Policy and Planning Advisor (10418)

City of Toronto; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 84,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity awaits in the CEO's office of a forward-thinking organization dedicated to enhancing public transit in Toronto. As a Policy and Planning Advisor, you will play a crucial role in supporting senior executives by providing research, analysis, and project management expertise. Your contributions will directly impact the development of corporate-wide strategies and intergovernmental relationships, ensuring the delivery of effective transit services. Join a dynamic team that values diversity, equity, and inclusion, while enjoying a flexible hybrid work environment that promotes work-life balance and professional growth. This role offers a unique chance to make a meaningful difference in the community and shape the future of transit in Toronto.

Benefits

Defined pension plan

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage

Professional development opportunities

Flexible hybrid work approach

Commitment to diversity and inclusion

Qualifications

• University degree or diploma in Public Policy, Administration, or related field.
• Experience in project management and report writing for senior management.

Responsibilities

• Support senior staff with research, analysis, and project support.
• Conduct and lead research projects and policy analysis.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Interpersonal Communications

Research Skills

Project Management

Policy Development

Problem-Solving

Education

University Degree or College Diploma in Public Policy or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Career Opportunities: Policy and Planning Advisor (10418)

Requisition ID 10418 - Posted - CEO's Office (20000050) - Chief Executive Officer's Office & Staff (30000080) - Job Opportunity

JOB INFORMATION
Requisition ID: 10418
Number of Vacancies: 1
Department: CEO's Office (20000050) - Chief Executive Officer's Office & Staff (30000080)
Salary Information: $84,029.40 - $105,050.40
Pay Scale Group: 8SA
Employment Type: Regular - Hybrid
Weekly Hours: 35, Off Days: Saturday & Sunday Shift: Day
Posted On: January 21, 2025
Last Day to Apply: February 2, 2025
Reports to: Manager, Government Relations and Policy

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), North America's third largest transit system, has introduced its new 2024-2028 TTC Corporate Plan - Moving Toronto, Connecting Communities, which continues the TTC’s legacy of delivering service to hundreds of millions of customers a year.

Vision: Moving Toronto towards a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous future.

Mission: To serve the needs of transit riders by providing a safe, reliable, efficient, and accessible mass public transit service through a seamless integrated network to create access to opportunity for everyone.

We have an exciting opportunity in the CEO’s office - Corporate Initiatives. We are currently hiring a Policy and Planning Advisor, reporting to the Manager, Government Relations and Policy.

What You Will Do

You will be responsible for supporting senior staff in providing research, analysis, and project support within their assigned area. The incumbent will support the execution of specific projects through the preparation of briefing notes, reports, and presentations, agenda management, and monitoring legislative changes and emerging issues. You will support the CEO’s office to drive key CEO and Board priorities in effective intergovernmental relationships and the development and implementation of corporate-wide plans and strategies.

In addition, you will support intergovernmental funding applications to secure partner funding on priority programs across the TTC and provide strategic direction and analysis on the organizational approach to securing funding. You will conduct analysis and assess impacts of government policy and legislative proposals from all orders of government. Maintain a thorough and continuous awareness of initiatives in the TTC’s administration, external organizations, and other orders of government to inform policy, program/project management, and reports.

As the Policy & Planning Advisor, you will also be responsible for conducting and leading research projects and analysis, including jurisdictional and literature reviews in areas including governance, corporate policy development, intergovernmental relations, government practices and procedures, and performance monitoring systems. Proactively monitor emerging issues to support senior executives, including monitoring and reporting on key priority initiatives, and developing and managing tracking systems and action requests. This includes applying project management methodologies to support tracking work plans, timelines, and deliverables.

You will provide support to the manager in strategic and effective relations with other governments, public agencies, and partners as required, including representing the TTC at key stakeholder meetings. Liaise with internal stakeholders to support cross-departmental collaboration and coordination on complex projects and initiatives and participate in the coordination and management of administrative governance structures (i.e., steering committees, program committees, etc.) and processes involving senior staff from across the organization.

In addition to the above, you will support diversity, inclusion, and a respectful work and service environment that is free from discrimination and harassment. You will help to remove barriers and accommodate employees and customers (within your area of responsibility) in accordance with TTC’s commitments and obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) and Related Orders, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and TTC’s policies.

What Qualifications Do You Bring?

• A University Degree or College Diploma in a related discipline (i.e., Public Policy, Public Administration, Transportation Planning, Business Administration) or a combination of education, training, and experience deemed to be equivalent.
• Experience writing reports, briefings, and policy papers for senior management that include strategic advice and recommendations.
• Experience managing projects/initiatives or strategic and operational reviews within a large-scale organization.
• Experience applying for intergovernmental grant funding on behalf of a large organization.
• Experience in developing and maintaining business and project tracking and reporting tools.
• Experience undertaking independent research and analysis within defined objectives on assigned projects.
• Exceptional problem-solving abilities; proven ability to generate creative solutions to complex operational and policy problems.
• Experience briefing senior management on a variety of topics with strong judgement for the appropriate level of detail required.
• Significant experience managing projects/initiatives or strategic and operational reviews within a large-scale public sector organization.
• Experience coordinating complex work across many business areas to ensure a cohesive voice to any initiative.
• Experience interpreting, synthesizing, and crafting technical material to fit a desired audience.
• Experience reviewing technical information against set criteria and providing analysis to meet desired outcomes.
• Proficiency in a variety of software packages including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, Project, and Outlook.
• Ability to develop project charters/terms of reference, objectives, and work plans.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships.
• Highly developed communication skills, orally and in writing, at all organizational levels.
• Excellent strategic, analytical, and conceptual thinking skills.
• Strong initiative with the ability to work independently.
• Sound judgement and ability to handle matters of a sensitive nature.
• Demonstrates political acuity and ability to work with a broad set of stakeholders with different interests.

What Skills Do You Bring?

• Apply analytical skills
• Demonstrate knowledge of the industry and/or sector
• Gather information and conduct research
• Use office technology, software, and applications
• Demonstrate appropriate and effective interpersonal communications through various media
• Provide specialized consultation
• Develop/document policies and procedures

What We Offer?

• Commitment to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture that promotes a sense of belonging, representation, and reflects the needs of the communities we serve.
• A flexible, hybrid work approach that allows colleagues to find balance between their professional and personal lives and make the most of the benefits of working remotely and purpose-driven in-person collaboration opportunities.
• One of the great benefits of being a full-time TTC employee is becoming a member of the TTC defined pension plan.
• A comprehensive package that covers health, dental, vision, and more.
• Support for professional development opportunities for all colleagues through a broad range of learning programs that include in-person and online training, leadership development, and support for colleagues’ well-being.

Commitment to EDI

The TTC is committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, anti-racism, and inclusion in the delivery of its services and in its workplaces. The TTC is committed to fostering a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities it serves at all levels of the organization and supports an inclusive environment where diverse employee and community perspectives and experiences bring value to the organization. The TTC encourages applications from all applicants, including members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equity, including but not limited to, Indigenous, Black and racialized groups, people with disabilities, women, and people from the LGBTQIA+ community. The TTC values and supports an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment and selection process. Accommodations for applicants are available upon request throughout the recruitment and selection process, including for those who identify as having a disability. Please contact Talent Management at [phone]. Any information received related to an accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

The TTC’s policy prohibits relatives of current TTC employees from being hired, assigned, transferred, or promoted into positions where there is a conflict of interest due to a relationship. Should you be selected for an interview, you will be required to disclose the name, relationship, and position of any relative who is a current TTC employee.

We thank all applicants for their interest but advise only those selected for an interview will be contacted.