PRIMARY PURPOSE
Leads strategic planning and organizing for Government Relations and Advocacy services in support of TransLink’s corporate objectives. Engages with and influences local, provincial and federal elected officials, government senior staff and business and community leaders to build political and public support for TransLink initiatives. Provides senior-level Government Relations advisement and guidance to TransLink Enterprise senior executives on corporate and regional plans and strategies, and acts as TransLink’s subject matter expert on Government Relations and external affairs. Meets directly with elected officials, government staff, and stakeholders to develop meaningful long-term relationships in support of TransLink’s priorities. Analyzes external affairs issues and proactively recommends approaches to address.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Leads and executes strategic government relations plans at local, provincial and federal levels to build awareness and strengthen political support for TransLink’s business plans and initiatives.
Monitors, identifies and analyzes potential public reaction to policy and service issues with federal, provincial and local government policy developments and debates and recommends responses to them. Gathers, assimilates and briefs members of TransLink executive on information and activities related to issues that could impact corporate objectives. Tracks activity costs for projects ensuring established cost controls practices are followed in working with contractors and consultants.
Develops and leads strategic relationships to align government and key stakeholder transportation priorities with TransLink’s corporate priorities. Manages external relationships by ensuring effective communication to proactively address concerns and leverage areas of alignment, to promote and enhance public and political support for TransLink projects.
Manages the lifecycle of projects and initiatives with medium to large scope and high complexity, including project development, implementation, budget development, timelines, deliverables and stakeholder and elected official interactions; presents and reports on project progress, risks, expectations, timelines, milestones and key metrics to senior leadership team and provides suggestions, advice, guidance and recommendations to mitigates risks and resolve issues.
Serves as the subject matter experts for government relations strategies related to corporate initiatives and TransLink’s strategic plan. Responds to elected official or staff inquiries or requests for information and provides support to ensure the development of consistent messaging.
Leads the development of TransLink's corporate government relations strategy; identifies areas of consistent support and priority focus; ensures common understanding of current issues, activities and key messages. Provides strategic advice and counsel to TransLink departments to support corporate government relations objectives.
Proactively represents TransLink by independently organizing and facilitating high-level meetings between TransLink’s Executive team and key elected officials and senior government staff. Takes strategic initiative to identify and engage with influential stakeholders, exercises significant autonomy to manage interactions, and prepares briefing materials for Executives. Ensures all activities are aligned with TransLink’s strategic goals.
Presents at local government council meetings and leads strategy development for other departments presenting at council meetings. Leads discussions and focus groups for communities including members of the public, elected members and other assigned TransLink employees. Consolidates the findings and observations and shares with the team to provide adequate response to members of the public / elected members where requested.
Liaises with departments across the TransLink enterprise to build awareness and enhance support for TransLink's corporate objectives.
Researches, recommends, and produces high-level reports on policy analysis upon which TransLink decisions may be based.
Leads, engages and supports senior executives, Mayors’ Council members and Board Directors furthering TransLink’s corporate, public, and political objectives, and enhancing its reputation.
Identifies, monitors, and analyzes issues, reports on findings, and develops strategic approaches to address them.
Represents TransLink at industry meetings and events and negotiates on behalf of the organization with partners to achieve desired TransLink outcomes.
Conducts analyses and monitors external environment for changes, trends and funding sources and conducts feasibility studies to formulate recommendations on changes to major programs, systems, and services to meet corporate objectives. Develops reports and presentations on recommendations for senior executives.
Monitors and reports on developments in legislation and regulations, policies and processes as they relate to enterprise and regional transportation initiatives and strategies. Identifies risks and develops briefing reports to present recommended approach to senior executives.
Manages the execution of government relations and advocacy activities, liaising with staff, contracted public affairs professionals or consultants, and ensuring plans and deliverables integrate with corporate strategies.
Support the development of regional transportation strategies, investment plans, and funding strategies, plans, policies, and reports by providing strategic advice and government relations advice.
Monitors public and political reaction to issues critical to maintaining confidence in TransLink as a public organization; works with TransLink’s Communications and Public Affairs departments to ensure issues are addressed with consistent messaging.
Manages assigned resources, manages relationships with contractors and consultants, provides work director and oversees contract compliance.
Manages and leads staff, including recruitment, selection, training, coaching, mentorship, development, performance management and all other people management practices.
