Chief of Government Relations

University of Toronto; Canada; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A top-tier Canadian university is seeking a Chief of Government Relations to lead advocacy efforts and engage with government at all levels. The ideal candidate will possess strategic leadership skills and a deep understanding of Canadian public policy. Responsibilities include cultivating relationships with senior government officials and translating complex policy developments into actionable strategies. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence public policy for one of the world's leading universities.

Benefits

Diverse and inclusive environment

Commitment to equity and diversity

Qualifications

• Proven experience engaging with senior levels of government.
• Ability to develop integrated advocacy strategies.
• Experience advising executive leadership on complex issues.

Responsibilities

• Lead the University’s government relations and advocacy functions.
• Advance policies aligned with the University’s mission.
• Cultivate relationships with elected officials and public servants.
• Translate complex policy developments into actionable advice.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Political acumen

Effective communication

Collaboration skills

Education

Understanding of Canadian public policy

Job description

Founded in 1827, the University of Toronto is one of the world’s top research-intensive universities and Canada’s flagship university, bringing together the brightest minds from every conceivable background and discipline to collaborate on the world’s most pressing challenges. We’re home to discoveries such as insulin, stem cells, and deep learning, and have a deep and rich history of thought leadership in law, public policy, global affairs, and the humanities writ large. We are consistently ranked among the top 25 universities globally, and among the top 50 in 46 subject categories, more than any other university in the world.

Our commitment to inclusive excellence, a commitment to advancing the public good, an operating budget of $3.62B and an endowment of $3.93B enable us to provide access to a transformative education at a scale that is unsurpassed in Canada and rare in North America. Across our three campuses in Mississauga, downtown Toronto and Scarborough, U of T prepares students for success through an outstanding global education rooted in excellence, inclusion, and close-knit learning communities.

Our mission of excellence in teaching and research positions U of T as both a major institutional actor and a trusted advisor to government, with a long-standing commitment to supporting sound policy development and strengthening Canada’s public systems. It is within this context that U of T is seeking an accomplished government relations leader, strategist, and trusted advisor to serve as its next Chief of Government Relations.

As Chief of Government Relations, you report to and directly support the President and serve as a key member of the University’s senior leadership team. You lead the University’s government relations and advocacy function, advancing policies and positions that align with U of T’s mission while supporting governments at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels in the development of sound, evidence-based public policy. Through sustained engagement and influence, you ensure the University maintains a strong, credible, and visible presence across all levels of Canadian government.

Working closely with the President, you guide the University’s advocacy strategy with all three levels of government on issues of strategic importance, working to proactively cultivate and sustain relationships with senior elected officials, political staff, and senior public servants. At the executive leadership table, you advise your colleagues on relevant and emerging legislation, policy directions, and their operational, financial, and reputational implications for the University. You oversee the monitoring, analysis, and interpretation of government agendas, legislation, and regulatory activity, translating complex policy developments into actionable advice and coordinated advocacy strategies. Working closely and collaboratively with departments and teams across the institution, you develop informed narratives and nuanced messages that position the University as a trusted advisor and national leader in higher education, research, and innovation. Across three campuses, you align advocacy priorities, mobilize internal expertise, and ensure consistent, well-coordinated engagement with government partners and officials.

As the ideal candidate, you are a principled, strategic, and politically astute leader who brings clarity, foresight, and disciplined execution to advocacy efforts, while fostering collaboration across a large, complex, and highly decentralized institution. You bring a deep understanding of Canadian public policy and demonstrated success engaging at senior levels of government, ideally across multiple jurisdictions. You have led integrated advocacy strategies, advised executive leadership on high-stakes issues, and built durable relationships grounded in credibility, trust, and mutual respect. You are an effective communicator and listener, able to distill complex analysis into clear, persuasive messages that resonate with political and bureaucratic audiences alike. Thoughtful, diplomatic, and steady, you exercise sound judgment in ambiguous and politically sensitive environments, balancing competing priorities with confidence and discretion. Your leadership style is collaborative and enabling, and your capacity to lead through influence positions you well to advance the University’s priorities in a dynamic policy landscape.

This is a unique and compelling opportunity to shape the public policy environment for one of the world’s leading universities. For more information or to apply, please contact Nick Chambers ([e-mail] ) or Mike Young ([e-mail] ).

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission. The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities. If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact [e-mail] .

This is an open vacancy, and artificial intelligence (AI) will not be used in the evaluation or assessment of candidates.