Government Relations Advisor

Position: Permanent, Full Time

Summary

Reporting to the Director, Strategic Communications and Member Engagement, the Government Relations Advisor supports The Ottawa Real Estate Board's (OREB) advocacy efforts by monitoring emerging issues, conducting research, building relationships with stakeholders, and helping develop communications and policy positions that advance the interests of REALTORS®, homebuyers, and sellers.

Working closely with the Leadership Team, OREB’s Political Action Committee and external government relations consulting firm, the Advisor provides research, analysis, and recommendations on legislative and regulatory issues affecting the real estate industry.

The role also helps coordinate advocacy initiatives, supports government and stakeholder engagement, and contributes to communications that strengthen OREB's voice on housing policy and affordability.

As part of a collaborative team serving more than 4,000 REALTOR® members, the Advisor is expected to be proactive, organized, and an effective relationship builder who enjoys working across departments and with external partners.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategy

• Provide research, analysis, and recommendations to support organizational strategy.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of advocacy and external relations initiatives.
• Monitor legislative, regulatory, and political developments that may affect OREB.
• Identify opportunities and risks and communicate findings to leadership.
• Prepare briefing notes, reports, presentations, and background materials.
• Supporting a government and external relations strategy anchored in the organization’s communications strategy.
• In consultation with the Senior Leadership Team, identify, develop, and manage grant and externally funded initiatives (including EMBERS, IMG, and OREA funding opportunities), including oversight, reporting, and reimbursement of grant funds in collaboration with the Finance department.

Advocacy

• Monitor emerging issues and regulatory changes affecting home buyers, sellers, and REALTORS®.
• Collaborate with provincial and national counterparts and neighboring associations.
• Conduct research and advise on public policy, legislative, regulatory, and political issues.
• Develop strategic policy positions and communications to support OREB’s priorities.
• Foster relationships with members, political contacts, industry stakeholders, and the public.
• Lead initiatives to position OREB and its spokespeople as thought leaders.
• Ensure compliance with federal, provincial, and local lobbying legislation, including filing meeting reports.

Communications

• Draft communications for members and other audiences, ensuring accuracy and effectiveness.
• Assist in preparing advocacy campaigns, consultation submissions, speeches, media materials, and member communications.
• Promote OREB’s objectives through various channels.
• Coordinate correspondence, presentations, and submissions to external stakeholders.
• Monitor responses and sentiment to OREB’s positions and communications.

Volunteer Support

• Support OREB’s volunteer Political Action Committee.
• Foster a culture of volunteerism at OREB that empowers and builds volunteers capacity, ensuring a steady flow of effective leaders.

Other

• Other duties as required.

Qualifications & Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication, and effective listening.
• Data-driven and able to understand and translate market data, polling and other statistics for various audiences.
• Experience with conflict de-escalation and resolution.
• Critical thinker who makes judgments based on reasoning.

Knowledge & experience

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in a related field (e.g., legal, public policy, political science, business administration, communications, real estate) or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of government relations experience.
• Familiarity with municipal, provincial, and federal government processes.
• Knowledge of policy environments, stakeholder relations, and policy development.
• Familiarity with TRESA and other real estate industry legislation is an asset.

Working Arrangement

Hybrid, minimum 3 days in office

Pay Range

$65,000K - $85,000K CAD

What We Offer

• Comprehensive health and dental benefits plan
• Employer-matched retirement savings program
• Annual wellness allowance
• Annual professional development allowance

Please submit your resume and cover letter to careers@oreb.ca by Tuesday, August 4.

Ottawa Real Estate Board is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive and barrier-free workplace. We will provide accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the recruitment process. Applicants are encouraged to advise us of any accommodation needs.

Applications for this position may be reviewed with the assistance of AI-based screening tools. Final assessment and selection are conducted by OREB staff.