More about the role:

At Burson, we bring together sharp thinkers and bold communicators to shape the conversations that matter. We deliver integrated public affairs and communications campaigns across government, media, and digital channels. 

We’re looking for a Public Affairs & Communications Intern to support our team on a range of mandates. This role is ideal for someone early in their career a recent graduate or with some initial experience who is interested in how government decisions are made, how communications shape public opinion, and how stakeholders influence outcomes. 

What You’ll Do 

• Support the development of presentations, briefing notes, and client materials 
• Conduct research on public policy, federal legislation, and regulatory developments  
• Monitor political developments, media coverage, and public discourse  
• Assist with drafting reports, stakeholder materials, and meeting briefs 
• Contribute to brainstorming sessions and team deliverables  
• Support account teams with a strong focus on accuracy and detail  

What You Bring 

• 1 year of relevant experience (internships, co-ops, or academic projects) 
• Background in communications, public affairs, political science, public policy, or related field  
• Strong interest in federal government, public policy, and stakeholder engagement  
• Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills  
• Detail-oriented, organized, and proactive  
• Awareness of current affairs and media landscape  
• Bilingualism (French/English) is a strong asset  

Why Burson 

• Work on high-impact mandates 
• Gain hands-on experience across public affairs and communications  
• Learn from experienced professionals  
• Be part of a collaborative, fast-paced team 

#LI-YA1

More about the role:

We are looking for a Senior Consultant based in Ottawa to support client work across both public affairs and strategic communications, with a strong emphasis on communications and stakeholder engagement. 

This role is ideal for someone who understands how decisions are made in Ottawa, is comfortable engaging with government stakeholders, and can translate complex policy issues into clear, compelling communications. You will work closely with senior leaders and support clients across sectors such as healthcare, technology, financial services, energy, and infrastructure. 

What You’ll Be Doing 

• Supporting the development and execution of integrated public affairs and communications strategies, with a strong focus on messaging, positioning, and narrative development
• Leading the development of high-quality content, including briefing notes, media materials, position papers, and executive communication
• Monitoring and analyzing federal political, legislative, and regulatory developments, translating insights into actionable recommendations for client
• Supporting and, where appropriate, leading engagement with federal stakeholders, including government officials, policymakers, and industry associations
• Contributing to lobbying-related activities, including preparation of materials and ensuring alignment with federal requirement
• Building and maintaining stakeholder maps and engagement strategies to support outreach initiative
• Supporting and leading client meetings, consultations, and government engagement initiative
• Advising clients on communications strategy, stakeholder positioning, and reputation management in complex policy environment
• Tracking and evaluating the impact of public affairs and communications initiative
• Mentoring junior team members and contributing to a collaborative team environment 

What You’ll Need to Succeed 

• 5–8 years of experience in public affairs, strategic communications, government relations, or political environment
• Strong understanding of the federal government ecosystem, including parliamentary processes and decision-making structure
• Demonstrated experience in communications strategy, including content development, messaging, and stakeholder positioning
• Exposure to federal lobbying activities and government engagement strategies
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with federal stakeholder
• Excellent writing, research, and analytical skills, with the ability to translate complex policy issues into clear narrative
• Experience advising clients in regulated or policy-driven sectors (e.g., healthcare, tech, energy, financial services
• Ability to engage in lobbying activities in compliance with applicable federal regulation
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Bilingualism (French and English) is a strong asset
• A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with strong attention to detail 

Why Join Us 

At Burson, you will: 

• Work on high-impact mandates at the intersection of communications and public affair
• Engage directly with key decision-makers in Ottawa
• Be part of a collaborative, high-performing tea
• Benefit from mentorship and clear career progression opportunities
• Thrive in a flexible and supportive environment that values initiative, ownership, and impact 

#LI-YA1

More about the role:

We are looking for a Public Affairs Consultant based in Ottawa to support client work requiring strong federal government expertise and stakeholder engagement. 

This role is ideal for someone who understands how decisions are made in Ottawa and is comfortable operating in government-facing environments. You will work closely with senior leaders and support clients across sectors such as healthcare, technology, financial services, energy, and infrastructure. 

What You’ll Be Doing 

• Supporting the development and execution of federal public affairs and government relations strategies 
• Monitoring and analyzing federal political, legislative, and regulatory developments, translating insights into actionable recommendations  
• Supporting engagement with federal stakeholders, including government officials, policymakers, and industry associations 
• Contributing to lobbying-related activities, including preparation of materials and ensuring alignment with federal requirements 
• Conducting policy research and developing briefing notes, position papers, and strategic recommendations  
• Building and maintaining stakeholder maps and engagement plans 
• Supporting client meetings, consultations, and government engagement initiatives  
• Advising on messaging, positioning, and stakeholder engagement approaches  
• Tracking and evaluating the impact of public affairs initiatives  

What You’ll Need to Succeed 

• 3–4 years of experience in public affairs, government relations, political roles, or strategic communications 
• Strong understanding of the federal government ecosystem, including parliamentary processes and decision-making structures  
• Exposure to federal lobbying activities and government engagement strategies  
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with federal stakeholders 
• Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills  
• Ability to translate complex policy issues into clear, compelling narratives  
• Ability to engage in lobbying activities in compliance with applicable federal regulations  
• Experience working with government, industry associations, or advocacy groups  
• Bilingualism (French and English) is a strong asset  
• Strong organizational and project management skills  
• A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with a strong interest in public policy  

Why Join Us 

At Burson, you will: 

• Work on high-impact federal public affairs mandates 
• Engage with key decision-makers in Ottawa  
• Be part of a collaborative, high-performing team  
• Benefit from mentorship and career growth opportunities  
• Thrive in a flexible and supportive environment that values initiative and impact 

#LI-YA1