, legislative and regulatory developments.

Identify and leverage opportunities for senior Chamber staff to support delivery of advocacy work.

Manage and support member policy committee(s) and councils. Ensure that member contact lists for committees are maintained and up to date.

Work closely with the rest of the policy team to ensure the Canadian Chamber maintains consistency on the positions taken with respect to international and domestic issues.

As needed, help guide more junior team members as they develop the necessary supporting documents for meetings with government officials or other events, such as speeches, briefing notes, etc.

Provide content and policy support to the Member Relations and Events teams for membership growth and retention, event execution, support for exporters, and other activities as required.

Represent the Canadian Chamber at meetings and events with business and government and/or member representatives.

Leverage our government relations activities, research, position papers, personnel, and events to reach government and policymaker audiences, as well as the broader business community.

Collaborate with the Communications Team to develop key messages and undertake media interviews as required.

Collaborate with the BDL to ensure we lead with data-driven advocacy making the Canadian Chamber a must-have partner for policymakers.

Some overnight travel may be required for this position.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Ability to thrive in ambiguous environments while driving meaningful value for members.

Acts as a versatile, hands‑on team player who adapts quickly to achieve ambitious organizational goals in a fast‑changing business landscape.

Post‑secondary degree in international relations, public administration, business, economics, political science, or a related discipline.

8+ years of experience working in policy development and/or government relations.

Solid grasp of decision‑making and legislative processes at the Canadian federal level.

Strong business writing skills, with an understanding of how to appropriately use AI to augment and refine internal and external communications.

Familiarity with important domestic and global issues facing the Canadian business community from a public policy perspective, including but not limited to international trade, global regulatory interoperability, and broader geopolitical impacts.

Deep political acumen, to understand what needs to be done within the political space to advance members’ public affairs objectives.

Proven experience engaging with stakeholders at mid‑level to senior levels in associations, businesses or government.

Experience in researching and analyzing the impact of policy, regulatory, and legislative proposals and to develop clear and concise consensus‑based submissions.

Experience in managing projects, including delivering on a range of products, campaigns and services, and in supporting event planning requirements.

Ability to operate independently in representing the Canadian Chamber and its members to government officials and a range of external stakeholders.

No lobbying limitations at the federal level.

Assets Additional skills and experience that aren’t required but would be highly valued.

Experience in tracking and analyzing North American business policy developments, including as it pertains to the CUSMA renewal.

Experience in policy matters often discussed in the global context, such as: defense, digital, AI, critical minerals, energy, immigration.

Prior experience and transferable skills in government relations and sector specific advocacy, and/or with other jurisdictions outside of the Canadian federal space.

Existing relationships with federal Parliamentarians, political staff, and senior government officials in the public service.

Experience as a media spokesperson.

Ability to work proficiently in both official languages, and/or in another language commonly used in global business settings.

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