Job Description
Director, Public Affairs - ESGApplication Deadline: 20 June 2024Department: Public AffairsEmployment Type: ContractLocation: Toronto, ONReporting To: Angela HawkinsDescriptionGS1 Canada is a neutral, not-for-profit organization that develops and maintains global standards for efficient business communication in the supply chain industry. We are often known for the barcode. At GS1 Canada, it is in our DNA to do the right thing. We believe in the power of standards to transform the way we live and work. We believe in the uniqueness, drive, and passion of our people to carry our values and vision forward. We are a team of friendly and passionate people, optimistic about our capabilities. Together with our people-centered culture and innovative solutions, our vision is to become a strategic partner that inspires, leads, and enables best-in-class supply chain standards.Our Core Values:Integrity AlwaysSuper-serve our SubscribersInclusive CollaborationInnovationAccountabilityThe GS1 Canada Public Affairs team is looking for a driven, self-motivated Director, Public Affairs to support our public and regulatory priorities in the rapidly growing area of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) across all industries that GS1 Canada supports. GS1 Canada is a trusted, strategic partner to stakeholders across the supply chain as well as to governments. We play an essential role in achieving supply chain visibility and traceability capabilities through global supply chain standards for multiple sectors and needs. With consumers, industry, and governments prioritizing ESG principles in their lives, businesses, and policies, GS1 Canada has a critical role to play to enable success across the board. You will be both leading and supporting ESG efforts through establishment of key relationships in government, at the forefront of emerging local, provincial, national and global policy and research, writing, and implementation support of multiple projects including with governments, GS1 Canada boards and committees, campaigns, and on-going engagement with various stakeholders.GS1 Canada places great priority on being a trusted strategic partner to governments in their existing and/or potential roles as regulators, users, and supporters of GS1 global supply chain standards. You will lead work with governments in attaining the full benefits global supply chain standards and supporting tools provide in multiple sectors, including grocery, foodservices, pharmacy, healthcare, general merchandise and hardlines, and cannabis, as it relates to ESG priorities. The ESG Public Affairs Director will also both support and take leadership in researching, developing, and implementing tools for ESG regulatory insights and influence. You will work across multiple sectors within GS1 Canada on broader research and updates on current and prospective regulatory activities, mostly at Federal and Provincial/Territorial levels but not excluding relevant municipal policies or work on a global scale.While you will be part of the GS1 Canada Public Affairs team, you will work hand-in-hand with a broader ESG team consisting of representatives of multiple departments within the organization. You will contribute to public affairs expertise as the ESG team advances a strategy to support both industry and governments in achieving their ESG objectives. Additionally, the ESG Public Affairs Director will support the development and execution of plans to influence regulations and policies through educational materials such as consultations submissions, and workshopping with stakeholders and government officials. The successful candidate will be responsible for enabling GS1 Canada to stay current and act quickly on regulations that affect both GS1 Canada subscribers and GS1 Canada as not-for-profit association.WHAT YOULL DOThis successful candidate is expected to spend a great deal of their time educating and supporting government, industry, associations on the value of using GS1 Canada standards as an enabler to circularity and overall reduction goals. It is important that governments recognize GS1 Canada’s unique role as a not-for-profit, global standards organizations and neutral party. 1. As part of the ESG team, support the build-out and execution of the GS1 Canada ESG strategy as it pertains to public and regulatory affairs and how it will enable both industry and governments in their ESG priorities.2. You will lead out on all relevant ESG government policy considerations at all levels of Canadian government, as well as international. As GS1 Canada subscribers are looking to ensure compliances against national and global regulations, this aspect of the role is critically important. 3. Conduct research and analysis, and undertake synthesis of information collected from various internal and external sources (e.g., government departments, regulations, reports, stakeholder publications) to develop a range of high-quality material in a variety of formats (summaries, briefing materials, presentations, reports, plans, strategies, etc.)4. Develop and maintain a trusted relationship with relevant government officials, in our role as a neutral, not-for-profit organization. 5. Build a network of stakeholders to work with through the execution and advancements of the GS1 Canada ESG strategy.6. Stay abreast of relevant ESG government policy considerations at all levels of government, as well as in other countries. 7. Conduct research and business notes on regulations that affect the industries and subscribers of GS1 Canada8. Educate and inform multiple departments within GS1 Canada to support their knowledge of regulatory and public affairs impacts to their work. 9. Engage with leading relevant associations to advance common goals in ESG.10. Support the writing of ESG education materials for government including consultation responses, education materials, and funding applications.11. Create consistency in GS1 Canada writing materials on ESG for governments.12. Develop and execute strategies that create national harmonization on ESG polices.13. Work with multiple departments within the organization to understand key issues that affect subscribers and GS1 Canada14. Work closely with the Public Affairs team to develop regulatory considerations for the government to aid in a future of global adoption of GS1 standards and registries.15. Learn about the multiple sectors GS1 Canada supports to be able to support government priorities in Western Canada, even if it is outside the ESG space. WHAT YOULL BRINGKnowledgeable in ESG legislation nationally and globally.The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 10 to 14 years of experience in public and/or regulatory affairs, and/or journalism/communications with government as a key stakeholder.Have at least an undergraduate diploma, ideally in regulatory affairs, political science, and or public policy.Strong written and influential verbal communication skills to present and discuss complex issues with clarity.Experience in understanding government policies and regulations.Experience writing to a wide range of styles and audiences (e.g., experience writing and developing content for an agency, government, and/or industry organizations).Strong analytical skills to assess and assimilate an assortment of information dealing with a variety of issues and subjects in written format.Experience with developing sustainable tools and processes.A portfolio demonstrating strong writing capabilities across a broad range of subjects and audiences.Someone who enjoys working with multiple stakeholders on common goals.Bilingualism (French/English) is an asset to engage and communicate with existing and potential new subscribers, key stakeholders and government officials in both official languages or across the country. The ideal candidate is preferably someone located in Western Canada.