Director, Washington Office

Role Responsibilities

The Government of Alberta is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven leader to serve as Director, Washington Office. This role offers a rare opportunity to represent Alberta at the highest levels of the U.S. political system—working directly with Congress, the U.S. Senate, the White House, and influential policy organizations to advance Alberta’s economic, trade, and policy interests.

Based in Washington, D.C., you will help shape how Alberta is understood and engaged with in the United States, ensuring Alberta’s priorities are clearly articulated and effectively positioned in a complex and fast-moving policy environment.

As the Director, Washington Office, you will:

• Build and sustain influential relationships across the U.S. federal government, including Congress, the Senate, the White House, and senior staff.
• Advance Alberta’s economic, trade, energy, and policy interests by promoting Alberta as a trusted partner in North American integration.
• Provide timely, politically sensitive advice and market intelligence to Alberta ministries and senior leaders.
• Monitor U.S. legislative and policy developments to assess potential impacts on Alberta and recommend strategic responses.
• Support Alberta ministries by facilitating access to key U.S. decision-makers and stakeholders.
• Engage with Washington-based think tanks, policy institutions, and opinion leaders to foster informed perspectives on Alberta.
• Collaborate closely with the Managing Director, Senior Representative, and U.S. office colleagues to ensure coordinated and effective operations.
• Play a leadership role in supporting visits, missions, and high-profile engagements involving the Premier, Ministers, and senior officials.

This position operates in a dynamic, high-profile environment where diplomacy, judgment, and relationship management are essential.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

Develop Networks: Builds and maintains strong relationships with diverse stakeholders and partners.

Drive for Results: Delivers outcomes in complex environments while balancing competing priorities.

Build Collaborative Environments: Fosters trust, inclusion, and collaboration across jurisdictions and sectors.

Agility: Adapts effectively to change, uncertainty, and evolving political landscapes.

Qualifications

Required:

• A bachelor’s degree in Economics, Public Administration, Political Science, or a related field.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in roles requiring:
  • Strategic relationship-building and stakeholder engagement
  • Policy advocacy or government relations
  • Working independently to drive results in complex environments

Assets:

• Experience working in Washington, D.C. or within U.S. political institutions.
• Knowledge of energy, agriculture, trade, or Alberta’s policy priorities in the U.S.
• Experience engaging senior government officials or elected leaders.

Equivalencies will be considered.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 

Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

This position is based in Washington, D.C. and requires ongoing engagement with U.S.-based stakeholders.

Travel may be required to support government missions and stakeholder engagements.

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Links and information on what the GoA has to offer to prospective employees:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.ca.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.