Director, Public Affairs and External Communications

Welcome to Cascades!

Shine with your expertise in a human and stimulating environment where your ideas take shape and excellence guides the daily work. Join as a Director, Public Affairs and External Communications in Saint-Hubert to shape a more responsible future.

Your Benefits

• Because taking care of our people is in our nature, you will have:
• Profit-sharing and employee stock purchase program
• Hybrid mode: 3 days in the office (2 fixed + 1 flexible)
• Comprehensive social benefits package: group insurance, telemedicine, and employer pension plan
• Annual allowance for purchasing goods and services of your choice
• Annual well-being program, employee assistance program, and gym access
• Human work environment based on collaboration and respect

Your Responsibilities

Reporting to the Vice President of Communications, Public Affairs, and Sustainable Development, the Director of Public Affairs and External Communications plays a key role in the organization's positioning and reputation. At the intersection of business, public policy, and corporate reputation, this person develops influence and communication strategies that build stakeholder trust, support business growth, and contribute to shaping a favorable environment for its activities.

Public Affairs and Government Relations

• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with provincial and federal government representatives, industry associations, and key stakeholders.
• Represent the company in lobbying activities and influence efforts related to regulatory, political, and economic issues.
• Advise the executive team on government, legislative, and public policy issues impacting the organization.
• Maintain an understanding of government grants and funding programs and identify opportunities to support growth projects, investments, and the company's strategic priorities.
• Conduct proactive monitoring of political, regulatory, and media issues.

Strategic Positioning and Opinion Leadership

• Develop and promote the company's positions on strategic issues affecting its activities, industry, and growth.
• Contribute to the company's positioning with decision-makers, strategic partners, and influential stakeholders.

External Communications and Reputation

• Develop and implement public affairs, government relations, and external communications strategies to support business priorities, strengthen the company's positioning, and protect its reputation with key stakeholders.
• Manage relationships with external stakeholders (governments, industry associations, communities, specialized media, and opinion leaders) to increase the organization's influence and reputation.
• Lead public issues and reputational risk management strategies, monitor emerging issues, and recommend appropriate interventions during sensitive or impactful situations.

Stakeholder Management

• Develop and maintain trust-based relationships with various interest groups, sectoral partners, and other stakeholders contributing to the organization's goals.

Required Qualifications

You are a natural fit for the Director, Public Affairs and External Communications role if you identify with:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, political science, public administration, or a relevant discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in external communications and government affairs, including 5 years in team management.
• Strong understanding of political, regulatory, and media issues.
• Solid professional network and established credibility with key provincial and federal government actors, industry associations, and influential stakeholders.
• Recognized experience in developing and implementing influence and positioning strategies with various government levels.
• Expertise in government and regulatory issues related to packaging, tissue paper, recycling, the environment, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR); experience in a manufacturing environment is a significant asset.
• Experience in managing complex issues and reputational risks.
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
• Mastery of lobbying-related regulatory requirements, including Quebec and Canadian lobbyist registries; knowledge of U.S. rules (LDA/FARA) is an asset.
• Bilingualism (French and English), both oral and written.

And if you put as much heart into your being as you do into your skills, we can't wait to meet you!

Apply now and join our team of Cascaders and Cascaderettes as a Director, Public Affairs and External Communications in Saint-Hubert.

*Cascades values diversity and inclusion and will consider all applications equally.*