Who We Are

Welcome to Bruce County! We are located within the traditional territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, which includes the Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation and the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation. We are a community where excellence, opportunity, and exploration come together amidst the natural beauty of Southwestern Ontario. Nestled between Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, our community thrives in stunning landscapes, from tranquil rivers and iconic lighthouses to bright starry skies. Home to nearly 75,000 residents in predominantly rural communities, Bruce County offers a unique blend of small-town charm and big opportunities, Bruce County is a place where you can work, live, and explore to no end.

Guided by our vision of being a welcoming, thriving community committed to the well-being of current and future generations, Bruce County fosters innovation, sustainable growth, and collaboration. As an upper-tier municipality, Bruce County provides essential services that shape the daily lives of our residents across 12 towns and communities. Our responsibilities include housing, childcare, Ontario Works, infrastructure, paramedic services, and long-term care homes, as well as cultural and recreational programs through our libraries and museum. In everything we do, we uphold our core values: excellence, welcoming community, good governance, environmental stewardship, and financial sustainability.

As one of Southwestern Ontario’s Top Employers, joining our team means becoming part of a dedicated group of public servants committed to making a meaningful difference. At Bruce County, you’ll find opportunities to grow your career, contribute to impactful solutions, and help shape a sustainable future—all while enjoying the exceptional lifestyle this remarkable region offers. Explore with us—your journey starts here.

What You’ll Do

Reporting to the Deputy CAO, the Director, Government Relations provides leadership for the staff of the Government Relations Department and is responsible for delivering on the government relations mandate, corporate intergovernmental initiatives, and corporate strategic planning. The Director supports Council and staff to define and deliver on its mandate to serve the citizens of Bruce County. The Director provides; secretariate support for achieving corporate strategic plans and goals, leadership of government and external relations, leadership of strategic communications and issues management, intergovernmental initiatives and governance and project management advisory. The incumbent cooperates in the development and implementation of community-based programs that support the objectives of the regional communities within the County. The incumbent acts as a member of the senior management team, providing support and insight for the County Council and the CAO.

What We’re Looking For

Education & Experience

• Post-secondary degree in public administration, business administration, or other combination that provides a similar set of knowledge and skills
• Seven years of previous progressively responsible work experience in the areas of government relations, economic development, public policy development and resource management in a supervisory position.

Skills & Abilities

• A clear and solid understanding of the issues faced by the organization and the region
• Ability to delegate, set expectations, and monitor progress of all direct reports
• Ability to identify issues and implement creative and strategic solutions to overcome problems
• Ability to identify and respond to sensitive community, organizational, and council issues, concerns, and needs
• Ability to initiate and model positive change
• Ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret goals, objectives, and policies
• Demonstrated experience coordinating strategic and engagement-planning initiatives
• Demonstrated knowledge of applicable legislation and government policies
• Experience with budget preparation and management
• Experience with coaching and development of management-level employees
• Experience with strategic development and initiative-based project leadership
• Intuitive grasp of organizational structure to manage cross-departmental and cross-disciplinary resource allocation
• Sound analytical thinking, planning, prioritization, and execution skills
• Strong formal and informal leadership skills
• Valid Class G Driver’s License

What We Offer

• Competitive Salary: $149,240-$175,575 per annum
• Hours per week: 35 hours
• 100% Employer Paid Health Benefits
• Dental Benefits
• OMERS pension with equal employer match
• Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
• Paid vacation days, increasing with years of service
• Paid health and wellness Leave
• Parental leave top up program
• Professional development opportunities
• Employee recognition programs

Apply by: July 11, 2025

Join Us!

Your Career, Our Community: Let’s build a Welcoming and Sustainable Bruce County Together!

If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t perfectly align with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway. You could be the ideal candidate for this or other opportunities. At Bruce County, we celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive, and genuine workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

We are dedicated to fostering an equitable, accessible, and welcome environment where all individuals feel valued and supported. Bruce County provides equal employment opportunities to all candidates, including those with disabilities, and ensuring that our recruitment, selection, and onboarding processes are barrier free and fully accessible. If you require accommodations at any stage of the hiring process, please contact us at employment@brucecounty.on.ca.

The successful candidate for this opportunity will be chosen based on their relevant education, experience, knowledge, and skills, as well as a competency-based interview and formal background reference checks. We thank all candidates for their interest, however, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.