Senior Director, Government Relations & Advocacy

Ontario Medical Association; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare advocacy organization in Toronto seeks a Senior Director of Government Relations & Advocacy to lead government relations strategies, manage a skilled team, and advance the interests of Ontario's doctors. The role requires a minimum of 15 years of relevant experience and expertise in public engagement and stakeholder relations. This position offers a competitive salary, exceptional benefits, and a hybrid work environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Bonus program

Exceptional group benefits package

Growth and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of relevant experience.
• Professional accreditation from CPRS or IABC.
• Ability to engage with all levels of government.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute government relations strategies.
• Lead a team of government relations experts.
• Oversee grassroots advocacy campaigns.

Skills

Government relations expertise

Political engagement

Public relations principles

Stakeholder relations

Education

Undergraduate degree in Public Policy, Political Science, or Communications

Master's degree

Job description

Overview

The Ontario Medical Association (OMA) advocates for and supports doctors, strengthening their leadership role in caring for patients. We continually seek to be the trusted voice in transforming Ontario’s health-care system by pursuing best practices, new ideas, solutions, and opportunities to improve.

The Senior Director of Government Relations & Advocacy is a key member of the ACM leadership team. This role provides strategic leadership for government relations at three levels of government. It is responsible for leading an experienced team in providing advice and counsel on political advocacy, managing government-related issues, and creating strategy to advance the cause of Ontario’s doctors.

Responsibilities

• Develops and executes the OMA’s government relations strategies designed to influence government policy and budget planning. This includes managing relationships with key government stakeholders, identifying engagement opportunities to support development of strong relationships with decision makers and influencers, and promoting OMA’s position.
• Leads a team of senior government relations experts and external advisors to deliver planned initiatives and activities. Liaises with internal stakeholders to identify strategic business priorities and government-related issues, provides expert advice and direction to senior leaders, and develops and presents strategies to address issues and enhance relationships with government representatives.
• Oversees sustained grassroots advocacy campaigns and special projects, determining goals, deliverables, success indicators and milestones; identifies strategies to reach targeted audiences, manage project teams and timelines, and evaluate outcomes for future improvements.
• Develops briefs, position papers and messaging to keep internal stakeholders, members and Health Care Advocates apprised of developments and to ensure external communications align with government relations mandates and strategies.
• Directs staff activities, monitors workload and performance, ensures adherence to policies and standards, manages staff development, and coordinates with Human Resources on recruitment and onboarding.
• Prepares and manages government relations and advocacy budgets, including projections, variances, and expenditures within budget.
• Identifies opportunities to improve government relations and advocacy initiatives by monitoring public opinion, industry best practices and emerging trends, and presenting recommendations for management approval.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Communications or equivalent; Master’s degree an asset.
• Minimum 15 years of relevant experience.
• Professional accreditation from Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) or International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).
• Knowledge of government, public opinion research, public engagement practices, and stakeholder and member relations.
• Expert knowledge of the mechanics of government at all levels, including bureaucracy and political spheres.
• Ability to engage with all levels of government to facilitate discussion and advance OMA policy positions.
• Knowledge of Ontario’s health-care system.

The OMA has moved to a permanent hybrid work environment. The successful candidate will be required to work a minimum number of days in our Toronto office.

What we have to offer

• A work environment that values respect, boldness, responsiveness, and transparency in our work and behaviours.
• A fantastic opportunity to grow with the team and help shape the strategic direction of the OMA, its members and the health-care system.
• An organization committed to equity, diversity and inclusion principles of humility, accountability, collaboration, courage and integrity.
• Growth and development opportunities through paid professional development and continuous in-house learning.
• A friendly and flexible hybrid work environment.
• Competitive salary and bonus program.
• Exceptional group benefits package, including a spending account and a robust wellness program.
• An organization recognized as Greater Toronto’s Top Employers for five consecutive years.

As a condition of employment, OMA conducts background checks and reference checks for all open positions.

We are excited about this opportunity and the recruitment process does not involve the use of Artificial Intelligence. The Ontario Medical Association is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates, including racialized persons, women, Indigenous People, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and others who contribute to the diversification of ideas. Accommodation will be provided throughout the recruitment process as required by the AODA Act.