CareerLine

Location: Calgary, Alberta
Reporting: CEO

How to apply
Please submit an application here. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

About Us
Big Picture Public Affairs is an Alberta-based public affairs and strategic communications firm supporting clients across government relations, strategic counsel, web & digital communications, stakeholder engagement, regulatory expertise, and corporate communications. We help organizations navigate complex issues with clarity, strategy, and impact.

The Opportunity
As we continue to grow, we are seeking a Director, Government Relations to lead our government relations practice and serve as a trusted advisor to clients navigating complex political and regulatory environments.

This senior leader will manage a high-value client portfolio, represent clients at the most senior levels of government, and drive new business for the firm. They bring deep roots in Alberta’s political landscape, sound political judgment, and the entrepreneurial drive to grow a practice, and they are as comfortable in the Premier’s office as they are in a boardroom.

What you will lead

Client Portfolio Leadership

• Lead and grow a high-value portfolio of clients, serving as a trusted strategic advisor to C-suite executives, boards, and senior government officials.
• Design and oversee government relations strategies that translate complex policy and political environments into clear, actionable advocacy plans.
• Oversee client budgets, fee arrangements, and delivery standards to ensure consistent quality and value across the portfolio.

Senior Government Engagement & Advocacy

• Draw on and expand a senior-level network spanning the Premier’s Office, Cabinet, caucus, Deputy Ministers, and federal counterparts.
• Represent clients in ministerial meetings, Cabinet briefings, and regulatory hearings.
• Direct the development of advocacy materials, including Cabinet submissions, regulatory interventions, ministerial briefings, and position papers.
• Design and lead multi-stakeholder engagement, coalition-building, and government consultation strategies.

Political Intelligence & Strategic Counsel

• Anticipate political, legislative, and regulatory shifts, and brief clients and the Big Picture team on what they mean.
• Provide senior-level counsel, present to boards and executive leadership, and deliver regular strategic briefings and recommendations.

Strategic Communications Support

• Provide senior oversight of integrated government relations and communications strategies, keeping advocacy objectives and public positioning aligned.
• Guide executive-level key messages and media strategies for high-profile issues and campaigns.
• Prepare clients for government consultations, legislative committee appearances, regulatory proceedings, and public hearings.

Business Development & Firm Growth

• Grow existing client relationships, identify new mandates, and expand the firm’s scope of services across the portfolio.
• Originate opportunities, author proposals, pitch prospective clients, and close new mandates.
• Represent Big Picture at senior industry forums, conferences, and professional associations to build the firm’s brand and market position.

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop government relations professionals, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and collaboration.

What you bring to the role (how you operate)

• Sharp political acumen: you read the room and know how decisions really get made, and by whom.
• Strategic thinker who connects dots across policy areas and builds proactive rather than reactive strategies.
• Trusted advisor who delivers on commitments and communicates proactively.
• Persuasive communicator who adapts style and message to government officials, clients, and the public.
• High ethical standards; transparent with clients and colleagues and owns outcomes.
• Executive presence and the entrepreneurial drive to grow a practice.

Experience and Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in government relations, public affairs, public policy, or a closely related field, including significant leadership responsibility.
• Expert-level knowledge of Alberta’s political and legislative landscape, with a demonstrated ability to operate at the most senior levels of the political and bureaucratic system.
• Deep, established relationships with Cabinet ministers, senior political staff, Deputy Ministers, and key influencers at the provincial and federal levels.
• Demonstrated experience leading a government relations practice or large portfolio, including managing and mentoring a professional team.
• Executive-level written and verbal communication skills, with experience presenting and advising at the board and CEO level.
• Post-secondary degree in Political Science, Public Administration, Law, Business, or a related discipline; graduate degree or legal training an asset.

Assets

• Proven track record of originating and closing new business.
• Senior government experience, such as ministerial staff, senior political appointments, or Deputy/Assistant Deputy Minister roles.
• An existing book of business or portable client relationships.
• Sector expertise in energy and natural resources, post-secondary education, infrastructure and capital projects, health, or municipal affairs.
• Bilingualism (English/French).

Working conditions and what we offer

• Work-from-home model, with regular travel between Calgary and Edmonton and occasional travel to Ottawa or elsewhere for client engagements.
• Evening and weekend availability during sitting legislative sessions and key advocacy periods; valid driver’s licence and reliable vehicle required.
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience, plus performance-based incentives.
• Benefits package including a health spending account.
• Professional development support, flexible work hours, and clear pathways for advancement within a growing firm.

How to apply
Please submit an application here. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Location: Calgary, Alberta
Reporting: CEO

How to apply
Please submit an application here. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

About Us
Big Picture Public Affairs is an Alberta-based public affairs and strategic communications firm supporting clients across government relations, strategic counsel, web & digital communications, stakeholder engagement, regulatory expertise, and corporate communications. We help organizations navigate complex issues with clarity, strategy, and impact.

The Opportunity
As we continue to grow, we are seeking a Business Manager to ensure operations run efficiently, safely, and in alignment with strategic and financial goals.

This senior leader will build and oversee the systems, structures, and discipline required for scalable growth; support the CEO in strategic decision-making, and ensure day-to-day operations run effectively and efficiently.

They will strengthen coordination across the company and ensure teams are aligned and equipped to achieve business objectives.

What you will lead

Process Optimization & Operational Systems

• Analyze, improve, develop, document and build business processes, workflows, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Establish and strengthen governance, compliance and decision-making structures

Budget Management & Cost Control

• Lead operational budgeting and reporting as well as the implementation of financial controls
• Oversee monthly project-budget performance and variance analysis
• Collaborate with the CFO to develop the annual operations budget

Cross-Team Coordination

• Maintain a real-time pulse on operations through regular syncs with department leads, surfacing and escalating cross-departmental issues and operational risks early.

Team Management & Organizational Development

• Lead and coach the Leads team; support Senior Consultant progression.
• Oversee resourcing, meeting cadence, and communication flows.
• Support operational inputs for new business opportunities and strategic initiatives.

Governance, Policy & Compliance

• Oversee governance frameworks, document control, and sign-off pathways.
• Ensure policies are implemented consistently and roles are clearly defined.

Operational Excellence

• Monitor operational performance, identify operational risks early, and bring forward solutions.

What you bring to the role (how you operate)

• Strong operator mindset – you bring structure, clarity, and follow-through.
• Ability to translate strategy into execution and drive results.
• High ownership with sound judgment and decision-making.
• Clear communicator who aligns teams and surfaces issues early.
• Comfort with ambiguity in fast-paced, evolving environments.
• Collaborative, adaptable, and able to manage competing priorities.

Experience and Qualifications

• 5+ years in operations, business management, or consulting, including experience in a senior leadership role.
• Proven experience building and scaling operational processes, systems, and team structures.
• Experience in a professional services or project-based environment preferred.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and performance analysis.
• Experience partnering with executive leadership on strategy and execution.
• Post-secondary education in Business or related field.
• Experience managing multi-function teams.
• Consulting firm experience is an asset.
• 5-8 years of experience.
• Familiarity with project management tools and software.
• Customer relationship experience.

How to apply
Please submit an application here. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.