Reporting to the Director of Communications, the Stakeholder Relations Manager is responsible for strategizing with the CEO, and other stakeholders to develop, implement, and maintain a proactive government relations program, and for contributing to other general communications initiatives.
Member Advocacy
Ensure REALTORS®' interests and concerns are acted on by:
· Leading the development and implementation of advocacy strategies
· Building alliances and relationships with politicians, civil servants, stakeholders, members of the media, and organizations with common interests
· Booking meetings, arranging interviews, and preparing NSAR representatives for the meetings/interviews
· Craft policy positions and recommendations to advocate to the various levels of government by conducting research, monitoring media trends, identifying and anticipating changes in legislation, and responding appropriately
· Working with the CEO, ensure advocacy events are held by planning and implementing the plans
· Enhance engagement on advocacy issues by providing communications expertise to the Board's committees, preparing reports, briefing notes, key messages, web content, social media content, media releases, and other communications products for internal and external audiences
· Ensure advocacy content is in social media by contributing/creating content, responding to inquiries, and administering the private member groups' social media pages
Committee Support
· Provide support for the coordination of Political Action Committee Days (PAC) by working with NSAR's PAC and the CEO, and liaising with Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA)
· Provide administrative support for Government Relations Committee (PAC and Provincial/Municipal Affairs Committee (PMAC)) by preparing research, agendas, minutes, and materials, attending meetings, contributing to their strategic plan, and implementing the advocacy strategic objectives.
Board Management
Ensure the Board of Directors and Membership are kept informed of government relations (GR) developments by:
· Attending meetings and responding to requests for information
· Writing articles for NSAR communication vehicles
Member Education
Ensure effective member education by:
· Providing monthly presentations to new members, brokerages and the Board,
· Creating content and webinars
Other
· Ensure crisis communication is effective by contributing as a member of the Communications team
· Perform other related duties as assigned
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Behavioural Competencies
Core Competencies
Achievement Motivation: Is energetic and committed to meeting goals and targets set, even when tasks are repetitive; actively reviews schedules and plans to avoid unnecessary over runs; wants to do things well and consistently delivers to best of own ability; willing to respond to reasonable requests to do tasks that go beyond normal scope of job.
Analytical thinking/Problem Solving: Takes a proactive approach to anticipating, preventing, and solving problems by collaboratively analyzing and prioritizing situations to identify and solve problems; implements sustainable solutions that increase efficiency and improve quality, by develops/constructs plans, making clear, transparent, timely decisions, that align with organizational goals.
Attention to Detail: Accomplishes a task through concern for all the areas involved, no matter how small. Proofreads documents to ensure correct grammar, spelling, and formatting. Monitors and checks work or information and plans and organizes time and resources efficiently.
Business Orientation: Consistently delivers required business results; sets and achieves achievable, yet aggressive, goals; consistently complies with quality standards and meets deadlines; maintains focus on the organization's goals in keeping with fiduciary and financial responsibilities and integrity.
Client/Member Service: Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of clients/members in a manner that provides satisfaction for the client/member and fosters loyalty. Is respectful of others, helping or serving them to meet their needs by discovering those needs and figuring out how to best meet them.
Respectful: Effectively promotes a respectful, equitable work environment in which each person is accepted and has the opportunity to grow and develop; demonstrates behaviors that include fairness, respect, inclusiveness, empathy, integrity, and ethical conduct; actively works to identify and mitigate own biases; displays appreciation for and recognizes the value of input and contributions informed by diverse backgrounds and experiences; recognizes people's diverse needs and perspectives (e.g. language differences, cultural differences, disabilities, and personal family circumstances); monitors the work environment, to identify barriers to equity and a sense of belonging and takes appropriate action; holds self and others accountable for making principled decisions; respects the confidential nature of the work.
Job-Specific Behavioural Competencies
Commitment to Learning: Demonstrates a commitment to learning by proactively seeking opportunities to develop new capabilities, skills, and knowledge; acquires the skills needed to continually enhance his/her contribution to the organization and to his/her respective profession.
Commitment to Reflective Practice: Has capacity to regularly take a conscious look at emotions, experiences, actions, and responses, and using that information to add to his or her existing personal and professional knowledge base, as it is an important way to bring together theory and practice.
Communication: Able to write in a variety of communication settings and styles; can get messages across that instigates appropriate actions; orally communicates positively in a variety of formal and informal settings; actively listens.
Creativity and Innovation: Questions whether the current approach is still the best approach; strives to come up with different ideas to make improvements; looks at best practices from other organizations and determining what could be transferred; focuses on the value of finding new ideas and acting on them.
Decision Making: Uses principles, values, and sound business sense to make decisions in situations with a multiplicity of interrelated factors for which there is incomplete and contradictory information, involving the right people in the decision-making process, balancing competing priorities in reaching decisions.
Flexibility: Is open to change and new information; adapts behavior and work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles. Adjusts rapidly to new situations warranting attention and resolution, proactively seeking opportunities to develop new capabilities, skills, and knowledge.
Gratitude: Identifying and appreciating the goodness and hope in "what is" and "what will be".
Initiative: Identifies what needs to be done and confidently takes action to achieve standard of excellence beyond job expectations.
Risk Management: Plans for and manages risk. Communicates the impact of identified risks and recommends corrective action. Develops solutions to mitigate risk and maximize value. Evaluates controls to help mitigate negative outcomes through prevention or detection and correction. Quantifies and assigns probabilities to risks and opportunities (level and likelihood). Ensures ongoing compliance with regulatory requirements. Focuses on clients, and other stakeholders in the planning stages. Effectively manages the necessary structure and internal and external resources required to achieve the plan. Conducts periodic review of activities to ensure work in compliance with risk objectives.
Teamwork and Cooperation: Works cooperatively, with a positive attitude with others to achieve common goals. Willingly co-operates; is friendly and cooperative. Keeps other team members up to date. Addresses conflicts or issues within the team in a positive and open manner.
Contacts and Purpose of the Interaction
Internal Co-workers:
· All staff members to gather and provide information, and participate in some decisions
Internal Members and Brokers:
· All members, Brokers, and/or members of the Board of Directors and committee members to receive and provide information
External:
· NSAR's stakeholders that include media, Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), other Canadian Boards and Associations, real estate lawyers, appraisers, Invest Nova Scotia, various Chamber of Commerce, developers/builders, as well as the members of the public, and community groups - to provide formal presentations, and share and receive information
Working Conditions and Physical Demands
· 70 hours biweekly, Monday to Friday, occasionally early morning, evening and/or weekends required, very frequently in the fall of the year.
· Moderate amount of travel (from locally to internationally) to attend and present at meetings, and conferences.
· Assigned a company cell phone.
A Physical Environment
· Typically located in a comfortable office environment.
· Moderate amount of time spent travelling and participating in meetings and providing formal presentations.
B Physical Effort
· Physical demands are those associated with being in a normal office environment and using typical office equipment, and may include sitting, standing, walking, stooping, bending, climbing.
· Ability to carry 15 kg over short distances unaided.
· Physical demands also include those associated with car and air travel, and setting up and breaking down trade show booths, lifting and carrying material in and out of vehicles.
C Sensory Attention
· Frequent reviewing of hard and electronic copies of type-written reports and research materials requiring diligence and close attention to interpret effectively.
· Acute listening, good written and presentation skills.
D Mental Pressures
· Considerable priorities to balance in any given day.
· Competing deadlines and frequent changes to priorities are significant. There is a continuous requirement to manage opposing perspectives from a variety of sectors of society.
· There is a need to manage and resolve stressful situations in a calm manner, and to monitor and manage conflict on social media feeds in a constructive way.
· All outcomes are highly visible.
Education
· Undergraduate degree in Public Relations or Communication from a recognized educational institution or an equivalent combination of education and experience
· Diploma or certificate in Advocacy/Public Engagement from a recognized educational institution or an equivalent combination of education and experience
· Diploma or degree in Political Science or Public Administration from a recognized educational institution or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Experience
· 2 years of experience in an advocacy role
· Intermediate level of proficiency in Microsoft 365 software and video/photo software editing
· Basic level of proficiency in video/photo software editing
· Basic proficiency in graphic creation tools such as Canva and Adobe Suite
· Intermediate level of proficiency in public speaking
· Certification from a professional association such as: International Association of Business Communicators and/or Canadian Public Relations Society
· Eligible for membership in the Public Affairs Association of Canada
· Valid NS Drivers' Licence or the ability to obtain one, and access to a reliable vehicle