Senior Director - Government Relations – EV Automotive Manufacturing

We are seeking a highly strategic and experienced Senior Director - Government Relations – EV Automotive Manufacturing to lead public policy, regulatory affairs, stakeholder engagement, and government advocacy initiatives supporting our electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing operations across Canada. This executive-level role will serve as the primary liaison between the organization and federal, provincial, and municipal governments, industry associations, regulatory bodies, economic development agencies, and key external stakeholders.

About the role

The successful candidate will play a critical role in advancing policies that support EV manufacturing, battery production, supply chain development, clean technology investments, workforce development, infrastructure expansion, and sustainability initiatives. The Senior Director will partner closely with executive leadership to influence public policy, secure government funding opportunities, manage regulatory risk, and strengthen the company's position within Canada's rapidly growing EV ecosystem.

Canada's EV sector is highly influenced by industrial policy, incentives, regulatory frameworks, and infrastructure investments, making government relations a strategic function within automotive manufacturing.

Responsibilities

Government Relations & Public Policy

• Develop and execute a comprehensive government relations strategy aligned with corporate growth objectives.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with federal government ministries and agencies, provincial governments, municipal governments, regulatory authorities, economic development organizations, and crown corporations.
• Monitor legislative, regulatory, and political developments impacting electric vehicles, battery manufacturing, automotive production, trade policy, environmental regulations, supply chain localization, critical minerals, and clean energy infrastructure.
• Represent the company in government consultations, policy discussions, and regulatory proceedings.
• Prepare policy positions, briefing materials, executive reports, and advocacy strategies for senior leadership.

Regulatory Affairs & Industry Advocacy

• Lead advocacy efforts supporting EV manufacturing expansion and investment initiatives.
• Influence public policy related to EV incentives, battery production, charging infrastructure, zero-emission vehicle programs, industrial decarbonization, and clean technology funding.
• Support permitting, environmental approvals, and regulatory compliance initiatives.
• Develop policy recommendations and submissions to government agencies.
• Track emerging regulations affecting manufacturing operations and supply chains.

Strategic Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strategic relationships with automotive OEMs, battery manufacturers, industry associations, labour organizations, utilities, infrastructure partners, Indigenous communities, and academic and research institutions.
• Represent the company at industry conferences, policy forums, government roundtables, and public events.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement strategies for major investment and manufacturing projects.
• Support community relations initiatives tied to manufacturing expansion and job creation.

Funding, Grants & Economic Development

• Identify and pursue government funding opportunities including manufacturing incentives, EV production grants, clean technology programs, research and development funding, and workforce development initiatives.
• Lead negotiations related to public-sector investment programs and economic development partnerships.
• Collaborate with finance, legal, and operations teams on funding applications and reporting requirements.

Executive Advisory & Risk Management

• Advise executive leadership on political, legislative, and regulatory risks and opportunities.
• Develop executive briefing notes, policy analyses, and strategic recommendations.
• Support crisis management and issues response involving government stakeholders.
• Anticipate policy changes and recommend proactive business strategies.
• Provide regular updates to senior executives regarding evolving government priorities and industry developments.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Government Relations and Public Affairs function.
• Manage external government affairs consultants, lobbying firms, and industry advisors.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Legal, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Sustainability, Communications, Human Resources, Corporate Strategy.
• Establish KPIs and reporting frameworks for government engagement activities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Law, Business Administration, Economics, International Relations, or related discipline.
• Master's degree, MBA, MPA, or JD considered an asset.
• 10+ years of experience in government relations, public affairs, regulatory affairs, public policy, or corporate affairs.
• Experience within automotive manufacturing, EV industry, clean technology, energy, advanced manufacturing, or industrial sectors.
• Strong understanding of Canadian governmental processes and policy development.
• Demonstrated success influencing public policy and regulatory outcomes.
• Established network across federal, provincial, and municipal government stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting EV, battery, or advanced manufacturing investments.
• Knowledge of automotive regulations, environmental policy, trade policy, industrial policy, critical minerals strategy, and clean energy programs.
• Experience managing government funding programs and incentive negotiations.
• Previous experience working with industry associations and regulatory agencies.
• Bilingual (English/French) strongly preferred for national-level responsibilities.

Benefits

Not specified.