Assistant Consultant, Public Affairs

Who we are:

Hill & Knowlton is a strategic and creative partner to drive breakthrough opportunities for growth and value creation, advance corporate strategy, and build reputation capital and resiliency. We’re a proven partner for business and brand transformation. A full-service global firm, we provide strategic communication, marketing and corporate affairs solutions distinguished by intelligence and creativity. Hill & Knowlton is part of WPP (LSE/NYSE: WPP), the creative transformation company.

More about the role:

Hill & Knowlton, the nation’s leading strategic communications consultancy, is looking for an Assistant Consultant to join the Public Affairs team in our Ottawa office.  

We’re looking for a passionate and detail-oriented team player with public affairs experience to assist clients with their government and stakeholder relations programs and to work with our team in our growing public affairs practice.

What you'll do:

• Proactively monitors governments at both the elected and non-elected levels
• Undertakes specific research activities in support of broader strategies and plans
• Prepares briefings and communiqués for clients based on monitoring and research
• Undertakes ongoing process of tracking, interpreting, and reporting on longer-term issues and developments
• Evaluates developments in social media as it relates to policy issues and stakeholder engagement and provides insight regarding their impact
• Demonstrates creative thinking and problem-solving in implementing clients’ plans
• Implements strategies and plans for clients including making recommendations for social media and other communications efforts, to meet client requirements
• Arranges meetings with government and stakeholders and participates when possible
• Provides information and intelligence to account leads that could advance a particular file or client issue
• Builds relationships with stakeholders and in government at the political and official levels
• Coordinates logistical arrangements for special events
• Develops rapport with clients through email correspondence, telephone conversations, and in-person meetings, with guidance from senior team members
• Provides updates to teammates about program progress and recommends adjustments to client programs-based experience and feedback
• Prepares agendas, activity reports, critical paths, and contact reports
• Compiles work product in accordance with deadlines
• Proactively identifies next steps in projects based on plans
• Participates in preparing the firm’s new business proposals and presentations
  
  

Experience that contributes to success:

• Undergraduate degree
• Experience working or volunteering at the Provincial Government level. Municipal or federal experience is also an asset.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Creative thinking and problem-solving skills
• Entrepreneurial approach to work and business
• Able to manage multiple clients’ demands with grace
• Is thorough, detail-oriented, and deadline-driven
• Demonstrates the ability to network and develop relationships with key stakeholders and potential clients
• Is a persuasive and articulate communicator
• Possesses a working knowledge of legislative and regulatory procedures
• An understanding of the nature of the relationship between government, the media, social media, and opinion leaders and stakeholders, and the nature of the relationship between the elected and non-elected levels of government
• Ability to draw on a large network of individuals and organizations to perform research and investigations on issues, trends, developments, and individuals
• The ability to work with a team of people from Hill and Knowlton and within client environments
• Conversant with clients’ businesses, interests, and concerns
• Interest in, and basic understanding of, business practices and vendor relations
• Demonstrated understanding and experience with social media, digital strategies, and tools
  

You belong at Hill & Knowlton:

Our vision is for Hill & Knowlton, a Burson Group Company, to be the leading ‘academy company’ for creative communications professionals and emerging leaders. We provide a dynamic environment where ambitious colleagues come to elevate their skills, expand their networks, and ultimately, produce the best solutions for today’s leading brands. Our commitment to your growth is reflected in our robust benefits and people programs, which include professional development opportunities, mentorship programs with industry leaders, a vibrant and inclusive company culture fostering collaboration and innovation and packages designed to reward and retain top talent. We invest in our people because we believe their success is our success.

At Hill & Knowlton, we’re an agency of learn-it-alls. We recognize that the things we do best, creativity and communications, require a level of nuanced understanding. That’s why it’s imperative for us to hire extraordinarily talented people of all backgrounds and identities. Without that we can’t do the essential work of inspiring bold ideas, fostering constructive dialogue, cultivating meaningful experiences, and driving innovation and creativity for our partners. Your unique point of view—your talent—is what makes you a #BursonPerson, and it’s how we deliver exceptional results for our clients, together.

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

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