Manager, Public Affairs and Issues Management - Contract

Status: Full time, Contract Schedule: Monday – Friday Additional Requirements: NA Number of positions: 1 Start Date: ASAP End Date: 30 September 2026 (13-months) Internal Application Deadline: 9 July 2025 This vacancy is for an existing position. Reports to: VP, Culture, Communications and Engagement Purpose of the Role The National Manager of Public Affairs & Issues Management will be accountable for developing and supporting a public affairs, stakeholder relations and issues management program that advances LifeLabs’ strategic objectives and protects LifeLabs’ reputation with government (Ontario, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and other jurisdictions, as necessary) and other stakeholders. Your responsibilities will include: Identify and track issues relevant to LifeLabs and broader healthcare sector and other issues impacting LifeLabs customers, products and services. Develop and manage an issues management log to track and monitor active issues and responses for evaluation and reporting to SLT/ELT. Handle high profile, time sensitive and contentious issues and escalated customer complaints by bringing together all relevant internal and external stakeholders to provide strategic issues management, crisis communications and media relations support. Work collaboratively with cross-functional team on business continuity efforts as part of the incident management protocol, mitigating risk to government stakeholders and LifeLabs’ reputation. Build trusted relationships and work collaboratively to manage and influence stakeholders to promote excellence, agility, results and risk management. Handle all issues related to government contracts management and necessary communication to ensure trusted relationships, as required. Communicate and collaborate with stakeholders including senior leadership, government stakeholders and media to develop and implement the most appropriate, inclusive and effective plan for the organization and community. Identify and produce required supporting collateral, such as key messages, written communications, speaking notes, briefing notes, statements, and other products. Work closely with other departments and members of the communications team to integrate proactive media outreach into the communications planning process. Plan press conferences, senior government official visits/tours and receptions, and oversee development of required materials. Monitor and manage issues relating to government and media and develop responses in collaboration with subject matter experts. Develop and monitor evaluation criteria to measure success and impact of government and public affairs efforts. In collaboration with the Government Relations and Contracts Management team, identify and support advocacy efforts with industry leading associations and bodies on behalf of the lab sector and employees. Develop and execute a plan to advance and elevate LifeLabs’ brand and credibility with government stakeholders. Work with the Corporate Communications team to advance high-profile provincial and national media coverage of our products, services and strategies. Support the definition of goals associated with effective Government and Public Affairs to help progress strategic priorities. Support multiple government relations initiatives, supporting both local and program-specific initiatives. What you bring to the role: Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Business, or Political Science, or a related field. A minimum of 4-5 years of experience working in government, issues management, corporate communications, public relations, or media. Strong government and public relations acumen, including deep knowledge of various levels of government. Demonstrated issues management and problem-solving skills with a high degree of political acuity. Demonstrated ability to build and sustain relationships. Excellent writing and editing skills; experience translating technical and sensitive or confidential information for various audiences. Experience developing and implementing government relations, issues management and media relations plans. Proven experience building and maintaining brand presence to help achieve an organizational vision. Strong time management skills with minimal need for oversight. Strong attention to detail. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Project management skills. Results-oriented and client-focused with a commitment to excellence.

Location: Toronto, Ontario, CA

Posted Date: 7/3/2025