Director, Government and External Affairs, Canada

Overview

Company Overview

Pattern Energy is a leading renewable energy company that develops, constructs, owns, and operates high-quality wind and solar generation, transmission, and energy storage facilities. Our mission is to transition the world to renewable energy through the sustainable development and responsible operation of facilities with respect for the environment, communities, and cultures where we have a presence. 

Our approach begins and ends with establishing trust, accountability, and transparency. Our company values of creative spirit, pride of ownership, follow-through, and a team-first attitude drive us to pursue our mission every day. Our culture supports our values by fostering innovative and critical thinking and a deep belief in living up to our promises.  

Headquartered in the United States, Pattern has a global portfolio of more than 30 power facilities and transmission assets, serving various customers that provide low-cost clean energy to millions of consumers.

Responsibilities

Job Purpose

This position will have primary responsibility for advancing government affairs initiatives for Pattern in Canada with an initial priority focus on Alberta, Newfoundland, Ontario, Quebec, and Federal. Additionally, this role will support and help coordinate the external affairs related work in Canada including communications, public engagement, indigenous affairs, and regulatory affairs.

The role will lead government affairs advocacy at the federal and provincial level to advance the company's commercial interests. Forums will include the Prime Minister’s Office, premier offices, ministries, legislative assemblies, grid operators, indigenous communities, and others as needed. Issue areas will include, but not limited to government funding programs/initiatives, clean energy standards, carbon markets, procurement, interconnection, tax policy, greenhouse gas emissions regulation, environmental policy, and permitting/siting. The role will coordinate with the communications, public engagement and regulatory teams to shape and advance a comprehensive external affairs strategy for the business in Canada.

The successful candidate will be required to build and maintain strategic relationships with elected and appointed officials, government agency staff, indigenous communities, and other key decision makers to support and advance policies that will affect the company's commercial interests. Additionally, the role will need to manage multiple initiatives at once and work closely with the development and other departments to design and execute comprehensive external affairs strategies to achieve desired policy outcomes to support the company’s commericial objectives.

The role will also represent Pattern at provincial and national trade associations, and provide strategic leadership in building effective relationships with industry allies and community leaders. The candidate will demostrate industry leadership and build a competitive advantage by effectively executing a short and long-term policy strategy to advance Pattern's interests.

Oversee daily management of external team of consultants to leverage strategic relationships, stay attuned to key policy developments, and direct advocacy. Further, make recommendations for new consultants as workstreams and priorities dictate. The role will coordinate closely with internal teams by seeking counsel from key subject matter experts to ensure corporate alignment of commercial interests.

The position will produce reports, policy analysis, and other materials to provide strategic insights internally and externally to inform decision making. The role will coordinate and lead internal and external calls, meetings on a regular cadence and as needed to support the business.

Key Accountabilities

• Develops, implements, and oversees plans to execute the company's government affairs agenda, pursuing proactive legislative and other initiatives and defending against adverse legislative or regulatory actions.
• Integrates input from development, operations, and commercial teams, as well as executive leadership, to identify policy-driven risks and opportunities, and to articulate the company's positions on key issues; leads internal teams in prioritizing and analysing the impact of external affairs issues based on the company’s business plan; reports on key issues and impacts to relevant internal staff and executive management team.
• Serves as the External Affairs lead in Canada and coordinates closely with the Communications and Public Engagement team to align and execute strategies. Accountable for external affairs budget items allocated to Canada.
• Represents the company in trade associations and other organizations serving in leadership and on committees as needed.
• Develops, fosters, and strengthens relationships with allied stakeholders, elected officials, and other external parties to facilitate advocacy and information-sharing efforts and to enhance and maintain company's public repuation.
• Represents the company before provincial and federal organizations, elected officials, indigenous communities, and key decision making bodies, manages third-party consultants to do the same; represents the company at meetings, conferences, public forums, and government hearings.
• Contribute to the External Affairs department needs, including the utilization of software tools for effective planning, collaboration and tracking.
• Support community engagement initiatives and permitting processes in coordination with stakeholder engagement and development teams.

Qualifications

Experience/Qualifications/Education Required

Experience Required

• 10-12 years of experience in the public or private sector working in government affairs, regulatory affairs, development, or a related field.
• Direct experience in clean energy policy.
• Experience designing and executing advocacy campaigns.
• Experience working across a range of energy markets.
• Experience representing and serving as an external spokesperson for a corporation or other organization.
• Experience working cross-functionally and independently in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.

Education Required

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Political Science, Economics, Public Administration, Social Science, Humanities, or a related field.
• Graduate degree and/or relevant professional development preferred.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of the renewable energy industry.
• Thorough understanding of government structures, processes, and relationships.
• Knowledge of policy, regulatory, and advocacy environments across multiple energy markets.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and draft legislation, regulations, and position papers.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to evolving priorities.
• Quick learner with strong problem-solving abilities.
• Solutions-oriented mindset with the ability to develop strategies and execute through effective processes and systems.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Fluency in French preferred.

The expected starting pay range for this role is $137,000 - $186,000 CAD. This range is an estimate and base pay may be above or below the ranges based on several factors including but not limited to location, work experience, certifications, and education. In addition to base pay, Pattern’s compensation program includes a bonus structure for full-time employees of all levels. We also provide a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, voluntary benefits, family care benefits, employee assistance program, paid time off and bonding leave, paid holidays, 401(k)/RRSP retirement savings plan with employer contribution, and employee referral bonuses.

Pattern Energy Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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