Product Homologation & Government Relations Manager

Key Responsibilities

1. Homologation & Certification Management

• Lead and execute end-to-end homologation processes for all new models, variants, and powertrains entering the Canadian market.
• Ensure full compliance with Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) established by Transport Canada, covering safety, emissions, lighting, labeling, and environmental regulations
• Manage and track certifications, approvals, and technical documentation with Transport Canada, provincial authorities, and authorized third-party testing agencies.
• Coordinate compliance testing at Transport Canada-recognized laboratories, including crash tests, lighting tests, emissions tests, and other applicable CMVSS requirements
• Monitor regulatory changes (including CMVSS revisions, provincial mandates, and ZEV policies) and proactively prepare the product pipeline to meet future compliance requirements.
• Oversee the Declaration of Compliance process, certification label management, and ongoing annual reporting obligations to Transport Canada

2. Government Relations & Regulatory Affairs

• Serve as the primary liaison between Geely and Canadian government authorities, including Transport Canada, provincial transportation ministries, and relevant regulatory bodies.
• Build and maintain proactive relationships with key government stakeholders to facilitate smooth certification processes, market access negotiations, and regulatory alignment discussions.
• Represent the company in industry associations and working groups (e.g., Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association, Global Automakers of Canada) to stay ahead of policy trends and contribute to industry advocacy efforts.
• Lead government-facing communications on matters of vehicle compliance, safety recalls, import regulations, and emerging legislation affecting the automotive sector.
• Provide strategic insights to senior leadership on Canadian automotive policy, trade regulations, and incentive programs (e.g., federal and provincial EV rebate programs, Zero-Emission Vehicle mandates).
• Coordinate with legal and compliance teams to manage any regulatory inquiries, audits, or enforcement actions from government agencies.

3. Product Adaptability & Planning Support

• Collaborate with R&D and global product teams to adapt vehicle specifications to Canadian regulations, climate conditions (e.g., extreme cold weather performance), and local customer needs based on benchmarks, voice of customer (VOC), and market study surveys.
• Provide technical input to product strategy decisions, ensuring homologation timelines align with commercial launch objectives and market entry milestones.
• Conduct competitive analysis regarding homologation features (e.g., safety technologies, cold-weather performance, emissions standards) to identify regulatory gaps and product differentiation opportunities.

4. Cross-Functional Product Research Coordination

• Act as the primary interface between Product Strategy, Engineering, Quality, Government Relations, and Legal on all homologation-related matters.
• Track Voice of Customer surveys for product input, identifying opportunities and evolving customer needs across vehicle life stages and segments through SSI, CSI, and test drive satisfaction surveys.
• Coordinate with supply chain and logistics teams on import compliance documentation and vehicle certification readiness ahead of Canadian market launches.
• Lead post-certification obligations, including annual compliance reporting, safety recall management coordination with Transport Canada, and ongoing conformity of production oversight

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in product homologation, regulatory compliance, or product planning within the automotive sector, with specific experience in the North American market.
• Deep knowledge of Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS), Transport Canada certification processes, and provincial regulatory frameworks
• Familiarity with emissions standards (EPA, CARB, Environment Canada regulations) and global homologation frameworks (UNECE) is highly desirable.
• Proven experience in or strong aptitude for government relations, regulatory affairs, and stakeholder engagement with public-sector entities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, cross-functional, and cross-border projects with multiple internal and external stakeholders.
• Exceptional organizational skills, detail orientation, and ability to manage multiple certification processes simultaneously.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills in English (written and spoken); proficiency in French is a strong asset given Canada’s bilingual regulatory environment.
• Experience with cold-climate vehicle testing and adaptation is a plus.