Director, Strategic Policy and Project Management Office

FSRA News; Toronto; On-site; CAD 133,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

A financial regulatory agency in Toronto is seeking a Senior Leader to oversee strategy and project management for regulating financial sectors. This role involves directing the Project Management Office (PMO), aligning initiatives with strategic goals, and participating in high-level leadership to drive organizational success. The ideal candidate will have extensive project management experience, excellent leadership skills, and a commitment to public service. A competitive compensation package and supportive work environment are provided.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits plan

Employer-matched pension plan

Qualifications

• 10+ years' experience in project management, strategic planning, or senior policy role.
• Proven ability to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives.
• Professional certification (PMP) considered an asset.

Responsibilities

• Lead overall strategy and planning for regulation.
• Direct the PMO to align projects with strategic goals.
• Provide leadership in executing programs and services.

Skills

Project management

Strategic planning

Cross-functional leadership

Change management

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Education

Postsecondary degree in business administration or related field

Job description

At FSRA, our vision is to ensure financial safety, fairness, and choice for Ontarians. As a financial services regulator, we’re passionate about protecting consumers. Our principles-based approach means we can quickly and effectively respond to the changing needs of consumers and the industry.

Our team combines industry expertise with commitment to public service. We attract individuals who are interested in meaningful work and who measure success through outcomes, not inputs.

At FSRA, we invest in the personal and professional growth of our team. We offer a competitive compensation package that includes an employer-matched defined benefit pension plan and a comprehensive and competitive benefits plan. We prioritize learning and development, wellbeing, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, and community giving.

Join FSRA and help us shape the future of regulation for generations to come!

Job Description

Purpose of Position

To lead the overall strategy, planning, assessment and key research functions for the organization to assist in shaping the overall business approach to regulating financial sectors and protecting the public interest.

To provide oversight and alignment of the Project Management Office (PMO) projects with FSRA’s long-term strategic goals and objectives. To direct the PMO to ensure effective execution of initiatives while simultaneously leading the development and analysis of strategic policies.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Policy

• Oversees the delivery of Strategic Policy initiatives, including multi-sector initiatives ensuring consistency with overall policy performance measures, standards, and best practices and integration with FSRA directions.
• Participates in formulating strategy and mission, developing tactics and providing leadership in executing programs or services to deliver on business strategy and tactics.
• Oversees the planning, design, development and delivery of FSRA strategic transformational initiatives, including supporting the implementation of a principles-based, risk-focused, regulatory framework.
• Collaborates / coordinates with other functional areas in operational planning, development and reporting on performance metrics, program effectiveness, risks and impacts related to unit, section and department matters.
• Plans and manages the delivery and execution of the strategic and business planning processes, including the development of the annual priorities/budget process and corporate reports.
• Leads the oversight of plans, policies, rulemaking, guidance and other tools and related programs and services, including operational processes and procedures, policy development/review models, processes and methodologies and standards, to meet the overall operational plans and priorities of the section or department.
• Provides leadership on the research, environmental scanning, monitoring, analysis and assessment of a broad range of issues, trends and developments, which affect the development of FSRA policies and programs, including evidence-based research and data provided by various sources as well as policies and procedures related to the interpretation and application of relevant legislation.
• Provides policy expertise and advice to FSRA management and staff in response to a range of strategic policy issues impacting the achievement of department directions and FSRA mandate; provides evidence-based recommendations for problem resolution and improvement to methods supporting the delivery of programs or services.
• Ensures the provision of responsive and timely analysis and advice on emergent policy trends and issues.

Project Management Office

• Directs the PMO, ensuring initiatives are prioritized effectively, align with strategic objectives, and are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget. Ensures consistency with overall section performance measures, standards, best practices and integration with FSRA directions and priorities.
• Collaborates with FSRA leadership in formulating strategy and developing tactics; provides leadership in executing programs or services to deliver on strategy and tactics. Collaborates with colleagues on section department priorities.
• Directs the implementation of projects and programs, services and work areas, including operational processes and procedures to meet the overall operational plans and priorities.
• Prioritizes projects to ensure their alignment with FSRA strategic/business plan commitments, developing dashboard measurement and reporting tools to ensure tracking and reporting of projects for the Board and senior management.
• Provides direction and leadership on design, development, implementation and review of processes, systems, tools, reporting and strategies for centralized project planning, resourcing, tracking and portfolio management of required project initiatives within FSRA, including process improvement and core regulatory and regulatory support projects.
• Provides oversight to portfolio project management consultative services to FSRA leadership, management and program project leads to ensure consistency in project management methodology and standards; champions excellence in project management mobilizing and overseeing special projects lead by PMO.
• Provides program/service expertise and counsel to FSRA leadership, management and staff on operational or program issues impacting the achievement of department or function directions, providing evidence-based recommendations for problem resolution and improvement to methods to deliver programs or services.
• Directs operational planning, development and reporting on PMO’s performance metrics, program effectiveness, risks and impacts related to unit, section and department matters. Recommends approval of financial transactions to the EVP, Policy.

Leadership

• As a member of the FSRA senior leadership team, contributes to the FSRA strategy and development of tactics; and provides leadership in executing programs, services or initiatives to deliver on the strategy.
• Manages staff to support an environment and culture of service excellence which respects diversity, encourages all employees to work together to achieve results and contribute to a healthy, rewarding and productive working environment where personal and team accountability are key to meeting the mandate of FSRA. Accountable for building a strong team including hiring, orienting, training and coaching of staff, determination of performance standards, conduct of performance reviews and management of performance and employee relations matters.
• Projects critical change and a new collaborative, forward thinking culture within the unit, and works with others to achieve this across the section or department.
• Promotes and supports the implementation of innovation and continuous improvement throughout the unit and section or department.
• Leads and/or participates on projects within the section, department to represent the unit’s interests in program or service decision making.
• Develops and manages relationships and consultation with stakeholders impacted by unit programs and operations to discuss and clarify program or service related issues and needs.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Postsecondary degree in business administration or other related degree, or with equivalent experience, Project Management.
• 10+ years’ experience in project management, strategic planning, or a senior policy role, with a proven track record of leading complex, cross-functional initiatives.
• Proven experience in successfully leading portfolio project management of multiple, concurrent projects for a diverse client base.
• Professional (PMP) and/or other Project Management Certification(s) considered an asset.
• Relevant industry experience, preferred.

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of government decision making and policy development processes and legislative/regulatory design principles; an understanding of how policy and communications intersect in a political climate.
• Familiarity with HR best practices and FSRA collective agreements to effectively lead staff.
• Experience in strategic planning and management of the delivery of policy, program and project management, initiatives in the areas of financial services, public policy or regulatory oversight and in interpreting legislation/regulations, design programs/services directly or on behalf of government.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and champion change for a new organizational culture and vision.
• Proven strategic and analytical ability to think at a systems level, synthesize diverse information (data, evidence, legal requirements), and translate policy goals into actionable plans; ability to see the "big picture," set project goals that align with business strategy, and envision the future outcomes.
• Superior written and verbal communication, editing, and presentation skills.
• Risk and issues management skills to proactively identify potential project risks and challenges, developing and implementing mitigation strategies to minimize disruption and ensure project success.
• Knowledge of, and skills in, portfolio project management methodologies, techniques and best practices in a technologically evolving environment with ability to establish and maintain effective project governance, including compliance, metrics, and reporting standards for all projects.
• Expertise in budgeting, cost control, forecasting, and optimizing resource allocation across multiple projects.

Leadership

• Expertise in working as a member of a leadership team with the ability to manage and champion change aligned with FSRA’s culture and strategic vision.
• Transformational leadership skills to implement a new organizational structure, systems, and standards and create a high-performance culture.
• Change management abilities to create a positive, inclusive and productive work environment in a time of change, while ensuring that staff understand the scope of change that will be taking place.
• Political acuity to recognize and respond to issues which may have an impact for the Agency and/or external stakeholders.

Salary Range - $133,077 -$183,077 (Range will be determined based on the successful candidate's skills, experience and qualifications)

Job posting close at 11:59pm on the date noted.

Employment Type: Regular

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 36.25

FSRA is committed to ensuring equity in employment. Our goal is to create a diverse, inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to ensure our services and communications are accessible to all individuals. Accommodation is available under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

NOTE: ONLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONSIDERED