- Company Name
- Dominion Dynamics
- Job Title
- Head of Government Relations
- Job Description
-
**Job Title:** Head of Government Relations
**Role Summary:**
Lead the strategy, execution, and operational management of government relations to turn field-proven defense capabilities into funded national programs. Drive procurement pathways, forge high-level partnerships, and manage capture activities across federal, provincial, and Indigenous partners.
**Expectations:**
- Translate proven deployments into funded programs, closing the innovation‑to‑procurement gap.
- Build trust through evidence‑based, partnership‑first engagement.
- Maintain full compliance with Canadian law and international treaties.
- Deliver measurable outcomes, reducing time to procurement and lifecycle cost.
**Key Responsibilities:**
- Architect and lead the government relations strategy for key programs (AuraNet/JADC2‑North, CCA/Loyal Wingman, etc.).
- Map decision chains and budgets across DND/CAF, PSPC, ISED, TBS, SSC, and provincial partners.
- Shape narratives around autonomous, sovereign C2 and Arctic domain awareness to secure pilots and multi‑year programs.
- Serve as primary external face to senior officials, committees, and working groups; deliver testimony and executive briefings.
- Design non‑traditional procurement on‑ramps (self‑funded pilots, rapid demos, phased service buys) that transition to limited ops and programs of record.
- Develop capture plans for vehicles and gateways: RFIs/RFPs, supply arrangements, IDEaS/SIF, provincial mechanisms, export pathways.
- Engineer ITB/offset strategies, bid/no‑bid criteria, pricing guardrails aligned to outcome‑based contracts and “as‑a‑service” models.
- Build trusted relationships with project authorities, Northern/Indigenous partners, and provincial ecosystems.
- Coordinate with NORAD modernization and Five‑Eyes/NATO counterparts for interoperability and export pathways.
- Convene industry coalitions around the organization’s packages.
- Build and lead a high‑output GR & Capture team; set goals, rhythms, and career paths.
- Implement a GR operating system (pipeline reviews, account plans, stage gates, action trackers, win‑loss analysis).
- Produce a living GR Playbook codifying the build‑show‑sell approach across programs and regions.
**Required Skills:**
- 8+ years of Canadian government relations experience, with deep knowledge of federal and provincial policy.
- Established relationships with DND, CAF, PSPC, ISED, TBS, SSC, and provincial agencies.
- Proven ability to develop and execute multi‑year program capture plans.
- Strong strategic thinking, persuasive communication, and stakeholder engagement.
- Experience designing outcome‑based contracts, ITB/offset strategies, and “as‑a‑service” models.
- Leadership skills to build and manage a small, high‑output team.
- Knowledge of defense procurement, interoperability (NORAD, NATO), and export compliance.
- Excellent analytical and project‑management capabilities.
**Required Education & Certifications:**
- Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, business, engineering, or related field.
- Advanced degree or relevant certification (e.g., PMP, program management certification) preferred.