Hughes Collective is pleased to present an exciting opportunity on behalf of our client.

Role: Vice President, Strategic Policy & Competitiveness 

Location: Regina, SK | In office

Employment Type: Full-Time

Our Client

The Saskatchewan Mining Association (SMA) is the voice of Saskatchewan’s exploration and mining industry, a collaborative, purpose-driven force that works to ensure Saskatchewan is the most globally competitive and sustainable mining jurisdiction to invest in.

With deep roots in the province’s economic and innovative landscape, SMA brings together global-leading exploration and mining companies operating in Saskatchewan to align on shared goals, influence policy, and create pathways for sustainable growth of the mineral sector. This lean and impactful organization leverages its members expertise to accomplish our collective goals. SMA is respected across governments, industry, and national associations for its credible and pragmatic advocacy, technical expertise, and values-driven leadership.

The Opportunity

The Vice President, Strategic Policy & Competitiveness is a newly created executive role designed to strengthen the long-term economic and infrastructure foundation of Saskatchewan’s mining industry. While the organization’s regulatory and environmental leadership remains critical, this role focuses squarely on the broader policy and competitiveness landscape that influences investment attraction decisions related to new exploration and mining projects, expansion of existing projects, and enabling trade-related transportation corridors. From power generation, transmission and distribution capacity, reliable highway, rail and port infrastructure, to fiscal frameworks, this position sits at the intersection of industry economic and public policy, helping shape the global competitiveness of Saskatchewan exploration and mining sector.

Working closely with the President, senior member company experts, and senior government officials, the Vice President will shape and advance strategic priorities that influence infrastructure investment, economic conditions, and industrial growth across the province. This role requires someone who understands how large-scale industrial systems function, how public policy decisions ripple through capital-intensive operations, and how to build consensus among organizations with varying perspectives and realities. Based in Regina to ensure proximity to provincial decision-makers, this leader will help ensure Saskatchewan remains not just a resource rich jurisdiction, but a globally competitive one.

Key Responsibilities

As the Vice President, Strategic Policy & Competitiveness, you will work collaboratively and are responsible for:

1. Infrastructure & Energy Strategy

• Lead SMA advocacy related to power generation, transmission, distribution and energy affordability and reliability
• Advance policy discussions related to transportation logistics including highway, rail, port and air.
• Engage on digital connectivity initiatives related to northern and rural operations.  
• Build relationships with Provincial and Federal Government Departments, Crown Corporations and entities, and other infrastructure stakeholders

2. Fiscal & Competitiveness Policy

• Lead SMA’s Taxation & Finance Committee
• Analyze royalty, taxation, and fiscal proposals impacting member companies
• Assess provincial and federal budgets and economic policies through a mining competitiveness lens
• Collaborate with members to identify economic risks and strategic opportunities
• Track and analyze exploration and mining - related statistics

3. Government & Stakeholder Engagement

• Represent SMA in meetings with senior provincial and federal officials
• Engage proactively in policy development
• Prepare submissions, briefing materials, and policy position documents
• Strengthen SMA’s reputation as a credible, solutions-oriented and member-driven advocate

4. Committee Leadership & Consensus Building

• Convene and lead member committees related to competitiveness and infrastructure
• Build alignment among large and smaller operators
• Translate diverse viewpoints into unified positions
• Facilitate strategic conversations that advance issues forward

Qualifications

Hard Skills & Technical Experience

• 10+ years of progressive experience in public policy, infrastructure, energy, industrial operations, economic development in industry or government
• Strong understanding of power systems, transportation infrastructure, or industrial logistics
• Demonstrated experience analyzing fiscal frameworks, taxation, or competitiveness policy
• Experience engaging with provincial and/or federal government at senior levels
• Proven ability to develop policy submissions, briefing notes, and position papers
• Post-secondary education in economics, public policy, engineering, commerce, law, or a related field
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and professional presentation tools
• Mining industry experience is a strong asset.
• Experience within industrial sectors such as energy, utilities, transportation, or natural resources is highly valued.

Soft Skills & Leadership Attributes

• Strategic thinker who sees long-term implications beyond immediate policy shifts
• Skilled consensus-builder able to navigate competing interests diplomatically
• Comfortable operating independently within a lean organization
• Credible and composed in high-level government conversations
• Strong communicator who can simplify complex infrastructure and fiscal concepts
• Relationship-driven and collaborative in approach
• Pragmatic, solutions-oriented, and grounded in economic realities

What Our Client Offers

• A purpose-driven role with province-wide and national impact in an industry that delivers benefits across global and local community levels.
• The opportunity to shape policy from within a trusted industry association.
• A supportive, values-based team with strong leadership and deep member engagement.
• Base salary, plus performance bonus potential.
• 8.6% employer-contributed RRSP.
• 100% employer-paid extended health benefits.
• This is a 37.5-hour workweek position; as a senior leader, you’ll occasionally flex your time to meet key deadlines or attend events.
• Limited but meaningful travel (primarily within Saskatchewan).

About the Collective

At Hughes Collective, we don’t just recruit, we revolutionize how talent meets opportunity. We’re not in the business of filling roles; we’re in the business of transforming careers and powering businesses with bold, game-changing hires.

For candidates, this isn’t just about your next job, it’s about uncovering your passions, amplifying your strengths, and unlocking your potential. We’re here to connect you to a career that excites, inspires, and fuels your future.

This isn’t recruitment as usual, this is Hughes Collective. Bold. Authentic. Unapologetically different. Your next move starts here.