Manager, Public Policy & Government Relations

Socket.dev; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 83,000 - 104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Home office bonus

Job summary

CPA Ontario is seeking a strategic and purpose-driven Manager Public Policy and Government Relations to advance policy solutions that strengthen the public interest and support a competitive Canadian economy.

You will build trusted relationships with government stakeholders and translate complex issues into clear, actionable strategies that advance both the public interest and the future of Chartered Professional Accountants.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary degree in public policy, political science, law, economics, business, or related field.
• At least 3 years in government relations, public policy, advocacy, or related field in a regulated environment.
• Strong ability to translate complex policy issues into clear, concise messaging.
• Politically astute with ethical judgment and discretion in sensitive issues.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, political staff, and ministry stakeholders across Ontario and federally.
• Monitor, analyze and respond to legislative, regulatory, and political developments to identify risks and opportunities.
• Develop evidence-based policy positions via briefing materials, submissions and advocacy materials.
• Support advocacy initiatives and campaigns, including government consultations and stakeholder engagements.
• Provide strategic briefing support to senior leadership for government and external meetings.
• Collaborate across teams to ensure consistent messaging and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Policy development

Stakeholder engagement

Policy communication

Regulatory affairs

Education

Post-secondary degree in public policy, political science, law, economics or business

Job description

Shape Public Policy. Advance the Profession. Strengthen Ontario’s and Canada’s Economic Future.

CPA Ontario is not like other organizations

We operate at a rare intersection, both regulator and membership body, responsible for upholding the integrity of the CPA designation while supporting more than 105,000 members and 19,000 students across the province. Our work sits between business and the public interest, between the evolving demands of industry and the standards that make trust possible.

Careers built here tend to look different because the work itself is different. You are not simply contributing to an organization. You are helping shape a profession that touches nearly every sector of the economy at a moment when expectations, technology, and the nature of work are all being rewritten.

About This Opportunity:

CPA Ontario is seeking a strategic and purpose-driven Manager Public Policy and Government Relations to help advance policy solutions that strengthen the public interest and support a competitive Canadian economy.

Are you driven by a passion for public policy and the ability to shape Ontario’s and Canada’s long-term economic competitiveness? Do you thrive when tackling complex fiscal, regulatory and innovation challenges that shape the business environment?

In this role, you will help position CPA Ontario as a leading voice in public policy federally and provincially. You will build trusted relationships with government stakeholders, influence legislation and regulation and translate complex issues into clear, actionable strategies that advance both the public interest and the future of Chartered Professional Accountants.

Working closely with cross-functional teams, the Manager, supports advocacy initiatives, and contributes to informed decision-making across the organization.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Building and maintaining strong relationships with elected officials, political staff, and ministry stakeholders across Ontario and federally, representing CPA Ontario in policy and stakeholder forums.
• Monitoring, analyzing and responding to legislative, regulatory, and political developments to identify risks, impacts, and opportunities.
• Developing evidence-based policy positions through briefing materials, submissions, presentations and advocacy materials aligned with CPA Ontario’s strategic priorities.
• Supporting advocacy initiatives and campaigns, including participation in government consultations, stakeholder engagements and coordinated outreach activities to advance public policy objectives.
• Providing strategic advice and briefing support to senior leadership, including preparation for government and external stakeholder meetings.
• Collaborating across teams to ensure consistent messaging, accurate reporting, and alignment with regulatory and organizational requirements, including ensuring compliance with regulatory reporting requirements.

To Be Successful You Need:

• A post-secondary graduate in public policy, political science, law, economics, business, or a related field; a graduate degree or a professional designation is an asset
• Experienced with a minimum of 3 years in government relations, public policy, advocacy, or a related field, ideally within a regulated environment. Strong understanding of political and legislative processes.
• A strong communicator who can translate complex policy issues into clear, concise, and compelling messaging. Proven ability to develop and draft evidence-based policy positions.
• Politically astute with sound, ethical judgment, professionalism, discretion, and the ability to manage sensitive and complex issues effectively. Identify policy trends and develop insights based on these.
• A relationship builder with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders across government and internal teams
• Highly organized, self-starter, analytical, and adaptable, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and track deliverables in a fast-paced environment

Salary Range

• The starting annual salary range for this position is between $82,900 - $103,700 per annum, based on your qualifications, experience, and internal parity. Exceptions may be considered with further review.

Why Join CPA Ontario?

• We support your well-being through industry-leading benefits, mental health resources, savings programs, and a sustainable approach to how work gets done.
• We are committed to inclusion as a core part of how we operate, not as an afterthought.
• We have a hybrid working environment, with three days a week on-site, complemented by 2 days of work-from-home time. We are intentional about that: the work we do benefits from being together. We want those days you work from home to be comfortable and offer a one-time bonus towards a home office when you start.
• We invest in your growth through learning and professional development opportunities, stretch projects, secondments, and genuine paths for career progression.
• We move quickly. The pace reflects the profession we serve; it can be demanding, but the work matters, and the team around you is invested in the same outcomes you have.

We appreciate your interest in CPA Ontario and this position

At CPA Ontario, we are committed to building high-performance teams. Our selection process is thorough, fair and run by humans. All suitable applications are reviewed by someone on our Recruitment team, and if your qualifications and experience meet the requirements of this role, we’ll be in touch. We encourage you to set up CPA Ontario job alerts for positions that align to your experience and career goals.

CPA Ontario is an inclusive employer. Accommodation is available under the Ontario Human Rights Code. If you require a disability-related accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please email [e-mail] with “Accommodation Required” in the subject line to provide your contact information. A member of the Recruitment team will contact you within 48 hours.