- Lead projects to research, develop and recommend strategic policy options on complex program, policy and operational issues that achieve service area and City priorities, considering key political, social and economic issues.
- Provide research and analysis on matters such as previous Council direction and progress, initiatives by other levels of government, jurisdictions and public and private sector organizations, and emerging policy areas.
- Anticipate high-profile issues in the media or political domain and liaise with a variety of internal stakeholders to facilitate resolution, ensure implementation of high-priority initiatives and formulate appropriate responses, including media and other external/internal inquiries.
- Review and provide advice on all reports to City Council and its Committees from the Deputy City Manager, Corporate Services and key reports from the divisions in Corporate Services and other service areas.
- Provide strategic advice related to the agenda for Council and Committee meetings, including ensuring the Deputy City Manager is fully briefed on matters before Council in a timely and accurate manner, and monitor all Council and Committee meetings to identify and assess emerging direction, opportunities for influence, and alignment with other policy/strategic initiatives.
- Lead the Service Area's agenda management and forecasting process, including chairing a table of leads across Corporate Services, managing Service Area input into the City-wide Agenda Forecasting System, proactively advising divisions on reporting requirements and timelines based on Council directions, and collaborating with other Deputy City Managers' Offices to brief members of the City's Senior Leadership Team on key reports.
- Prepare and present reports, briefing notes, presentations and issues analyses for executive, political and public audiences.
- Maintain a thorough knowledge of current corporate and Service Area issues and initiatives, and draft reports and responses on issues, projects, escalated complaints and related matters.
- Manage assigned projects, ensuring effective teamwork and communication, high standards of work quality and organizational performance, and continuous learning.
- Represent the Service Area and divisional interests at key meetings and participate on City-wide or corporate Committees and Task Forces.
- Provide liaison between the Deputy City Manager's Office and Members of Council and their staff as required.
- Post-secondary education that supports broad and strategic thinking, policy development and analysis, communications, issues resolution, relationship building and stakeholder management (Public Policy/Administration, Political Science, Communications, Business, etc.) or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
- Considerable experience in a large public sector organization, combined with in-depth knowledge of government decision-making processes. Knowledge of Committee and Council proceedings, current corporate policies, programs, issues and initiatives is considered an asset.
- Several progressive years' experience in policy research, analysis and development to evaluate implications of potential policy changes, anticipate stakeholder reaction and make recommendations to mitigate potential risks.
- People leadership experience is considered an asset, as a foundation for mentoring staff and working across the service area with junior staff to lead meetings, working groups and collaborate on plans and solutions.
- Proven political acumen and exceptional judgment and insight.
- Demonstrated ability to operate as a fully accountable program leader, including effective decision-making skills and a track record of innovation and result-oriented leadership.
- Ability to handle confidential and/or sensitive matters and use discretion to navigate and address complex matters.
- Considerable experience preparing reports, briefing notes and presentations on various topics.
- Considerable experience managing issues and leading projects or initiatives involving multiple stakeholders, including the ability to negotiate and achieve consensus among parties with different objectives.
- Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills, with an ability to build effective and strong working relationships and trust with a broad range of stakeholders, including other service areas, politicians and their staff, other orders of government and external organizations.
- Excellent presentation skills to conduct briefings for senior executives and stakeholders.
- Ability to identify, co-ordinate and manage competing priorities, and thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with minimal supervision.
manager strategic policy - Toronto, Canada - City of Toronto
Description
Job ID: 44897
Job Category: Policy, Planning & Research
Division & Section: Deputy City Manager's Office, Corporate Services
Work Location: CITY HALL, 100 Queen St. West, Toronto, ON M5G 1P5
Job Type & Duration: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: $122,000.00-$158, Rate), TM2210 and wage grade 8
Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week
Affiliation: Non-Union
Number of Positions Open: 1
Posting Period: 12-March-2024 to 26-March-2024
The Office of the Deputy City Manager, Corporate Services is seeking a strategic, politically savvy, analytical and solutions-oriented policy leader in the role of Manager, Strategic Policy & Issues. Reporting to the Director, Strategic Policy & Programs, this position offers a unique opportunity for a self-starter and problem-solver with a strategic mindset and exceptional judgment to play a pivotal role on a small, collaborative team at the heart of municipal government.
Equally important, you are an inclusive leader and professional who enjoys working with internal and external stakeholders as a partner, and are committed to contributing to a supportive, productive and collaborative work environment.
Corporate Services enables City Divisions, Agencies, Corporations and external partners to deliver the programs and services that residents and businesses rely on, through enterprise-wide leadership that improves service experiences, modernizes, sustains and protects critical technology and real estate assets, and drives climate action.
What can you expect to do?
Policy and program analysis and strategic issues management will be at the heart of your role as Manager, Strategic Policy & Issues, with a strong emphasis on City Council and Committee activities.
As a seasoned policy professional with a hands-on approach, you will work with and on behalf of the Deputy City Manager and Director, Strategic Policy & Programs, to lead, coordinate and advise on the development of key reports to City Council and its Committees. As part of this work, you will strategically monitor Council and Committee meetings for opportunities and impacts for the service area.
Informed by your partnerships with staff in various divisions, other Deputy City Managers' Offices and the City Manager's Office, Deputy City Manager's Office will rely on your knowledge and insight to manage preparation, briefing and strategic alignment on staff reports from the Corporate Services area, and to proactively identify key connections to the service area's work. You will also represent Corporate Services to brief the City's Senior Leadership Team on a regular basis on upcoming reports deemed high-profile, significant, complex and/or strategic.
Working closely with the Director, you will provide strategic advice and recommendations to solve complex policy matters, develop and review briefing material and presentations for executive, political and public audiences, and conduct research and analysis on key matters of interest to the Deputy City Manager and Director to inform decision-making.
In particular, as Manager of Strategic Policy & Issues, you will be expected to:
Key Qualifications:
Among other strengths, your profile for the role of Manager, Strategic Policy & Issues will include the following key qualifications:
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City's commitment to employment equity.
Accommodation
The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request. Learn more about the City's Hiring Policies and Accommodation Process.