Director of Policy and Government Relations

Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO); Ontario; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nonprofit organization in Ontario is seeking a Director of Policy and Government Relations. This executive role focuses on influencing public policy and supporting municipal governments. Ideal candidates will have at least 15 years in public policy, strong leadership skills, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. The position offers competitive compensation with hybrid work options.

Benefits

Enrollment in OMERS pension plan

Hybrid workplace policy

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of progressive, relevant professional experience.
• Advanced understanding of government decision-making processes.
• Strong commitment to an engaged and inclusive work environment.

Responsibilities

• Organize advice to the AMO Board on policy and advocacy positions.
• Lead the work of AMO’s Policy Centre in collaboration with AMO’s leadership.
• Shape AMO’s public affairs agenda, messaging, and communications activity.

Skills

Expert communications skills

Analytical skills

Team management

Leadership skills

Education

Advanced degree in humanities and social sciences

Job description

Overview

Director of Policy and Government Relations

Are you an accomplished leader interested in having a transformational impact on public policy in Ontario? Are you committed to building strong and sustainable municipal government, and to advancing good public policy and the public interest?

Then consider the opportunity to become the next Director of Policy and Government Relations at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, one of Canada’s most influential public policy organizations.

Please take a moment to review the position profile and consider what you want your next accomplishments to be.

Confidential inquiries from qualified candidates should be directed to [e-mail] with complete applications due by September 12, 2025, at [e-mail].

AMO is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to inclusion and recognizes that a diverse staff is essential to organizational excellence. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and encourage members of racialized communities and Black, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, women, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Employer

AMO is a not-for-profit advocacy and member services organization advancing the interests of Ontario’s $68 billion municipal government sector. AMO advances good public policy in Ontario in all areas of municipal influence and responsibility. AMO’s Policy and Government Relations activities on behalf of Ontario’s 444 municipal councils are characterized by government-to-government dialogue, sectoral expertise and intelligence, and a commitment to good governance and building strong, diverse and effective municipal government in Ontario. AMO’s members govern and provide key services and infrastructure to about 1 in 3 Canadians.

The Position

The Director of Policy and Government Relations is an executive level leadership position that occupies an important and influential role in public policy in Ontario as the principal policy advisor to AMO’s Board of Directors of elected officials from every part of Ontario.

Leadership

• The ideal candidate will lead purposefully and by example with a focus on empowerment, motivation, and accomplishment. They will promote excellence and transformational change in the field of public policy. As a leader, they will exemplify expertise, acuity, integrity and emotional intelligence inspiring confidence and trust.

Accountabilities

The Director is accountable for organizing advice to the AMO Board of Directors on the development of policy and advocacy positions informed by analysis, sectoral intelligence, and an advanced understanding of government relations. The Director leads the work of AMO’s Policy Centre in collaboration with AMO’s senior leadership team. This position reports to the Executive Director.

Key Areas of Influence

The Director identifies the interests of municipal government through extensive and productive interaction with AMO members, municipal public servants, other sector associations, key government and other contacts, and academic and other experts through the effective cultivation of collaborative relationships by the Director and Policy Centre staff.

The Director advises the Executive Director and the AMO Board of Directors to support decision making and direction, informed by expert knowledge, and political acuity combined with advanced cultural, social, environmental, fiscal and economic policy analysis.

The Director leads the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between AMO and the Government of Ontario. This unique and influential agreement accomplishes better informed provincial decision making and augments the policy capacity of the Government of Ontario with the expertise, intelligence, and experience of municipal government.

The Director leads the program development of the annual AMO Conference, a major event in the Ontario public policy calendar and a key feature of provincial government accountability to Ontario’s municipalities. The Director also supports the development of other events and educational programming.

The Director plays an important role in shaping AMO’s public affairs agenda, messaging, and communications activity.

The Director is a member of the AMO leadership team responsible and accountable for the effective administration and financial sustainability of the organization, the culture, values, and practices of the AMO workplace.

Qualifications

• A strong commitment to an engaged, inclusive, positive and productive work environment, active collaboration, and effective relationships at all levels of contact
• Expert communications and analytical skills
• A minimum 15 years of progressive, relevant professional experience in the spheres of public policy, municipal, provincial or federal government, the broader public sector, or public sector advocacy
• Advanced understanding and experience with government decision making processes
• Demonstrated team management and leadership skills
• An advanced degree, preferably in the humanities and social sciences, coupled with active and demonstrated professional leadership development
• A steadfast dedication to good public policy and the public interest

Location and Compensation

The position is located at AMO’s Toronto Office. AMO has a hybrid workplace policy, including limited remote working provisions. Competitive compensation includes enrollment in the OMERS pension plan.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

AMO is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to inclusion and recognizes that a diverse staff is essential to organizational excellence. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and encourage members of racialized communities and Black, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, women, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity.

Position Details

• Seniority level : Director
• Employment type : Full-time
• Job function : Other
• Industries : Non-profit Organizations