Advisor, Government Relations

Ontario Medical Association; Toronto; On-site; CAD 77,965 - 82,835; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive total rewards package

Exceptional group benefits package

Paid professional development

Job summary

The Ontario Medical Association is seeking an Advisor for Government Relations and Advocacy in Toronto. This role requires strategic thinking and experience in government relations, particularly in health care. Candidates will implement advocacy strategies, develop relationships with stakeholders, and support public policy efforts. The position offers a competitive salary between $77,965 and $82,835, along with a comprehensive benefits package and a hybrid work environment, requiring some in-office work.

Qualifications

• Five to six years of experience working in government relations, public affairs or advocacy, ideally in health care.
• Valid driver’s license and car required.
• Experience mobilizing stakeholder and community support.
• Strong understanding of the political environment in Ontario.

Responsibilities

• Support, develop, and implement government relations and advocacy strategies.
• Foster strong relationships with government and physician networks.
• Prepare briefing materials for OMA executives.
• Monitor legislation and policy trends for advocacy opportunities.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Communications

Relationship-building

Writing

Advocacy skills

Project management

Event planning

Knowledge of public policy

Education

Undergraduate Degree in Political Science, Health Administration, Communications or equivalent

Tools

Nation Builder

Word

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

The Ontario Medical Association (OMA) advocates for and supports doctors, seeking to strengthen their leadership role in caring for patients. We continually strive to be the trusted voice in transforming Ontario’s health‑care system by pursuing best practices, new ideas, solutions, and opportunities to improve.

Job summary

The Advisor, Government Relations and Advocacy is responsible for planning and executing strategies to advance the government relations and advocacy goals of the Ontario Medical Association. This role requires a government relations professional with strategic thinking, communications, relationship‑building, writing and advocacy skills, ideally with experience in health care. A strong understanding of the political landscape, the public policy development process, and how to effectively work with the provincial government and other elected officials is essential.

How you will make a difference

• Support, develop and implement government relations and advocacy strategies and communications rollout plans to influence public policy and achieve objectives on behalf of Ontario’s doctors.
• Help develop an annual government relations and advocacy strategy in line with corporate objectives.
• Foster strong relationships with government, political parties, stakeholders and physician networks.
• Arrange meetings with elected officials, political staff, senior ministry officials and political party officials and prepare briefing materials for use by the CEO, president and other OMA executives.
• Prepare reports to senior management as required.
• Lead outreach initiatives to local MPPs that include participation from local physicians.
• Assist with the content management for the advocacy website and OMA.org webpages.
• Develop key messages and produce or contribute to high‑quality written materials, including presentations and submissions to government, effective letters, website content and other advocacy‑related content.
• Work cross‑functionally with other areas of the organization to develop and execute advocacy plans to mobilize members on key issues; tactics could include the use of advocacy technology platforms (Nation Builder) and providing training/support on local outreach to elected officials.
• Serve as the team liaison to other areas of the organization, such as policy, executive office, governance.
• Plan events including round‑table and panel discussions, public/stakeholder consultations, and advocacy days at Queen’s Park.
• Triage emerging and current issues for effective management and tracking action to smooth resolution.
• Monitor legislation, policy activity and political trends to identify opportunities for OMA advocacy and thought leadership.
• Track and manage correspondence from the public and membership.
• Assist with team project planning and tracking.

Requirements that are important to us

• Undergraduate Degree in Political Science, Health Administration, Communications, or equivalent.
• Five to six years of experience working in government relations, public affairs/strategic communications, advocacy, political offices and/or government, ideally in health care.
• Valid driver’s licence and car required.
• Experience mobilizing stakeholder, membership and local community support.
• Experience with digital advocacy tools such as Nation Builder.
• Strong understanding of the political environment in Ontario.
• Strong project management, event planning and communications skills (writing, editing and verbal).
• Ability to foster meaningful relationships with elected officials through effective government relations.
• Knowledge of public policy with preference to the health‑care policy environment.
• Experience leveraging digital technologies for online advocacy including public engagement tools such as Nation Builder.
• Highly proficient in Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Contact Management System experience.

The OMA has moved to a permanent hybrid work environment. As such, the individual in this position will be required to work a minimum number of days in our Toronto office.

What do we have to offer you?

• A work environment whose values are respectful, bold, responsive, and transparent in our work and our behaviours.
• A fantastic opportunity to grow with the team and help shape the strategic direction of the OMA, its members and the health‑care system.
• An organization that is committed to the equity, diversity and inclusion principles of humility, accountability, collaboration, courage and integrity.
• A commitment to growth and development through paid professional development and continuous in‑house learning.
• A friendly and flexible hybrid work environment.
• Competitive total rewards package including a hiring salary range of $77,965–$82,835 plus pension plan and a bonus program.
• Exceptional group benefits package, including a spending account and a robust wellness program.

As a condition of employment, OMA conducts background checks and reference checks for all open positions.

The Ontario Medical Association is strongly committed to diversity within its community and welcomes applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, women, Indigenous People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. In accordance with the AODA Act, accommodation will be provided throughout the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities.