Head, Government Relations, Strategic Partnerships & Industrial Participation
Sales & Business Development
Ottawa, ON, Canada · Remote
CAD 150k-180k / year + Equity
About Calian
At Calian, we help organizations overcome obstacles, manage risks, and drive progress. Since 1982, we’ve grown from a small consulting firm into a trusted global company across defence, space, health, nuclear energy, public safety, and government.
We create innovative solutions that tackle complex challenges and help organizations and communities stay resilient, informed, and connected. If you’re driven by purpose and energized by solving real-world challenges, we want you on our team.
Position Overview
We are looking for a strategic and influential leader to advance Calian’s growth agenda through proactive government engagement, industrial participation, strategic partnerships, Indigenous participation, and innovation funding.
The Head, Government Relations, Strategic Partnerships & Industrial Participation will connect government priorities with business strategy by influencing policy, building trusted relationships across government and industry, developing strategic partnerships, and maximizing Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB), Value Proposition (VP), Indigenous Participation (IP), and government funding opportunities.
Working across Defence, Space, Health, and Critical Infrastructure, this role will help shape opportunities before procurements are released while strengthening Calian’s position as a leading Canadian mission-critical technology company.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute Calian’s enterprise government relations strategy.
- Build trusted relationships with Ministers, Members of Parliament, senior public servants, Crown corporations, and key agencies including DND, PSPC, ISED, CSA, Global Affairs Canada, EDC, BDC, and provincial governments.
- Monitor government policy, defence priorities, budgets, legislation, and procurement initiatives.
- Advise executive leadership on political, regulatory, and policy developments.
- Position Calian as a trusted Canadian partner supporting sovereignty, national security, resilience, and innovation.
- Build and manage strategic relationships with defence primes, Indigenous organizations, SMEs, academic institutions, research organizations, venture partners, and allied governments.
- Identify partnership opportunities that strengthen capture strategies and future growth.
- Support collaborative innovation initiatives and ecosystem development.
- Develop long-term partnership strategies aligned with business growth priorities.
- Lead enterprise strategy for ITB, Value Proposition, and Indigenous Participation.
- Develop industrial participation strategies supporting major pursuits.
- Coordinate delivery, reporting, and governance of contractual ITB commitments.
- Identify Canadian suppliers, technology investments, research collaborations, and Indigenous business opportunities.
- Support negotiations involving industrial participation commitments and partnership agreements.
- Identify and pursue federal and provincial funding opportunities supporting innovation, commercialization, and defence capability development.
- Coordinate applications for innovation and funding programs.
- Align funding opportunities with strategic partnerships and business development priorities.
- Manage stakeholder relationships and reporting requirements.
- Support capture teams by integrating government priorities into capture strategies.
- Provide policy intelligence that strengthens win strategies.
- Develop executive briefing materials, thought leadership content, unsolicited proposals, and advocacy strategies.
- Support executive engagement with government stakeholders before procurement activity begins.
- Collaborate with Marketing, Corporate Communications, Business Development, Pursuits & Proposals, Legal, Finance, and Business Units to align external engagement with growth objectives.
Qualifications
- 10+ years of progressive experience in Government Relations, Defence, Public Policy, Industrial Participation, Business Development, Strategic Partnerships, or related fields.
- Strong understanding of Canadian defence procurement, Defence Industrial Strategy, ITB Policy, Value Proposition Framework, Indigenous Participation requirements, and federal procurement processes.
- Experience working with DND, PSPC, ISED, CSA, EDC, BDC, and innovation funding programs.
- Demonstrated success building executive-level relationships across government and industry.
- Experience supporting major capture efforts, strategic partnerships, or industrial participation initiatives.
- Eligibility to register as an in-house lobbyist.
- Excellent communication, executive advisory, relationship management, negotiation, and influencing skills.
- Government of Canada security clearance or the ability to obtain one.
Additional Requirements
- Secret security clearance eligibility required.
- Strong government and political acumen.
- Strategic partnership development experience.
- Business development and capture support mindset.
- Policy analysis expertise.
- Ability to support innovation and ecosystem development initiatives.
- Other duties as required within the context of the role.
Compensation
The compensation range for this position is $150,000 – $180,000 CAD annually, plus eligibility for applicable incentive programs.
Position Type: Full-time
We have 1 available position(s).
#LI-CH1# #SF#
At Calian, we do not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to screen or evaluate candidates. AI tools may support backend administrative tasks, but they do not influence hiring decisions. All evaluations and decisions are made by real people on our recruitment team and hiring managers. All applicants are reviewed and only those chosen for an interview will be contacted by our recruiting team.
How we hire
- Our hiring process is designed to help us get to know you and discover if you are the best fit for our team. It's also an opportunity for you to gauge if a role at Calian is the right fit for you.
Throughout the process, we’ll share details of the kind of work you’ll be doing, the projects you’ll be working on, the team you’ll be joining, and what it’s like working at Calian. Our biggest tip throughout the process is to just be your authentic self! - Our commitment to diverse, yet highly specialized solutions require many different skills and abilities. We look for the best talent that can contribute to Calian’s success as well as enhance our culture. We encourage you to apply to a role or join our talent community and sign up for job alerts that match your area of expertise and what you are looking for in your next opportunity.
During the recruiting process, you’re encouraged to notify us of any accommodations you may require. We’ll be happy to help.
- We give the same time and consideration to everyone who applies. Here are a few things you can do to ensure your application shines:
- Do your research on Calian, the department, and team you are looking to join
- Add a cover letter that explains why you are a good fit for this position
- Share a portfolio, personal websites, or links to your professional social media
- In your CV, highlight your key achievements - this is your time to brag
- Include dates! Share the timeline of your experience
- Stand out by tailoring your resume to each position you apply to
- Only apply to roles you’re genuinely interested in and that align to your experience
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- Be prepared! Do your research on Calian, the department, and team you are looking to join
- View the responsibilities for the role and find examples that demonstrate how you’ve completed these in your previous work experience
- Prepare a list of questions to ask us
- Dress business casual for your interview (virtual and in person)
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- We assess your skills and fit, you assess our fit for you
- We keep you updated and share expectations as we make progress in the recruiting cycle
- Feel free to reach out to your Talent Acquisition Specialist at any time during the hiring process
Perks and benefits
- Competitive, company-paid benefits
- Generous time off package
- Stock purchase plan
- RRSP program
- Flexible work hours for eligible roles
- Programs to support employee health and well-being